Grassman's Tokyo Walk

Wadabori Park, Feb. 04, 2012

2012-02-04T21:45:00.001-08:00

We have very cold winter this year. The islands have been hit by series of cold waves since mid-January. Tohoku and Hokuriku districts (northern parts) were hit by heavy snow. Temperature went down below zero in Tokyo.

I visited Wadabori Park in Suginami ward, northwest part of Tokyo. The park lies along Zenpukuji River.

Colorful kingfishers are seen in the park. People were waiting photo opportunities around the pond. I also saw people enjoy jogging (in the road along the river) and playing ball games 8in the playfields.)

It is not too much to say that Tokyo’s history began in the area. People started to live along Zenpukuji River and other rivers in the region about 30 thousand years ago. Many dwelling sites were found.

A replica of bronze-age house was built in the park.

There are several leisure facilities including artificial fishing pond in the park.

There is a shrine called “Omiya Hachiman” in the area. It geographically locates at the center of Tokyo and the shrine stresses it.

Sumo@Ryogoku : Jan. 15, 2012

2012-01-15T08:06:00.000-08:00

The most popular sports in Japan may be football and baseball. But if you ask which is the national sport in the country, it is probably sumo.

It is because of the long history of sumo. It originated in Japan’s ancient myth, developed in the Edo era and was widely accepted as the country’s national sport in the Meiji era.

Six tournaments (15 days par tournament) are held every year and they are broadcast through NHK, a public TV station. Watching sumo in the TV program is a nationwide passtime for old people.

I visited Kokugikan, the home ground of sumo in Ryogoku, Sumida ward in eastern Tokyo.

Vivid flags, in which sumo wrestlers’ names were printed, were deployed along the way from the nearest railroad station to Kokugikan. There were many visitors walking to Kokugikan.

There were more than 10 thousands seats in the building. Spectators can enjoy not only watching the matches but also eating and drinking in their seats. They looked relaxed.

People made “yoisho” calls when Yokozuna Hakuho made performances in his ring entering ceremony. It was a collaboration between sumo wrestlers and audiences.

I enjoyed the mood as well as the matches.

The sumo association, the organizer of sumo tournaments, was involved in various scandals in the past several years. They are now trying to recover the support from public.

I do not know whether they have improves their services, but their responces were good at ticket office, lunch box sales corner, information counter and othe places.

I walked around Ryogoku area before entering into Kokugikan. I found many sumo stables (where sumo wrestlers live) and sumo-related “chnkonabe” restaurants.

Lucky Cats @ Gotokuji: Jan. 14, 2012

2012-01-14T04:20:00.000-08:00

I used a picture of lucky cats (which I took in the past) in my new-year card this year.

The lucky cat is believed to invite us good fortune and money. The legend was born t Gotokuji Temple in Setagaya ward, Western Tokyo.
(Previous visit of Gotokuji)

I visited the temple again and found a large number of lucky cat dolls. They were placed in three separate places and the total number may be more than 1000.

People purchase the cats, place them in their houses and return them to the temple with their gratitude after certain period.

There were few visitors in the temple. They were making new-year prayers and were smiling at the cats.

Enoshima: Jan 9, 2012

2012-01-09T04:56:00.000-08:00

Enoshima is a small island off Katase shore in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture. There are several shrines and other visiting spots in the island. I visited there.

People can now visit the island whenever they like as there are two bridges (for passengers and cars) link the island and the main land.

The situation was different more than a hundred years ago. The island was connected to the main land by a sand way only when the tide was low.

It is like Mont Saint-Michel in France.

A big shrine gate welcomed me when I moved into the island. There were many souvenir shops and restaurants along the approach to the shrine buildings. Fresh fishes and shell fishes were displayed in the water tanks. The scene was also like Mont Saint-Michel ( I visited there about 20 years ago).

Black kites and other birds were flying over the islands.

Various kinds of gods were enshrined there. Many people were making their new-year prayers. Some entertainments, including a monkey show, were held.

It was cold, but the weather was fine. The sky and the sea were blue. The surface of the sea was like a mirror.

The view from the top of a sightseeing tower was so beautiful.

The sunshine was fantastic. I found Mr. Fuji over the sea.

Meiji Jingu Shrine, Korean Food Festival @ Yoyogi Park: Jan. 8, 2012

2012-01-08T18:49:00.000-08:00

I made a new-year visit to Meiji Jingu Shrine.

A week had already passed in 2012, but the shrine was still crowded. Visitors were walking slowly about a kilometer along a gravel approach from the entrance gate to the main building of the shrine. They were making lines in front of the main building to make their prayers.

I saw many people writing their wished in the wooden tablets. They hang the tablets on the wall. They were also making lines to buy Omamori, or lucky charms.

Foreign tourists looked impressed with the atmosphere of new-pear visits by Japanese people. I talked with an U.S. tourist and he said so.

I also visited Korean Gourmet Festival held in neighboring Yoyogi Park. Tens of Korean restaurants opened their stalls.

The foods included BBQ, noodles, soups, hot plate with sea foods and vegetables. People enjoyed the foods.

Millions of Koreans, including those who keep Korean nationality and who had gained Japanese nationality, are estimated to live in Japan. There are Korean towns in Tokyo (Okubo) and other cities.

Both countries have unsettled problems caused by the colonization history of Korea by pre-war Japanese empire. Some people keep negative feelings against the partner country.

The relations have improved rapidly in the last two decades. The Korean fools are more popular than before in Tokyo. Korean actors and musicians are making a “Korean boom” in Japan.

Yoyogi Hachiman Shrine: Jan 03, 2012

2012-01-03T07:23:00.000-08:00

I usually visit shrine in one of the new-year days (It is called Hatsumoude). This year, I visited Yoyogi Hachiman Shrine.

Visitors had made a long line to make their prays to the main shrine when I arrived there.

Japanese calligraphy works by elementary school boys and girls were displayed in the garden. I looked at the works when I was waiting in the line. The phrases written in the works (assigned by the teachers) included: Revival of soil snd Green land – both reflect people's hope of recovery from the quake disaster and nuclear accident.

Millions of Japanese visit shrines in new-year season. The ranking of the visitors is estimated as follows:

1. Meiji Jingu shrine (Tokyo)

2. Narita-san (Chiba)

3. Kawasaki Daishi (Kanagawa)

4. Fushimi Inari Shrine (Kyoto)

5. Asakusa Shrine (Tokyo)

Mekong Delta: Dec. 29-31, 2011

2011-12-31T17:44:00.000-08:00

I visited Mekong Delta during my trip in Vietnam.

Mekong River origins in China and runs through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, then flows into the sea in Vietnam. It is about 4000 km long.

It composes a huge delta in Vietnam. Thousands of main rivers as well as side streams flow in the area.

I first visited My Tho which locates about 70 km southwest from Ho Chi Minh. The city lies at the side of one of main streams of Mekong. I got on a cruising boat there.

The river was nearly 1km wide. Huge volume of brown water (as it contains much soil) flew slowly. There were ships collecting soil from the river. Petro stations were open for the ships. I also found fish farming pools in the river.

I visited one of the islands in the river.

They cultivate fruits and keep bees, but the life seemed still poor. Tourism is changing their lives.

Rice fields spread oustide of the city. They grow rice three times a year. They have developed rice cultivation in the last 20 years. Vietnam is now the 2nd largest exporter of the rice after Thailand.

I also visited a mangrove jungle around Can Gio, about 50 km south from Ho Chi Minh.

The jungle was defoliated by US forces in the Vietnam War. They have recovered the forest after the war. Large and small rivers run around the forest.

The landscape was fantastic.

Various animals, birds, fish and other aqua creatures live there. I met across a monkey. Many crabs and goby fish were hopping around in the waterside.

There were many shrimp firms around the area.

Ho Chi Minh City (Off off Tokyo): Dec. 29-31, 2011

2011-12-31T17:42:00.000-08:00

I visited Vietnam to spend my winter holidays. It was my first visit in about 10 years.

Motorbikes were everywhere in the city. They were continuously running through the main roads and beeping horn. It was so difficult to cross the road in the flood of bikes (Insufficient traffic signals was another reason of the difficulty). The number of the cars was far smaller.

The situation was completely different from other major cities -- such as Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Colombo and Tokyo, where I had visited in the last several years -- in Asia.

The city is said to have more than 8 million people. The number of bikes are estimated more than 3 million.

I was also impressed with the hustle and bustle of the city. People are young. They walked fast and were active in shops, restaurants and everywhere.

Ben Thanh, the largest market, locates in the center of the city. Hundreds of shops sell food, clothes and other daily goods. Open-air markets and restaurants spread outside the market.

The city still keeps the atmosphere and the buildings of the French colony era. However, it is rapidly changing. Skyscrapers have been built in the last 20 years. Many construction works are going on.

I also visited Vietnam War-related places.

Former President house was converted into the Reunification Palace. Old war operation rooms remain in the basement.

There were many pictures displayed in the War Remnant Museum. They included Siamese twins and other disabled children caused by the chemical materials used in the war. I also saw a model of a detention center used for anti-government suspects.

It was painful. Many visitors were looking the display without a word.

Other places I visited in Ho Chi Minh included:

Cho Lon area: It is about 5 km west from the central city. Many Chinese live there. Binh Tay Market was extremely busy.

Around Phom Ngu Lao Street: There are many cheap hotels and tourist offices in the area. Backpackers from all over the world gather here. Some tourist were enjoying chatting in a café. The hotels attracted tourists with “Wifi Free” information in their billboards.

Kinuta, Okamoto in Setagaya Ward: Dec. 17, 2011

2011-12-25T07:23:00.000-08:00

Winter is around the corner. I walk around Kinuta and Okamoto areas in western Setagaya ward.
I moved along a small rivers called Yata River and Maruko Rivers. They go through residential areas and parks.

I moved to Kinuta Park. It is crowded with families and young groups (to enjoy picnics and sports) from spring to autumn. There were only a few people in the playground today. Only joggers and cyclers were vivid.

The ground was covered with fallen leaves. I found many mall hills. The small river goes through the park.

I arrived at Okamoto Park after about 30-minute walk in the residential area. The land was formerly owned by the Iwasaki family, the founder of Mitsubishi group. I walked on fallen leaves in a path through a small hill.

I also visited an old farmer’s house which is preserved in the neighboring place to the park. The air was fresh.

General Nogi’s house, around Aoyama: Dec. 11, 2011

2011-12-11T07:17:00.000-08:00

Many Japanese watch TV program “Saka no ue no kumo” (A piece of cloud over a hill) on Sunday evening at this season. It was and is being broadcast in December in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

The program is based on a nationwide popular novel in the same title written by Shiba Ryotaro. The story focuses on Japan’s development and ways of lives in the Meiji period. Many heroes as well as ordinary people appear in the drama.

General Nogi Maresuke, who commanded the battle around Lshun in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05), is one of the main figures. Nogi is also famous for his martyrdom after the death of Meiji Emperor.

I visited Nogi’s house. The house was converted into a public park and Meiji-style building is preserved. A horse stable also remains.

Several visitors were talking about Nogi and taking pictures.

A shrine was built in the neighboring place to commemorate Nogi. A shinto-style wedding was held.

The sword Nogi used for his suicide was displayed in a small museum.

I walked around Nogizaka-Aoyama areas and visited the gingko-tree street in Gaienmae. Leaves have turned yellow. Families were enjoying the color.

Winter is around the corner.

Sumida River Walk (4) Toshima - Iwabuchi: Dec.10. 2011

2011-12-10T21:09:00.000-08:00

I took the 4th and last part of my Sumida River walk. It was from Toshima in Kita ward (near Oji) to Iwabuchi, where Sumida River separates from Arakawa River. (See part 1, 2, and 3)

Toshima is about 10 minutes walk from JR Oji station. The river curves sharply here. Large apartments are built.

Highways run along Sumida River. Helicopters flied over the town because a SDF (Self Defense Force) base is in Oji area.

I found a monument of an old (early 20th century) wall. The area was repeatedly damaged by flood disasters and many river banks were built. The old wall is still used in some parts of Sumida River.

Construction works were carried out in many places to rebuild the riverbanks. Some works began after the Great East Japan Earthquake in March.

I walked a few kilometers on the bank before arriving at the separate point (of Arakawa River and Sumida River). I saw Sumida River in my left and Arakawa River in the right.

I met many cyclers and walkers in the road. Golf courses, baseball fields, cycling roads and other facilities for outdoor activities are developed in the riverfield.

The river(s) was wide at the separate point. Water flows slowly. It is about 21 kilometers from the sea.

Arakawa River originally flowed into Sumida River. The current Arakawa (lower part) was developed artificially in the early 20th century to prevent flood disasters.

A huge water gate was built to control the water volume flows into Sumida River. A board shows information about the gate and water control. It also provides the bird-eye pictures of the river at normal time and heavy rain days.

I dropped in a museum where they showed the information about Arakawa River and disaster prevention. It was impressive that Tokyo’s major rivers including Sumida and Arakawa flow higher places than surrounding residential areas. They became raised bed rivers because of the soil carried by the rivers themselves.

Tokyo Bay Walk (4) Tsukiji-Arakawa River: Nov.26, 2011

2011-11-28T06:17:00.000-08:00

I walked the western part of Tokyo Bay (in Tokyo) in my past three walks (see part 1, part 2, part 3). I walked north eastern part of the bay today.

The geography is complicated in the region as there are many artificial islands there. Some are old and some are new. The reclamation works began in the Edo period and continued more than 400 years. The lands have their histories.

I walked along the sea line in the early Meiji Period (1880) today.

>>1880 (early Meiji) sea line
Tsukiji – Tsukudajima Island – Ecchujima – Kiba – Toyo – Minamisuna – Higashisuna – Arakawa River – Kasai

>>The lands reclaimed in the Edo era include:
Hibiya, Tsukiji, Shinkawa, Tsukudajima Island, Ecchujima, Fukagawa, Kiba, Suzaki (Toyo), Sunamura (Minamisuna, Higashisuna), Kasai

>>1930 (early Showa) sea line
Harumi – Toyosu –Shinonome – Tatsumi – Shinsuna – Arakawa River – Kasai

I started my walk from Tsukiji. Temples and samurai houses stood here in the Edo era and naval facilities were built in the early Meiji era. Now, the place is famous for its fish market.

The last part of Sumida River lies between Tsukiji and Tsukishima, an artificial island developed in the Meiji era. There are modern apartments along the river. The riverside walkway is modern and beautiful. I saw many seagulls in the river.

Tsukudajima Island was developed in the Edo era. Traditional shops of tsukudani, or traditional seafood boiled in soy source, attracted visitors.

I walked eastward from Ecchujima to Kiba. The areas were first used as agricultural fields and residential areas in the Edo period. They turned into industrial areas after the Meiji period. Canals flow here and there.

I found an old ship named “Meiji maru” displayed in the ground of Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology.

I walked eastward and arrived in Toyo. There are many huge residential apartments along the main street. Some of them have more than 500 houses in each building. I got the impression that the towns were artificial and dry.

I arrived at Arakawa River. The lower part of the river was artificially developed in the early 20th century (1913-30) to prevent water flood. The river was wide and plenty of water flew down to the sea.

Power cables run over the river. The lines of transmission towers were beautiful in the sunset.

Sengawa River Walk (2)：Nov.23, 2011

2011-11-23T05:31:00.000-08:00

I walked along Sengewa River which flows in Setagaya ward (1st walk on June 6, 2010).

I walked southward from Seijo station.

The river flows through residential areas. Cherry trees are planted along the river. The leaves were turned red.

There gather TV and cinema studios in the area. Ultra man, a SF hero first appeared in the late 1960s, was made here. A cinema company Toho’s studio is along the river.

Many ducks were swimming in the river.

Meguro River Walk (2): Nov.20, 2011

2011-11-23T04:19:00.000-08:00

I had the 2nd part of my Meguro River Walk (Part 1 on Oct. 23). It was from Gotanda to Tokyo Bay.

I arrived in Osaki district after about 20-minutes walk. The district was re-developed in the late 1990s. Modern apartments as well as office buildings and commercial complexes spread in the area. I saw many families enjoying their holidays in the parks and other public spaces along the river side.

There are many factories and other industrial facilities in Osaki and Shinagawa areas. There scatter many Sony buildings.

There emerged temples and shrines as I approached the sea. I crossed Old Tokaido street about 500 meters before the sea line.

Several Artificial islands were developed at Meguro River’s mouth area. They include the Tennoz Island. A police patrol boats moved through the canals.

Tokyo Bay Walk (3) Shinagawa-Takeshiba: Nov. 12, 2011

2011-11-15T07:49:00.000-08:00

I took the 3rd part of my Tokyo Bay walk. It was from Shinagawa to Takeshiba Pier.

The area has many faces. There are container and passenger terminals in the seaside. There are office buildings and commercial facilities as well as apartments. Canals run in the earth and highways and monorail are over the ground.

I walked the passage along a canal near JR Shinagawa station. The water was calm and the seagulls looked relaxed.

I saw a sewerage disposal plant near Shinagawa station. It reminded me of the huge volume of Tokyo’s waste and of the importance of disposal system.

The Rainbow Bridge connects Shibaura and Odaiba districts. Cars and trains move round and climb the road or the rail before crossing the bridge. The scene has already become one of the symbolic views of Tokyo.

I moved Shibaura terminal. There were warehouses in the seafront area.

An old ship was displayed in a road (walkway). The ship was used in the Taisho Period (1910-25) for land reclamation work. A monorail car passed over the sea when I was arrived there.

I moved forward and arrived in Hinode terminal. It is mainly used for passenger ships. I sawa many tourists gathering here to enjoy Tokyo Bay cruising. Many buses were waiting their guest returning from the cruise.

I moved up to Takeshiba Pier. Another passenger lines, including the lines to/from Ogasawara and other located islands, leave and arrive here. The terrace was floored with timbers and wea well decorated.

* If you walk the seafront line of Tokyo Bay clockwise from south, you will pass following places.

(1)Haneda Airport (2)Minami Omori (3)Showa-jima Island (4)Keihin-jima Island (5)Oi container terminal (6)Shinagawa container terminal (7)Shibaura terminai (8)Hinode terminal (9)Takeshiba pier.

Then, you will arrive at Tsukiji or the mouth of Sumida River. They are the west part of the bay in Tokyo territory (Tokyo Bay is surrounded also by Kanagawa and Chiba Prefectures).
Today’s walk was from point (6) to (9).

Suzhou (off off Tokyo): Nov. 6-8, 2011

2011-11-08T07:41:00.000-08:00

I visited Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. It locates about 100 kilometers west from Shanghai.

Suzhou is known as a “Venice of East”. The city is in a water-rich area. Yangtze River flows north of the city while Lake Tai and other smaller lakes lie around the city.

Big and small canals run through the city.

I had a walk along Shantang Street, one of the most famous old streets in the city, in the early morning (it was unfortunately rainy). A canal runs along the street.

There were open-air markets. Fishes were sold in basins or on papers. Famous Shanghai hairy crab was gathered in a net and sold. Vegetables, fruits and sweets were also sold. Children walked to their schools. It was active and noisy.

The water moves slowly in the canal. The walls of the houses along the canal were painted white. A boat was moving along the canal to pick up leaves and rubbishes.

I saw many other canals – big ones and small ones – during my walk in the city. Some canals kept old atmosphere while others were redeveloped for tourists.

Suzhou is also famous for its gardens. The classical gardens of Suzhou are registered as a world heritage.

I visited Humble Administrator’s Garden and Lion Grove Garden.

Humble Administrator’s Garden is the largest in the city. The combination of ponds, trees, rocks, and buildings was beautiful and impressive.

Lion Grove Garden was decorated with many rocks in unique shapes.

There were many Chinese tourists in both gardens.

There are new industrial zones developing outside the city. The Jiangsu Province government has been successful in inviting foreign companies and in developing industries. The city is rapidly changing.

Tokyo Bay Walk (2) Haneda-Oi: Oct. 29, 2011

2011-10-29T08:14:00.000-07:00

I had the 2nd part of my Tokyo Bay Walk today. It was from Haneda to Oi.

Tokyo International Airport is built on an artificial island in Haneda. The airport faces the mouth of the Tamagawa River. The opposite side of the river is Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

I saw people enjoy fishing in the river. Airplanes landed every 1-3 minutes over the anglers.

We are allowed to walk only limited places around the airport. Highways as well as railways and monorail run around and under the airport. There are many office buildings and aviation related facilities, but few shops and houses here.

I moved to Morigasaki district. There are sewerage disposal plants (the west plant is in Omori Minami while the east plant is in Showa-jima island). The sewage from houses and factories in western Tokyo (about 25% of all Tokyo) is disposed here. The picture is taken by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and is open to the public.

I walked along the canal side and passed many artificial islands. They included Showa-ji island, Keihin-jima island and Heiwa-jima island.

I found several water gates. I also saw many anglers and walkers. There stood hige warehouses along the canals.

Map: Haneda

Meguro River Walk（１）Ikejiri-Gotanda: Oct 23, 2011

2011-10-23T04:57:00.000-07:00

I had a walk along Meguro River from Ikejiri to Gotanda. The river runs western part of central Tokyo.

I often have weekend walks along Kitazawagawa and Karasuyamagawa walkways in Setagaya Ward (see previous post). The walkways were made along small rivers. Both rivers merge at Ikejiri and become Meguro River.

The river runs through business and residential areas. Buildings, apartments and other houses stand along the river.

The river is narrow at Ikejiri. There were various autumn flowers and butterflies flow along the river.

It turns into wide cement-protected river south of Ikejiri. The protection works were completed in the 1930s. Water increases as sewage flows into the river.

Aobadai (south of Ikejiri and west of Shibuya) is one of the richest residential areas in Tokyo. There were many high-quality shops and restaurants along the river. One boutique shop named itself “snobbish babies”. The dogs were also relaxed.

The river’s flow becomes slow at Nakameguro. The land is about 6 kilometers from the mouth of the river and seven meter high from the sea level. The river runs seven meter below the land here. It means the water stays in the same level with the sea.
The sea water comes upward when the sea is full. I saw the sea fishes and birds

I dropped in a small museum. It explained the history and the nature of the river. The staff also explained the water and sewage system of Tokyo. The information included:

- The water is supplied to Tokyo mainly from Tone River, Arakawa River and Tama River.
- Tokyo is dependent its water supply on Gunma and other Kanto prefectures.
- Tokyo’s sewage system is getting old. The cleanup level of wasted water (before its release) is lower than usual when it rains. (because the water volume increases and the sewage system cannot dispose all).

Tamagawa River Walk (4) Fuchu-Tachikawa: Oct 16. 2011

2011-10-21T19:51:00.001-07:00

I had the 4th part of Tamagawa River walk (see part 3). It was from Fuchu, or about 30 km point from the river’s mouth, to Tachikawa, 40 km point.

It was a nice autumn day. The river field was covered with silver grass and other autumn grasses. Huge residential complex and factories were built in some parts of the riversides.

There is a paved road for cyclists and walkers along the rover. The road is called Kaze-no-michi, which means a road where fresh air flows. I saw huge many cyclists, joggers and walkers.

There were camping sites, too. Families enjoyed BBQ parties.

I saw Mt. Fuji over the river. The line was beautiful.

Showa Memorial Park@ Tachikawa : Oct. 10, 2011

2011-10-10T02:59:00.000-07:00

It is autumn and today is the Sports Day (national holiday).

I visited Showa Memorial Park in Tachikawa city, about 30 km west from central Tokyo, to see cosmos blossom.

The Park opened in 1983 commemorating the 50th anniversary of Emperor Showa’s inauguration. The site was originally used by U.S. Air Force till the 1960s and returned to Japan.

The park is huge. It has large playing fields, ponds, flower fields and bird sanctuaries.

There are three cosmos flower fields in the park. The largest one has 2 million flowers. Pink, violet and white flowers were full open. Hundreds of visitors enjoy the blossom.

Yellow cosmos was planted in another field. Bees flied from a flower to others.

There are bases of Japan’s Self Defense Force and rescue operation organizations outside the park. Helicopters and small airplanes were parked. Many helicopters flew from here to Tohoku district after the Great East Japan Earthquake in March.

Tokyo Bay Walk (1) Shinagawa-Oi: Oct. 8, 2011

2011-10-08T23:50:00.000-07:00

Six of Tokyo’s 23 wards – Ota, Shinagawa, Minato, Chuo, Koto and Edogawa -- have seashore areas and they have developed Tokyo Port there. They have various types of terminals in the port.

I walked southern part of Tokyo Port -- from Shinagawa to Oi -- today.

I left JR (Japan railway) Shinagawa station, crossed the Keihin Canal, and arrived at Shinagawa terminal. There are container terminals as well as automobile shipping places. They also have Tokyo Electric Co.’s power stations.

The area was very artificial. Only warehouses, distribution centers and other industrial facilities spread in the area. The roads are wide (so that trucks can move easily) and the industrial railways run in the area. I did not feel the atmosphere of daily life (of the people) there.

The lands are artificial made (by landfill after the Edo era). Artificial waterways ran through the areas.

I passed a bridge and moved into Oi Area. There are large container terminals in the area.

Japan’s 3 major sea line companies have their terminals here.

Tens of thousands of containers were piled in the yards. Huge crane machined boasted their existences.

Some of container ships are more than 300 meter long and carry nearly 10 thousands containers in each voyage. Cutting edge computer system is necessary to control millions of containers.

Container Tracks were waiting in lines to enter the terminals even in Saturday.

I attach a picture taken inside the terminal at another occasion in this blog post.

There are several natural parks in the area. Bird sanctuaries are there.

Korean town @ Okubo: Oct 2, 2011

2011-10-02T09:43:00.000-07:00

Tokyo has several foreigners’ towns. Okubo area has Tokyo's biggest Korean town. I visited theere.

Okubo area lies north of Shinjuku, Tokyo’s largest shopping and amusement area.

There are two main streets of Korean town – Shokuan-dori street and Okubo-dori street – and many small streets. About 70% (58 out of 85) of all food stores and restaurant at the two main streets were Korean (if my count is correct).

Most restaurants serve Korean BBQ. There are Korean food supermarkets, too. I saw girls made long queues at Korean-food takeout shops.

Video and CD shops are also popular. Korean actors and singers have became popular in the last decade in Japan.

Both Korean (1st -4th generations) and Japanese were there. I heard both Korean and Japanese languages when I walked the streets.

Narita: Oct.1, 2011

2011-10-02T09:05:00.000-07:00

The name of Narita is known as a home town of the New Tokyo International Airport. But it has more than that.

The city hosts Narita-san Shinsho-ji, one of nation’s popular and important temples.

There are hundreds of restaurants and gift shops along the road from JR Narita railway station to the temple. Tens of restaurants serve unadon or eel rice bowl.

Visiting Narita-san became popular in the Edo era as it was only about 50 kilometers between Edo (Tokyo) and Narita and was easier than other famous shrines or temples (such as Ise Shrine) to visit. Temple town also developed.

Narita-san has a huge place. There are many buildings including the main building and towers in the area. There spread a nature-rich park behind the temple. Sculptures, stone monument and tombs spreads in the woods.

The temple was built in the 10th century and developed as one of the main temple of Shingon Buddhism.
Millions of people visit here in the new-year season.

Narita Airport is about five kilometers from the central city. The area is called Sanrizuka and Shibayama.

Strong resistance movement occurred when the government announced its plan to open a new airport in the mid 1960s. Far left extremists joined the movement and it took more than 10 years before the airport opened in 1978.

Sanrizuka was farming area and the royal family’s stock farm was there. Now, a memorial park keeps the Imperial farm’s history.

Airplanes fly over the houses in Sanrizuka.

Urayasu:Sept 24, 2011

2011-09-28T06:12:00.000-07:00

Urayasu City, eastern neighbor of Tokyo, is famous as a home town of Tokyo Disney Land.

But the city made headlines in different sense. Many places in the city were liquefied, which made headlines after the Great East Japan Earthquake in March.

About three quarters of the city’s land were reclaimed after the 1960s. That was the cause of wide liquefaction.

The damages of the earthquake still remain here and there.

I found many holes, gaps and cracks in the pavements when I walk around the city. The grounds in the city sports center were still out of use as repair works were still necessary.

Old Edo River flows between Tokyo and Urayasu. Buildings stand at both side of the river. Fishing boats went up and down.

Sendai, Ishinomaki@Tohoku; Sept 17-18, 2011

2011-09-18T20:12:00.000-07:00

Six months have passed after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami disaster. I visited Sendai, Ishinomaki and other hard hit places in Miyagi Prefecture, Tohoku district. It was a painful visit.

People’s life seemed to have returned normal in the central part of Sendai, Tohoku’s largest city with a population of one million. The damages of the buildings and roads are being repaired. I saw people enjoying shopping in the malls.

The coastal areas were quite different. I walked about 10 kilometers from Sendai railroad station to Arahama area, which was washed out by tsunami.

Destroyed cars and other rubbles remained in the fields. Crane cars and other construction vehicles were working to dispose them.

They grew rice in the fields lasy year. They were covered by Japanese silver grass today. The rice is not expected to grow for several years as the soil is still salty.

Only the cement bases left at the places where houses stood before the disasters.

There stood a destroyed gas station along a main road. The inclined polls showed the strong power of tsunami.

I visited Arahama elementary school which licates about 300 m from the sea. Anout 200 people escaped onto the roof of the school just before the tsunami. They were rescued day after.

Now, the school is closed and motor bicycles and other things left behind were placed in the ground.

Ishinomaki is about 40 kilometers east from Sendai. The city was most seriously hit by the quake and tsunami. More than 5000 people were killed or missing.

Many houses in the coastal area and riverside were washed out. Some boats were still on the ground.

The city hospital in the harbor area was abandoned. The neighboring drugstore was in the water.

No one was there. Only the sound of wind the singings of insects were heard.

The land sank down by maxmum 80 centimeters after the quake. Many parts are under the water. Sandbags were piled up here and there.
Thousands of abandoned automobiles were plied up. A mountain of rubbles was also seen.

Many shops and restaurants were seriously damaged and closed. Traffic policemen controlled the cars in the corners as the signals were still out of order.

People's lives seemed to be hard. I was a bit released when I saw people having walks with their dogs and having chattering on the bank of old Kitakami River.

I also visited Matsushima and Shiogama, both locate east of Sendai.

Matsushima is famous for its beautiful seaside scene. The town itself was not so seriously hit by tsunami as the island in front of the town prevented the waves (The islands were heavily damaged). Many tourists were here.

The sea moss and oyster were seriously damaged in the Matsushima and Shiogama bay.

Kabuki@Shinbashi Enbujo Theater: Sept 11, 2011

2011-09-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

I

usually visited Kabuki-za Theater in Ginza to see Kabuki. (see July 22, 2009 article)

Today, I visited Shinbashi Enbu-jo theater as Kabuki-za is now under construction.

The theater is three-story structure and has 1428 seats. Music, dance show and other performances are played besides Kabuki in the theater.

Today’s programs included a succession ceremony of traditional Kabuki names (Nakamura Matagoro and Nakamura Kasho). Leading Kabuki actors including “living national treasure” Nakamura Kichi-emon and Sakata Tojuro attended the ceremony.

Belgium Beer Weekend @ Roppongi Hills: Sept. 9, 2011

2011-09-16T08:43:00.000-07:00

I used to live in Belgium, so Belgium Beer weekend is a “must go” event for me.

This year’s event is held from September 8th to11th at Roppongi Hills.
They serve various kind of Belgium beer and some Belgium foods such as frits. Belgium beer is becoming more and more popular in Japan in last 10 to 20 years.

The terrace was crowded with hundreds of people when I arrived. I needed to wait more than 10 minutes to buy tokens (which is used to buy beer and foods in the event area) and another 5 minutes to get my beer.

Japanese as well as foreigners were there. Most of them looked young. It was Friday night.

The organizer expected to attract more than 18 thousands visitors in four days.

Tokaido Walk(15) Ejiri-Fuchu: August 27, 2011

2011-08-27T09:12:00.000-07:00

Hot summer will soon be over (hopefully). I restarted my Tokaido Walk.

I walked from Ejiri, the 18th shukuba station from Nihonbashi, to Fuchu, the 19th.

Ejiri is in Shimizu Ward in Shizuoka city. The town is famous for its port. They have developed such industries as fish food production, wharehouse, transportation and marine related machines. It also boasts its football team (Shimizu S-Pulse), Jirocho, one of the nation’s most famous chivalrous heroes in the 19th century, and Chibi Maruko, a cute manga heroine.

Some buses are painted with Chibi Maruko-related characters.

Kusanagi, between Ejiri and Fuchu, is historically famous. Yamato Takeru, Japan’s legendary hero in the country’s founding era (about 2000 years ago), had a famous fight here. A shrine is built to commemorate the event.

Houses spread along Tokaido here. I also found many horticulture farms here.

Sri Lanka(3) Nature & Animals (off off Tokyo): August 7-12, 2011

2011-08-13T10:17:00.000-07:00

I always find animals during my 1 week stay in Sri Lanka.

I enjoyed safari 3 times.

My first safari was at Minneriya National Park near Polonnaruwa in central Sri Lanka. The park is famous for elephants.

I found about 100 elephants gathering around water pools (for drinking water and taking bath).

Some group came out of bushes and moved through safari jeeps into green fields. Baby elephants ran hard to follow adults.

It was so impressive.

My second safari was at Yala National Park in south east coast. It was famous for peacocks. Hundreds of them were walking elegantly.

I also saw buffaloes, wild hugs, deer, crocodiles, mongooses and other animals and birds.

I also enjoyed a boat safari at Ahungalla, south west coast. My small boat moved through a mangrove jungle. Birds flied over the trees. I was surprised when I found big water lizards, which were around 1.5 meter long, swimming in the water.

Another impressive experience was a visit to elephant’s orphanage at Pinnawala near Kandy. Around 100 elephants are cared at the center.

The elephants are taken to a nearby river twice a day for bathing. They walk in a public road on the way to and from the river.

People and dogs were also on the road when I arrived there.

Marine turtles are also cared in a protection center near Bentota, east coast city. Baby turtles were swimming in pools. Children enjoyed seeing (and sometimes touching) them.

They will be released to the Indian Ocean soon.
Only one turtlr out of 100 will grow up and return to the coast, acording to a staff member.

I saw dogs and cows everywhere (including in the public roads and fields) in the country. Even elephants walkes in the road.

I also found monkeys and squirrels in some places.

The Indian Ocian was beautiful. The sea was blue and the palm trees covered the coasts.

The waves made heavy sounds and I felt vibrations when I was sleeping in a sea-coast hotel.

Sri Lanka(2) Culture & History(off off Tokyo): August 7-12, 2011

2011-08-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

I could have an opportunity to Perahera festival in Kandy during my stay in Sri Lanka. I was lucky.

Perehera started as a local festival to cerebrate local gods about 2000 years ago. But it was connected with Buddhism Temple (Temple of the Tooth) and became a nation’s important event in the 18th century.

The festival continues two weeks every year. Hundreds of elephants and dancers walk across the streets and show their performances.

The performance was scheduled to start in the evening, but thousands of people were already waiting on the road sides when I arrived Kandy in early afternoon.

The march and performance continued about three hours. The elephants moved in order, which was a big surprise to me.

I visited all six world cultural heritage in Sri Lanka. They are:

Sacred City of Anuradhapura

Sri Lanka's first capital (BC 380-AD century). Became World heritage in 1982.

Famous bodhi tree (lime tree) is planted. Buddha attained enlightenment under a tree in Buddha Gaya in northern India in the 4th cantury B.C. The branch of the tree was imported into Sri Lanka in the 3rd century B.C. and was planted here. The original tree in India has already been dead.

There are also histrical important stupas in the city.

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa

Sri Lanka's second capital (10-12 century)
Famous Buddha scalptures are curved in a hige rock. The lying one is 14 meter long.

Sacred City of Kandy

Sri Lanka's 3rd and last capital(15-19 century)
Perahera festival is held here. Temple of the Tooth keeps Buddha's tooth.

Ancient City of Sigiriya

Sigiriya is the ruin of a rock fort (or Palace) in a jungle. It was a tenporal capital of the country (only 11 years) in the late 5th centyry. The history of Singiriya is connected with a tragic (mad?) king.

King Kasyapa killed his father and became a king and moved tha apital from Anuradhapura to Singiriya. But he was later defeated by his brother and killed himself.

The palace was decolated with beautiful paintings. The pictures of half-naked women are especially famous.

Only 18 paintings out of about 500 remain.

Golden Temple of Dambulla

There are five temples in a stone mountain in Dambulla.

Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications

Galle originally developed as a port to be used for trades with Arabic people. Portuguese established a fort in the late 16th century. The fort was controlled by Dutch people in the 17th centyry. The ruler changed to British later.

The indian Ocean spreads in front of the fort.

Sri Lanka(1)Life & Society(off off Tokyo): August 7-12, 2011

2011-08-13T09:52:00.001-07:00

I visited Sri Lanka to enjoy my summer vacation. It was my first visit of the country.

The country has 8 world heritages. It also attracts tourist with its beautiful beaches and rich nature. It is true, but I was also interested in its society and people’s life.

The country is still poor. Its per capita income is still about $ 2000 (2010 estimate). It does not have highways. Roads are dusty and bumpy.

Traffic signals are rarely seen even in big cities like Colombo.

Three wheelers run amid automobiles. They are main players in transportation in rural towns and villages. Dogs and cows walk in the streets.

Rural areas do not have electricity. People shop at old local markets.

It seemed that the civil war (1983-2009) had seriously hit the economy and had delayed the developments of the society.

Still changes are seen.

I found mobile-phone billboards and shops everywhere in the country (even in small mountainous villages). Cell phone is becoming "must" thing for people and even elementary school boys and girls held them (taking them to school is banned), according to my tour guide.

The country is green rich. Water is also affluent.

I saw coconut palm trees field in various places.

Growing rice is popular in lowland.

Tea plantations spread in moutan areas. I visited Mackwoods tea plant near Nuwar Eliya. The plantation was developed by William Mackwoods in the mid 19th century. I was impressed with his venture spirit (along with colonization history).

Herb plantations are also developed in mountain areas.

I saw many posters of political parties and politicians in the towns. President's poster is mostly stand out.

I could not help but laugh when I found an election campaign advertisement drawn on a rock with white paint at Rawana Ella Falls, one of the nation’s most famous (and beautiful) falls. It is of course banned.

Sunflower@ Zama: July 31, 2011

2011-07-31T03:53:00.000-07:00

Sunflower again!

I visited sunflower fields for two consecutive days. Today’s visit was a field in Zama City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Zama’s field was much larger than the field in Setagaya’s Unane I visited yesterday. There were more than 100 thousands sunflowers there.

A path ran through the flowers. Visitors enjoyed walking in the field.

Zama is about 40 km west from central Tokyo. Sunflower is the city’s flower. It holds sunflower festival since 1993.

Zama is also famous as a hometown of Nissan. Nissan had its main automobile factory here till 1995. The factory was closed as a process of the company’s restructuring plans. The facility is now used as a R&D center.

Japanese automobile companies have days off in weekdays and open their offices and factories in the weekend to cope with the shortage of electricity after the earthquake (and the nuclear plant accident). Zama's center was open today.

Map: Zama

Sunflower & Tama River Walk: July 30, 2011

2011-07-30T07:08:00.000-07:00

Sunflower is more than summer’s flower in Japan now.

The flower is useful to clean the radiation-contaminated soil. Sunflower is planted in many places in the nation after the Great East Japan earthquake.

Today, I visited a sunflower field in Setagaya ward, western Tokyo. The ward is residential area, but it has many small agricultural fields in its western area (near Tama River).

There were about 20 thousands sunflowers in about 30x100 meter area. They were full open.

Butterflies, bees and other insects were flying among the flowers.

I walked along Tamagawa River　from Unane to Izumi Tamagawa (about 6 km). The riverside was bushy. Many insects and birds were there.

Children were playing in the water and adults were enjoying fishing. There were ayu (sweetfish), shrimps and other aqua livings in the river.

The water was clean. But many wastes remained in the riverbank.

Nogawa River Walk (3): July 23, 2011

2011-07-23T22:30:00.000-07:00

It was not unbearably hot today. I walked along the upper part of Nogawa River (from Chofu City to the origin of the river in Kokubnji City).

It was about 10 km walk and the 3rd part of my Nogawa River Walk (following to my Walks in May 8th and 9th, 2010).

The river runs toward southeast. I walked toward northwest.

I started my walk at Shibasaki area, eastern part of Chofu City. The river runs trough residential area here. The river fields were covered with deep grasses. Dragonflies, butterflies and birds were flying.

There were geese, white herons, carp, turtles and many other livings in the river.

I found children and their parents enjoying walking in the river. Some of them were catching fish and other aqua livings.

I walked about 30 minutes and arrived in Jindaiji area. A big botanical garden is at the side of the river. There were fewer houses along the river.

Then, I walked into Mitaka City. There are famous facilities such as National Astronomical observatory, International Christianity University, Chofu Airport and Mitaka Firefly Field (Hotaru no sato = community agricultural center for children) along the river.

It was more nature rich here in this part. They have woods at both sides of the river as many tall trees are planted in the gardens of such facilities. Some farmers still use watermills here.

I found some geese families in the river. It was cute to see the family members swim together.

I visited Ryugenji Temple which stands at the side of the river. The tomb of Kondo Isami, one of tragic hero in the late Edo period is here.

I walked forward and arrived in Nogawa Park. There are huge grass fields and many pine and tulip trees in the park. I found many joggers and families enjoying their times.

They have camp area at the side of the park. The walk path along the river is well arranged.

I arrived in Koganei City. The river again runs through residential area here. The riverside walkway is well kept and there are many four o’clock flowers (Mirabilis jalapa) along the river. They smelled so nice.

I walked into Kokubunji City. Nogawa is a concrete river here. The river bank is covered with cement and it runs through residential houses. It is so ugly.

The origin of the river is in the research center of Hitachi Ltd., near JR Kokubunji station. There is a sign board outside of the center.

Wind bell featival @ Kawasaki Daisha:July 16, 2011

2011-07-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

We again had a very hot day today.

I visited Kawasaki Daishi (Heiken-ji Temple) in Kawasaki City (Tokyo's southwest) to attend its Wind Bell Festival.

Kawasaki Daishi has been popular among people to pray for their health since the Edo period. It is one of the most popular visiting places in the new-year season in the country. (Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo, Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine in Kamakura and Narita-san in Chiba Prefecture are other popular places in greater Tokyo).

There are many shops along the street to the temple. I found some candy shops where members were playing special performances -- cutting candies from a big bar into small pieces with big cutting knife -- to the guests. Others shops sold Daruma dolls.

Wind Bells from about 100 production places were sold at the Festival. Some bells were made in grass and whereas some were made metal-made.

Some were from places in Tohoku district, which was severely hit by the earthwuake.

I enjoyed various kinds of sounds -- heavy, light, high, low, metallic sounds.

I felt they were sounds of summer.

Fire fly Festival & Bon Dance @Setagaya Daikan House: July 15, 2011

2011-07-17T08:27:00.000-07:00

The rainy season was over last week and We have hot days. The temperature goes up more than 35 degrees every day in Tokyo.

I visited Daikan Yashiki in Setagaya ward today. The place was a house of local manager in the Edo era.

It has a straw roof. There are many old and tall trees in the garden.

They held a firefly festival in Daikan Yashiki. Fireflies were kept in several net cages and placed in the gardens.

We could find fireflies in many places in Tokyo (including Setagaya) until the 1950-60s. People enjoyed watching the small lights floating in the dark air in summer. They disappeared after the 1960s because of environment pollution.

People started movements in many places in Tokyo to recover the environment where the fireflies can survive. Setayaga’s firefly festival is organized in such moves.

A bon festival was held in a small local shrine near Daikan Yashiki.

Similar summer feativals and activities are held and planned in many places in Tokyo.

Smart Phone Shop@Shinjuku: July 15, 2011

2011-07-17T08:19:00.000-07:00

Bad news dominate the headlines in business news in Japan.

Japan has experienced “the lost two decades” after the 1990s. The nominal GDP remains in the same level (about 500 trillion yen). Many companies face difficult times. The business condition is much worse after the Great East Japan earthquake in March.

It is not correct for all industries. Some business sectors and companies enjoy busy days.

An example is the smart phone market.

I visited Yodobashi Camera in Shinjuku to buy a new smart phone. Major mobile phone companies (NTT DoCoMo, Au, Softbank, Willcom etc.) had their own corners in the shop. I saw tens of people checking the products in each corner.

All staff members were busy in recommending products and answering quest’s questions.

I was asked to get in a line for registration when I decided to purchase one. I had to wait more than 15 minutes.

Some popular products were sold out.

Sugamo: Juy 3, 2011

2011-07-03T04:52:00.000-07:00

The rainy season still continues and we have hot and humid days in early July.
I visited Sugamo, an old town in northern Tokyo.

Sugamo is famous for Togenuki Jizo Temple. Many people (especially old people) visit the temple to pray for their health and long life.

There is a legend behind people’s behavior. The life of a poor wife was saved thanks to a Jizo god in the Edo period. The husband honored the Jizo god in the temple.

There is a shopping street (Jizo street) in front of the temple. The shops are old and the street keeps the atmosphere of the Showa era (before the 1980s).

I saw many visitors walking in the street and found most of them were old.

Some Japanese media called Sugamo “a Harajuku of old moms”. Harajuku is a famous fashion town for young girls.

They held a Morning Glory Festival.

Tokyo’s most famous and largest morning glory festival is usually held in Iriya (near Ueno), but it was suspended this year as the police cannot send its guard staff to the festival. It was because of the Great East Japan earthquake.

I found a raw of solar panels on the roof of the arcade in front of JR Sugamo station. The efforts to introduce renewable energy are accelerating throughout the nation after the earthquake.

Hydrangea＠Hakusan Shrine, Rikugien Gardens: June 25, 2011

2011-06-25T07:38:00.000-07:00

Tokyo has a rainy season in June. I could not go out last two weekends because of rain. Today, I walked out although it sometimes rained.

June is also known as a season of hydrangea.

Hakusan Shrine in Bunkyo Ward, about 2 km north of the Imperial Palace, is famous for its hydrangea. The local community held “the Hydrangea Festival”.

There are about 3000 hydrangea plants in the shrine and neighboring garden. Hundreds of flowers were pink, blue, purple and white.

I also visited Rikugien Gardens. The gardens were originally a residence of Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, the most powerful politician in the mid Edo period (from late 17th to early 18th century).

It rained when I visited there. A couple was sitting under an umbrella in front of hydrangea.

The artificial mountain in the garden was partially destroyed by the Great East Japan earthquake in March. So, I could not go up.

Tokaido Walk(14) Yui-Ejiri (off Tokyo): June 4, 2011

2011-06-04T23:59:00.001-07:00

I walked from Yui, the 16th shukuba station from Nihonbashi, through Okitsu to Ejiri.

I visited Yui fishing port before starting my walk today. The port is small, but it lands the largest volume of sakura-ebi (small pink shrimp) in Japan.

Hundreds of small fishing boats were tied up in a small space. There was an open-air restaurant where they served sakura-ebi lunch.

The Tokaidi street went into mountainous area. Bothe sides of the road are steep slopes and loquat and orange trees are planted there. Yui’s loquat is nationwide famopus.

Each loquat fruit was covered with a small paper sack. It is to protect the fruit from craw and other birds. Farmers cover the thousands of fruits with the sacks by themselves.

It was the harvest season. I saw many farmers on the trees and took the ripe loquats. They sold the fruits in front of their houses along the street.
I climbed the steep road and arrived at Satta mountain pass. It is 244 meter high.

The pass is known as one of the hardest places (along with Hakone and Oigawa river) to cross in Tokaido in the Edo era.

The view from the pass was beautiful. There spread green trees (loquats and oranges), the blue sea (Suruga Bay) below. Both the national Route 1 and the Tomei Motor highway ran along the seaside.

It was unfortunate that I could not see Mt. Fuji today because of the cloudy weather.

Down the mountain and I moved into Okitsu, the 17th station. There are historic places in the area. They Include:

- Seikenji Temple: Old large temple. Tokugawa Ieyasu often visited here.
- Zagyoso: Saionji Kinmochi, an influencial political leader in the Meiji period had his 2nd house here.

I moved westward and entered Ejiri, the 18th shukuba station. The area is now the center of Shimizu ward of Shizuoka city. Shimizu has a big port. They have developed such industries as fish food production, wharehouse, transportation and marine related machines.

Tokaido Walk (13) Yoshiwara-Yui (off Tokyo): May 21, 2011

2011-05-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

I walked from Yoshiwara, the 14th shukuba Station in Fuji city, through Kanbara, the 15th station, to Yui, the 16th station.

Fuji city has many factories including paper factories (as I wrote in May 15, 2011 post). I found various factories when I walked Tokaido road in the city.

I also found many creeks and small water ways in the city. All creeks and water ways were affluent. Mt. Fuji is always covered with snow and the meltwater comes from the mountain to the city.

I crossed the Fuji River. The water ran fast.

Tourists had to cross the river by boats or on foot in the Edo period. They had to wait for days when they rain continued.

There stands shrine for the river at the side of the river. Monuments in the shrine showed the history of “the crossing point” in the Edo era.

The scene was beautiful. I found many birds there. It was unfortunate that I could not see Mr. Fuji because of cloudy weather.

The west side of the Fuji River is called Iwabuchi district. There remained a rest house which was used by high-rank samurai in the Edo period. They stayed in the house when they wait the river boats arranged.

The house was inhabited till about 10 years ago. It is open to the public now.

I walked through hilly roads and arrived in Kanbara. The area is now a part of greater Shizuoka city. The houses lie in a narrow place between the mountains and the sea.

It is one of the most famous shukuba stations because of an Ukiyo-e picture drawn by Ando Hiroshige, one of the most famous Ukiyo-e artists in the nation. Kanbara’s winter scene was dawn in his “53 stations of Tokaido” works. Most Japanese know Kanbara’s Ukiyo-e.

The basic structure of the town and the street remain unchanged from the Edo era. Edo-style buildings stand along Tokaido road.

People are eager to attract tourists. They place information boards in front of historically important buildings. People kindly greeted to the tourists even if they do not know them. (I was greeted so often in the town)

The also spend relaxed lives. I saw many groups of old people sitting in the street and chattering. Such gatherings were common throughout the nation decades ago, but we seldom see such gatherings in Tokyo and other big cities now. It seemed that the time flewed slower here.

I walked westwards and arrived in Yui. Yui also keeps the old structure and atmosphere of the town.

The main guest house of the shukuba station has converted into a memorial park. There remains the birthplace of Yui Shosetsu, a famous rebellion against the Tokugawa Government in the Edo era.
He was recorded to be born in a dye shop in fronto of the main guest house. The shop still keeps their business.

Yui is also famous for Sakura-ebi, small pink shrimp. The Yui port lands the largest volume of the Sakura-ebi in the nation. There are many shrimp shops along the Tokaido street.

I enjoyed Sakura-ebi dinner at a local restaurant. It was so nice.

It is about 150 kilometers from Nihonbashi, Tokyo.

map: Kanbara

map：　Yui

Tokaido Walk (12)Hara- Yoshiwara (0ff Tokyo): May 15, 2011

2011-05-15T07:13:00.000-07:00

Mt. Fuji is everyone’s topic in Japan (even now). It is not only the highest mountain but also a symbol of the country. The mountain also attract many foreign tourists (especially Chinese tourists).

I had a confortable walk from Hara, the 13th shukuba station from Edo’s Nihonbashi, to Yoshiwara, the 14th. I could see Mt. Fuji in my right hand all the way in my walk.

Old Tokaido runs along the sea side in this area. Houses continue along the road. I could see Mr. Fuji over the roofs.

The pine woods continue from Numazu to Yoshiwara (about 10 kilometers). The scene of Mt. Fuji over the pine trees was so beautiful.

I found many factories when I entered Yoshiwara, Fuji city. The city is especially famous for its paper factories.
There are many factories along the Tokaido street. I found many tall industrial chimneys in the city.

The contrast of modern factories and Mt. Fuji was impressive.

The pollution was serious in the city about 40 years ago. It smelled so bad (because of the smoke from the paper factories). Rivers and ports were heavily polluted with the waste (slime) produced in the process of paper production.

Slime monsters appeared in the movies.

The rivers and the port were cleanned up after the 1970s.

Map: Hara

Map: Yoshiwara, Fuji city

Tokaido Walk (11) Mishima-Hara (off Tokyo): May 5, 2011

2011-05-07T06:56:00.000-07:00

I have already walked more than 100 kilometers from Nihonbashi, Tokyo. I walked from Mishima, the 11th Shukuba station, through Numazu, the 12th station, to Hara, the 13th. It was about 12km walk in total.

Mishima is known as an eco-friendly city. It has many springs in the city. A beautiful creek named “Genbei gawa” flows in the central part of the city. Small fish swim and fireflies fly in and around the creek.

People were enjoying walks when I visited there in the morning. There are cement-made steps installed in the creek. I walked over the steps.

The creek was seriously polluted after the World War 2 by polluted water from homes and factories. Fireflies died out.

People started clean-up the creek in the 1990s. The city’s recovery of clean water is widely reported both inside and outside Japan.

I walked Old Tokaido westwards. Houses and shops continue along the street. The roads are flat (easy to walk).

I found a huge building with a large parking space along the street. It was a pachinko parlor. Pachinko is Japan’s popular board game. People enjoy gambling by it.

The building had about 1000 machines in it. More than half of the seats were full when I entered the parlor at around 10:30 am. It was noisy inside the parlor but no sounds were heard outside.

I saw a young lady arrived by a taxi. I also saw many people came here by their cars. I wondered how many people were spending their holidays at pachinko parlor in Japan.

I arrived at Numazu. The city is famous for its fishery port and himono (half-dried fish) products.

There are many shops of marine products and seafood restaurants in the port area. I found hundreds of himono (half-dried fish) on wire-mesh tables and hundreds of large cooked tune heads (on wood tables) sold.

I visited the seacoast. Thousands of pine trees are planted here. The coast is called Senbon-Matsubara (Thousands pine trees field). Families were relaxing in the coast and birds were flying against strong wind from the sea wind.

The pine woods - Mt. Fuji contrast is famous. The scene is repeatedly drawn by many artists. I unfortunately could not see Mt. Fuji because of cloudiness.

I walked from Numazu to Hara. The pine-tree woods continued throughout the area (about 6 kilometers).

Tokaido Walk (10) Hakone-Mishima (off Tokyo): May 4, 2011

2011-05-07T05:21:00.000-07:00

I walked down the Hakone mountains to Mishima, the 11th shukuba station. It was more than 15 kilometers. The walk was rough like yesterday’s (Odawara-Hakone climbing).

I had a short climb from Hakone shukuba station to Hakone point. The point is the border between Kanagawa and Shizuoka Prefectures (Sagami and Izu counties in old names). It is also the highest point in all Tokaido.

I walked up an old street which had cider trees in both sides. Unlike the lakeside cider street which was well trimmed, the street was not cleaned up and was covered with bushes.

The Hakone point is 846 meter high. I enjoyed a beautiful scene of Lake Ashi from a viewing spot nearby. I also saw a group of motorbike riders at the point.

The condition of the road was different by parts. It was surrounded by small bamboo bush in one part. I felt that I was walking in among walls made by bamboos.

The road was surrounded by young cider trees in other parts. Woodpeckers made sounds there.

Old cover stones remain in many parts. It was like an ordinal mountain trail in other parts. Butterflies flied and many unknown flowers were open in the ground.

It was cloudy again today. I could not see Mt. Fuji. (Pity!)

There appeared vegetable fields and farm houses when I moved around five kilometers. The villages in the mountain were developed in the Edo period.

I finally came down to Mishima city. TPine-tree street as well as mile stones remain in Mishima.
It is about 32 kilometers from Odawara through Hakone to Mishima. I was tired but felt good.

Tokaido Walk(9) Odawara-Hakone (off Tokyo):　May 3, 2011

2011-05-07T03:48:00.000-07:00

Hakone was known as the hardest place to pass in Tokaido. People had to walk steep roads to across the Hakone Mountains. Many tourists lost their lives here.

Japan’s old folk song says – “Mt. Hakone is a nationwide-famous hard place…”

I used the Golden week holidays to across the Hakone Mountains.

I started the walk from Odawara. They had a festival in Odawara Castle to honor the glory days of the Hojo family, the ruler of the region in the 16th century. Many people gathered there.

Hakone is now a National Park. There are modern roads and railways for the tourists. The old Tokaido remains as it was in some parts. Some parts have been converted into new roads. Other parts have returned to bushes and woods.

I walked about 5 kilometers on National Route 1 from Odawara. The road was steep. There were so many cars in the road.
The Hayakawa River runs along the road. I arrived at Hokone Yumito, the most popular hot spring resort in the region.

The old road appeared. It was covered with stones. The construction works were done by the Tokugawa government more than 300 years ago to keep the safety of the travellers.

The old road went through the woods in some parts. The air was fresh and the creeks were beautiful. Various birds sang. It was confortable to walk in the wood, but it was also hectic as the slopes were so steep.

The bushes were deep. It is recorded that rubbers were behind the bushes and some travellers were attacked in the Edo period. It is also recorded that many palanquin carriers worked here. Palanquin is a portable seat carried by 2-4 drivers.

The automobile roads were also steep. There were many u-turn curves.

I arrived at the coast of Lake Ashi after climbing the mountain nearly five hours. The lake was made by the eruption of Mr. Fuji. It was beautiful. It was a pity that I could not see Mt. Fuji as the weather was cloudy.

I walked the famous “cider street” along the lake. More than 400 old cider trees remain there. The trees are about 30 meter high and 3 meters in diameter. There were not so many tourists walking today (but many tourist were walking in the following day = May 4th).

I moved to the old checking station (Sekisho). The Tokugawa Government checked the people coming in and going out from the Edo area. Current buildings were reconstructed in the Showa era. The place was used in many novels and dramas.

The Hakone Shukuba station was around here. It is the 10th station from Nihonbashi in Edo (Tokyo).

Hakone is crowded in the Golden week every year. But it was more crowded than usual this year. It is because people prefer to visit places around Tokyo rather than having long-distance travel affected by the Great Tohoku Earthquake in March. I saw so many people in every viewing point and terminal, but I found not so many people in the old Tokaido trails in the woods.

Tokaido Walk (8)Ninomiya-Odawara (off Tokyo): April 29, 2011

2011-05-07T01:35:00.000-07:00

I walked the last part of Kanagawa Prefecture’s coast area today. It was from Ninomiya to Odawara.

Most parts of old Tokaido have turned into National Rout 1 around here. The road runs through a narrow space between the sea and the mountains. Houses and shops continue (without any spaces) along the street throughout the area.

It is only 10-20 meters from the road to the sea in some parts. It seemed that they were not free from tsunami and other natural disasters. I found in many places the board signs which showed the height of the points from the sea level.

The sunshine was mild and the air was fresh. It was wonderful to see the sea and the mountains at a same time. Oranges and other fruits were planted in the mountains.

I visited a shrine in the middle of a mountain. There spread the Sagami Bay was just below. It was so beautiful.

There remained pine trees in some parts of the street.

I walked westwards and moved into Odawara, the 9th shukuba station.

The city has been the center of the region (current west Kanagawa Prefecture) for hundreds years. Odawara Castle lies in the center of the city. The castle was developed by the Hojo Family, one of the famous 16th century daimyo (regional rulers).
The castle (reconstructed in the postwar period) attracts many tourists.
The city flourished as one of Tokaido’s terminals in the Edo period. It also developed handcrafts and food industries.

There are handcraft centers as well as tourist information centers in the city. One of them is along old Tokaido.

Shanghai (off off Tokyo): April 25-26, 2011

2011-04-26T09:26:00.000-07:00

I had early morning walks during my business travel in Shanghai.

I walked nearly 10 km each day. I visited Hongqiao Central Park and Soong Ching-Ling’s Mausoleum in the first day and Shanghai Zoo in the second day during my walks. All three places are in Hongqiao area, western part of Shanghai. They are also surrounded by tall buildings.

I found many people were playing Tai Chi and/or other exercises in the parks.

Hongqiao Central Park was developed about 10 years ago. The park was green rich and clean. A press center was set here during the Shanghai Expo in 2010.

Many sculptures of historical figures are placed. They include Charlie Chaplin, Mahatma Gandhi, and Roger Federer.

Soong Ching-Ling was a wife of Sun Yat-sen, a figure regarded as a founding father of Republic China. She is also known as one of the famous three Soong sisters. She later became vice president of China.

She was buried in a cemetery, which is now turned into a public place. People were playing Tai Chi.

Shanghai zoo opens at 6:30 every morning. Many elder people come to the zoo as it is free for them.

Some of them were playing Tai Chi while others were playing badminton. I also saw people dancing (jazz dance) and walking along the walk path.

Animals and birds were awake.
There are popular animals such as giant pandas, tigers, monkeys.
Collection of goldfish was unique and impressive.

The streets were getting busier while I was walking. Business people hurried to their offices. The traffic jam was heavy.

Tokaido Walk (7):　Chigasaki-Ninomiya (off Tokyo): April 16, 2011

2011-04-20T16:18:00.000-07:00

More than one month has passed after the great earthquake and tsunami disaster. Series of nuclear accidents at Fukushima plants followed. I had not been so willing to go around outside in the first few weeks. But I restarted long-distance walk today.

I took part seven of my Tokaido walk. It was from Chigasaki to Ninomiya (about 15 km).

The weather was fine. The sunshine was bright and the temperature went up more than 20 degrees. We had unseasonable cold days in March (the temperature went down below zero). It seemed that the season changed from winter to summer in a week.

Chigasaki is about 10 km west of Fujisawa,the 6th station from Nihonbashi. I walked through residential areas and reached Sagami River. I found people enjoying sailing.

I entered into Hiratsuka, the 7th station (shukuba). Only the monuments (of old inns and gates) remain.

I walked westward and found a mountain in the right side. It is called Mt. Koma. The name originally meant a country (Koguryo) existed in Korean Peninsula more than 1000 years ago. Some people escaped from Korean Peninsula when their country was conquered and arrived here.

A shrine is built at the foot of the mountain. A festival was held when I visited.

I went into Oiso, the 8th station from Edo’s Nihonbashi.

Oiso is a small but famous town.

Japan’s first public beach was developed in the Meiji period here (Some other beaches insist the position). Many famous politicians, business tycoons and novelists built their summer houses in the town. They include Ito Hirofumi, Japan’s first PM in the Meiji period, and Yoshida Shigeru, PM and post-war leader.

Pine trees remain along Tokaido here.

I went down to the beach. Many surfers were waiting a big wave in the sea.

I moved westward and arrived at JR Ninomiya station. It is about 72 km from Nihonbashi.

Cherry & flowers @west Tokyo: April 3, 2011

2011-04-03T05:41:00.000-07:00

I walked walking paths in Setagaya ward, west Tokyo, to see cherry blossom and other spring flowers.

It was far colder than yesterday. Only 30-40% of cherry flower was open.

Many people were walking along the path and enjoying cherry blossom. Some were walking with their dogs.

Others were enjoying hanami (flower watching) picnics under the cherry trees. There wewrte fewer people than usual because of earthquake and tsunami disaster in March. They were also quieter than usual.

Many cherry trees have fait pink flowers (the trees are called Somei-Yoshino) while others have strong pink flowers.

I also saw Thunberg's meadowsweet, peach flower, pansy violet and other flowers.

Animals, birds, and fish also became active. I found a rat, egrets, geese, turtle and other animals. I also saw carps in a pond in a temple along the path.

Cherry blossom: April 2, 2011

2011-04-02T11:32:00.000-07:00

Three weeks have passed after the earthquake and tsunami disaster. The accident at Fukushima nuclear plant is still serious and quake-hit people are still spending hard time in Tohoku area.

Tokyo has been quieter. There have been fewer people in the streets, shops and restaurants (both in weekdays and weekend).

This is partly because of rolling blackouts and fewer-than-usual operation of trains. But there are other reasons, too.

People have had a fear that they might be exposed to radiations from Fukushima nuclear plant (about 200 km from Tokyo).

People have also shared a feeling that they should refrain from having fun ("it is not time to have fun").

I have refrained from having long-distance walks in last three weeks.

Season has changed in the meantime.

Cherry blossom started in Tokyo.

I visited Baji Park (Equestrian Park) and Kinuta Park, both are in Setagaya ward in west Tokyo) to see cherry blossom and other flowers. The blossom just started.

Swans were swimming in a pond, which was surrounded by cherry trees, in Baji Park. I also dound a halcyon around a pond.

Number of people were enjoying picnic under the cherry trees. The number was fewer than usual and it seemed quieter than usual. People were talking about the quake and tsunami hire and there.

Map: Baji Park
Map: Kinuta Park

Tokyo scenes after earthquake: March-April, 2011

2011-04-02T11:26:00.000-07:00

The earthquake and tsunami disaster hit Japan seriously. Nearly 30,000 people were washed out. Hundreds of thousand of people have lost their houses. More than 200,000 people are spending hard times in evacuation centers in Tohoku and north Kanto areas (Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima and Ibaraki prefectures).

The nuclear trouble at Fukushima Dai-ichi plant has been serious. Factories, roads and railways were seriously damaged. Business activities stopped in some fields.

Tokyo is also affected. Rolling blackouts of electricity started after the quake. The number of trains was reduced at most of the lines. Some goods were sold out at shops.

The operation of escalators in railway stations was suspended.

There were fewer people walking in Tokyo station's underground passage. The lighes in the showwindows were off.

The damagas of the quake are also found in many places in Tokyo(though they are not so serious).

Tokyo after Earthquake: March 11, 2011

2011-03-12T07:46:00.001-08:00

Japan was hit by a series of big earthquakes and Tsunami on March 11th. Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima Prefectures in Tohoku district, north of Tokyo, were seriously damaged. More than 1000 people were killed and tens of cities and towns were washed out by Tsunami and completely destroyed.

Tokyo was hit by a level 5 quake. I was then in a room at the 19th floor of an office building. The waves continued about 2 minutes and it swung widely and slowly. I felt seasick. There ran cracks in the walls of the room.

Outside the window, the antennas of Japan Meteorological Agency (about 20 meter high) were swinging widely. Highways were closed. There wewe no cars in the highway below me.

Trains and subways stopped operations throughout the day in Tokyo. Many people were forced to stay in the offices and public shelters. Many walked to their home.

I left Otemachi, central Tokyo, at around 9 pm to Setagaya, western Tokyo.

The pedestrian roads were crowded with business persons. I could not walk quickly.

The traffic jam on main roads was so terrible. There were so many cars. I wondered how much gasoline would be used in the night.

I walked through Kasumigaseki (where Japanese ministries are), Akasaka (commercial and but it hhad already stopped receiving new peoples. The staff said that they had already accepted as many people as it could.

I walked through Shibuya station. There were long queues in front of the public toilet.

There were also long lines at the bus stops.

The ground floor of a department store, banks and other offices were open to the public. Many people abandoned to go back to their homes and stayed in such places. (see the top picture)

I walked westward and arrived in my house midnight. It took about walked 3 hours and half.

No serious confusion was found in towns and streets. Convenience stores and mini super markets were open throughout the night. They opened their toilets to the people. Bread, rice balls and other easy-to-eat foods were all sold out.

The garbage boxes at the convenience stores were overflow. This was one of the differences from usual situation.

Many ambulance cars ran throughout the night.

Tokyo’s damage was limited. I feel big sorrow for the victims in Tohoku.

Parks & Museum @ Komaba: March 5, 2011

2011-03-05T06:49:00.000-08:00

I visited the Museum of Modern Japanese Literature in Komaba.

The museum is in Komaba Park, which has been developed on former Marda family’s house. Maeda family was the ruler of Kaga region (today's Ishikawa Prefecture) in the Edo era.

A special exhibition on Japanese literature in the Meiji period was held at the museum. The works of Japan’s great novelists including Natsume Soseki and Mori Ogai were displayed.

Their works are not so famous outside Japan. (The most well known Japanese literature works may include “The tale of Genji”, waka (tanka) and haiku and Kawabata Yasunari’s novels). However, their influence has been strong inside Japan on the nation’s culture and people's life.

I walked about 500 meters from Kobama park and arrived in another nature-rich park. It is called Komabano Park. The country’s first agricultural school was open here in the Meiji period. The school later developed into the agricultural department of the University of Tokyo. The place was later used by the Tokyo University of Education. It became a public park after the 1980s.

Natural forest remains here. Many birds were flying.

The members of a local community group were making charcoal today. A member explained --

They made instant furnaces using drum cans in the ground this morning. Then they put wood peaces in the furnaces and heat them up at about 300 degrees C. It woul take about eight hours to complete.

The group is trying to grow fireflies in the park. The insect grows only where the nature is clean. So, if they successfully grow fireflies, it means the park keeps clean environment.

The charcoals will be put into the creeks in the park to clean the water. It is an interesting story.

Map: The Museum of Modern Japanese literature

Map: Komabano Park

Tokaido Walk(6)　Fujisawa-Chigasaki (off Tokyo)：　Feb 27, 2010

2011-02-27T05:59:00.000-08:00

I re-started my Tokaido walk after a winter pause (of about 2 months). It was my first Tokaido walk this year.

I walked from Fujisawa to Chigasaki in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Old Tokaido has converted into National Route 1 around Fujisawa.
Shops and houses stand along the road. Some houses are built in traditional style.

JR Tokaido railway runs south of old Tokaido route. The seaside was quite near from Tokaido in the Edo period. But it is several kilometers from the route now (as new lands have been developed after the Meiji period).

A historical road (Oyama road) to Oyama Shrine branches off from Tokaido in Hiratsuka City, about 4 kilometers west from Fujisawa). The shrine was built on Mt. Oyama.

Visiting Oyama was popular among Edo residents in the Edo era. People walked Tokaido westward from Edo, and turned north here to Oyama. It is 20- 30 kilometers from the shrine, but its gate has been built here.

I walked in Chigasaki City.

Pine trees remain along the road here. Many trees are more than several hundred year old and some of them are 2 meter round.

The scene of Tokaido and pine trees at Chigasaki was drawn in Ukiyoe by Ando Hiroshige, a leading Ukiyoe painter in the Edo Period. I felt historical feeling.

Spring Flowers@ Kitazawa-river Walking Path: Feb. 26, 2010

2011-02-26T06:42:00.000-08:00

Spring at the corner and spring flowers began to open.

I walked green walking paths on the way to and from Hanegi Park to enjoy the Ume (Japanese plum) Festival. I found several spring flowers and plants.

They included:

Sasanqua: red flowers, evergreen tree)

Ume (Japanese plum): The impression is different when I see Ume in the parks and in the paths.

Pansy: I found the flower in many flowerbeds in the walking paths.

Cherry: There are special cherry trees which open their flowers earlier than usual cherry in front of Yamashita Station of the Setagaya Line. I enjoyed cherry blossom.

Turip trees: They do not yet have the leaves. New buds are growing.

Kitazawa-river walking path runs in the Shimokitazawa and Umegaoka area. Small creek flows along the path. A white egret was walking in the creek. Flowers were beautiful.

There are temples and shrines along the path.

I often visit a small temple called “Enjo-in” along Kitazawa-river walking path. The garden is well arranged. There is a small pond in the garden and carp swim in it. There are red and white Ume (Japanese plum) trees there. They grow lotus in the pots.

I also visited Ringenji temple and Kitazawa Shrine today. I found various signs of spring there.

Setagaya Ume Festival @Umegaoka：Feb. 26, 2011

2011-02-26T06:01:00.000-08:00

Spring is at the corner.

It is getting brighter and the daytime is getting longer. It was very cold a few days ago, but it was rather warm today.

The Ume (Japanese plum) blossom is its peak now at Hanegi Park in Umegaoka, Setagaya ward in western Tokyo. The Setagaya local government and local communities hold Ume Festival now (early February – late February).

There are about 650 Ume trees in the park. Most of them open white and red flowers now. It was so beautiful and it smelled well.

Thousands of people gathered in the park. They included old men and women in the wheelchairs.

There were many open sky stalls of flowers and foods.

Special market was also held at Umegaoka station of the Odakyu Line. Local people (as well as the local community) were enjoying the festival.

Shibuya：Feb. 13, 2011

2011-02-13T07:02:00.000-08:00

We had a very cold long weekend. It snowed and the temperature went down below zero in Feb. 11th (national holiday) in Tokyo. Feb 12th (Saturday) was also cold. I stayed in and around my house.

Today was a bit warmer. I visited Yoyogi Park - Shibuya area.

There were fewer people than usual in the park as the air was still cold. Still, they were enjoying street performances, playing balls, reading etc. The sky was so blue.

They held an open-air market in the park. Thousands of people were enjoying the market.

I walked several hundred meters from Yoyogi Park to Shibuya. I dropped in some places including Tobacco and Salt Museum and shops on the way.

Shibuya has been said to be “the cultural center of young people” since the 1970s. Many stores and restaurants for young people, including Parco department store in the Shibuya Park Street, opened in the 70s and the town attracted the young generation.

There still remain many fashion shops, café and restaurants for young peoples in the area. Many boys and girls as well as families walked in the street. New shops like Disney Store and ZARA attracted people.

Still, I felt tha.the town getting old as many buildings are more then 30 year old.

The scramble in front of JR Shibuya station is always crowded. Famous royal dog Hachi’s sculpture and the replica of the Easter islands Moai are around the station.

Winter Scene @ Imperial Palace Gardens: Feb. 5, 2011

2011-02-12T07:54:00.000-08:00

Imperial Palace’s East Gardens are one of the must-see places for tourist in Tokyo and I often visit there.

Today, I walked around the gardens and enjoyed the winter scene.

The gardens have many plants. Evergreens include pine and bamboo. Cherry and other trees have no leaves at this season.

The yellow plum (ume) has just opened its flowers. It smelled so nice.

I also found the white plum blossom.

Long-tail carps were swimming slowly in a pond in the Ninomaru Garden. The carp is a hybrid of Japanese and Indonesian carps.

I saw many foreign tourist as well as Japanese visitors in the gardens.

I always feel history and beautiful nature in the park.

Shinbashi, Shiodome: Jan. 30, 2011

2011-01-30T06:31:00.000-08:00

We have very cold winter here in Tokyo this year. It is not comfortable (and probably not good for my health) to walk long in the strong north wind. So, I had a short walk today.
I visited Shinbashi – Shiodome area near Tokyo station.

Shinbashi is known as the birthplace of Japan’s railway. The country’s first railroad services started between Shinbashi and Yokohama in 1872, five years after the Meiji Revolution.
There is a locomotive in the open space in front of current Shinbashi station. There are many other railway-related monuments and facilities – including railway museum – in the area.

The east side of Shinbashi station is called Shiodome area. The district was used for cargo distribution and parking of the trains until the 1980s.

Business and commercial facilities were redeveloped in the early 2000s. There are more than ten skyscrapers and 60 thousands people work here. The complex is called “siosite”.

I visited Advertising Museum Tokyo (Museum of Advertising and Marketing) in the complex. They held an exhibition of “the best advertisings for consumers in 2010”. It was interesting.

Winter Scene and the 1st ume blossom @ Hanegi Park: Jan. 8th, 2011

2011-01-09T05:13:00.000-08:00

We have had chilly days after the start of a new year. Tokyo’s temperature went down to sub-zero and we had ice in the pond and water pool here and there.

I walked to Hanegi Park in Setagaya ward. The park is famous for its ume (Japanese plum) blossoms.

The Ume trees as well as gingko and other trees had no leaves. Brown color dominated the scope and it was typical winter scene.

However, I found white ume flowers open in a few trees. I did not expect to find a flower in new-year season. We usually have the ume blossom in February and March.

The sunset scene over the ume trees was beautiful.

Hatsumode @ Yoyogi Hachiman, Meiji Shrine: Jan. 3, 2011

2011-01-03T06:29:00.000-08:00

Many Japanese people visit shrines at the beginning of a year. It is called Hatsmode.

I visited two shrines today. They were Yoyogi Hachiman Shrine and Meiji Jingu Shrine.

Yoyogi Hachiman celebrate 800 anniversary this year. It is one of Tokyo’s oldest and well known shrines. Several hundreds people were making a line in front of the main building.

Meiji Jingu Shrine has only about 100-year history as it was built by the Meiji government. But it is huge and is one of the most famous shrines in Japan. The shrine is surrounded by deep woods.

Millions of people visit Meiji Shrine for Hatsumode every year.

The road to the main road was so crowded. Tens of thousands of people were making a line heading to the main building when I arrived there. Policemen called that it would take at least two hours to proceed to the main building and I gave up.

I passed Yoyogi Park on the way Yoyogi Hachiman to Meiji Jingu Shrine. People enjoyed kiteflying. Two men were making soap bubbles. Many children were enjoying it.

Tokaido Walk (5) Totsuka-Fujisawa:　Dec.11, 2010

2010-12-12T08:14:00.000-08:00

I had the 5th part of my Tokaido walk. It was from Totsuka (the 5th shukuba station, in current Yokohama city) to Fujisawa (the 6th station, in current Fujisawa city).

Most parts of old Tokaido in the area has turned into National Rout 1. The roads are generally hilly, but houses are built along the roads. I found many houses and apartments spread at the foot of a hill when I watched down from a hilltop.

A long-distance relay race (Tokyo-Hakone) among major universities is held every new-year season and the race attracts the attention of many Japanese. Old Tokaido is used for the race. I found manhole covers with relay-race design.

Chofu City; Dec. 4, 2010

2010-12-05T04:47:00.000-08:00

The most popular (recognized) phrase of the year is a common topic at year end among Japanese people.

A publisher Jiyu-kokuminsha announced the popular phrase of 2010 in late November. It was “Gegege”, a phrase taken from an essay’s title “the Wife of Gegege”. The essay focuses on the life of a famous comic writer Shigeru Mizuki and his wife.

Chofu Cit, western suburb of Tokyo, is where Mizuki and his family live.

We found his comic characters in the town. They include Kitaro,

Negzumi Otoko and Neko Musume – all are lovely monsters with miracle powers.

They sell Kitaro related goods at the city’s tourist center.

Higashi Ikuta Green Field (off Tokyo) ：Nov. 27, 2010

2010-11-28T06:15:00.000-08:00

I walked in a walking path developed through green fields in Ikuta, Kawasaki city.

The area was an undeveloped hill until the 1950s. Many houses and apartments were developed after the 1960s.

The hills were covered with various trees including sawtooth oak, quercus serrata, cedar, cherry, gigko, and bamboos. The hills were colored with green, yellow and red.

I stepped up a long stair which leads me to reservoir. The stair is more than 200 steps. The view from the top was fantastic.

A small shrine was in the field. A red shrine gate and a yellow gingko tree made a good contrast.

Autumn Color @ Koishikawa Botanical Gardens: Nov. 23, 2010

2010-11-24T06:48:00.000-08:00

Ask Tokyo’s people the best place to enjoy autumn red of maple. Many people may answer “It’s Koishikawa Botanical Gardens”.

There are tens of maple trees in both side of a small street in the garden.

Several trees were all red. Many had partly green and partly red leaves. The combination of red and green was so impressive.

There were many gingko trees, too. Some of them were nearly 20 meter high.

The leaves of Enkianthus were also turned red. I enjoyed the combination of red, yellow and green leaves in the Japanese garden.

Autumn Color @ Meijijingu Gaien: Nov. 23, 2010

2010-11-24T06:43:00.000-08:00

I visited Maijijingu Gaien (outer garden) with my guest today to enjoy autumn color of gingko trees. The gingko trees are famous in Tokyo and they hold “Gingko Festival” in November.

I also visited the place last year. I choose the gingko street (with some other options) when I am asked the best places to enjoy Tokyo’s autumn color.

There are 146 gingko trees in 300-meter street.

The contrast of yellow leaves and blue sky is impressive.

The smell of gingko fruits was also impressive.

There were many open-air stalls in the festival site. The foods included Central Asian chicken food, Thai noodles, Chinese foods and many kinds of Japanese cooks.

Autumn Color @ Hanegi Park: Nov. 21, 2010

2010-11-24T06:31:00.000-08:00

The color of the trees changes every day in this season. I visited Hanegi Park in Setagaya ward today.
The park was colored with red, yellow, brown and green.

Men and women were walking (sometimes with their dogs) in the park. Children were playing on the grounds covered with fallen leaves.

Tokaido Walk (3) Kanagawa-Totsuka (off Tokyo): Nov. 20, 2010

2010-11-21T00:41:00.000-08:00

I took the part 4 of my Tokaido walk today. It was from Yokohama (Kanagawa shukuba station) to Totsuka shukuba station.

Old Tokaido runs through residential area near JR Yokohama station.

The road was flat from Nihonbashi (Tokyo) to Kanagawa Shukuba station (near Yokohama). Passing Yokohama, I found hills in the north side of the road. Houses and apartments spread to the very foot of the hills.

Between Yokohama and Hodogaya, I found followings:

- A small shopping street named Matsubara Street. Matsubara means a seaside field of pine trees. The place was quite near to the sea in the Edo era.

- An old bridge preserved in a small park near Tennoji railway station. It has been moved from nearby Kiji River. (top picture)

- The first meeting of old Tokaido and National Rout 1. Old Tokaido has been converted into Nation Rout 1 in many parts between Yokohama and Kyoto. Both roads run in parallel in other parts.

Hodogaya is the 4th shukuba station from Nihonbashi. Old hotels and station facilities remain here. JR Hodogaya Satation was build near the shukuba station.

Between Hodogaya and Totsuka, the 6th shukuba station, I found

- Old Tokaido, National Rout 1 and JR Tokaido Line run in parallel near Hodogaya.

- A steep slope called Gonta-zaka. This was the first hard place to walk for the travelers from Nihonbashi in the Edo era.

- The border between old Musashi prefecture and and Sagami prefecture. The former covers current Tokyo, eastern Kanagawa and southern Saitama while the latter covers western Kanagawa.

- Shinano-saka. Parts of the road were developed at the foot of cliffs.

- Shinano Milestone: The original form is preserved here. There is a pair of 9-meter-square milestones in both side of the road. Nettle trees were planted in the squares.

- Factories of Bridgestone, Polar Cosmetic, Yamazaki Bred and other companies: They stand along National Rout 1.

I arrived at JR Totsuka station. It is more than 40 km from Nihonbashi. Fast travellers walked the course (Nihonbashi-Totsuka) in a day in the Edo period.

University of Tokyo: Nov. 13, 2010

2010-11-13T11:07:00.000-08:00

University of Tokyo is the most famous and the highest ranked university in Japan. Its Hongo campus is about 2 kilometers north from the Imperial Palace.
It has many historical spots.

The place was originally a private house of the ruler of Kaga Han (now Ishikawa Prefecture) in the Edo era. Akamon or “Red Gate” was the main gate of the house and now a symbol of the university.
Sanshiro Pond is in the center of the university and is surrounded by deep woods. It was described in a famous novel titled “Sanshiro” written by Natsume Soseki, a great novelist in the Meiji period. The leaves were changing their colors.

Yasuda Kodo (Yasuda Hall) is a hall with more than 1000 seats. It was built in 1925. It is also a symbol of the student revolution movement in the 1960s.
The students occupied the hall as the center of the movement and the police force expelled them in 1968. The “battle” was televised. The hall was not used for around 20 years after the incident.

Autumn color @ Yoyogi Park: Nov. 7, 2010

2010-11-12T11:32:00.000-08:00

Tokyo is now changing its colors. The autumn colors (yellow and red) has started.

I visited Yoyogi Park today.

The gingko leaves have changed from green to yellow.

The leaves were partly green, yellow and red in the Yoyogi Park.

People were jogging and walking under the trees. Some grounds were covered with fallen leaves.

It is autumn.

Tokaido Walk (3) Kawasaki～Yokohama (off Tokyo)：Nov. 6, 2010

2010-11-12T11:09:00.000-08:00

I took the 3rd part of my Tokaido Walk today. It was from Kawasaki to Kanagawa shukuba (Edo period’s station), which is near today’s JR (Japan Railways) Yokohama station.

The old Tokaido runs through the central part of Kawasaki city. The old road has converted into a shopping street in the central part of Kawasaki city. Monuments and sign boards tell the history of the Kawasaki shukuba station. Old Kawasaki shukuba station had more than 70 inns in the Edo period.

There is a monument of Haiku poet Matsuo Basho at the west end of the old station. Historical temples remain here and there.
I also found a monument to console the soil of dead people near Basho’s monument. Countless people who died during their travels were buried here (just outside the shukuba station) in the Edo era. Many bones were found after the Meiji period. The bones also tell us the reality of the travel in the Edo period.

I crossed Tsurumi River and entered into Tokohama City. Small residence houses stand along old Tokaido. What I found included:

- Milestones: The Tokugawa government built milestones in every 4 kilometers along Tokaido.

- A ruin of old gate: the gate checked the people who tried to enter Kanagawa shukuba station. Many foreign people lived in Kanagawa shukuba station in the end of Edo period. Some extreme Japanese wanted to expel foreigners and tried to attack them. The Tokugawa government tried to prevent such actions and built the gate.

- Trueumi Station (Keihin Kyuko): the station is built along old Tokaido. The old road is now uses as a shopping street in front of the station.

- A monument of Namamugi Incident: A British was killed by Japanese soldiers of Satsuma (Kagoshima) domain in 1862 (late Edo period) when the British tried to cross the road just before the Satsuma load tried to pass the point (The British was expected to wait and bow). The incident led Satsuma and the Britain to have a war, which became one of the important moves to the Meiji Revolution.

- A huge factory of Kirin Brewery: it is just behind the Namamugi Incident Monument.
The Old Tokaido road meets the National Rout 15 again at Namamugi area.

I walked westward along the National Rout 15, passed Shin-Koyasu and Higashi Kanagawa and arrived at Old Kanagawa shukuba station. Small Takinogawa River flows in the shukuba station.
Kanagawa had a good port and the Tokugawa government opened the area (along with several other areas) for foreigners in the late Edo period.
A part of old Tokaido has become a small shopping street here. Some temples remain here. They were used as boarding housed for foreigners in the late Edo era.
I passed the shukuba station and arrived at the nearest point to current JR Yokohama station.

Mt. Takao: Nov. 3, 2010

2010-11-03T10:55:00.000-07:00

I climbed Mt. Takao in Hachioji City, western Tokyo.

The mountain may be most popular in great Tokyo area. It is 599m high. It takes only an hour from central Tokyo to the mountain.

The problem is -- it is too crowded in the peak seasons (the golden week holidays in May and the autumn color season in November).

I started climbing it in the afternoon to avoid the “traffic jam” (of the hikers) there.

The mountain have been worshipped by people. Shrines have been built and roads have been developed for the visitors. Some parts are now paved.

I found sculptures of Buddhism gods and Teng (long-nosed demons) in the shrines.

The mountain roads were not so steep. I found many huge cedar trees standing along the roads.
Only a few trees (maple etc.) have changed the color of their leaves. Full scale autumn red is expected in late November.

There was a big joy after the climb. Restaurant at the foot of the mountain served river fishes. It was sooooo nice.

Map: Mt. Takao

Harvest Festival @Nodai: Oct. 31, 2010

2010-11-03T10:48:00.000-07:00

I visited the Harvest Festival of Nodai (Tokyo University of Agriculture) again. I　visited it on the same day (October 31th) last year.

There were many open-air stalls. They sold vegetables, fruits, flowers and other agricultural products. Some of them were from local villages where the university has its fields.

I bought a piece of tree trunk in which the seeds of Shiitake mushroom were planted. I will pick up some mushrooms in a few months if I am lucky.

I also visited the university’s coop store. Nodai brand Japanese sake, rice cakes and other products were sold.

English learning and job hunting books were popular in the book corner. There were many biology and agriculture-related books, too. Packs of organic rice were also sold.

The reputation of the university is getting better and the university is expanding its activities. Bio-technology and environment boom is behind the moves. I found a new building under construction.

Map: Tokyo University of Agriculture