NIHON MINKAEN

NIHON MINKAEN 
(JAPAN OPEN-AIR FOLK HOUSE MUSEUM)
Open air museum with several Japanese folk houses on display. Take a look inside houses from all over the place that were donated (and relocated) to the museum for preservation.

Open: 9:30am-5:00pm (Nov. to Feb. ~4:30pm)
Last entry: 30 minutes before closing time
Closed: Mondays (open on national holidays), the next day of a national holiday (open if next day is Saturday or Sunday), from Dec. 29 to Jan. 3
Admission fee: 500 yen (adults), 300 yen (students), Free (Junior High School and under)
Access: 13 minute walk from Mukogaoka-yuen station (Odakyu Line), or 25 minute walk from Noborito station (Nambu Line)

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://english.nihonminkaen.jp/

TIP: After your visit to the museum, find the stairs that will lead you up to the Masugatayama Obervatory to get great view of the area. You should be able to find a bit to the right (East) of the museum entrance.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:
★★★☆☆
Incredible open-air museum with a lot of different houses. If you have the chance, definitely join one of the guided (Japanese) tours. It may sounds tiresome, but it's really incredible how many details you miss without someone pointing them out. Thanks to our guide I've seen and learned a lot more than I would have done by myself! But even without a guide this open-air museum is worth visiting! It's really nice to see these houses from the in- and outside.

TODOROKI VALLEY

TODOROKI VALLEY / TODOROKI RAVINE PARK
A small valley in the heart of the city. Go down the stairs and find yourself within the silence of nature.

WARNING: It could be dangerous to walk through the valley after or during heavy rainfall.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:
★★★★☆
Absolutely stunning! Once you're down the stairs into the valley, all the noises of the city are suddenly gone. It's just you and nature! The whole valley isn't that long (unfortunately) but if you don't walk to fast and appreciate the amazing scenery, you might just take a full hour before you make it to the other side. It's absolutely incredible. If you have a chance and are in the area this is definitely worth seeing!


RECOMMENDED!

YAKUSHIIKE PARK

YAKUSHIIKE PARK
Quite spacious park opposite of the Machida Squirrel Garden. Nice place to take a stroll sniff some Japanese culture.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.city.machida.tokyo.jp/bunka/park/shisetu/park01.html (only Japanese)

TIP: Combine your stroll though Yukushiike Park with a visit to the Machida Squirrel Garden.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:
There was construction going on when I visited (2015), so the pond was completely empty. That was unfortunate. But in all it was pretty park, quite specious. Found lots of plants, some old Japanese structures, a temple and some sort of peace monument. Since it was autumn we didn't get to see much of the flowers that'll probably blossom really beautifully during spring, but we did get to see some shades of red, yellow and brown. Those were really pretty too. As it was a rainy day, there weren't too many people, but I suspect this park draws plenty of people on a sunny day. If you're in the area it's most definitely worth checking out.

MACHIDA SQUIRREL GARDEN

MACHIDA SQUIRREL GARDEN
Play and feed the more than 100 squirrels in a large garden full of little squirrel houses. When you're done with the squirrels, move on to play with the rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals.

Open: 10:00-16:00 (Weekends & national holidays from Apr till Sep ~17:00) Last entry 30 minutes before closing time
Closed: Every Tuesday (open on national holidays), the day after a National holiday, first Tuesday to Friday of Jun, Sep and Dec, Dec 27 - Jan 2
Admission Fee: 400 yen (adults), 200 yen (children 3~12 years old)
Access: Take bus 53 or 55 from Machida station (Odakyu North exit). Get of at Yakushiike (薬師池)

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.machida-risuen.com/ (only Japanese)

TIP: When you're done playing with the squirrels, go for a stroll at the Yakushiike park opposite of the Squirrel garden!

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:
★★★★★
Totally awesome! Buy some food at the park (100 yen) an prepare yourself to be assaulted by little squirrels who are desperate to eat your sunflower seeds! You'll find Japanese people kneeling down to feed the little jumpers, but trust me... just stand up and let them climb all over you! That's so much more fun! (Beware, don't wear clothing that could easily tear! Tiny squirrels have tiny nails!) They also have a bunch of bunnies and a good lot of guinea pigs that you're also allowed to feed, but not hold. However, they do have a separate space where you can hold the balls of fluff! It's not very big, but a lot of fun!

RECOMMENDED!!

MEIJI JINGU SHRINE

MEIJI JINGU SHRINE
Famous Shinto shrine located within yoyogi park.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/english/

TIP: don't forget to check out the rest of yoyogi park! If time allows, go shopping in Harajuku.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:
Pretty shrine, very large and pretty impressive the first time around. Since my first visit (2010) I've seen so many temples and shrines that my second visit (2015) I didn't feel as amazed any more, unfortunately. But I do think it's definitely worth a visit at least one time.

RECOMMENDED/ MUST SEE

YOYOGI PARK

YOYOGI PARK
Large park with lawns, ponds and forested areas. Great for a walk, biking and various other outdoor activities.


TIP: while at yoyogi park, don't forget to visit the Meiji Jingu shrine located within. If time allows, go out for some shopping in Harajuku.
 

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:
I passed though it a couple of times on my way to Harajuku. I don't think I've seen all of it yet, but it's a really great place for a little stroll or whatever you feel like doing. Love the forested area! And they do have a special lane that's reserved for bikes and circled though a part of the park. Unfortunately that doesn't keep the pedestrians away completely!

TOKYO TOWER

TOKYO TOWER
Take the elevator to enjoy the view from the observation decks of this 333m high broadcast tower, spend some time in its One Piece Tower Park, go to the Tokyo Tower Aquarium or enjoy some souvenir shopping in the Foot Town.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.tokyotower.co.jp/eng/

TIP: Combine your visit to Tokyo Tower with a visit to the adjacent Shiba Park and the Zozo-ji temple.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:
I've been to Tokyo Tower twice now. (in 2010 & 2015) It changed a bit since the first time I came around (because of Tokyo Sky Tree), but still fun to go to. I never went up to the observatories, because I did think it was a little pricey, but I spend a lot of time around the Foot Town. Lots of shops to score a lot of souvenirs. Aside from that Tokyo Tower is pretty magnificent to see. So crazy huge! That alone is enough reason to visit! Right next to Tokyo Tower you can find Shiba Park and the Zozo-ji temple. Unfortunately I haven't been able to go there yet, due to my ignorance of its existence (2010) and an injured leg that withheld me from walking too much (2015).

ABSOLUTE MUST SEE!!

TOKYO SKYTREE

TOKYO SKYTREE
The 634m high broadcast tower. Enjoy the view from the observation decks, go shopping in Tokyo Skytree Town or Tokyo Solamachi, visit the Sumida Aquarium or any of the other musea & exhibitions in Tokyo Solamachi.

Open: 8:00-22:00
Admission fees:
Tembo Deck: 2060 yen (adults) 620-1540 yen (children)
Tembo Galleria: +1030 yen (adults) +310-820 yen (children)
Access: Tobu Skytree Line to station Tokyo Skytree, or Hanzomon Line to Oshiage (Skytree-mae) Station.

OFFICIAL SITE: http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/

TIP: as you visit Tokyo Sky Tree, maybe go by the Sumida Aquarium, or explore Tokyo Solamachi and find the Japan Postal Museum.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:
★★★★★
This place is so much bigger than I expected! This tower is crazy high!! I've visited Tokyo Sky Tree twice during one stay and I still feel like there's a whole lot of things I haven't seen. I didn't go up to the observation decks, because on my first visit the lines were crazy long. They do have a priority desk for international visitors, but you do pay extra to skip the long line! (Beware!) On my second visit it was really cloudy, so I wouldn't have much of a view and concluded it to be a waste of money. But on a clear day, I bet going up the tower will give a magnificent view of the city.
Even so, there's is plenty to keep you busy. Like the SUMIDA AQUARIUM, or the JAPAN POSTAL MUSEUM. It's also a great place for (souvenir) shopping!

MUST SEE!!
 

JAPAN POSTAL MUSEUM

JAPAN POSTAL MUSEUM
A small museum on the 9th floor of Tokyo Sky Tree's Solamachi. Take a little journey through the history of Japan's postal system.

Open: 10am-5:30pm (no entry after 5pm)
Admission Fee: 300 yen (adults)/ 150 yen (students)
Location: TOKYO Skytree town, Solamachi 9F
Access: Tobu Skytree Line to station Tokyo Skytree, or Hanzomon line to Oshiage (Skytree-mae) Station.

OFFICIAL SITE: http://www.postalmuseum.jp/english/

TIP: Combine your visit to the Japan Postal Museum with a visit to the Sumida Aquarium or Tokyo Sky Tree.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS
★★★☆☆
A lovely museum. Not too big, but what do you expect with that admission fee? Most information is also translated to English, so even the non-Japanese speaker will be able to learn a lot. They had a nice collection of items. Especially the collection of post stamps from all over the world is pretty impressive! Because of the small admission fee, it's really a great place to just drop by when you find yourself with some spare time at the Sky Tree plaza.

RECOMMENDED!

SUMIDA AQUARIUM

SUMIDA AQUARIUM
The aquarium right under Tokyo Sky Tree!

OFFICIAL SITE: http://www.sumida-aquarium.com/en/

TIP: Combine your visit to the aquarium with a visit to the Japan Postal Museum located in the East Tower!

PERSONAL THOUGHTS
★★★☆☆
Lovely aquarium. Moon jellyfish tanks are very impressive and plenty of other fish tanks that are nicely decorated. They also have a very large penguin pool and some Fur seals. Only negative point of this place is the price. With an entrance fee of about 2000 yen per adult, it's pretty expensive. It'll depend on the person whether or not they'll think it's worth the money. In the end I think it was worth going one time, but due to the price I doubt I'll ever visit again. But this was largely, because I love penguins and their penguin pool was great!