A Photogenic Journey: Route 2
To Do on Your Trip
Route 2
Gotokuji Temple
Gotokuji is a temple located in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. This large temple is located amongst luxury homes, and is believed to be where maneki-neko—"beckoning cat" figures that signify good luck—originated. The Shofukuden, within the temple grounds, is where more than one thousand maneki-neko have been enshrined after serving their owners and helping their wishes be granted. Visitors from around the world are attracted to this strange and unique sight. The traditional ema (small wooden plaques) on which visitors can write their wishes also feature drawings of the maneki-neko. You can also purchase maneki-neko of all sizes. The lush greenery of the temple creates a peaceful atmosphere that will put your soul at ease, despite being a mere 16 minutes from Shinjuku's hustle and bustle. There are many popular cafes and bakeries near Gotokuji, and you can walk around trying out all the delicious, reasonably priced food.
Aoyama Flower Market TEA HOUSE
TEA HOUSE is a cafe operated by Aoyama Flower Market, a well-known flower company in Japan. True to their concept—“Experience Living With Flowers Every Day”—it’s a spot that offers relaxation among flowers and greenery. Colorful flowers and herbs are used not just as decoration, but also in the food and drink on the menu. The space is so beautiful, you’ll end up with amazing pictures—no matter where you point your camera. Beginner-friendly flower arranging lessons are held periodically, offering an opportunity to discover the natural beauty of growing things. Spend a supremely elegant time at this cafe that lets you forget about the bustling city around you.
Wa-kitchen Kanna
Wa-kitchen Kanna has developed shaved ice that melts slowly, even in summer. This shaved ice speciality shop is in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward and is often featured in the media. Their ice is frozen at an extremely low temperature during the winter, which makes it clear and slow to melt: two key elements that go into top-quality shaved ice. Their special shaved ice made with Japanese and Western ingredients is so popular that people are willing to wait in line for hours just to try it!
BOND Street
Tennozu is becoming more popular thanks to its access to major transportation hubs such as Haneda Airport and Shinagawa. BOND Street used to be a collection of warehouses, but has since been revamped into a brand new spot with fancy shops, cafes, and galleries. It may be short at just 200 meters long, but with colorful works of art on display, it’s the perfect place to stroll through and take pictures. The Tennozu Canal runs nearby, and if you want to rest for a bit, you can take a quick break at a cafe while enjoying the view of the waterside. At night the surrounding buildings light up beautifully, and you’ll find many different ways to enjoy this area throughout the day.
1 hour 50 minutes from Tokyo Station to Joetsumyoko Station by Hokuriku Shinkansen
Sasagamine Highlands
The Sasagamine Highlands sprawl out in Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture. Located at an altitude of 1,300 meters and surrounded by mountains that are more than 2,000 meters high, it offers a magnificent view. Cool temperatures even during summer and well-maintained walkways make it a great place to go trekking. There are several model courses of varying lengths, so visitors can choose the path that matches their fitness level. You can also find Udana-no-shimizu (the spring water of Udana).There’s a stone well there where visitors can draw up their own water, making it a great place to quench your thirst after trekking. This area is home to one of Japan’s biggest camping sites, and is a perfect place to enjoy a night under the beautiful stars.
Sasagamine Green House Restaurant
Sasagamine Green House is hidden away amidst the natural surroundings of Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture. It’s a commonly visited spot for people trekking and walking in the Sasagamine Highlands, but it’s perhaps best known for its restaurant on the second floor. You won’t want to miss the Jumbo Steak, which is 1.5 cm thick and big enough to feed three people. After marveling at the size of the steak, which is so big it’s almost difficult to cut, you’ll be left speechless by the soft, melty texture of the beef. Aside from their amazing steak, they offer meals that feature seasonal wild vegetables, giving people of all ages the opportunity to enjoy the tastes of the Sasagamine Highlands.
Lotte Arai Resort: The zip tour
The zip tour operated by Lotte Arai Resort is 1,501 meters long, making it one of the longest zip lining experiences in Asia. You’ll zip down from an altitude of 950 meters to the 710 meter point, reaching an astonishing maximum speed of 80 km per hour. The natural surroundings that spread out before you, the lightness of your body as it's suspended in midair, and the thrilling speed all come together for an extraordinary experience—you'll feel like you’re flying. Don’t worry if it’s your first time on a zip tour. The experienced instructors will teach you everything you need to know about your equipment and how to control your speed. The zip tour only takes about three minutes, but the exhilaration will last a lifetime.
Apallusion
Colorful light displays are part of the winter landscape throughout Japan, but Apallusion takes the experience to another level. It's a dreamlike world of light brought to life with about 200,000 LED lights. In addition to areas decked out with fantastic projection mapping, you can enjoy attractions such as the Night Safari, where you can take pictures with animals created from light, and Scenic Flower Road, a stunning combination of flowers and light. On weekends and public holidays the area is lit up by brilliant fireworks displays that fill the night sky. It takes about 50 minutes to get around Apallusion on foot, but you'll want to enjoy the breathtaking scenery for hours.
Go Another Way
Want to explore even further? The route on the next page takes you to one of Tokyo’s most innovative museum experiences and a natural wonder in Niigata that has been transformed into a work of art.
