Have you seen Sensoji in Asakusa? Strolled around the Meiji Shrine in Harajuku? Thought that Tokyo doesn’t really have much more than that to offer in historical buildings?
Well, you are missing out. Because there is much more.
1. Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Garden 旧岩崎亭庭園
400 yen - Open: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm - 3 minute walk from Yushima Station on the Chiyoda Subway Line
This is the official residence of the Iwasaki family, the family behind Mitsubishi. This is a 17th century style European style house that also has 2 other buildings on the premises. One Swiss mountain chalet style and one Japanese style. It is a pretty rare thing to see a collection of buildings like this in Japan.
2. Edo Tokyo Tatemono-en (Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum)
400 yen - Open: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm - 20 minute walk from Musashi Koganei Station on the Chuo Line
As someone who loves sketching, I personally really love Tatemon-en. Apparently Hayao Miyazaki came here to get inspiration for Spirited Away. There is a cable car on display in the park which is apparently the base of the cable car that runs through water in the movie.
There are over 20 buildings, from different time periods, that have all been relocated here. You can stroll through them and enjoy the feeling of going back in time.
FREE - 3 minutes from Meguro Station
Meguro Gajoen is a famous banquet hall/restaurant building that was built in the 1930s. It was made to be over-the-top and lavishly decorated. You can go inside and experience some of the incredible architecture and hand-painted reliefs. The biggest to-see thing here is the Hyakudan Kaidan (100 step staircase). It is the preserved area of the old building that features 7 rooms that have been preserved. This place still functions as a banquet hall, and you can enjoy a course meal here after taking a tour around.
Apparently the restrooms available to the public are gorgeous. You can also stay there, because there are hotel facilities.
FREE - Open: 10 am til 3:30 pm, closed Mondays and Tuesdays - 10 minutes from Toritsu Daigaku Station
A farmhouse where you can see how the average Japanese farmer lived in the Edo period. They have tools and items of the period in the way that they would have been then.
Meguro is a nice area to stroll around, so it is good if you are getting sick of the hustle and bustle of the city.
