What Parks and Gardens to Visit in Tokyo? We Selected the 6 Most Beautiful

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Tokyo is known as a vast and modern city where life constantly pulses with a wild rhythm. Yet, you can still find many places here where you can take a break from the hustle and enjoy moments of peace in the embrace of nature. Be sure to add Tokyo's parks and gardens to your list of destinations for your trip to Tokyo. Let's take a look at some of the best natural spots in Tokyo that are worth visiting.

1. Ueno Tokyo Park

One of the most famous and visited parks in Tokyo is Ueno Park. Located in the northern part of the city near Ueno Station, it attracts about 10 million tourists annually. It is ideal for walks, picnics, relaxation, and education. The park is home to several museums and Japan's first zoo. In the spring, hundreds of cherry blossoms bloom here, making it the perfect place to enjoy the traditional Japanese festival "hanami," where people have picnics with their loved ones and appreciate the fleeting beauty of the cherry blossoms. However, it remains a beautiful place throughout the rest of the year, where you can admire nature.



2. The Imperial Palace East Garden in Tokyo

In the very heart of Tokyo lies the central garden belonging to the Imperial Palace. This garden is open to the public and combines greenery, water features, and historical fortifications, including original palace towers and gates. For nature lovers, it is the perfect place to immerse yourself in silence and tranquility, even though you are in the center of the city. Gardens in Tokyo, like this one, entice visitors with their beauty and history. However, it is closed on Mondays, Fridays, and holidays, so be sure to plan your visit carefully in advance.



3. Meiji Shrine and Surrounding Forest

The Meiji Shrine is the largest Shinto shrine in Tokyo, and if you wish to combine a spiritual experience with a visit to a nature spot, it is the perfect choice. The shrine is surrounded by a beautiful, dense forest with large, mature trees whose massive crowns will shield you from the hustle and bustle of the city. The complex also includes several gardens, including an iris garden that blooms beautifully in June. Adjacent to the shrine is Yoyogi Park, where you can have a picnic or play outdoor sports.

4. Shinjuku Gyoen

The Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Tokyo is unique in that it combines Japanese, French, and English styles and is known for its variety of flowers, trees, and ponds that you can discover. The garden is designed so that in every season you can admire different blooming plants. Therefore, no matter when you visit, you are guaranteed a beautiful sight. Locals often take nature day trips to Shinjuku Gyoen because it offers a peaceful and quiet refuge right in the heart of the bustling Tokyo city.

5. Hama Rikyu Garden

During your trip to Tokyo, be sure to visit this fascinating nature spot where you can see traditional Japanese culture combined with the modern cityscape. You can even reach this Tokyo garden by taking a water bus, called a suijo, which sails from Asakusa to the island of Odaiba. Once there, you can stroll along the paths that lead around ponds, teahouses, and beautifully manicured trees.

6. Rikugien

For lovers of traditional Japanese culture, Rikugien is one of the most beautiful gardens in Tokyo. This garden was designed based on waka poetry and famous landscapes depicted in classic Japanese poetry. Rikugien is at its most stunning in autumn, when the tree leaves turn various shades of red and orange. The garden is considered a work of art that perfectly embodies the principles of harmony, balance, and tranquility. For those seeking gardens to visit in Tokyo, Rikugien is one of the must-see locations.

Unique Natural Scenery

Despite its modern and fast-paced lifestyle, Tokyo offers many beautiful natural spots where you can peacefully admire the beauty of nature with a clear mind. The parks and gardens are beautifully maintained, and it would be a shame not to visit at least one of them during your trip to Tokyo. Be sure to include them in your itinerary and enjoy a day away from the city's hustle and bustle.

BAN Toxics urges regulatory agencies for lab tests on suspected toxic batteries, advices public to exercise due diligence when purchasing to reduce health and environmental risks

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Toxics and waste watchdog BAN Toxics has warned the public to practice due diligence when purchasing China-made cheap AA batteries containing high levels of lead and cadmium. Priced between Php 20 and Php 25 for a two-piece set, Kingever Extra Heavy Duty AA batteries are sold on sidewalks and in bargain shops in commercial hubs such as Divisoria, Manila. A quick google search of said products also reveal they are widely available in popular online shopping platforms such as Shopee, and Lazada.

The battery packaging features a “Do Not Dispose of in Household Trash” symbol due to lead content. The label “carbon” printed on the battery itself indicates that it is a zinc-carbon type battery, which typically does not contain cadmium like Ni-Cd batteries. The same brand and model of AA batteries available on Shopee, from the only shop using the name Kingever Store, claims that the batteries contain 0% lead, mercury, and cadmium, and that they have several certifications, including CE (Conformité Européenne), RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances), and ISO 9001, among others. Additionally, on Alibaba.com, the official account of China-based Jinjiu Technology Co., Ltd., the company that produces Kingever Batteries, advertises the same claims.

However, BAN Toxics detected high concentrations of lead ranging from 1,250 to 6,500 parts per million (ppm) and cadmium from 160 to 250 ppm using an Olympus Vanta C Series X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) chemical analyzer.

Both lead and cadmium are identified among the top 10 chemicals of major public health concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). Both naturally occurring heavy metals are highly toxic to human health and the environment. Exposure to lead can lead to chronic and serious health issues across all age groups, with children being especially vulnerable to its neurotoxic effects. There are no safe levels of exposure to lead (UNEP, 2020). Cadmium is classified as carcinogenic to humans and may also cause a range of adverse health effects on various organs, including the kidneys, lungs, and bones. Cadmium is highly toxic to humans and the environment, even at very low exposure levels (UNEP, 2020).

BAN Toxics has yet to verify whether the same batteries sold by the Kingever Store on Shopee live up to their claims and does not rule out the possibility that those sold in physical bargain stores may be counterfeit. Nevertheless, BAN Toxics is urging regulatory agencies to investigate whether these products are properly registered and to take appropriate action.

“Batteries like these are essentially common household items, and their sale exposes the public—especially children—to highly toxic chemicals. They are even marketed for use in toys. We urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to take immediate action to ensure public safety,” said Thony Dizon, BAN Toxics Campaign and Advocacy officer.

The group urges the FDA to conduct immediate laboratory tests and analyses on these widely sold commodities. It also calls the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local government units to speed up disposal infrastructure development and information campaigns on proper e-waste disposal, warning that “e-wastes containing hazardous material, if not properly managed, pose serious risks on human health and the environment.”

The DENR Chemical Control Order (CCO) for cadmium does not address the presence of this chemical in products such as batteries, toys, and electronic equipment. In contrast, the CCO for lead outlines stricter prohibitions on lead-containing products, including toys, paints, and school supplies, among others. To BAN Toxics' knowledge, there are no specific restrictions in place in the country regarding the use of cadmium and lead in household disposable batteries, unlike in regions such as the European Union, as well as in countries like the United States, Canada, and Japan.



BAN Toxics emphasizes that unregistered and non-compliant products that do not meet safety standards, especially those used in toys, should be immediately removed from the market. #

When Kindness Cultivates, a Brighter Future Blooms: Donation Drive for Ecosoc Scholars

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For 66 years, the UP Economics Society (UP Ecosoc) has stood as a beacon of service, excellence, and tradition. Rooted in these values, one of their missions has been to uplift students by providing them with the educational support they need to thrive. As UP Ecosoc celebrates their 66th anniversary this year, they continue this legacy through a donation drive called “BLOOM: For the Benefit of the UP Economics Society Scholarship Program.”

The BLOOM donation drive is dedicated to supporting the organization’s beloved scholars.

These scholars, who embody the promise of a brighter future, face various challenges that threaten their academic pursuits. The donations collected will go directly toward funding essential resources, including tuition fees, school supplies, and other educational needs.

Education is the foundation of a thriving society. By supporting these scholars, you are not only helping them achieve their dreams but also investing in the future of our community. Every donation, no matter the amount, brings us one step closer to ensuring that these students can reach their full potential.

The donation drive will officially bloom on September 9, 2024. Interested donors may send their support through the following donation channels:

0927 774 7832

Michael Vincent Largo

Gcash

Jeri Elise Racpan Sunga

1096 6600 1376

UnionBank Of The Philippines

Kindly send your proof of donation through this link: https://bit.ly/EM66Donations

Remember that every contribution counts! Donation lines will close on October 6, 2024.