The big city! 14 million people! NEW from MN: - Skytree? ## Shrines - [Ueno Toshogu](https://www.uenotoshogu.com/en/) in Taito - Peony garden - [Toshogu shrine](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3801.html) in Nikko - [Meiji Shrine](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3002.html) and [Yoyogi Garden](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3034_002.html) ## Temples - [Zojoji Temple](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3010.html) Buddhist temple at base of Tokyo Tower. - [Senso-ji](https://www.senso-ji.jp/english/) in Asakusa - Oldest temple in Tokyo ## Museums Museums in Tokyo are typically closed on one day of the week (usually Mondays) and holidays. We can get the https://www.rekibun.or.jp/en/grutto/ Grutto pass to gain access to 102 different attractions. - [Ghibli Museum](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3041.html) - Taikokan (Drum Museum) In Asakusa, not far from Ueno Park where Tokyo National Museum is. - [Edo Tokyo Open Air Museum](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3032.html) - [Tokyo National Museum](https://www.tnm.jp) . These are the three buildings (out of a possible seven) that I'm most interested in: - The main **Honkan** building was opened in 1938 and exhibits a variety of Japanese artwork from ancient times to the 19th century including antique [Buddhist](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2055.html) statues, painted [sliding doors](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2007.html), scrolls, [ceramics](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2329.html) and maps in addition to cultural items such as masks, costume, armor and weapons among other historical artifacts. - the **Toyokan** building, designed in 1968 by Japanese [architect](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2111_architects.html) Taniguchi Yoshiro. The building features galleries displaying Asian art and artifacts from China, Korea, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, India and Egypt. - **Heiseikan**, a fairly recent addition to the museum built to commemorate the then Crown Prince's wedding in 1993. It houses exhibitions on ancient Japanese cultures as well as large scale special exhibitions. - TOHAKU CHAKAN Japanese Authentic TEA CAFÉ. Cafe on grounds with tea that looks great, traditional Japanese desserts, and a big fresh fruit plate. ## Events https://tokyocheapo.com/events/august/ good website for knowing what's coming - Early August Kiyose Sunflower Festival 🌻 - 100,000 sunflowers over 24,000 sq meters! - https://www.gotokyo.org/en/spot/ev096/index.html - https://tokyocheapo.com/events/kiyose-sunflower-festival/ - Price: Tickets are free. Exact dates will be published in July but historically it's been the first week of August - Distance: About an hour from Shibuya Station - August 2nd Numerous fireworks festivals across the city - https://tokyocheapo.com/events/edogawa-fireworks-festival/ - https://tokyocheapo.com/events/kurihama-perry-festival-fireworks/ - https://tokyocheapo.com/events/sakawa-river-odawara-fireworks-festival/ - https://tokyocheapo.com/events/ome-city-nohryo-fireworks-festival/ - https://tokyocheapo.com/events/todabashi-fireworks-festival/ - https://tokyocheapo.com/events/chigasaki-fireworks/ - Price: Free - August 7th-8th Asagaya Tanabata (Star Festival) - Shopping center adorned with numerous streamers and paper mache creations. A 70 year tradition meant to draw people out in the summer. - https://experience-suginami.tokyo/2015/09/asagaya-tanabata-festival/ - Price: No tickets required - Distance: About 30m from Shibuya Station ## Attractions - [TeamLabs Planets](https://www.teamlab.art/e/planets/) - Probably need to be high or a kid to enjoy this - Full immersion rooms, interactive, sensory overload - Akihabara - Shopping district, with a focus on pop culture. Lots of stimulus (think Time's Square) but it's a gamer mecca - [Shibyua Sky](https://www.shibuya-scramble-square.com.e.apy.hp.transer.com/sky/) - 46+ story tower for viewing the city, better at night - [Spa Laqua](https://laqua.jp/spa) indoor waterpark, onsens, roller coaster on the roof, no underage children allowed - Cat Cafe! - [Square Enix Garden](https://www.jp.square-enix.com/sqexgarden/) in Shibuya - watch as Ryan drools and tries not to spend money - [Koishikawa Korakuen](https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/koishikawakorakuen/) Landscape park supposedly beautiful year round not far from Spa Laqua. - [Institute of Nature](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3044.html) - [Roppongi Hills](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3031_hills.html) Roppongi Hills has become a symbol of the Japanese IT industry. - [Tokyo Tower](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3009.html) - [Tokyo Water Bus](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3042.html) https://www.suijobus.co.jp/en/ - [Showa Memorial Park](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3034_showa.html) . Bonsai museum, boating lake with row or pedal boats for rent by the hour. Best way to get around is on rental bikes. - [Nihonbashi](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3033.html) . Shopping area specializing in traditional goods.  Many of its shops specialize in traditional crafts or local foods from across Japan, such as lacquerware, gold leaf, knives, [chopsticks](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2039.html), [sake](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2037_sake.html), [condiments](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2313.html), [seaweed](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2310.html) and [sweets](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2312.html). ## Food Great website for food information: https://www.endlessdistances.com/gluten-free-tokyo/ [Komehiro Bakery](http://www.comehiro.com/) (2-3-18 Sakai, Musashino-shi, Tokyo Zip 180-0022) [Biossa](https://www.biossajapan.com/) (2 Chome-10-19 Kasuga, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 112-0003, Japan) - Bakery [Jiyugaoka Bakery](https://www.instagram.com/jiyugaokabakery/) (Japan, 〒152-0035 Tokyo, Meguro City, Jiyūgaoka, 1-chōme−26−９ 三笠ビル) [Gluten Free T’s Kitchen](https://glutenfree.co.jp/) (7-8-5 Roppongi 港区六本木7-8-5　2Ｆ) - GF Japanese food.  Menu marked for dairy and eggs too.  Closed Tuesdays. [Otaco Sweets](http://otaco-sweets.com/) (3 Chome-5-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan) - Bakery [NachuRa Gluten Free Cafe](https://nachura.shop/) (〒107-0062 Tokyo, Minato City, Minamiaoyama, 2 Chome−8−18 1F, Japan) - Bakery, some vegan options too. [Oimo Tokyo Café](https://www.instagram.com/and_oimo_tokyo_cafe) (〒153-0042 Tokyo, Meguro City, Aobadai, 1 Chome−14−4 Contral, nakameguro 1F, Japan) - Bakery and some savory meals.  Also on Instagram [here](https://www.instagram.com/and_oimo_tokyo_cafe/) [**RiceHACK/Onden House**](https://www.instagram.com/yeswehackrice/) (5 Chome-16-5 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan) - Bakery, also has savory options. [**Gluten Free Ramen Shop Sinbusakiya**](https://samurai-noodle.jp/shop/) (2-10-3 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0043) - Vegan ramen options - Weird hours: Tuesday-Thursday 11am till 5am the next day, Friday-Saturday 11am till 7am the next day, and Sunday 11am till 2am the next day [**Otsuna Sushi**](https://otsuna-sushi.com/) (7-14-4 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032, Remm Roppongi Building 1F) - Has GF soy sauce and GF knowledgeable staff. - Take out hours are 10am-9pm Saturday, 10am-1pm Sunday - Dining in: 11am-2pm and 5pm-10pm. The last entry for dining in will be allowed at 9pm [**Un-Gluten**](https://un-gluten.jp/) (Noshiro Building, 1-18-9 Uchikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) - GF pasta and lots of sauces and toppings [**Breizh Cafe**](https://www.le-bretagne.com/) (3 Chome-5-4 Jingūmae, Shibuya-ku, Tōkyō-to 150-0001) +81-3-3478-7855) - Crepes; make sure to ask for 100% buckwheat crepe [**My Bánh Mì by Gluten Free TOKYO**](https://www.instagram.com/mybanhmi_by_glutenfree_tokyo/) (〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 1 Chome−20−4 アクシア原宿 103) - GF banh mi sandwiches and vegan baked goods [**RizLabo Kitchen**](https://www.rizlabo.com/) (4-15-2 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, 150-0001 Urasando Garden) - GF pancakes and (on some days) crepes [**B to Go**](https://www.instagram.com/btogo2020) (〒135-0005 Tokyo, Koto City, Takabashi, 14−2 リカールビル 1階) - GF and 100% vegan cafe with rotating dishes, tea, wine [**Setagaya Alley Bite Cheese Fried Bread & Fried Food Bar (Gluten-free)**](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Setagaya+Alley+Bite+Cheese+Fried+Bread+%26+Fried+Food+Bar+\(Gluten-free\)/@35.6414263,139.6506118,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x15037ff8e5fd8a2b?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwigpZqMtsSEAxVjkIkEHft1CagQ_BJ6BAhQEAA)1F Enomoto-building, 1-16-24 Setagaya, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 154-0017 Tel: +81-3-6413-6363 - Bread bowls, udon noodles, desserts [**Brown Rice Cafe by Neils’ Yard Remedies**](https://brownrice.jp/) (5 Chome-1-8 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan) - Vegetarian cafe with GF options [**Chaffles**](https://www.instagram.com/chaffles_tokyo/) (pop up; see the link for details) - GF savory and sweet waffles [**Comme’N Gluten Free**](https://commen-gf.jp/) (7 Chome-19-12 Okusawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo 158-0083) - GF hot dogs, sandwiches, treats [**Bon Bon Bake Shop**](https://www.instagram.com/bonbonbakeshop_tokyo/) (〒135-0045 Tokyo, Koto City, Furuishiba, 2 Chome−11−12 渡辺ビル) - GF and dairy free bakery with some vegan options [**Gluten Free 61 Cafe and Bar**](https://www.facebook.com/glutenfree.organic.cafebar/) (3 Chome-4-４番地６号 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan) - GF Japanese food and organic wines [**Karehadare**](https://www.instagram.com/karehadare/) (2-38-11 Kamimeguro, Meguro, Toyko | 〒153-0051 東京都目黒区上目黒2-38-11) - GF Thai and Indian curries served with basmati rice [**Ain Soph Journey**](https://ainsophjp.official.ec/about)  (scroll down for their locations) - Four different Tokyo locations, as well as other options throughout Japan - No meat, fish, dairy, or eggs - GF options clearly marked, as are vegan options [**Where is a dog?**](https://www.whereisadog.net/about) (〒180-0004 Tokyo, Musashino, Kichijoji Honcho, 2 Chome−24−9 SUNO Ecru 103) - Vegan and dairy free options too - Waffles, curries, baked goods - Vegan dessert menu - All cat decor, and a dog! [**Soranoiro Nippon**](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Soranoiro+NIPPON/@35.680195,139.767982,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x19f328f236955dcb?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwigzpja-YHiAhVig-AKHS46Da4Q_BIwCnoECA0QCA) (Tokyo Ramen Street, Tokyo Station First Avenue, 1-9-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo 100-0005) - Ramen - Vegan vege soba is GF as well **Afuri** (1F 117 Bld., 1-1-7 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, with other locations [here](https://afuri.com/findus/).) - Multiple locations - Ramen vending machine with clearly marked GF options [Kuroboshi Churros](https://www.kuroboshi-nasu.com/) - GF churros [Nanan Tokyo](https://www.c-nanan.com/) - Small GF bakery [Gluten Free Kushiage Su](https://www.instagram.com/glutenfree_kushiage/) - Fried skewers tasting restaurant [Shochikuen](https://sho-chiku-en.com/) - GF and vegan cafe with pizzas, cakes, drinks ## Lodging - [APA Hotel & Resort Roppongi-Eki-Higashi](https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/apahoteru-rizoto-liu-ben-mu-yi-dong.en.html?aid=2145398&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2) In Roppongi. Onsen and washing machines. Moderate budget. - [APA Hotel Ueno Hirokoji](https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/apa-hotel-ueno-hirokoji.en.html?aid=2145398&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2). In Akihabara region. Gluten Free T's within hotel. No other GF restaurants within this neighborhood. - [The Royal Park Hotel Shiodome](https://www.royalparkhotels.co.jp/en/ic/tokyoshiodome/). Close to trains, good for getting to/from airport - [Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Tokyo - Shiodome](https://www.hvf.jp/eng/shiodome/). Close to trains, good for getting to/from airport - [Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya](https://www.ihg.com/hotelindigo/hotels/us/en/shibuyaku/hndsh/hoteldetail). Directly above the Shibuya Crawl. Walking distance from Shibuya Station. - [Granbell Hotel Shinjuku](https://www.granbellhotel.jp/en/shinjuku/) . Walking distance from Shinjuku, ~30m from Tokyo Station - [The Gate Hotel](https://www.gate-hotel.jp/en/asakusa-kaminarimon/). Really close to both Tokyo Station and things like the Imperial Palace - [Shangri-La Hotel](https://www.shangri-la.com/tokyo/shangrila/) directly above Tokyo Station and really close to the Imperial Palace - [Palace Hotel Tokyo](https://en.palacehoteltokyo.com) Right above the Imperial Palace, walking distance to Tokyo station - [Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel](https://www.tokyuhotels.co.jp/en/cerulean-h/index.html). In Shibuya - [Imperial Hotel](https://www.imperialhotel.co.jp/en/tokyo) beautiful view of Tokyo tower