Imperial Palace, Shrines, Tourist attractions

Imperial Palace* in Chiyoda-ku The Imperial Palace itself is closed all but two days of the year. The garden and grounds are open to the public year-round. The palace is within walking distance of Tokyo Station (accessible by both Subway and Japan Rail trains).

Senso-Ji Temple* in Asakusa 2-3-1 Asakusa Taito-ku Tokyo Phone: 3842-0181 Admission: Free Open: Always open Possible travel route:1) Walk from hotel to Nezu station 2) At Nezu station, pick up the Chiyoda line (heading towards Sendagi) and go to Kita-senju station 3) At Kita-senju station, pick up the Hibiya line (heading towards Minami-senju) and go to Ueno station 4) At Ueno station, pick up the Ginza line (heading towards Inaricho) and go to Asakusa station 5) Senso-Ji temple is within walking distance of Asakusa station

Meiji Shrine* in Shibuya 1-1 Kamizono-cho, Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku Shrine Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk Jingu Naien Garden: Daily, 09:00-16:30 One of Japan's finest examples of Shinto architecture, the atmospheric Meiji Shrine is tucked away in the centre of a dark, cool forest, an unexpected oasis in the centre of the city. Passing through a vast wooden torii gate, the visitor follows the wide gravel path through the forest and into the shrine precincts. Completed in 1920, the shrine honours the memory of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, under whose reign Japan rapidly modernised and reopened to the outside world. On weekends, it is often possible to see a traditional wedding procession and the precincts are one of the best places to witness the finery and festivities of New Year, Coming of Age Day (January 15) and the children's festival Shichi-Go-San (weekends around November 15). The Jingu Naien Garden in the shrine grounds is well worth visiting in June for the spectacular displays of irises. Meiji-jingu shrine is within walking distance of Gaiemmae station (TRTA Ginza line). The National Noh theatre may also be near the shrine.  --  PG

Gokokuji Temple Buddhist Temple in Tokyo Possible travel route: 1) Walk from hotel to Nezu station 2) At Nezu station, pick up the Chiyoda line (heading towards Yushima) and go to Otemachi station 3) At Otemachi station, pick up the Tozai line (heading towards Takebashi) to Iidabashi station 4) At Iidabashi station, pick up the Yurakucho line (heading towards Edogawabashi) to Gokokuji station 5) Gokokuji Temple is within walking distance of Gokokuji station

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Tokyo Tower*

Tokyo tower has two observation galleries - a "main" one at 150 meters and a "special" one at 250 meters. As attractions go, it's not the world's best value. However, as one of Japan's most famous, and also one of the tackiest, it's undoubtedly worth a look.
Adults: "main" gallery ¥820, "special" gallery ¥600.Buying your tickets can be confusing - tickets for the "main" gallery are bought from the ticket booths on the first floor. Tickets for the "special" gallery are bought from the booths located in the "main" gallery. In other words you have to buy a "main" gallery ticket in order to go up to the "special" gallery.

Having negotiated your ticket, you'll find the stiff, smartly dressed lift operators make the lift ride up to the "main" gallery all the more entertaining. Once out, a loud musical accompaniment will get you in the mood, or even a mood - it's quite likely to be the Carpenters. However the view is spectacular - Mount Fuji, Ginza, Tokyo Bay and Yokohama.
Inside the tower, there are also a number of amusements and attractions. On the first floor there's an aquariumcontaining 50,000 fish! However, before entering assess value for money. The fish are very small, and the ticket price not so - adults ¥800!
The Mysterious Walking Zone of Hologram Technology and the Wax Works Museum are perhaps better value. These are on the third floor. The museum costs ¥870 for adults and ¥460 for children. The Mysterious Walking Zone is ¥410 for adults and ¥300 for children. Finally, on the fourth floor there's the Trick Art Gallery full of strange, funny and curious 3D images. This is ¥400 for adults and ¥300 for children.
A shopping arcade and restaurants are on the first and second floors
OPENING TIMES
Observation galleries: 9:00 am to 8:00pm from March 16th to July 30th
9:00 am to 9:00pm from August 1st to August 31st
9:00 am to 8:00pm from September 1st to November 15th
9:00 am to 7:00pm from November 16th to March 15th
The attractions open one hour later at 10:00.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Address: 4-2 Shiba Koen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03 3433-5111
How to get to Tokyo Tower
By train: (there are 4 alternative ways) 1. Take the Hibiya Subway Line to Kamiyacho Station and then follow the signs - about a 7 minute walk.
2. Take the JR Yamanote Line or the JR Keihin Tohoku Line to JR Hamamatsucho Station. From here, it's a 900m walk.
3. Take the Asakusa Subway Line to Daimon Station. From here, an 800 m walk.
4. Take the TOEI Mita Subway Line to Onarimon Station. From here, a 490 m walk
 By bus:
Number 88 from Shibuya Station.

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Odaiba*

Odaiba was a vacant stretch of reclaimed land until just a few years ago, but now an amazing selection of entertainment and exhibition facilities have made Odaiba the most popular leisure destination in Tokyo. Serving Odaiba is the Yurikamome Line, a fully computerized unmanned train service taking in Rainbow Bridge, which offers superb views of waterfront Tokyo and its ultramodern architecture

On the Yurikamome monorail from Shimbashi, try beating the old trainspotters to a seat at the front or the very back for a prime vantage point

We should plan on going to Odaiba for at least two days

Train route from Nezu station to Odaiba station
1) Walk from hotel to Nezu station
2) At Nezu station, pick up the Chiyoda line (heading towards Yushima) and go to Hibiya station
3) At Hibiya station, pick up the Hibiya line (heading towards Ginza) and go to Ginza station
4) At Ginza station, pick up the Ginza line (heading towards Shimbashi) to Shimbashi station
5) At Shimbashi Station, transfer to the privately run Yurikamome monorail (heading towards Shibaura Futo) to Odaiba Station ¥900 (for a 1 day pass)

Decks Tokyo Beach

A shopping and entertainment complex in Odaiba. The whole area offers a pleasant seaside environment with great views of waterfront Tokyo, while creating a convincing illusion of being miles from big city streets and stress. In Decks Tokyo Beach you can simulate skydiving, enjoy the thrills of a haunted house, and sample many other entertaining experiences.

A famous large game center called JOYPOLIS is located on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors. Opening hours: 10:00am-11:00pm.  Entrance Fee to JOYPOLIS: ¥500

Tokyo Restaurant Guide: Restaurants in Odaiba
Hinazushi (Daiba)
Hina Restaurant in Daiba has an all you can eat sushi deal for ¥4,300.  They're in Sunset Beach Restaurant Row.

Tenten Tsunetsune Kaitenbou (Daiba)
Tenten Tsunetsune Kaitenbou in the Tokyo Beach "Daiba Little Hong Kong" amusement area, this one stands out for the novelty value of their conveyer-belt dim sum service.
Daiba 1-3-5, Decks Tokyo Beach 7F. Open 11am-10pm daily

Hanashibe (Daiba)
Locally brewed sake (very sweet) and simple Japanese dishes like udon.
Daiba 1-7-1, Mediage 3F (Aquacity Odaiba). Open 11am-11pm daily

Palette Town

Perhaps the most striking of all the landmarks in this area of Tokyo is Palette Town's massive Perris wheel, which at 115m is one of the largest in the world. At night the wheel is brilliantly illuminated with a stunning variety of lighting patterns. A ride takes about 16 min. Fee : ¥900 (adult). Hours: 10:00-22:00 (but this may vary depending on various factors including the weather).
West Mall (inside Palette Town)
The first floor is devoted to Sun Walk, featuring numerous stores for furniture, sporting goods, children's goods and much more, including the biggest bed shop in Tokyo. Among the more experimental ideas here is a bookstore where you are invited to play. There are plenty of shops with a unique merchandise line-up, and look out for a very specious powder room for women.
On the second and third floors of West Mall is the extraordinary Venus Fort, which simulates the experience of walking around an 18th century town in southern Europe. Level 2 is the Floor of the Sky. Level 3 is the Floor of Alleys. Your stroll on Level 2 will take you past a large fountain and on to a plaza in front of a large church. Watch as the sky is transformed by the "setting sun" from blue to pink, before ultimately being replaced by a starlit firmament. Then stroll back through streets lined with shops designed to appeal to the woman, including fashion emporia, cosmetics specialists, and numerous accessory stores.

Aquacity

An entertainment and shopping paradise with a major mall, movie theaters, games, diverse services, and unbeatable views of Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Harbor. With its seventy or so restaurants, this single location offers one of Japan's most comprehensive selections for the gourmet.

Mediage

Created by the Sony Group, Mediage is a sophisticated entertainment complex adjoining Aqua City Odaiba. A multiplex cinema complex features thirteen screens. Elsewhere in Mediage you can enjoy a range of highly original attractions. Fun for all the family.

GETTING TO ODAIBA
By monorail: from Shimbashi catch the Yurikamome monorail. Best value is the day pass for ¥800, but ¥900 buys you unlimited monorail and ferry rides too. You can catch the ferry part of the way and then finish on the monorail. One way to Odaiba is ¥370.
By ferry from Asakusa: 55 min, ¥1600.
By ferry from Hinode: 20 min, ¥400 or included in the ¥900 monorail day pass.
Getting around Odaiba:
The Free Bay Shuttle Bus stops at all the big attractions on the island and the round trip takes 37min. Or just use your day pass to get on and off the monorail.

Suijo Water Bus lines (goes between Kasai Sea Life aquarium & Palette town)
http://www.suijobus.co.jp/english/cruise_e/line/k&b_line.html
¥560/person from Kasai Sealife Park to Palette Town by waterbus