Iwasakitei, Ogai House@Yushima: Jan 31, 2010

The northern and western parts from the Imperial Palace were the busiest commercial districts in Edo (former name of Tokyo) in the Edo era (early 17th century - mid 19th century). The areas turned to Ueno, Asakusa, Kanda, Nihonbashi and other small towns in current names.

Yushima locates next to Ueno. There are temples and shrines including Yushima Shrine in the area.

I visited Kyu-Iwasaki-tei-teien (Former Iwasaki family house garden). It was originally a private house of the Iwasaki family, the founder of the Mitsubishi group in the early Meiji period. It became open to the public after the World War 2.

There are the western and Japanese style houses in the garden. The western house was built in 1896 by a British architect Josiah Conder. They spent their daily lives in their Japanese house and used the western house when they welcomed their guests, according to a tour guide.

Mori Ogai, one of the most famous novelists in the nation in the Meiji era, lived in the area and wrote “Maihime” (The Dancing Girl), one of his greatest works. The house has turned into a hotel. The old house remains and is used to dine their guests.

The Shinobazu Pond lies between Yushima and Ueno districts. There is a small shrine in a small island (which is connected with the land by a path) inside the pond.

I found several monuments. One monument was built to console the spirit of cooked globe fish. Others were for cooked birds, broken knives and broken glasses. They were so funny.

Chinzanso and Cathedral@Sekiguchi: Jan 24, 2010

Chinzanso means a house of camellia trees. I visited the garden as it was the season of camellia flower.

The place was originally a house of Yamagata Aritomo, one of the most powerful political leaders in the Meiji era. The place is now used by Four Seasons Hotel.

The garden is covered with camellia and other trees. Small creeks run and a watermill is turning around. The pond is beautiful. I found many sculptures of Japanese gods (including the Seven Lucky Gods) along the paths.

There stands the St. Mary’s Cathedral, the seat of Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tokyo. The glittering building was designed by Kenzo Tange, one of the most famous architects in the postwar era in Japan. I saw a group taking photos after the wedding ceremony.

Both Chinzanso and St. Mary’s Cathedral are in Sekiguchi, Bunkyo ward. It is north from the Imperial Palace and south from Ikebukuro. The ward has many cultural facilities.

Kanda Shrine and Yushima Tenjin@Kanda: Jan 23,2010

Kanda is only around two kilometers west from the Imperial Palace. Many merchants lived here in the Edo period and the district still keeps traditional buildings. I walked around the area.

Kanda Myojin (Kanda Shrine) is always crowded with people. People come here to place the new-year decorations in the shrine. As new-year decorations are sacred, it is not good to throw them into the garbege boxes. It is better to place them in the sacred places (like shrines).

Yushima Tenjin (or Tenmangu) consoles the sprit of Sugawara Michizane, a politician and scholar in the 9th century. He is seen as a master of study in Japan.

Many young boys and girls, who are going to take entrance examinations to the universities and high schools, come here to wish their success.

Many wooden plaques called “Ema” were hanging on the boards. Orthodox messages are -- “I wish I will pass the exam. May god help me!”

There are lots of slopes in the area. The scenes from the top hills were impressive.

Cherry and Ume in winter: Jan.14, 2010

It is still winter, but some trees have started to bloom in Tokyo.

Ume (Japanese apricot) trees have just started to open their flowers. I found beautiful white and pink flowers here and there in central Tokyo.

I also found a cherry blossom in Otemachi, central Tokyo. It is surprising. It’s still mid January!

We usually have the Ume bloom from January to February and the cherry blossom in March and April in Tokyo.

Ginza Walk: Jan 9, 2010

Ginza has long been one of the most fashionable towns in Japan. Many Tokyo people enjoy "Ginbura", which means getting around Ginza without any special purposes. I walked around the area today (It was Saturday). Some roads are off vehicle in the weekend.

A stationary shop Kyukyodo locates in the center of Ginza. Its land price has been higher than any other places in Japan for decades. They have galleries in the building (see below in the article).

There are many fashion stores (including luxury brand stores) at Ginza. Uniqlo’s Ginza shop is probably most often reported in these days. They sell various clothes at low prices.

Foreigners as well as Japanese visit the store. Tourists from China and other Asian countries visit the store by signtseeng buses and buy lots of clothes. The store was crowded as I had expected.

The store’s operator, First Retailing, is one of the most successful firms at the moment in Japan. Chiairman Tadashi Yanai is widely known and is regarded as a charismatic business leader. Some critics, however, blame the company for triggering deflationary spiral in the country’s economy.

There are many galleries in the district. I visited two exhibitions of Noh masks and Japanese writings (calligraphy) in small galleries in Kyukyodo Building.

A free 3D movie of animals was played at the Sony Building. A small playground, which was covered with snow, was arranged for the children in front of the building.

Tsukiji Fish Market: Jan 9, 2010

Tsukiji Market of fish and vegetable is one of the most popular sightseeing spots among foreign tourists in Tokyo.

It is known as the world’s largest fish market.

The market is run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. It has an area of about 23 hectares and is divided into several parts: tuna auction area, seafood intermediate wholesalers’ area, vegetable and fruits intermediate wholesalers’ area etc.

The wholesale traders start tuna auction as early as five o’clock in the morning. Hundreds of intermediate wholesale traders have their spaces in the market and many customers (including fish shop owners and sushi chefs) come here to buy fish.

There were many consumers when I visited the market in the Saturday morning. Various kinds of fresh fish were displayed. Many vehicles were moving around (Be careful !) The fish prices at the market were far cheaper than those in the town.

Outside the official market, there spread street markets of fish, vegetable and dry foods. The prices of them are cheap, too.

There are also many sushi bars and restaurants in the area. I saw a big tune head in front of a sushi bar (picture). I had a sushi lunch, which was so delicious.

There is a shrine named "Namiyoke Jinja" outside the market. It was build to pray for the peace of the sea and the safety of the fishermen.

New-year decoration 2010.1.5

Japan’s houses and offices are decorated with traditional garnishes in the new-year season.

We see Kadomatsu, a pair of decorations consisted of bamboos, pine leaves and papers in front of the entrances of houses and offices.

We also find Shimekazari, a decoration made of strews, grasses and papers on the doors.

With Kadomatsu and Shimekazari, people celebrate a New Year and pray for happiness.

Some people display the decorations in the first seven days of the year. Others show them in the first 15 days.

Yoyogi Hachiman Shrine: Jan 3, 2010

Many Japanese people go "Hatsumode" or new-year’s visit to the shrine in the first several days of the year. I visited Yoyogi Hachiman Shrine near Shibuya.

It is not difficult to make new year's pray in the shrine. (1) throw coins or notes into a wooden box in front of the main building (2) pray for happiness and good health (and anything else) in the coming year.

When I arrived in the shrine, I found a long line in the garden. I had to wait around 30 minutes before finishing my pray.

Some people need additional pray services by the Shinto priests. The services are offered inside the buildings.

I saw a small girl in traditional kimono costume and her parents waiting the services. The Shinto priests said that they would be busy throughout January.

There were open-air stalls of traditional Japanese foods in the shrine garden. The foods included Takoyaki, Yakisoba and Amazake.

Lucky Cat @ Gotokuji Temple Dec 29, 2009

Gotokuji Temple is just one of many temples in Japan as far as its religious function is concerned, but it is very famous for its “Lucky Cat” (Maneki-Neko) legend.



Lucky Cat is a sculpture of cat sitting with one hand up. The cat is believed to bring good fortunes to the owner.

Some people believe that the cat brings guests when it holds up its left hand and brings money when it holds up its right hand. Many restaurants and stores keep the cat.

There are several legends behind the birth of the cat. One legent was born in Gotoku-ji Temple. The story tells –-

When a famous political leader in the Edo period was passing outside the temple, he saw a cat making a motion as if it was inviting him into the temple. When he entered there, it began to rain heavily and he escaped from getting wet. He thanked the cat and honored it.



It was calm inside the temple. There were pine trees along the front approach and in the garden. The tower was beautiful.



Many Lucky Cats were honored in the temple. Some of them were dedicated by restaurants, shops and citizens.