Green Tokyo 緑の東京
Some greenery in the concrete forest
The urban jungle of the Japanese capital can become stifling. But no need to leave the city to find an oasis and take refuge in a green and original Tokyo.
Safari in Tokyo
If the Ueno Zoo is a must for visitors to the capital, it is however not the only wildlife park. With its large enclosures and 52 hectares, Tama Zoo, located an hour by train from central Tokyo, is visited continent by continent: the Asian Garden, the African Garden and the Australian Garden, with its insectarium and butterfly house.
Strawberry fields
During strawberry season (of course in greenhouses from mid-February to late May), the Niikura No-en orchard, located in Tama (west of the capital), invites foodies to come and pick their own fruit (200円/ 100 g, in addition to the entrance fee), but those with a big appetite should choose the "as much as you want" option. 1 500円 for half an hour to fill your belly.
Street fishing
Anyone for fishing in the middle of the buildings? Ichigaya Fish Center, which can be seen from the train station of the same name (Chuo line), offers a "catch and release" option for carp of the Sumida for 690円 per hour for men and 590円 for women. Children can try fishing for goldfish (400円 for 30 minutes).
Waterfront Tokyo
After an exhausting day at work, what better than a coffee on the water's edge? This is what Canal Café offers, an Italian bar-restaurant located in Iidabashi near the moat of Edo Castle. A former yacht club, in summer it offers the possibility of excursions on the Sumida with twenty boats to rent (600円/ 30 minutes). The terrace on stilts over the river, lined with cherry trees, make the Canal Café a perfect spot for hanami .
Miniature forest
Nestled on the 3rd floor of the Takara Building, in the Ebisu District, the collection of miniature trees at Bonsai-ya allow you to have a cocktail or a glass of New Zealand wine surrounded by a charming forest. The bar, open from Monday to Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight, invites you to go green with "creative" and "up-keep" workshops. To satisfy visitors who have fallen under their spell, some bonsais from the collection are for sale.
