Visiting Tokyo a second time

[thesuker]

Hi,
I'm planning my two week July holiday and my first visit is to Tokyo. I've already been there and visited the Meiji Shrine, Senso Ji, Tokyo National Museum, Metropolitan Building and most of the famous districts (Akihabara, Shibuya, Asakusa, etc) I didn't visit the Imperial Palace because it was closed.

So this time I'm planning to visit the Imperial Palace and the Castle, but I really haven't got any other ideas. I'm very interested in visiting anything related to medieval Japan and also those very different places that really surprise western visitors (such as the owl/cat cafes) I'm not interested in visiting the fish market though, not really my thing.

Any suggestions?

 

[nekojita]

Two places both close to Meguro station that I think are hidden little gems:
1. the Meguro Parasitological Museum, which is one of those just plain bizarre places. Gift shop is great for weird souvenirs.

2. 自然教育園 Institute for Nature Study . If you feel you need a break from the Tokyo-ness of Tokyo, this is where to go.

Don't wear black, though, because hornets/スズメバチ I'm not sure if it's true that certain colours attract them, but I'm certainly not going to tempt fate. I am not squeamish about insects but I definitely make an exception for anything called a freaking sparrow-bee.

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

The garden of Tokyo is searched in this site.
Let's go to the Gardens.
It may be good to observe the garden in "Meiji Kinenkan", and to enjoy a lunch.
About Meiji Kinenkan | Meiji Kinenkan
Other, "Chinzan-so Garden"
Chinzan-so Garden - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Glenski]

Leave Tokyo. Go to Nara and take the local train to Iga-Ueno. Seek out the ninja castle, demonstration house, and museum.
Iga Ueno Travel: Iga Ninja Museum

 

[thomas]

If it's the old Tokyo you're interested in, I recommend the following museums:

=> Edo-Tokyo Museum - Japan Reference (JREF)
=> Fukagawa Edo Museum - Japan Reference (JREF)

One of my favourite areas in Tokyo is Yanaka, just north of Ueno, with the Kanei-ji shrine and the Jomyo-in temple as well as the picturesque Yanaka cemetery holding the grave of the last shogun , Tokugawa Yoshinobu . From there you can walk west towards Nezu shrine, capturing some genuine shitamachi atmosphere.

If you have time to travel farther, consider Nikko.

 

[thesuker]

Leave Tokyo. Go to Nara and take the local train to Iga-Ueno. Seek out the ninja castle, demonstration house, and museum.
Iga Ueno Travel: Iga Ninja Museum

I'm visiting Kyoto (also for the second time) for three days, so I'll be sure to check out Iga-Ueno. I've already been to Nara and probably won't be going there again.

 

[undrentide]

I'll second Thomas about Yanaka - Ya-Ne-Sen (Yanaka/Nezu/Sendagi) area is getting more and more popular among tourists, both domestic and international.
14 things to do in Yanesen (Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi) | tsunagu Japan
Move over Godzilla: A Sunday in the Shitamachi: YaNeSen
Yanesen Tourist Info: Your Journey's Starting Point

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

Event of July of Tokyo.
1. Iriya Asagao Matsuri (Morning Glory Festival)
Iriya Asagao Matsuri (Morning Glory Festival) / Official Tokyo Travel Guide GO TOKYO
2. Hozuki-Ichi (Ground Cherry Pod Fair) at Senso-ji Temple
Hozuki-Ichi (Ground Cherry Pod Fair) at Senso-ji Temple / Official Tokyo Travel Guide GO TOKYO
3.Sumida River Fireworks Festival
Sumida River Fireworks Festival / Official Tokyo Travel Guide GO TOKYO
Additionally
Schedule of a fireworks event in Tokyo.
２０１５年東京の花火大会ご案内

 

[thesuker]

Thanks for all the recommendations