Let’s not mince words: Japanese summers are generally hot, humid and full of misery.
I have experienced summer in Toyama, Kansai, Northern Kanto and Tokyo and I can safely say that I think Tokyo was the best.
(Surprised? It actually doesn’t get as humid as other places in Japan. I think the worst place you can go is Kyoto. But I doubt this is going to stop anyone from going to Kyoto.)
Even though I don’t think Tokyo makes the list of worst summers I have ever experienced, it still is hot, humid and unpleasant. I understand the need to get out of the heat. Where can you go in the city to cool off??
(one of my favorite ways to cool down is not going anywhere particularly cool, it’s just eating cool things like shave ice)
Todoroki Valley (等々力渓谷): Tokyo, Setagaya-ku
HP: https://www.gotokyo.org/en/tourists/guideservice/volunteer/course_05/course_05_03.html
FEE: free!
ADDRESS: 東京都世田谷区等々力1-22、2-37-38
NEARBY STATIONS: Todoroki Station
HOURS: no specific hours
The only remaining actual valley in Tokyo. If you know the character for valley, 谷, you would notice that there are many places in Tokyo named for valleys. Who knows how many actual valleys there originally were.
Koishikawa Korakuen (東京都文京区): Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku
HP: http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/english/park/detail_05.html
FEE: adults 300 yen, over 65 150 yen, kids elementary and below free
ADDRESS: 東京都文京区後楽一丁目
NEARBY STATIONS: JR Iidabashi Station, Oedo Iidabashi Station, Korakuen Station
HOURS: 9:00-16:30pm
This garden was made around 1630. I like it because even though it is located in the middle of Tokyo, it relatively big. You can actually forget you are in a city and just quietly sit on a bench and enjoy the landscaping.
Tokyo Harbor Cruise, the Water Bus (水上バス) : Tokyo Harbor
HP: http://www.skybus.jp/d01.php?lang=jp
FEE: adult 2900 yen child 1400 yen
ADDRESS: 東京都墨田区業平1-17-6
NEARBY STATIONS: Oshiage Station, Tokyo Sky Tree Station
HOURS: departure times 9:20, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 17:00
SKY Duck (amphibious bus): Tokyo, Sumida-ku
HP: http://www.skybus.jp/d01.php?lang=jp
FEE: adult 2900 yen child 1400 yen
ADDRESS: 東京都墨田区業平1-17-6
NEARBY STATIONS: Oshiage Station, Tokyo Sky Tree Station
HOURS: departure times 9:20, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 17:00
The SKY Duck is a new way to enjoy Tokyo Harbor. Because it is amphibious you can take it around like a bus tour and also as a mini-Tokyo Harbor tour. The route is illustrated out in a picture on the homepage, which is unfortunately only in Japanese.
T.Y.HARBOR BREWERY: Tokyo, Shinagawa-ku
HP: http://www.tyharborbrewing.co.jp/jp/ty-harbor/
ADDRESS: 2-1-3 Higashi-shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
NEARBY STATIONS: Tennozu Isle Station, Shinagawa Station
HOURS: lunch: 11:30-15:00 dinner: 17:30-22:00
Modeled on a West Coast American microbrewery model, T.Y. Harbor Brewery, is only one of 2 Tokyo brewers and is the only brewer who is operating without a larger company backing them. The brewery is located by the harbor, in a renovated warehouse. There are actually not so many restaurants right out of the water in Tokyo, so this restaurant is a rare treat.
Epson Shinagawa Aqua Stadium (エプソン 品川アクアスタジアム): Tokyo, Shinagawa-ku
HP: http://www.princehotels.co.jp/shinagawa/aquastadium/e/
FEE: adults 1,850 yen JHS/ES 1,050 yen, children over 4 yrs old 600 yen
ADDRESS: 東京都港区高輪4-10-30
NEARBY STATIONS: Shinagawa Station (exit from Takanawa Exit)
HOURS: hours change based on the day
Cool off at Aqua Stadium! There are seal and dolphin shows to watch, a few attractions to ride, and 2 restaurants: one pirate themed and one surrounded by fish tanks with tropical fish swimming around. This is a good place if you have kids. There is a discount for people who are staying at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel.
