Joanna James
Marunouchi is one of the most popular business districts in Tokyo and is a spot that is well-loved by tourists. Along with its urban façade, Marunouchi also holds on to its history which means that there is much to explore here. Given below are the top five things to do.
Encircled by moats, a strong stone wall and lush gardens, this is the tranquil residence of the Emperor of Japan. The Imperial Palace is a short walk away from Tokyo Station and is certainly worth your time. It is said that an old Edo Palace once existed on this same spot the key features of the palace grounds are the Nijubashi Bridges that lead to the inner grounds of the palace which you can now explore and the Kokyo Gaien plaza. The east garden of the palace is still home to the initial foundation of the tower of the previous structure. There is a beautiful Japanese garden to explore as well along with the Wadakura Fountain Park.and Kitanomaru Park.
This part of Tokyo used to be a transport hub in the previous century. The Tokyo Station was erected for this purpose in 1914 and the historic red brick building still stands today. The station is a stop for Shinkansen Bullet Trains and Intercity Trains which means it is one of the busiest places in the city even now. In 1988 the Tokyo Station Gallery was introduced to display cultural items and traditional art as well. Inside Tokyo Station is Ramen Street and a courtyard that is filled with stores selling anime and manga, It is also home to an underground mall called Gransta. This attraction is located close to the Imperial Palace and luxury serviced apartments.
This fine-looking piece of architecture can be found about a 7-minute drive away from Ascott Marunouchi Tokyo. It was set up in 1997 and was designed by Rafael Viñoly, a Uruguayan architect. The building was meant to host events, exhibitions and concerts of all kinds. It has 11 stories above the ground and 3 stories below. The glass building is connected to another building which looks like a long boat and you can find food trucks in between the two on weekdays.
The word Nakadori means "middle street" and it is called so because it is placed in between Tokyo Station and the inner moat of the Imperial Palace. This is a stretch of road where you will find several stores selling various high-end brands. There are also a few spots where you can simply sit and relax and watch the passers-by. There are sculptures here and there that add a bit of colour to the surroundings.
MOMAT referred to the National Museum of Modern Art which is located towards the north of the Imperial Palace. It has one of the best collections of Japanese art right from the Meiji Period. The works of art are displayed in chronological order making it easier for visitors to follow.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
