Historic Monuments of Tokyo

Sensoji Temple

• Dating back to 628, Sensoji, also called Asakusa Temple, is Tokyo's oldest temple. Burned down during World War II and rebuilt, this Buddhist temple honors the statue of mercy, Kannon. According to legend, two brothers kept trying to return the statue to the Sumida River, but it would come back to them the following day.

  As you enter the temple, the Thunder Gate will greet you, featuring a giant red-and-black paper lantern, which represents lightening and thunder clouds. Walk through a quiet Japanese garden inside of the shrine.

  Tokyo holds its largest festival at Sensoji Temple, and it last from three to four days. Visit Sensoji Temple throughout the year, with free admission.

  Sensoji Temple
  2-3-1 Asakusa
  Tokyo 03 3842 0181
  Japan
  (+81) 033 842 0181
  sacred-destinations.com/japan/tokyo-sensoji

Meiji Jingu Shrine

• When you visit Meiji Jingu, you experience Tokyo's most important Shinto shrine, built in 1868 in honor of Emperor Meiji, the first modern emperor of Japan. After burning down during World War II, the people of Tokyo restored the building in 1958. Located in the center of Tokyo, surrounded by a forest of 120,000 donated trees on 173 acres of land, Meiji Jingu represents one of Japan's most sacred sites.

  The Inner Garden and the Outer Garden make up the Meiji Shrine. See the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery in the Outer Garden, featuring 40 pictures of the Emperor's life. Emperor Meiji created the Inner Garden for his wife, displaying more than 100 varieties of irises. Enjoy free admission to Meiji Shrine year round.

  Meiji Jingu Shrine
  1-1 Kamizono-cho
  Tokyo 13 151-0053
  Japan
  (+81) 033 379 5511
  sacred-destinations.com/japan/tokyo-meiji-shrine

Tokyo Tower

• Visit Tokyo Tower on your next visit, the tallest steel tower in the world at 1,093 feet high, completed in 1958. Modeled after the Eiffel Tower, which reaches 986 feet, Tokyo Tower weighs 4,000 tons, much lighter than the Eiffel Tower's 10,100 tons. Besides its function as a television and radio broadcast antenna, the white-and-orange Tokyo Tower represents the reemergence of Japan as an economic power.

  Open every day of the year in Minato, in central Tokyo, Tokyo Tower provides a panoramic view of Tokyo and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji.

  Tokyo Tower
  4-2-8 Shiba-Koen
  Tokyo 13 105-0011
  Japan
  (+81) 033 433 5111
  japaneselifestyle.com.au/tokyo/tokyo_tower.htm