Super Cheap Japan: Budget Travel in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima and Surrounding Areas (Super Cheap Guides Book 1)

Another historic, but less well-known area is the Yanaka district just north of Ueno Park. The old shitamachi atmosphere from Tokyo of yesteryear still survives here; the streets are full of rustic charm, busy locals and a whole variety of shops and trades. There are now very few places in Tokyo quite like it, and its well off the usual tourist tra

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, whose 243 metre high twin towers each have free observatories on the 45th floors. The southern tower is said to have slightly more interesting views.

Next door to Sanjusangendo is Yogen-in, one of Kyoto’s most historically important temples but little visited by tourists.