Journal · Tokyo
Tokyo at a gentler pace: Meiji Jingu, Senso-ji and the East Gardens
Our first days in Japan, at cherry blossom time. Three classic Tokyo stops, how much walking each one really takes, and where to rest along the way.
Our April 2018 trip started in Tokyo, in cherry blossom season. I made two videos from those first days, and they're below. This guide covers three of the city's classic stops, chosen because each one can be as short or as long as your body wants that day. They also work well for families with kids, since all three are free or cheap and easy to leave early.
Meiji Jingu
Meiji Jingu is a forest shrine right next to Harajuku Station. The walk from the main gate to the shrine is a wide gravel path under huge trees, roughly 10 minutes at an easy pace. Gravel is the catch: it's soft and shifty underfoot, which is tiring for weak legs and unfriendly to wheels.
Senso-ji, Asakusa
Tokyo's oldest temple sits at the end of Nakamise, a long shopping street of snack and souvenir stalls that starts at the huge red Kaminarimon gate. It's flat, but it's crowded, and the crowd sets your pace.
- Go early in the morning or in the evening, when the temple is lit up and the stalls close.
- Side streets parallel to Nakamise are calmer and have cafés where you can sit.
- The main hall has steps up; take them slowly and use the rail.
Imperial Palace East Gardens
The East Gardens are the public part of the Imperial Palace grounds, built on the site of old Edo Castle: wide lawns, stone walls and seasonal gardens. Entry is free with no reservation, but they close every Monday and Friday (with holiday exceptions) and close early in winter. The paths are broad and mostly gentle, with some slopes up to the old castle keep foundation.
Making Tokyo easier on your body
- Stations are the hard part. Big stations mean long transfers and lots of stairs. Look for elevator signs, and give yourself extra time.
- Ride, don't walk, between neighborhoods. An IC card (Suica, PASMO or the phone versions) makes hopping on and off painless.
- Base yourself near a quiet line. Coming home to a calmer station at the end of the day matters more than you'd think.
- Rest is part of the itinerary. One big sight in the morning, a long lunch, and a rest is the rhythm I'd plan.
Eagle Creek Pack-It Original Cube Set (XS/S/M)
When you sleep somewhere new every night, cubes turn unpacking into pulling out one bag. They also make it easy to split a one-night kit into your daypack when the big bag goes ahead.
Anker Nano Power Bank (10,000mAh, 45W, built-in cable)
Navigation, translation and photos can drain a phone by early afternoon. A 10,000mAh bank with its own cable means one less thing to forget.
Anker 735 Charger (Nano II 65W, 3 ports)
One small charger for a phone, power bank and camera at night. Japan uses the same two-flat-pin plug shape as the US, so most US travelers won't need an adapter.
Drive Medical Adjustable Folding Cane with Seat
Lines in Japan can be long: shrine stamp counters, ramen queues, bus stops in the countryside. A cane that opens into a small tripod seat means you can rest anywhere it is polite to stand.
The kit for this guide
Also in this guide
Opening hours, routes and rules change; check before you go.