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Special ward in Kantō, Japan
Photo: User:DX Broadrec, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Bunkyō (文京) is in Tokyo, north of the Imperial Palace. The name means roughly "Capital of Culture" and, indeed, it's best known as the home of the sprawling University of Tokyo and a series of aristocratic parks and villas.
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小石川後楽園
Laid out in the 17th century, this splendid traditional garden boasts a large collection of trees and flowering plants that provide touches of beauty all year round. Winding paths, wooded hills, ponds teeming with ducks and fish. The place can be a little crowded at certain times of year (such as during the cherry blossom season in late March-mid April), but there's plenty of room for everyone.
六義園
A classical Japanese park with ponds, hills and teahouses, that was built in 1695 by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, a Tokugawa daimyo. It's a popular cherry blossom spot in spring and is lit up at night at this time.
小石川植物園
Not one of the great gardens of Japan and sometimes a bit shabby, but a pleasant stroll with interesting trees, a medicinal herb garden and several ponds. Not to be confused with Koishikawa Korakuen.
根津神社
護国寺
伝通院
東京カテドラル聖マリア大聖堂 Tokyo Cathedral
Seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tokyo. Designed by the famous architect Tange Kenzō, this ultramodern church was built in the 1960s to replace an older structure that was destroyed during the war.
文京シビックセンター bunkyō shibikku sentaa
The lavish government building for the Bunkyo ward of Tokyo, once described in the Japan Times as "a colossal Pez candy dispenser." A free observation deck on the 25th floor, jutting out of the top like the Starship Enterprise, commands a fine view of much of Tokyo.
聖橋
On the Kanda river (神田川), on the border between Bunkyō and Chiyoda wards. It offers one of the best spots in Tokyo to see trains, three lines crossing each other (on the west, so better seen in the afternoon). Akihabara district in 500 m/10 min away to the east. Its name means Saints bridge. One side at Temple of Confucius Yushima Seido (湯島聖堂), the other side at cathedral of the Japanese Orthodox Church St. Nicholas Church (ニコライ堂, Nikorai do).
湯島聖堂
A temple of Confucius.
An attractions complex featuring a large indoor stadium, an amusement park, bowling alley, off-track betting center, and the LaQua shopping mall/spa (see Buy). Tokyo Dome is one of several Tokyo stadiums. It is home to the Yomiuri Giants baseball team and also hosts concerts, trade show events, and professional sports. Attached by a walkway is Korakuen Hall, a hub for Japanese martial arts and professional wrestling events held almost daily.
野球殿堂博物館
One of Tokyo's largest spa complexes, using water pumped from 1,700m below Tokyo. Outdoor pools, saunas, beauty salons, restaurants and more across 5 floors. No tattoos or children under 5. Children under 17 can only enter with an adult and must leave before 6pm.
東洋文庫
The Toyo Bunko is a special library and a research institute of Oriental studies. The research focuses on Asian history and cultures. The Toyo Bunko collects and saves historical records of Asia. The collection of books exceeds 950,000 items. People can read the books free of charge. Library materials cannot leave the building. Photocopiers are available for use at a minimal charge.
A popular hamburger restaurant decorated with American memorabilia.
はん亭
Serves kushiage (deep fried skewered food) in a rare old wooden building.
小松庵
Obsessively perfectionist handmade soba noodles for connoisseurs, made using only buckwheat from a certain village in Hokkaido and rolled on the thighs of virgins — or at least that's what you'd expect from the price. Their famous sakurakiri soba, available only from Apr-Jun, has real cherry blossom leaves mixed in.
ホテル機山館
This basic business hotel is convenient for those visiting Tokyo University. Minutes from the Hongo-Sanchome stations of the Oedo and Marunouchi subway lines, and close to the many small restaurants in front of the university. Little English is spoken, but foreigners are welcome.
Toyoko Inns are inexpensive business hotels, but have a good range of amenities. Their access maps are exceptionally clear, with an English version for you and Japanese for the taxi driver. This one is not near any tourist destinations but convenient to major subway lines.
Long term rental of at least a month. Free internet Wi-FI.
フォーレスト本郷
A bit nicer (and more expensive) than the standard business hotel, this is a good choice for visitors to Tokyo University, but not convenient otherwise. Some English is spoken and the hotel hosts many foreign guests.
This is an international hotel at competitive prices. Several restaurants, ranging from reasonable to very expensive.
ホテル椿山荘東京
A flawless luxury hotel with prices to match. Location is a bit out of the way; expect to take taxis, though there is a shuttle bus connecting the hotel to Ikebukuro Station available on weekends and holidays.
ラクーア
La Qua is a new shopping mall with some attractions attached. It opened in 2003, replacing a section of the amusement park at Tokyo Dome City. There are boutiques, a grocery store, restaurants, a hairdresser, massage salon, and gym. In addition a roller coaster runs along the roof, and there are other amusement attractions including a water slide and a concert stage. Among all these, the main accommodation is the LaQua spa, see Do.
The supermarket chain has a store in La Qua, with many imported foods and wines. Many frozen products are sold in restaurant packs.
There are six subway lines running through the district with a total of 20 stations.
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