Top Things to do in Bunkyo
What to do and see in Bunkyo, Kanto: The Best Free Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Bunkyo, Japan including Gallery Marusan, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo Garden, St. Mary's Cathedral, Tokyo, University of Tokyo, Nezu Shrine, Origami Kaikan, Yushima Tenmangu, Gokokuji Temple, Bunkyo Civic Center, Higo-Hosokawa Garden.
Restaurants in Bunkyo
1. Gallery Marusan
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 104 reviews
Shibainu MARU's official shop is conveniently located on Shinobazu-dori, within walking distance from the UENO park. 11:00-19:00 Shibainu MARU is famous for Instagram. There are many Maru's goods. The statue of Maru stands in front of GALLERY MARUSAN,
Reviewed By 80spencerw - San Francisco, United States
Small and cozy place to purchase shiba inu merchandise for big fans of Maru! Love the friendly environment! Check out Maru's IG at @marutaro!
2. Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 445 reviews
Reviewed By hfot2 - Vermont, United States
Chinzanso was quite nice, though past peak when we visited in early December. It is quite wonderful that the hotel opens up such a lovely place for free for visitors who are not guests of the hotel. We dressed up for our visit, since the hotel has such a posh clientele. (We were dismayed by, and a bit embarrassed for, the really sloppily dressed and loud folks who arrived with a tour group no less!) The garden is a wedding venue. We saw at least 3 weddings and a few wedding photo shoots - a stunningly dressed bride placed perfectly with the pond or red trees as a background. We had to be careful as we walked around the pond taking care that we didn’t end up in one of the wedding photos. The weddings themselves produced among other things distant photo ops of family groups, brides having rose petals thrown at them, and women dressed in elegant kimonos In addition to the pond, there are lots of things to see - momiji, of course, an ancient and sacred tree, stone lanterns and statues, a pagoda and more. Each path brings different landscape views in this lovely stroll garden. There were even signs in Japanese and English describing some of the statues, buildings and trees Definitely worth a visit.
3. St. Mary's Cathedral, Tokyo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
Reviewed By JensTetz - Berlin, Germany
There are so many temples, shrines and pagodas to see in Tokyo – that makes visiting a church sometimes a bit more special (even when you are European). This cathedral is definitely something extraordinary. It's a masterpiece by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. You can take the metro to Gokokuji Station and then walk about 15 minutes. You will find an iconic modern church which is stunning from the in- and outside. You can visit it free of charge but it's officially not allowed to take photos. If you are in the area you can also visit the Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo Garden which is close to St. Mary's.
4. University of Tokyo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 520 reviews
Reviewed By 217hudan - Bandung, Indonesia
a reputable campus that has good historical buildings. Has a modern canteen under the gtreen plaza in front of this building, has a halal food counter.
5. Nezu Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 656 reviews
Reviewed By JTeale - Ulsan, South Korea
I went very early in the morning and it was wonderful. Only about 3 people were there at the time and it was a great experience. From the Tori lined paths to the koi pond, it was everything that you would expect from a well-known temple like this.
6. Origami Kaikan
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 68 reviews
Reviewed By psush_girl - Beijing, China
I need to start by remarking on the kindness of the instructors of the origami workshop. When we e-mailed them to book our 2 spots, we were informed that they normally only allow 6 people but they had already allowed double the amount of people to join the workshop, and would be allowing us to join as well. When we arrived on the day of the workshop, the new number of participants was up to 16 and this new number did not affect the quality of instruction one bit! Not only were the instructors knowledgeable and patient, but they made each participant feel proud of their work, no matter their skill level. We also had the opportunity to meet and watch a master origami artist perform his craft and it was a sight to behold! If you are ever in Tokyo, you should definitely check out Origami Kaikan; it’s worth every yen and you will not be disappointed.
7. Yushima Tenmangu
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 459 reviews
Yushima was founded in 1355 but the main building was re-built in the 1880s. The stunning bronze gate is over 200 years old. In fact this shrine is as well known for its plum garden as it is for its association with the main shrine in Kyushu, which honors a Heian poet, Michizane Sugawara.
Reviewed By goic - Taito, Japan
Yushima Tenjin is a shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the examination season starts from January to February, so many students and parents of the examiness form a line and come to pray until the New Year and the period. In Tokyo, the academic shrine is so famous that it is called Yushima Tenmangu. 湯島天神は… 学問の神様「菅原道真公」を祀る、 雄略天皇2年(458) 勅命により創建されたと伝えられる神社です。 明治18年に改築された社殿も老朽化が進み、 平成7年 後世に残る総檜造りの社殿が造営された。 大晦日、三ヶ日、受験シーズン など… 多くの受験生や親御さんが訪れる光景は、湯島周辺では冬の風物詩ですねぇ…????
8. Gokokuji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 148 reviews
Reviewed By ries770 - Tokyo Prefecture, Japan
It is very rare to find an original temple from the 17th Century Edo/old Tokyo given the severe earthquakes, air raids from WWII and fires in Tokyo. However, the main hall of this temple dates back to the original built by the then Tokugawa shogun in 1681. You can go into the main hall for free and enjoy the art from this period, Genroku period, famous for the flourishing of Kabuki and Ukiyoe, entertainment for the masses. Gokokuji temple is very quiet and hidden away, in spite of the great and easy access from Gokokuji metro station in front of the temple. Enjoy the tranquility! For more, please refer to "hiddenjapanguide" if interested.
9. Bunkyo Civic Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 304 reviews
Reviewed By 253SA - Singapore, Singapore
The Bunkyo Civic Center offers visitors the best and clearest view of Mount Fuji on a clear day. No question. From that vantage point, with a good zoom, you can see the grand lady as if she was just in front of you. And the view! Breathtaking is the first word I could conjure. Best of all, its free!
10. Higo-Hosokawa Garden
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 75 reviews
〜Suburban Residence of Daimyo, to the Hosokawa Family〜 This place had been used as a residential site for a retainer of the Shogunate since the mid-Edo period. In the late Edo period, the suburban residence of the Shimizu family, one of the three counts of the Tokugawa family, was located here. Later, it became the suburban residence of the Hitotsubashi family and then that of the Hosokawa family, the feudal lord of Higo Kumamoto (540,000 koku). 〜Establishment of the Park〜 After the Second World War, the owner of the site changed several times. In September 1961, a Tokyo metropolitan park opened on the site, and in April 1975, the jurisdiction over the park was transferred to Bunkyo City. The view from Shouseikaku has remained the same since the Meiji period: a pond in front, a grove on the left slope, and some lanterns. Comparison between the view and the picture passed down to the Hosokawa family will show the history of the garden.
