Sites to See in Japan

[eighthgear]

This August I will be going with my family to Japan for about a week and a half. We are planning on going to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Edo. I was wondering if anybody knows of of museums or other things worth seeing that relate to military history in specific (though other interesting suggestions are always welcome).

[furinkazan]

First, Tôkyô = Edo.
I went already 3 times to both cities. Here are my suggestions.
Don't forget that Tôkyô was bombed and Kyôto wasn't during WWII.
Tôkyô:
- Visit the Edo-castle grounds, but some areas are off-limits. It's the Emperors' residence.
- Sengakuji (related to the 47 ronin)
- The Heiseikan at the Tôkyô National Museum in Ueno. This building relates and has a lot of artifacts of Japans' history.
- for souvenirs go to the Asakusa Nakamise dori. It leads to Sensôji (= very nice temple)
http://www.asakusa-nakamise.jp/e-index.html

Kyôto :
already visited :
- Kinkakuji (golden pavilion temple)
- Ninnaji (this is next to Ryoanji. Ryoanji is always in tourist-books, but i prefer Ninnaji)
- Nijo-castle
- Kiyomizudera
- Sanjusangendo
- Higashi Honganji
- the path of philosophy which begins at the Ginkakuji (silver pavillon temple)
not yet visited but planned next april :
- Nishi Honganji
- Heianjingu
- Hokoji (here is preserved the bell with the inscription that infuriated Tokugawa Ieyasu and led to the winter campaign of Osaka in 1614)
And a lot of temples and shrines between these

For souvenirs go to the Teramachi
http://japanvisitor.blogspot.com/200...chi-kyoto.html
If you are a Sengokujidai freak, like myself, go to this little shop:
http://www.sengokudama.com/

From Kyôto:
- Hieizan (take a train to Sakamoto (JR station), from there go on foot to the ropeway, which leads to Enryakuji. On your way you'll see a lot of temples and a very nice shrine :Hiyoshi Taisha) This mountain was attacked by Oda Nobunaga, because the warrior monks there were annoying his movements.
- Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Himeji-castle, but this one is under scaffolds for renovations

For planning to visit some castles or ruins i redirect you to these sites :
http://www.jcastle.info/
http://www.japanese-castle-explorer.com/

Also if you are travelling with trains(don't forget your JR-pass, before going to Japan), this is very useful:
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/

Other useful sites:
http://www.japan-guide.com/
http://www.japan-i.jp/index.html
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/index.html
http://www.japanican.com/index.aspx
http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/
http://www.kyoto.travel/

I hope that this can help you

[Raimeken]

Japan has a long history of old stuff, but new stuff is there too

I recommend you check out Tokyo's Tsukiji Fish Market, on the outskirts you can have a wonderful bowl of ramen while standing, and deeper inside there are standing and sitting sushi restaurants, all of which are very delicious. Also whatever you do, buy bread in Japan, Japanese bread is great, if you can snag a melon pan, its getting harder and harder for tourists to find. Harajuku is a great place to see the gothic lolita style of clothing that is somewhat popular in Japan, IMO the clothes are way to tight, but I digress. There are numerous crepe shops in the main street called Takeshita Street, which is basically where everything is, also there is the Meiji Shrine located within walking distance of the Harajuku station.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Shrine

When I go to Japan I stay around the area of Shinjuku, basically one downtown area of Tokyo, in its center is a very large collection of restaurants, game centers, shops, and unfortunately Yakuza along with the red light district. Recently the Yakuza have pushed out of the dead center and started to loiter closer to the main streets, but they won't bother you as long as you don't provoke them, police leave em there for a reason.

Akihabara, also known as Electric City is basically where you find many technology and anime goods stores, if you don't like that kinda of stuff, you should steer well clear of this place (though its hard to just pass by it since it requires taking a JR line rather than the Tokyo Metro.

Also you are gonna be amazed by the bathrooms, most bathrooms in Japan are fitted with awesome toilets. The seats are heated so you are ensured comfort, they make a slight noise so that the people next to you cannot hear you doing your business, and they...wipe your butt for you, but ANYWAY.

Sorry I focused mostly on Tokyo, while I've been to Kyoto, I'm a city boy at heart.