Best Architecture around Tokyo and Surroundings Spot List

A house built in late Taisho era, after the Great Kanto Earthquake, as a residence for foreigners.

It is the palace where the generations of Emperors and Empresses of Japan have lived starting in the Meiji era (1868-1912) to this day. You can visit the palace site as long as you obtain prior permission.

A historical shrine with a solemn atmosphere built in Gongen-zukuri (style of Shinto architecture in which the main hall and worship hall share one roof). It is designated as National Important Cultural Property. Late April is the best period to see the Azaleas on the premises.

This is a popular shrine for enmusubi-mairi, praying for a good marriage match. Weathered, miniature Shinto shrines on the shrine grounds invite your profound interest.

Yamate 234 Ban-Kan, or the Yamate #234 Residence, is a Western-style mansion that served as an apartment building for foreign residents. The panel exhibits displayed on the first floor tell the history of the building.

Akasaka Palace, or the State Guest House, is a neo baroque-style building with a stately, gorgeous look. It welcomes state and official guests from all over the world.

Yushima-tenjin enshrines Amenotajikarao-no-mikoto, the god of better fortune and sports, and Michizane Sugawara, the god of learning and study. A number of famed scholars and writers visit this shrine.

Hie-jinja Shrine has a history of more than 600 years. The Sanno Festival, one of the three biggest Japanese festivals, is held in June.

A house where you can experience the life of a Meiji era diplomat. You can also enjoy a cup of tea with a view of the city of Yokohama.

The Hakone Shrine with its vermillion-lacquered torii (Shinto shrine archway) and its Japanese cedars is a shrine with a holy presence that tells you about history

It is 634 meters tall, the tallest free-standing broadcasting tower in the world. From its two observatories, you can overlook a view up to 70 km away on a sunny day.

The Matsuchiyama Shoden Honryu-in Temple close to Senso-ji Temple, is recognized as a ”power spot” by the common people. On this spot they pray for the material benefits in this world. With Y-shaped daikon radishes and kinchaku (Japanese traditional style pouch) people pray for finding a suitable marriage partner and for matrimonial happiness.

The interior, including the stained glass, is kept in the original state. Even today, this historical building is still in use as an academic building of Seisen University.

Hakone Sekisho is an impressive reproduction of an Edo Period sekisho on the banks of Lake Ashi. It is as if you've slipped back in time to the Edo Period.

Yamate 111 Ban-Kan, or the Yamate #111 Residence, is a Spanish-style mansion with red roofing tiles and white exterior walls built inside the Harbor View Park.

The bridge is part of the Bayshore Route of the Shuto Urban Expressway and symbolizes Yokohama. At night, 264 light bulbs illuminate the bridge, producing magnificent night views of Yokohama.

Ohyama Afuri Shrine is located on the top of Mt. Oyama. This historical shrine has been worshiped by common people as well as many military commanders in the past.

A shrine that has a beautiful vermilion-lacquered shrine pavilion from the Edo period. It is also called Sanja Gongen (in honor of three men who founded the temple), and the Sanja Matsuri held in May is one of the Three Great Festivals of Edo (now Tokyo).

This is a temple erected at the wish of Keishoin, the real mother of Shogun Tsunayoshi Tokugawa. The main hall, remaining in its original state from the Genroku period, has been designated as a National Important Cultural Property.

This temple is one of the Three Mountains of the Kanto region for the Chisan sect of Shingon Buddhism and is well-known as a temple to ward off evil. Enjoy the shops in the surrounding streets after attending a Goma Rite (a ceremony in which Goma wood is burned in a fireplace on the Goma platform).