Tokyo Metro Museum

The largest park in central Tokyo is just across the Edogawa River from Tokyo Disney Resort. Opened in 1989, the park was built on reclaimed land and developed in an effort to restore and preserve natural Tokyo Bay habitat. The park offers a nice break from the surrounding cityscapes and has a number of walking trails that crisscross the gardens, lawns and beaches. In addition, the park features an aquarium, two cafes, a Ferris wheel, a seabird sanctuary, and the Crystal View observatory. Mt Fuji is viewable on a clear day from the Ferris Wheel and the observatory. There are a number of ferries (waterbuses) that serve the park though these services are infrequent and announced in advance on the Tokyo Parks Waterbus page.

The park's most visible landmark is the Diamond and Flowers Ferris Wheel, so named due to its light shows that give it the appearance of a sparkling diamond or flower. At 117 meter tall it is the second tallest Ferris wheel in Japan. The top offers views of Tokyo Bay, Tokyo Disney Resorts, Chiba and as far away as Mt. Fuji.

In the huge 2,200-ton tank, you can enjoy watching bluefin tuna darting swiftly around. The aquarium also exhibits sea birds including penguins, and giant kelp from California, US. The facility sits on the beach of Tokyo Bay and could be reached in half an hour by train from Tokyo station.

The restored fishing boat Lucky Dragon the crew of which became unfortunate victims of nuclear fallout fallowing a thermonuclear test at Bikini Atoll is on display at Tokyo Metropolitan Daigo Fukuryū Maru Exhibition Hall. On 1 March 1954, 23 fishermen were hunting tuna near the Marshall Islands, when they witnessed the larger than predicted Castle Bravo nuclear test conducted by the US. Later on the fishermen were subjected to a strange white rain containing particles of radioactive fallout mixed with the coral reef debris. Unaware of the danger of the contamination on their bodies and the ship's surfaces, the fishermen headed back to Japan and over the following days developed symptoms of acute radiation syndrome. One crew member died later in hospital.

The largest Shintō hachiman shrine in Tokyo.

This intimate museum features a wonderfully recreated Tempo-period (1830-1843) neighbourhood - complete with homes, shops, narrow alleyways, and even the local rubbish dump. Wander about, peering in windows and entering buildings furnished with household goods and Edo-period bric-a-brac. Light and sound effects create the illusion of a whole day passing from day to night in the space of a few minutes. Pair it up with a visit to the huge Edo-Tokyo Museum in nearby Sumida ward, just a couple of stops away on the Toei Ōedo subway line.