Tokyo
We encourage all guests to stay in Tokyo for a few days before our wedding to enjoy the world’s most populous metropolis and adjust to the time change. We have put together a collection of activities we recommend as well as accommodation options to help guide you if you are a first time visitor to Japan.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The Peninsula Tokyo
The Peninsula Tokyo is a luxurious hotel located in Tokyo’s prestigious Ginza district, opposite the Imperial Palace and surrounded by Tokyo’s finest shops and restaurants.
The Peninsula includes a full spa facilities, gym and pool with outdoor terrace.
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyobashi
Situated in the heart of Tokyo, only a 5-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station, Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyobashi offers comfortable rooms with free WiFi and a restaurant.
The popular shopping district Ginza and the Tokyo International Forum are both a 12-minute walk away. Tokyo Disney Resort can be reached with a 30-minute train ride on the Keiyo Line.
CITAN Hostel
CITAN offers a total of 130 beds with 6 different types of rooms to select from such as mixed dormitories, female dormitories, twin beds, queen sized and king sized beds. CITAN has a cafe on the 1st floor, a bar and restaurant in the basement. Located two stops away from Tokyo Station CITAN provides modern rooms at lower prices.
CITAN offers a communal kitchen for guests and has shared washroom facilities. Amenities such as toothbrushes and towels are available for a small fee.
Recommendations
We could probably write a novel about Tokyo recommendations. It’s such a fascinating metropolis where you can spend endless days just exploring one subway station (i.e Tokyo Station). Although we have been to Tokyo more than 10 times combined, we are still finding new places to discover. A good resource is Go Tokyo, the official Tokyo guide where you find area guides, attractions by neighbourhood and interests, and other useful information. We use this site every time we visit Tokyo.
The following are a few of our recommended places to visit.
Meji Shrine
Meiji Shrine, is Tokyo’s major Shinto shrine. Originally established in 1920, destroyed during the war and rebuilt in 1958. It is Japan’s most visited religious site (up to one million visitors a day at the start of the year) and hugely popular for weddings. It was built to commemorate Emperor Meiji (1852-1912) and his wife Empress Shōken (1849-1914).
Tokyo Station & Marunouchi
Marunouchi is located in central Tokyo between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace. Tokyo was reconstructed after the war and is the busiest train station by trains in Japan. It is filled with unique shops and restaurants from around Japan. The Imperial Palace is normally off limits however there are tours for foreigners that need to be booked in advanced.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Shinjuku Guoen National Garden was originally a residence of the Naitō family in the Edo period. It has now been converted into a large park where you can take stroll, nap on the grass, or grab a picnic lunch from a konbini (convenience store).
Ginza
On Sundays, Uchibori Dori (the main road east of the Imperial Palace) is partially closed to traffic to make way for a 3km cycle course. You can rent a bike for free and enjoy a nice course around the Imperial Palace!
Konbini
Konbini means convenience store in Japan are literally dotted every block in Tokyo. It’s hard to explain why they are so special in Japan but you have to check one out to understand. They have the most amazing selection of onigiri (rice balls), manju (steamed buns) and all kinds of delicious but fast grab and go food. All the meals can be heated up in their microwave as well.