Page 116 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

A stream running through
the charming,tree-filled
Hama-rikyu Gardens

8 '
EXPERIENCE Central Tokyo  F7  Nagatacho Stn,
The Diet Building
日比谷地区と国会議事堂
Hanzomon, Namboku
& Yurakucho lines; Kokkai-
Gijidomae Stn, Chiyoda &
Marunouchi lines; Hibiya
Stn, Toei Mita, Chiyoda &
7 "
garden has had an illustrious
Mon–Fri (by reservation)
Hama-rikyu
history. The US president
∑ sangiin.go.jp/eng/
Gardens also hunted duck here. The Hibiya lines # 8am–5pm
Ulysses S. Grant stayed in a
浜離宮庭園 villa in the gardens during his index.htm
visit in 1879 and sipped green Completed in 1936, the Diet
 H9 § (03) 3541-0200
 Shiodome Stn, Oedo line tea in Nakajima teahouse. Building houses the legislature
The garden grounds
of the Japanese govern ment,
£ Shinbashi Stn, Yamanote surrounding the duck ponds original ly established as the
line # 9am–5pm daily
are still a pleasant, uncrowded Imperial Diet in the Meiji era.
Situated where the Sumida place to stroll and unwind, Tours (in Japanese only) cover
River empties into Tokyo Bay, although all of the original the well-worn inside, including
this 62-acre (25-hectare) teahouses and villas, trees, the Diet chamber, where you
garden dotted with colorful and vegetation burned down can see the deliberations of
and fragrant plants like after a devastating bombing Diet members, and the
camellia and azalea was raid on November 29, 1944. extrava gantly decorated
built in 1654 as a retreat But Nakajima teahouse rooms formerly used by the
for the shogun’s family, who has been faithfully rebuilt, emperor for official functions.
appearing to float over the Nearby, you’ll find
large pond. Green tea and Central Tokyo’s only
INSIDER TIP Japanese sweets are Western-style park,
All Aboard! available here. Hibiya Park. Its
A cruise on the Sumida
River from Hama-rikyu
Gardens to Asakusa in
Northern Tokyo offers a
little-seen view of the
city. In a space-ship-like
boat, you’ll pass under
colorful bridges, take in
the city’s soaring sky-
scrapers, and see people
relaxing in the parks by
the water. Near Asakusa
there are long, low boats
that take out groups for
lantern-lit evening
cruises (www. suijo
bus.co.jp/en).
The imposing entrance
to Tokyo Station, in
Marunouchi District
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