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Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings

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nearawaydistant
nearawaydistant
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Editor Pick

A Good Place to Start a Tour of Tokyo

  • September 16, 2009
  • Rated 4 of 5 by barbara from Atlanta, Georgia
A Good Place to Start a Tour of Tokyo

I wanted to go on a tour of Tokyo led by an English speaking guide. Well, I didn't think I needed reservations in advance. I just showed up at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings in Shinjuku from which the tour was supposed to embark. Ah, what folly!

I have now discovered the Japanese are planners, and reservations are the way of the wise. Queries of, "Can you please look to see if there's an extra place on the tour since I don't have a reservation?" were met with bewildered looks. I was an amusing gaijin (foreigner.)

If I had only stopped at the visitors' centre earlier, I could have booked my space. If only I had taken advantage of the resources available, I probably could have made better use of my time, too. Therefore, I would suggest that you drop by here on the first day you arrive in Tokyo. They do speak English, and the staff here want to help you enjoy your stay.

What kind of help can you get?

Spreading a map across the counter, the lady helping us circled sections of the city that might spark interest. She also was happy to look up evening entertainment and call bath houses to see which were public. She suggested places to go at night and read the Sumo Wrestlers' schedule for us when we could make hide nor hair out of it.

(Unfortunately, the next Sumo match available the week we were in Tokyo was on the day we were flying home. If we'd been able to attend, however, I learned tickets started at $30+ with expense based on where you sat in the arena. Apparently the cheapest tickets are always sold same-day, but the are in the outer viewing ring.)

When you visit the Metropolitan buildings, you can also take advantage of a free tour of the assembly hall where the government meets. Perhaps more interesting, there are twin observatories to provide a view as far away as Mt. Fuji.

Also, I was happy to learn we were able to sign up for a cultural experience the afternoon we were in the Visitors' Center even though we hadn't planned ahead.

To promote Japanese culture, out of country visitors are invited to participate in any number of culture/craft classes that are provided for free. After signing up, we made silver rings with the same tools used by Japanese Master Craftsmen to make Tokyo Ginki or Tokyo Silverware. There was an Australian family making rings as well, and the kids really enjoyed the activity.

As for me, I am easy to please. I happily pounded on my silver band until it was ready to be passed onto the craftsman who polished it for me. This was a cool souvenir for me to take back to the US and remind me of my time in Tokyo.

Of course, I can't promise you will be able to make a ring as the schedule of such promotional events is fluid. Looking at a calendar, however, I saw that there were going to be classes on paper folding (origami), flowering arrangements (ikebana) and wood joinery (edo sashimono) in future. Each class had a daily limit for number of participants, so if such an adventure strikes you as appealing, ask if any are available and make reservations when you are in Shinjuku.

If you're concerned about time, the ring-making only took about 30 minutes, and we made more than a craft... it was a good memory to take home.

From journal Terrific Tokyo

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

  • October 21, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by youthskater190 from nothanks, California
Even backpackers can survive Tokyo's prices, if you know the language, people, and where to look. Youth Hostels can provide you in main areas in Tokyo, for a cheap price and usually provide breakfast the following day, a public bath on the floor you're on, get to the bath first, or else it will be icky and cold later with hair and stuff in it. Not pretty.

From journal Tokyo, a World of it's Own...

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

  • October 21, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by youthskater190 from nothanks, California
Even backpackers can survive Tokyo's prices, if you know the language, people, and where to look. Youth Hostels can provide you in main areas in Tokyo, for a cheap price and usually provide breakfast the following day, a public bath on the floor you are on, get to the bath first, or else it will be icky and cold later with hair and stuff in it. 

From journal Tokyo, a World of it's Own...

Editor Pick

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

If you are in the Shinjuku area and need to get an overview (literally) of Tokyo, this is the place to be. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government complex is a series of buildings with striking architecture that have an observation deck on the top floor for public viewing, FREE public viewing I might add! Anything, within reason, that is free in Tokyo, jump at the chance!

Ride the public elevators with 20 of your newest, closest friends (please realize personal space in Japan isn't what it is in most other places) to the top of the Tokyo skyline. You will be afforded far-reaching views across all of Tokyo, and if lucky (and it's very clear), Mt. Fuji will be in the distance. Spend some time getting your bearings straight in this massive city. Break out your guidebook and try and decipher where the sites you want to see are. I spent about an hour here and really took in the surroundings. It gave me a better understanding of the distinct districts that make up Tokyo proper.

While up top, I also spied a small park that was having a "flea market." Always on the lookout for a good buy, I made my way down and made a few inexpensive purchases. Keep on the lookout for unique adventures. They are always out there to be had.

From journal Tokyo, Japan - A First-Timer's View

Tokyo Government Building

Tokyo Government Building

See the urban sprawl in all its splendour. Witness the organised chaos of Tokyo spread out under you, and best of all its free. You can go up until 9 at night, and it's one of the best locations to see the new year sunrise!!!

From journal Living the Hard life in Tokyo

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