Nasi Lemak - You got to try it

Does Malaysia have a national dish? No authority or national agency has yet come forward to set things in stone, but by default, that honour would have to go to nasi lemak.Simply rice cooked in coconut milk (knotted pandanus leaves and even ginger or a stalk of lemon grass may be tossed into the pot...

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Cendol - Malaysian version for Ice Cream

This dish is named after its the main ingredient, Cendol , short strands of cooked dough made with green pea flour and the green juice of pandan leaves. It is served with shaved ice and plenty of fresh santan (coconut cream) and gula melaka (palm sugar). Cendol can be bought from wandering Indian hawkers...

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Chinese New Year - 18 February 2007

A time for family reunions, the lion dance, firecrackers, mahjong, mandarin oranges and giving/collecting ang pow, the Lunar New Year - or Chinese New Year (CNY), as it is more commonly known in Malaysia - highlights some of the most fascinating aspects of Chinese tradition and rituals.Reunion dinner...

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Thaipusam - 1 Feb 2007

THAIPUSAM is an annual Hindu festival which draws the largest gathering in multi-racial Malaysia.Several hundred devotees spear their cheeks with long, shiny steel rods - often a metre long - and pierce their chests and backs with small, hook-like needles in penance.Tourists watch in awe as metal pierces...

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Floral Fest 2007 - 20 Jan to 4 Feb 2007

Malaysia Floral Fest is back with the biggest and most colorful display of flora in Malaysia. For a whole week in January, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur will be transformed into venues brimming with bright, colorful and fragrant blooms.Inspired by past successes at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade...

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Visit Malaysia Year 2007 Grand Launch

January 2007Flora FestFlorathonFloral ParadeFebruary 2007Federal Territory DayThaipusam FestivalLe Tour de LangkawiMalaysia Open Golf ChampionshipChinese New Year Celebration and Open HouseMarch 2007Malaysia GP Sale 2007Taman Negara Eco-ChallengeApril 2007KL GP City FestivalPetronas Malaysian F1 Grand...

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Malaysia - 50 years of Independence

Come 2007, Malaysia will celebrate 50 years of independence. The month of August will be filled with a myriad of parades, cultural performances, street shows and carnivals to commemorate the country's Independence or Merdeka Day on 31st August.It was on 31st August 1957 when history was made as the...

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Roppongi

Many people classified Roppongi as an entertainment area that is specially loves by foreigners who live in Tokyo, but if you continue reading you will find out that this area has much more to offer then just clubs and bars.Roppongi MuseumsRoppongi ShoppingRoppongi RestaurantsRoppongi Hot...

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Ueno

When hearing of Ueno the first thing that comes up in your mind is Ueno Park, the home of many interesting museums and of Tokyo Zoo. Another thing that I think of is Ueno market and Americos area which are great places for shopping in this area.Here is some information that I have for you about this...

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Asakusa - Where to go

Asakusa is known for her temples and shrines, souvenirs, shopping streets. This is not a museums place, but a place with old special atmosphere.Here is a list of places you must visit in Asakusa:Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise shopping streetKitchenware TownSumida river and Sumida p...

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Imperial Palace Area Hotels

This area has not a big hotels selection, so I picked 3 hotels that may suit your needs:Sakura HotelThe Marunouchi HotelPalace Ho...

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The Imperial Palace Area Museums

This area has quite a long list of museums to offer - mostly art museums, so if you in the area or you just like art check the post bellow for the recommended museums in the area:The National Museum of Modern ArtCrafts GalleryScience MuseumYamatane Museum of ArtBridgestone Museum of ArtIdemitsu Museum...

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The Imperial Palace Area - Where to go

If you are visiting Tokyo you The Imperial Palace Area is a must place to visit. It has to offer not only a view of Imperial Palace but buitiful Imperial Palace Gardens and many very interesting museums.The Imperial Palace East Gardens (Kokyo Higashi GyoenThe Imperial Palace GroundsThe Imperial Palace...

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Idemitsu Museum of Art

9th Floor, Teigeki Bldg.,3-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-kuTelephone: 03-5777-86005 minute walk from JR Yurakucho station5 minute walk from Hibiya station (Mita, Hibiya or Chiyoda line) or from Yurakucho station (Yurakucho Line)The main collection of the museum consists of Japanese paintings, oriental calligraphies,...

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Bridgestone Museum of Art

1-10-1, Kyobashi, Chuo-ku,TokyoTelephone: 81(3)3563-0241Fax: 81(3)3561-2130Site: Bridgestone Museum of ArtIf you come on JR – five minute walk from Tokyo Sta.(Yaesu Central Exit) If you use the Subway - Kyobashi Sta.(Meidi-ya Exit) or Nihonbashi Sta.(Takashimaya Exit)The Bridgestone Museum of Art has...

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Yamatane Museum of Art

KS Bld. 1F, 2 Sanbancho, Chyoda-kuTelephone: 03-3239-5911Fax: 03-3239-591312 minutes walk from Kudanshita station (Exit #2) – Hanzomon, Tozoi and Shinjuku Lines10 minutes walk from Hanzomon station (Exit #5) - Hanzomon LineThe museum that was started in 1966 has a collection of modern and contemporary...

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Science Museum

2-1, Kitanomaru-koen, Chiyoda-ku , TokyoTelephone: 03-3212-2440Fax: 03-3212-8540Site: Science MuseumThis museum is filled with exhibitions for young people, especially elementary school students. Many of the exhibitions are hands on, so that visitors can experience the wonders of science as close as...

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Crafts Gallery

1-1 Kitanomaru-koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-00918 minutes from Takebashi station (Subway Tozai Line),12 minutes from Kudanshita station (Subway Tozai and Hanzomon Line, Toei Shinjuku Line)Site: Crafts GalleryCrafts Gallery collects and displays Japanese and foreign craft works dating from the Meiji period...

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The National Museum of Modern Art

3-1 Kitanomaru-koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-83223 minutes from Takebashi station (Subway Tozai Line)Site: The National Museum of Modern ArtThe permanent exhibition consists of paintings, sculptures, prints, watercolors, drawings, photographs, and other works dating roughly from the beginning of the 20th...

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The Imperial Palace East Gardens (Kokyo Higashi Gyoen)

This is a beautiful Japanese style garden within the castle walls, in which you will find large lawns, a pond with gorgeous and huge fish, many cherry trees, which blossom you just must see if you are in Japan in March or early April. The gardens are open from March to October 9:00 - 16:00 and from...

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The Imperial Palace Grounds

To the palace itself you will not be able to see unless you apply to a free guided tour that the Imperial Palace Agency offers the public.Imperial Palace Agency Site: Imperial Palace AgencyThese tours are conducted from Monday to Friday, except for national holidays, 28 December to 4 January.The tour...

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The Imperial Palace Area

If you are visiting Tokyo it is a must place to visit, not only because of the historical aspect of this Imperial Palace itself but also for the beautiful Imperial Palace Gardens and for many very interesting museums that this area has to offer.To the Imperial Palace area, you can get by taking the...

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Sakura Hotel

2-21-4 Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051Telephone: +81 (0) 3 3261 3939Fax: +81 (0) 3 3264 2777Email: info@sakura-hotel.co.jpSite: http://www.sakura-hotel.co.jp/index.htmlThis is an very good option for those who don’t want to pay a small fortune for their stay in the hotels in this area. Of...

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The Marunouchi Hotel

1-6-3 Marunouchi Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100-0006Telephone: 81-3-3217-1111Fax: 81-3-3217-1115Site: The Marunouchi HotelThe hotel is located within walking distance of the Tokyo international forum/ exhibition center and the Imperial Palace, Ginza shopping area and theatres.This central location can definitely...

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Palace Hotel

1-1-1 Marunouchi Tokyo 100-0005Telephone: 81-3-3211-5211Fax: 81-3-3211-6987Site: http://www.palacehotel.co.jp/english/This is a deluxe hotel, which is ideally located the center of Tokyo, near the Imperial Palace, and has every large room for a hotel in Japan, but the price is not a small one also.If...

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Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu

Address: 1-31-11 AsakusaTelephone: 03-3843-2345Fax: 03-3843-2348This hotel has Japanese and Western type of rooms and it is located just a few minutes walk from Nakamise shopping street and the Senso-ji Temple.This ryokan has something special to offer – Furo - authentic wooden made Japanese bath....

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Sakura Group Hotels Asakusa

If you want your accommodation to be a bit cheaper then the average hotel price in Tokyo you should look for the Sakura Group hotels or hostels.They recently opened a new Sakura Hostel in Asakusa with over 160 beds.You will find in this hostel 3 types of rooms (all air-conditioned): Dormitory - 2940...

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Sunroute Asakusa

Address: 1-8-5 Kaminarimon Daito-ku Tokyo 111-0034Site: Sunroute AsakusaVery good hotel for budget travelers and business people – has a free fax service in every room and a fresh newspaper in English is available in the first floor lobby. Located just few steps away from 2 temples/shrin...

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Chisan Inn Asakusa

Address: 1-4-17, Komagata, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0043Telephone: 03-3843-0108Fax: 03-3843-0109Former Towa Akasuka Tokyo.Although the rooms may seem a bit small, the service here is very good - free internet in your room + 2 computers in the lobby for your use, cable LCD TV, hot water pot for green tea,...

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Blue Wave Inn Asakusa

Address: 2-33-7 Asakusa, Taito-ku Tokyo 111-0032Recently renovated in February 2005.Good location in a quiet place near Asakusa Temple. 5 minutes walk to Ginza and Asakusa lines. In general – good quality with a reasonable pri...

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Asakusa View Hotel

Address: 3-17-1 Nishi-Asakusa Taito-ku Tokyo 111-0035Telephone: +81-3-3847-1111Fax:+81-3-3842-2117Site: Asakusa View HotelFeaturing 337 guestrooms, 17 banquet halls, 9 restaurants (and bars) and a fitness center within its 28 floors. Has a very good location - walking distance - restaurants, shops,...

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Asakusa Hotels

Although Asakusa is a place there every tourist that comes to Tokyo must go, in order to experience the old Japan in the modern city of Tokyo, it doesn’t have many hotels to stay in. Here are some that I could find for you:Blue Wave Inn AsakusaAsakusa View HotelChisan Inn AsakusaSunroute AsakusaSakura...

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Asakusa Events

January 1 - Hatsumode (first New Year's visit to shrines and temples).Senso-ji Temple always attracts a large number of visitors on New Year's Day then any other temple or shrine in Japan.February 3 - Setsubun signifies the first day of spring by lunar calendar.It is custom to throw beans this day...

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Asakusa Shopping

Souvenirs – Asakusa is definitely the best place for buying Japanese souvenirs. Here you can find beautiful sets foe sake and tee, fans, chopsticks, swords, kimono and many more. The prices are chip to medium. A sake or tee set or fan may cost around 1000-1500 Yen, kimono price will defere depending...

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Sumida river and Sumida park

If you want to spend a day outside the Sumida park is a very nice place for it. It is very famous for the cherry blossom in the spring, but during other seasons you can enjoy it no less.There is a bike rental service in the park – 200 Yen (for less than 24 hours), you must show your passport before...

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Kitchenware Town

If you are into kitchen accessories you must visit the “Kitchenware Town”.This is name of Kappabashi Dougugai-dori, a unique one kilometer street where you can find all sort of equipment and utensils, both modern and traditional. So if you didn’t find that special china you wanted in the shops on Nakamise...

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Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise shopping street

Asakusa is known for the Senso-ji Temple – Japan oldest Buddhist Temple and the 5 store pagoda that is standing next to it. According to the legend 2 fishermen discovered an image of Kannon (Buddhist goddess of mercy) in the Sumida river in 628, and built a worship hall to worship the image. 20 years...

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Asakusa

Asakusa is known for her temples and shrines, souvenirs, shopping streets and that special old world charm atmosphere that always make you want to return there.There are few option to explore Asakusa:1. You can get there using the Ginza line (station number G19) or the Asakusa line (station number A18),...

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Ueno Hotels

Ueno is definitely the place where you can find a dissent hotel at a very good price, here is a selection of some of them:Ueno Terminal HotelHotel New UenoAstil HotelVilla Fontaine...

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Ueno Hotels - Ueno Terminal Hotel

2-21-11 Higashi Ueno, TaitoukuTelephone: 03-3831-1110Site: Ueno Terminal HotelSingle room starting from 9500 Yen (you can get a discount if you reserve room on line). Very commutable hotel for businessmen, because it has a wireless internet it all the hotel area, and although the check out is at 10:00...

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Ueno Hotels - Hotel New Ueno

7-2-5 Ueno, Taito-kuTelephone:+81-3-3841-3221Site: Hotel New UenoE-mail: mail@newueno.jpThe location of this hotel is very good for travelers – it is located 1 minute walk from Ueno JR station (Yamanode Line) and about 3 minutes walk from Ueno station (Ginza and Hibiya lines). This is also a business...

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Ueno Hotels - Astil Hotel

7-7-1 Ueno Taito-ku TokyoTelephone: 81-3-5806-1200This hotel also has a good location - just two minutes walk from Asakusa Exit of JR Ueno Station. It is the modern petit hotel in European style, with maybe a bit smaller rooms than you are used to, but this is Japan. The hotel is close to Ueno and Asakusa...

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Ueno Hotels - Villa Fontaine

Ueno2-4-4 Kojima, Taito-ku, TokyoTelephone:?+81 (0)3-5833-5550Site: Villa FontaineThe location of this hotel is grate for travelers: Shin-Okachimachi Station (Oedo Line) 4 minutes on foot from Exit A2, Naka-Okachimachi Station (Hibiya Line) 6 minutes on foot from Exit 1, Okachimachi Station (JR Line)...

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Shitamachi Museum

2-1 Ueno Koen, Tokyo, JapanTelephone: 03-3823-7451Time hold still in this downtown from Meiji era.The two main displays are a merchant’s house and a tenements of a copper-smith and a cheap sweets dealer, with all their furnishings. In this museum you can take your shoes off and step up into the rooms,...

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Tokyo National Museum

13-9 Ueno Park,Taito-ku, Tokyo,110-8712, JapanTelephone: +81-3-3822-1111Site: Tokyo National MuseumNational MuseumThis is a MUST place to visit in Tokyo. It is the oldest and the largest art and history museum in Japan. The museum has few buildings:Honkan – Japanese Gallery: Displays the high lights...

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The National Museum of Western Art

7-7 Ueno-koen, Taito-ku, TokyoTelephone: 03-3828-5131Site: The National Museum of Western ArtThe museum was established in 1959 and it displays pre-18th century paintings, including those by Ritzos, Van Cleve, Veronese, Rubens, Van Ruysdael and Ribera, 19th to early 20th century French paintings, including...

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The National Science Museum

7-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, TokyoTelephone: +81-(0)3-3822-0111 (Monday-Friday)Telephone: +81-(0)3-3822-0114(Saturday, Sunday and National Holidays)Site: The National Science MuseumOpening Hours: 9:00 - 17:00 (Last admissions: 16:30)Friday 9:00 - 20:00 (Last admissions: 19:30)Admission:Adult and College...

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Ueno Museums

Ueno is the place to go if you want to visit as many different museums as you can, but you don’t have time to waist on traveling from one side of Tokyo to another. In Ueno park you will find such must-to-see museum as National Science Museum, Tokyo National Museum and the National Museum of Modern ArtTokyo...

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Oakwood Apartments Roppongi

3-8-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku , TokyoTelephone: 81-3-5412-6800Site: Oakwood Apartments RoppongiThis is apartment hotel that rents apartments on daily/weekly bases.Oakwood Apartments Roppongi Central offers 69 stylish serviced apartments in the heart of Roppongi, on a private side street just step from Roppongi...

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Ibis Hotel Tokyo

7-14-4, Ropppongi Minato-ku TokyoTelephone: 03-3403-4411Site: Ibis Hotel TokyoIbis hotel is centrally located one minute walk from Roppongi Station.The hotel has 8 types of rooms staring from 11 meters2 single room to 32 meters2 suit. The hotel has various restaurants including the Sabatini restaurant...

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The B Roppongi Hotel

3-9-8 Roppongi,Minato-ku,TokyoTelephone: 03-5412-0451Site: The B Roppongi HotelThis hotel is located in the heart of Roppongi, just one minute walk from Roppongi Cross, which is the heart of Roppongi, and few steps from Roppongi subway station, and the "Roppongi Hills", is just 5 minutes walk from it.A...

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Roppongi Hotels

Roppongi as Tokyo’s business and nightlife center is not the cheapest place to stay in, so here I tried to tell you about some hotels in this area that will not leave a hall in your packet.Oakwood Apartments RoppongiIbis Hotel TokyoThe B Roppongi Ho...

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Roppongi Shopping

It doesn't matter if you like brands or if you are a budget shopper in Roppongi you can find a shop that will suit you.If you are a brand lover you should do your shopping in the Roppingi Hills area, but if you like discount shops and budget shopping then you should not miss Don Quijote.Here is a small...

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Roppongi Museums

Although most people see Roppongi as a popular clubbing and drinking area it has to offer a nice selection of art museums.See bellow some of the museums I recommend you to visit in Roppongi:Mori Art MuseumOkura Museum of ArtSen-Oku Hakuko Kan MuseumTokyo City V...

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Roppongi Shopping - Don Quijote

3-14-10 Roppongi Minato-ku TokyoTelephone: 03-5786-0811?Opening Hours: 11?00AM-7?00AM (yes it is open almost 24 hours a day), no holidaysAccess: Hibiya Line 3 minutes walk from Roppongi stationor Oedo Line – 7 minutes from Roppongi stationOn this site you will find a shop locator with good map to each...

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Roppongi Shopping - Roppongi Hills

This is the ultimate place for shopping in the area, it has an enormous variety of shops and restaurants to choose from.Here you will find Zara, Replay, Escada boutique, MaxMara, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Hugo Boss, Issey Miyake and many others.This shop complex has not only a big selection of shops,...

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Roppongi Shopping - Lush

Fresh handmade 160 types of skin care products and the hair care products – soap, bath salts, lotions, hand and body creams, etc.What stuned me in this shop in Roppongi is that it is combined with a flower shop, and the smell of their products and the huge selection of flowers make this shop’s decoration...

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Roppongi Restaurants

TsurutontanRoppongi 3-14-12Telephone: 03-57862626Exit 3a on the Roppongi Station – go right and tern to Gaien-Higashi-Dori – it is on the same side as the Donkey Hotte shop.This is mainly an udon and ramen restaurant, but in this ramen you will find pretty much everything you can think about – fried...

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Mori Art Museum

Roppongi Hills Mori Tower (53F),6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-kuTelephone: +81-3-5777-8600In this museum, located in the Roppongi Hills, there is a program of changing exhibitions, event and different lectures.Check the exhibitions schedule on their site: Mori Art MuseumOpening Hours:Every day except Tuesdays:...

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Okura Museum of Art

2-10-4 Toranomon,Minato-ku, TokyoTelephone: 03-3583-0781In 1917, Kihachiro Okura, collector of Buddhist artwork established, on his own land, a museum in which to hold and display his treasures. Over the years, this collection was added to by his son, the founder of Hotel Okura, Baron Kishichiro Okura,...

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Sen-Oku Hakuko Kan Museum

1-5-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan 106-0032Telephone. +81-3-5777-8600Site: Sen-Oku Hakuko Kan MuseumThis museum was established in 2002, and it’s collection has a variety of art items, such as paintings (that I specially liked) and tea ceremony utensils, that were donated by Sumitomo family.Admission:Adult:...

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Tokyo City View

Mori Art Center – Tokyo City ViewThe Tokyo City View in Roppongi Hills offers the public 360 degree view of Tokyo from 250 meter heightRoppongi Hills Mori Tower (52F),6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-kuTelephone: 03-6406-6652Site: Tokyo City ViewOpening Hours: 9:00 am - 1:00 amAdmission:Adult: 1500 YenStudent:...

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Roppongi - Where to go

The main attraction in Roppongi is of cause Roppongi Hills so don't miss the Roppongi Hills tour which will introduce you to this area of Tokyo.Although Roppongi is cataloged as an entertainment area, don't forget that you are in Japan, so even here you can find a nice little temple.See more on these...

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Senshouji Temple

This temple was founded in 1630, and it is mainly known the tomb of tomb of Okita Soushi who was the first captain of the Shinsengumi, but the tomb can only be seen through a fence in the back of the temple.3-1-37?Motoazabu, Minato-kuTelephone?03-3408-48108-minute walk from Roppongi Stat...

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Roppongi Hills Tour

This is a tour with an English speaking gueid that takes about 45 minutes. The theme of the tour is:” What kind of town is Roppongi Hills?" "What types of shops are there? Where are they located?" The Roppongi Hills Walking Tour is recommended for visitors who want to become familiar with the vast and...

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Harajuku - Where to go

Harajuku is known as a trendy area, where you can see Japanese young people, who are trying to express themselves throw cloths and hair styles. But here is also located one of the nicest shrines of Tokyo and a beautiful park where you can enjoy a quiet moment from a hustle of the big city.See the following...

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Shopping in Harajuku

Snoopy TownOpen daily from 11:00 to 20:00.Just across the JR Harajuku station you will see Snoopy Town ShopSnoopy Town ShopThen you enter this shop you will find a lot of Snoopy paraphernalia, which includes Snoppy cups and plates, suitcases and wallets, cloths and toys, stationary items and many more.Takeshita...

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Harajuku Museums

Harajuku is not exactly a museum area so the museum selection here is a bit low:Treasure MuseumIt is a building that was built in 1921. Its style, however, is a copy of the Ooyukazukuri (high floor style) of Azekurazukuri Shosoin (the Japanese National Treasure House in Nara).In the building, various...

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Meiji Jingu Shrine

Opening Hours: From sunrise to sunsetAdmission: Free7 minutes on foot from Harajuku Station on JR Yamanote Line or Meiji Jingumae on subway Chiyoda LineMeiji Jingu is the Shinto shrine dedicated to the divine souls of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Emperor Shoken. Around the shrine there is evergreen...

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