A millennium ago or so the legend goes, the Hirokuma brothers found the statue of Kannon (the Bodhisattva of Mercy - the deity alleged to have great powers in purifying people and granting them true happiness) in their fishing nets, and the village chief dutifully enshrined it. The Asakusa Shrine was thus established in 1649 and the three persons in the legend were consecrated as gods of the shrine, hereby earning it the nickname Sanja-sama (the shrine of the three gods). Undoubtedly one of the most famous shrines in Tokyo, it also hosts the Sanja Festival in May.
Kabuki-za, the main kabuki theater in Tokyo since 1889, usually features two daily performances each consisting of three or four plays, and the repertoire is changed monthly. For 650 Yen, non-Japanese-speaking visitors can hire earphones that give an explanation in English. The visitor who does not have time for an entire performance can buy a ticket for the 4th floor to watch part of the show, but earphones are not available. Five restaurants provide a wide range of Japanese food and refreshments for visitors.
The glorious Kōkyo (Tokyo Imperial Palace) is a magnificent structure in Tokyo's Chiyoda ward, nestled amid open parkland. The Fukiage, East, and Ninomaru Gardens front the palace, which is steeped in history and architectural excellence. Since Tokyo became the political and imperial capital in 1868, the Imperial Palace has served as the official royal residence. Located in what was once the inner section of Edo Castle, the seat of the Tokugawa shogun, this piece of prime real estate in central Tokyo is enclosed by walls and moats. The structure gives way to an equally elegant interior, which includes the Hōmeiden State Banquet Hall, the Rensui Dining Room and the Chōwaden Reception Hall among other sections. Only on two occasions—January 2 (New Year) and 23 February (Emperor Naruhito's birthday) do the Emperor and the Royal Family emerge and wave to the gathering crowd from behind bulletproof windows.
Ueno Zoological Gardens, over 100 years old, is one of the oldest zoos in the country. The gardens are home to a multitude of birds, Siberian tigers, monkeys, gorillas, Giant Pandas, giraffes, and other animals from all over the world. There is also a children's petting zoo at the southern end. A pagoda-like structure, dating back to 1631, stands on one end of the park and adds a touch of Japanese history into the mix. Perfectly combining history and wildlife, this attraction makes for a rewarding experience for adults and children alike.
Founded in 1926, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum displays a wide range of Japanese art forms in its six huge galleries. Apart from organizing exhibitions of traditional Japanese crafts, graphic design and calligraphy by contemporary Japanese artists, the museum also holds art lectures and workshops for upcoming enthusiasts. Admission prices vary as per the exhibition. For more details, check the website.
Watching over the cosmopolitan landscape of Sumida, Tokyo Sky Tree is one of the tallest towers in the world. The tower is a beacon of the city's contemporary persona and an amalgam of traditional and neo-futuristic architecture elements. Boasting a monumental scale of 634 meters (2080 feet), this lofty tower is home to many attractions including a restaurant, a cafe, an aquarium, and observatories that afford astounding views of Tokyo's cityscape. Tokyo Skytree is a sight of magnificence at night, forming not only a dominating feature of Sumida's skyline but also appearing as a majestic embodiment of the city's ever-evolving face.
Founded in 2008 and located in the Shinjuku ward of Tokyo metropolis, Totem Pole Photo Gallery is a refined center for display of contemporary photography. The spacious facility of the center serves as a platform for talented amateur artists and provides various elements like aluminum and wooded frames, adequate lights and LCD projectors to make the exhibition successful. A perfect place to view skillful photography display by professional artists from time to time. Call or visit their website for more information.
The term art has come to mean a lot of things other than the cliched painting and music. Song, music, dance, visual art, graphic designing and sculpture are a few of the other art forms which have become popular over the years. ASK? Art Space Kimura promotes various forms of art and culture in the city of Tokyo. To know more about the events and the place, do visit their website.
Aoyama Gakuin University's history dates back to 1874 when a few missionaries started three schools in Shibuya which merged to form the university in 1949. One of the esteemed Christian educational institutions in Japan, it offers undergraduate and graduate courses to its students while also giving on campus housing facilities. Aoyama houses nine faculties and 23 departments from the Arts, Commerce and Science fields. It has two campuses, the Aoyama and Sagamihara. The Aoyama Campus is located in the Shibuya neighborhood and is the original site since it was a part of Aoyama Gakuin's foundation. Spanning 29.65 acres (11.99 hectares) with many trees, it has a quiet and charming look to it. While Sagamihara was built in 2003 and is situated in its namesake locality, this extensive campus has nineteen buildings and is abode to the Science and Engineering, and Social Informatics centers.
Gallery Art Morimoto houses some very beautiful mementos of artwork that are worth checking out. You will get to see artwork by regional artists that give you a glimpse into the artistic aspects of Tokyo. They also host regular exhibitions and art fairs, the showcased exhibits ranging from water colors and oil paintings to wood carvings. If you are interested in knowing more about the place or are looking forward to pay a visit here, check the website.
Opened in June 2010, Hiromart Gallery may be a comparatively newer kid on the block however, it has managed to make Tokyo's art world sit up and take notice. Hosting an interesting range of photography exhibitions, one can expect some off-beat works here. Check website for a list of upcoming events.
The Zen Foto Gallery was opened in September 2009 with the aim of promoting Chinese contemporary photography. It also collaborates with its sister-gallery in Beijing in a bid to build bridges between Japanese and Chinese photographers. Check website for details on upcoming exhibitions.