Tokyo offers tourists endless options. Even if you’re returning for the tenth time, you’ll always find something new that won’t cease to surprise you. Trying to define the most important things to do is a very complicated task, as there are endless tourist options in Tokyo’s main neighborhoods. At the same time, there are places less frequented by foreign visitors that offer a different impression of this great metropolis. Therefore, if you want to complement your visit to the capital with a more original and different tour, we suggest three places off the beaten track so you can enjoy a more authentic and peaceful Tokyo.
Turtles and gyozas in Kameido
Kameido (亀戸) is a neighborhood located in the Kōtō district, east of Tokyo. Less than half an hour from Ueno Station and very close to the Sumida district, where the SkyTree is located, we find a traditional neighborhood where you can stroll peacefully without the hustle and bustle of the large tourist areas of central Tokyo. The area is known for its wisteria, fuji (藤), and a place to admire them is the Kameido Tenjin Temple, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of learning, very popular among students. This temple has been rendered in ukiyo-e style by great artists of the Edo period, such as Hokusai and Hiroshige, and is very comfortable and enjoyable to visit. In the shrine pond you can find numerous turtles, kame (亀), which are the architects of the neighborhood’s name, since Kameido means Turtle Gate. These animals are associated with knowledge and are a bridge between the human and the divine, which is why they are considered messengers of the gods.
Around the train station, you’ll find numerous narrow streets filled with small shops of all kinds and, of course, bars and restaurants. The neighborhood’s signature dish is gyoza, considered the best in the entire Tokyo area. The most popular spot is Kameido Gyoza Honten (亀戸餃子 本店), located a few meters from the north exit of the train station. The service here is very simple: they only sell gyoza (you can only choose drinks), they’ll serve you two plates of five each (minimum order), and you can order more by simply indicating. The gyoza are very basic in terms of ingredients and preparation, but they have a special flavor, making it an experience you definitely can’t miss on your visit to the Kameido neighborhood.
Hamarikyū, peace amidst the hustle and bustle
Hamarikyū (浜離宮恩賜庭園, Hamarikyū Onshi Teien) is a large traditional Japanese garden located in the heart of Tokyo, next to the bay, very close to the Tsukiji market and well connected by water bus to the Odaiba area. The most peculiar thing about this garden is that it is a large green area in the middle of an area of skyscrapers, so the contrast is striking and defines well the essence of Tokyo, where nature and futurism come together to form a unique landscape in the world. The entrance, although paid, is quite cheap (300 JPY).
Originally built as a stately garden for the Tokugawa family, it was used as a secondary residence and duck hunting ground. It is designed in the shioiri (潮入の池) style, incorporating seawater that rises and falls with the tides. The gardens are filled with trees, some unique, such as the 300-year-old pine tree at the entrance to the grounds, which is lovingly maintained. Along the paths, we find bridges and rocky hills from which to admire the landscape. For a break, the best option is to visit the Nakajima-no-ochaya (中島の御茶屋) teahouse, located on the central island of the pond, to the south of the garden. From here, you can enjoy a traditional matcha tea while being amazed by the natural beauty of this setting in the middle of Tokyo.
Yotsugi, looking for Captain Tsubasa
North of the Sumida and Ara rivers, in Katsushika, lies Yotsugi (四ツ木), the Captain Tsubasa neighborhood. Although it has become slightly more popular with tourists in recent years, it’s still a great option for enjoying a traditional Japanese neighborhood without the crowds. And in this case, you can also have fun searching for the various statues from the series scattered throughout the neighborhood.
Yotsugi is a neighborhood of low-rise residences, schools, small temples, local shops, and quiet parks. But it’s best known for being the hometown of Yoichi Takahashi, the creator of Captain Tsubasa (キャプテン翼), the original name of the 1981 manga series. Yotsugi Station is entirely decorated with images from the series, and Tsubasa Park is home to several statues dedicated to the most important characters, although many of them will have to be located in the streets near the park. If you want to take a break from tasting Japanese cuisine, you can stop for lunch at Trattoria Avere (トラットリア アヴェーレ), a few meters from Keisei-Tateishi Station. This small Italian restaurant was frequented by the manga’s creator, and features drawings decorated on the walls by Takahashi himself.
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