For the thousands and thousands of inbound tourists coming to Japan from the western world in the last couple of years, Japan can be a bit like a fairytale land that is just so different to their own country. Once you’ve been here for a while though you might be in  need of a break from all things Japanese so here are some suggestions of places in the Tokyo Metropolis area that can take you to another world. They are listed in no particular order.

1. Sakura Furusato Square @ Sakura, Chiba-ken – A hugely impressive but slightly bizarre sight of a Dutch windmill in the background of dozens and dozens of different types and colours of tulips with wonderful countryside stretching far and beyond. More details here

2. Johnson Town @ Irumashi, Saitama-ken – Under American occupation in 1945 and the Korean War five years later, U.S. forces gave birth to “Johnson Air Base” which became known as Johnson Town. American-style homes were built up until the late 1970s but when the U.S. military evacuated the area Japanese people moved in and that’s basically why there’s the slightly bizarre situation today of an American town existing with no  Americans in it! More details here

3. Wat Paknam @ Narita, Chiba-ken – It’s address may be in Narita but it’s 11 kilometres north of the international airport so it’s not like you could just pop out to see it if you had a spare few hours before a flight or whatever! Not surprisingly it’s the largest of its kind in Japan having opened in 1997. More details here

4. Little Venice (La Vita Jiyugaoka) @ Meguro-ku, Tokyo – A charming little piazza offering you a break from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and transporting you to Italy temporarily with the promise of a real gondola, a canal, a venetian bridge, a clock tower and some Italian brickwork! That would be the true media clickbait spin on this place which is essentially a tiny outdoor shopping complex with a water feature!! More details here

5. Tokyo Camii & Diyanet Turkish Culture Center @ Shibuya-shi, Tokyo – An Ottoman-style mosque from the 1930s located close to Yoyogi-Uehara station. It’s not just a mosque but a community centre which was rebuilt in 1998 and finished in 2000. It offers tours and a museum of Turkish culture. More details here

6. Tove Jansson Akebono Children’s Forest Park @ Iruma-shi, Saitama-ken – Not to be confused with the official Moomins Park (also in Saitama), this forest park is the much cheaper alternative for getting your fix of the white bipedal creatures resembling hippos as it’s completely free! More details here

7. Nikolai Cathedral @ Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo – A fine example of Byzantine-style architecture in Ochanomizu. This Russian cathedral, in its present guise, has been around since 1929 after the original was completely destroyed during the great Kanto earthquake six years earlier. Its distinctive green dome and high old stone walls gives it a very recognisable identity not fitting in with the rest of the areas identi-kit office blocks. More details here

8. Odaiba statue of Liberty @ Minato-ku, Tokyo – Sure, this is a bit of a lame choice but it is one that often puts a smile on the face of those seeing it for the first time. A touch of New York is blended with the vibrant atmosphere of Odaiba’s waterfront complex overlooking Tokyo Bay and the iconic Rainbow Bridge.

9. Seitenkyū @ Sakado-shi, Saitama-ken – This Taiwanese temple is the largest of its kind  in Japan. The location is fairly remote but it’s worth the effort as its sculptures are impressive and stone pillar carvings are elaborate. More details here

10. Tokyo Disneyland @ Urayasu, Chiba-ken – Stop your groaning! No place takes you to another land more than the magical kingdom which is hugely popular with so many Japanese people of all ages. The prices and long lines may or may not ruin the magic for you depending on your point of view. More details here

Click here to read ‘TF Top 10……Non-Buddhist & Shinto Religious Buildings In Tokyo’

Click here to read ‘The Central Tokyo Temple Resembling A Spaceship!’