Tokyo May Attractions: Shiba Park Roses and Tokyo Tower, Plus Zojoji Temple

If you want to see Tokyo Tower, you can't miss Shiba Park. In May, the roses at Shiba Park are in full bloom, making for especially romantic photos with Tokyo Tower.

Korea has N Seoul Tower, and Tokyo has Tokyo Tower.

Built in 1958, Tokyo Tower was originally a radio wave tower for TV stations. Today, it is beloved as a symbol of Tokyo and a popular tourist attraction.

Shiba Park and Zojoji Temple, located near Tokyo Tower, are great spots for photographing the tower.

Shiba Park is a famous place for viewing Tokyo Tower. Not only can you see the tower up close, but you can also include the city park scenery in your shots. It is also well-known among Japanese tourism enthusiasts in Korea.

Of course, some people might not have a clear idea of Shiba Park—it is actually a park with a history as long as Ueno Onshi Park. Every May during the rose season, you can see many roses here, and you can also capture beautiful photos of roses and Tokyo Tower.

Exiting from Daimon Station's A4 exit and arriving at the park entrance, you'll see a lovely peach-colored rose arch—this is the famous photo spot for capturing Tokyo Tower and roses.

Shooting Tokyo Tower through the rose arch is a classic angle and a seasonal beauty limited to the rose season. If you visit Shiba Park during this season, be sure to take plenty of photos.

Japan's Dedication to Flower Viewing

When it comes to flower viewing in Japan, cherry blossoms usually come to mind first. But after actually traveling and living in Japan, I found that they take all flower viewing seriously, not just cherry blossoms. When traveling to Japan, I highly recommend visiting local flower-viewing spots. Usually, you can not only enjoy and photograph the flowers but also taste related foods.

Address: 4-10-17 Shiba Park, Minato City, Tokyo

Opening Hours: 24 hours

Another popular attraction near Tokyo Tower is Zojoji Temple, adjacent to Shiba Park. This ancient temple with a 600-year history attracts many tourists and, thanks to its convenient transportation, can be said to be a secret path leading to Tokyo Tower.

The old and dignified Zojoji Temple, surrounded by various modern buildings, creates a curious contrast in photos, doesn't it?

If you have visited Zojoji Temple, you may have noticed a group of little Jizo statues wearing red hats and holding pinwheels. Do you know what special meaning they have?

They are there to pray for the safe growth of children, including not only children born safely into the world but also those who were not able to be born. It is said that when the pinwheels turn, it is as if the departed children are turning them.

(Editor's note: Zojoji Temple also has deep ties with the Tokugawa shogunate, and its amulets are popular among fans of Japanese history.)

Address: 4-7-35 Shiba Park, Minato City, Tokyo

Temple Office Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Although Tokyo Tower's popularity has declined since the birth of Tokyo Skytree in 2013, its orange lights, symbolizing Tokyo's romance, are still enchanting.

Looking down at the Tokyo cityscape from the observation deck of Tokyo Tower is interesting, but if you can watch the city lights begin to twinkle at the golden hour of the evening blue hour—that will definitely be a travel memory you will not soon forget.