Tranquil trail in Tokyo

PEOPLE usually head to Tokyo for its food, fashion and Japanese culture. But when it comes to sightseeing, the capital is not usually regarded as the most scenic of Japanese cities.

However, if you spend more time exploring this metropolis, it is not difficult to fall in love with its mish-mash of urban and natural attractions.

Visit a Tokyo beach

Odaiba on Tokyo Bay is a man-made island that houses one of Tokyo's only two beaches and offers a spectrum of entertainment and dining options.

It was originally part of a group of islands created during the Edo period to protect Tokyo against attacks from the sea.

One late afternoon, my travelling partner and I boarded the Rinkai railway line, which runs under the bay and emerges on Odaiba island.

We were greeted by a collection of vast shiny buildings that merit a day's worth of playing, eating and shopping.

Our target was to catch the sunset on Odaiba Beach, a 10- to 15-minute walk away. When we got there, the view was jaw-dropping.

Imagine the Tokyo skyline framed against the bay and adorned by the Rainbow Bridge, a highway that connects Odaiba to the mainland.

As the sun went down, the whole scene was bathed in watercolour shades of orange and blue - a beautiful sight that became magical when a host of twinkling lights appeared on the bridge, on the traditional yakatabune boats in the bay and from the skyscrapers across it.

We sat on the beach for an hour, engrossed in this panorama as children romped in the white sands and couples strolled along the shoreline.

A word of caution: Don't even think of jumping into the water for a dip - swimming is prohibited at this beach.

A walk along the beachfront revealed observation decks, benches and cafes with mega malls just behind.

We were not surprised - this was Tokyo, after all.

What we were not prepared for was an 11m-tall replica of the Statue of Liberty! We discovered that it is a popular spot for photographs - people would routinely stop and pose with the Lady, with the bay and Rainbow Bridge in the background.

The trip out of Odaiba was just as fun. We took the Yurikamome train, which travels along the lower deck of the Rainbow Bridge.

Upon reaching the Tokyo mainland, the train weaved through office and residential buildings, just a hair's breadth away. It felt just like a 3-D action ride.

Shinjuku to Harajuku

The side-by-side Shinjuku and Harajuku areas are popular for their shopping and dining options, but there are also many other sites nearby worth exploring.

The twin-towered Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku is a must-visit if you want a satellite's view of Tokyo and beyond. Entry to the observation deck in each of the 243m-tall towers is free to boot.

Many visitors shuttle from one tower to the next to see the city from different angles.

There is a bag check before entry to each tower, so ensure that you don't have any questionable items on you.

As we made our way around each observation deck, information panels pointed out Tokyo's landmarks. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Fuji.

Our next stop was the Meiji Shrine, built in 1920 and dedicated to the late Meiji emperor and his empress.

Located near Harajuku Station, its grounds are quiet and tranquil, and are ringed by more than 100,000 trees planted during the construction of the shrine complex. Many of the transplanted trees were donated from other parts of Japan and are more than 1,000 years old.

Its main torii or shrine gate - a towering 12m - is believed to be Japan's tallest. We meandered on the gravel paths to get to the shrine buildings. Casks of sake, given as offerings, were also on display.

Go green

We wanted a taste of nature, so we headed for Shinjuku Gyoen.

The largest park in Tokyo, it started out as a feudal lord's garden centuries ago and still retains elements of its Edo-style landscaping.

The best times to visit are during spring and autumn, when the trees break out either in a riot of blossoms or in blazing colours.

We loaded up on snacks from the nearby Takashimaya Mall and had a glorious picnic on one of its large green lawns.

The Imperial Palace East Gardens are another noteworthy green space to visit. These gardens are part of shogun-era castle complex that was Emperor Meiji's temporary home after the Tokugawa Shogunate ended.

Walking through the tranquil landscape, we were transported back centuries to a time when the ruling shogun would have strolled about in the grounds with his concubines.

The walls in the castle complex were made from large granite blocks that were tribute from the feudal lords to the ruling shogun.

The less well-off lords could only give smaller rocks, evident in walls that were made up of uneven pieces. It was a fascinating window into the power politics of the time.

River mild

Get off the busy shopping streets and check out Meguro's suburban area and its eponymous river.

Although the riverbanks have been urbanised, it is still nice to stroll in the dappled shade of the trees fringing them. During the cherry blossom season and in autumn, locals have picnics here.

Tokyo is not just a gleaming city of tall buildings and chic malls.

On your next trip there, make it a point to explore some suburban areas and green sites - you may be pleasantly surprised.

GuideLines

I flew from Singapore to Narita on Japan Airlines. From the airport, I took a 90-minute airport shuttle bus to the city. Some travellers may prefer to hop onto one of the trains that depart from the airport.

There are many green spaces and traditional gardens in Tokyo. Many of them offer free admission or only require a small fee.

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