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Tokyo Tower
Something of a shameless tourist trap, this 1958-vintage tower remains a beloved symbol of the citys post-WWII rebirth. At 333m its 13m taller than the Eiffel Tower, which was the inspiration for its design. Its also painted bright orange and white in order to comply with internati
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Kōenji
For decades Kōenji has been the haunt of counterculture types. Wander the neighbourhood’s narrow roads and you’ll find scores of small bars, live-music venues and secondhand stores. Don’t miss the Kita-Kore Building , where some of Tokyo’s most irreverent young fashion designers ha
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Namco Namjatown
A complex of four buildings east of the station, Sunshine City is visited by shoppers and for Namco Namjatown . The main activities are carnival-style rides and attractions. Foodies will prefer the food ‘theme parks’ dedicated to adventures in gyoza (pan-fried dumplings), ice cream
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Heiwadai
The parks centrepiece is the 37m-high Peace Tower monument constructed in 1940, a time when peace in Japan was about to disappear. Its timeless design may remind you of ancient Inca or Khmer monuments, and its made of stones from all over the world. The Haniwa Garden is dotted with
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Jigokudani Monkey Park
In operation since 1964 and showing its age, thousands flock here each year to see the over-photographed troupe of Japanese macaques who are lured into the pools with food. Theyre at times a little savage as they run wildly around you on the paths to the man-made onsen. The monkeys
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Japanese Sword Museum
In 1948, after American forces returned the katana (Japanese swords) they’d confiscated during the postwar occupation, the national Ministry of Education established a society, and this museum, to preserve the feudal art of Japanese sword-making. There are dozens of swords on displ
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Mii
Just past its 1200th anniversary (in 2014), these rambling, deeply wooded precincts at the edge of central Ōtsu are the head temple of the Jimon branch of Tendai Buddhism. Four of its buildings are national treasures, others are important cultural properties. The Niō-mon gate here
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Ohatsu Tenjin Shrine
Hiding in plain sight amid the skyscrapers of Umeda, this 1300-year-old shrine owes its fame to one of Japans best known tragic plays (based on true events). Star-crossed lovers Ohatsu, a prostitute, and Tokubei, a merchants apprentice. Rather than live apart, they committed double
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MISC
Meguro-dōri, the broad boulevard that runs southwest from Meguro Station, is Tokyo’s de facto interior design district (MISC stands for Meguro Interior Shops Community). Design shops punctuate a 3km stretch of Meguro-dori, starting roughly around the Parasitological Museum. There i
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Echigo
In 2000 this open-air gallery was conceived as a way to bring people back to this rapidly depopulating, though enchantingly beautiful rural area of green fields and historical wooden farmhouses. Spread out over 770 sq km are scores of installations by Japanese and international art
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Takara
This expansive park is an excellent place for a stroll or picnic in natural surroundings. Far from the throngs in the city centre, it is a popular place for bird-watching and has spacious gardens. There is a 1.8km loop around the main pond, where rowboats can be hired for ¥1000 per
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Tokushima Castle Museum
You can get a glimpse into the castles former grandeur at Tokushima Castle Museum, which contains a model of the castle town at its peak as well as artefacts from this period. On display in the museum are the daimyō s (domain lords) boat, suits of armour, and letters to the local l
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Kashihara
This shrine, at the foot of Unebi-yama, dates back to 1889, when many of the buildings were moved here from Kyoto Gosho (Kyoto Imperial Palace). The buildings are a good example of classical Shintō architecture, in the same style as those at Ise-jingū . The shrine is dedicated to J
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Mori Art Museum
Atop Mori Tower this gigantic gallery space sports high ceilings, broad views and thematic programs that continue to live up to all the hype associated with Roppongi Hills. Contemporary exhibits are beautifully presented and include superstars of the art world from both Japan and a
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Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims
A softly lit internal walkway leads down into this cool, contemplative space, where the walls show a circular panorama of Hiroshima and the names of its neighbourhoods at the time of the atomic bomb. The fountain at the centre represents the moment the bomb was dropped (8.15), whil
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Rikugi
Tokyos most beautiful garden was designed to reflect the aesthetic of traditional Waka poetry. Built by a feudal lord in 1702, it has walkways that pass over hills and stone bridges, and by trickling streams and scenes inspired by famous poems. Theres a teahouse where you can drink
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Togakush
Comprising three sub-shrines – Togakushi-Hōkōsha (宝光社), Togakushi-Chūsha (中社) and Togakushi-Okusha (奥社) – each a few kilometres apart, Togakushi Shrine honours the 1911m-high Mt Togakushi. Intimate Chūsha is the most easily accessible; one tree here is said to be 700 years old. Fro
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Tods Building
In the 1980s a second generation of Japanese architects began to gain recognition within the international architecture scene, including Ito Toyo, Hasegawa Itsuko and Andō Tadao. This younger group has continued to explore both modernism and postmodernism, while incorporating the r
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Abeno Harukas
Japans tallest building (300m, 60 storeys), this Cesar Pelli–designed tower opened in March 2014 and dominates Osakas southern skyline, offering sweeping city views. It houses Japans largest department store (Kintetsu, floors B2-14), other shops, a hotel, offices, restaurants and o
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Farm Tomita
You really have to see Farm Tomita to believe it: try to imagine huge fields of brightly coloured flowers blooming like a rainbow. The Japanese tend to go wildest over the lavender, but the seasonal fields produce just as many squeals of delight.The cafe and gift shop sell lavender
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