The Marunouchi Shuttle operates in the area around the Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace every 15-20 minutes from 8AM – 8PM weekdays and 10AM – 8PM on weekend and holidays. (route map & schedule)

Metrolink Nihonbashi operates on the opposite side of Tokyo Station (Yaesu exit) and circles around the historic Nihonbashi and Kyobashi areas. Busses run daily, every 10 minutes, from 10AM – 8PM . Sights in the area include the Nihonbashi bridge, the Kite Museum and the Museum of Coinage & Currency (map).

Tokyo Bay Shuttle operates in and around the modern Odaiba area every 15-20 minutes from 11AM – 8PM. In this area you will find some great shopping, the Giant Sky Wheel, the Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo’s very own miniature version of the Statue of Liberty. (route map & schedule).

Photo Credit: Personal Collection & Wikimedia, Nihonbashi 1114

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

The high-rise tower reaches a height of 198m (650 feet) and houses four floors dedicated to restaurants that feature cuisines running the gamut from traditional Japanese to Brazilian Barbeque and Modern Australian and everything in between.  An additional four floors are dedicated to wide variety of retail stores.  The remaining 30 floors house various corporate offices.

Fusing the rich legacy of Marunouchi with a modern vision for the future, the stately silhouette of this new landmark building was conceived by the globally renowned British architect Sir Michael Hopkins…..the Shin-Marunouchi Building symbolizes the new look and functionality of the Marunouchi Area.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting this great building and enjoyed walking through the art deco inspired lobby on my way to a delicious traditional Japanese Soba lunch at Ishizuki on the 5th floor.  After lunch I took a brief stroll out onto the open-air patio and had the pleasure of looking down on the renovations of Tokyo Station.   I will be heading back soon and recommend that you check it out the next time your are in the area.  (access map & directions)

Photo Credit:  Personal Collection

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

Efforts began in 2004 to renovate and preserve the Tokyo Station for the first time since the end of WWII.  The renovations will be completed by 2013 and will include the reconstruction of the domes atop the station, restoration of the red brick facade and repairs to the third floor of the facility.

Architect Kingo Tatsuno designed the original building which was built in 1914.  The building has three above ground floors and a basement level and is one of the busiest stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area.  Tokyo Station survived the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 but the building did not fare so well in 1945 when fire raids damaged the third floor and destroyed the domes that originally graced the building.  In 1947 the domes were reconstructed in the octagonal style that you see in the top photo but the third floor was never repaired.

Tokyo Station is located across from the Imperial Palace and the main station has 10 different train platforms on 20 separate tracks and more than 4000 trains arrive at the station each day.  In addition to the main building there is an extensive array of underground passageways in the station that provide access to additional train lines and Tokyo Metro.  The station is also where most of the Shinkansen, or bullet train, lines begin and end.

The Japan Times article titled Tokyo Station face-lift adds old, new looks is worth a read if you would like to learn more about the renovation plans.

Photo Credit:  Wikimedia, Tokyo Station & Tokyo station marunouchi old

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler