2019

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Shibuya

Shibuya is undergoing a massive redevelopment ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Paralympic games, and looks different whenever we visit. Used to be a farm village around 11th century, Shibuya became samurai worrier’s residence area and flourished as downtown in Edo era. In modernization after WWⅡ many shops and department stores were built, and later rail ways, high way and underground sewage pipe were constructed for Olympic game in 1964. It is said that Shibuya’s present scenery was formed those days. Shibuya Stream opened in Sep 2018 230 m with 47 floors above ground, Shibuya East tower,  Scramble Square is opening in the end of 2019. The entire project of Shibuya […]

Tokyo Tower
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Tokyo Tower

Built In 1958 as a radio and TV broadcasting antenna and observation tower. 333 meter Tokyo tower modeled after Eiffel tower in Paris is the second tallest structure in Japan. The tower is also known as a symbol of Japan’s postwar recovery since Tokyo was totally destroyed at World War Ⅱ. Japanese people worked so hard and felt so proud of building Tokyo tower. Tokyo tower is an earthquake proof and typhoon proof. However it was destroyed several times. Do you have any idea of “by whom”? “It was Godzilla” lol   When the Japanese TV broadcasting system shifted from analog to digital in 2011 the function of Tokyo tower […]

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Kagurazaka

Kagurazaka was located outside the outer moat of Edo castle and used to be an entertainment district with many Geisha houses and restaurants in Edo period. Now Kagurazaka is a steep slope avenue lined with many long established Japanese restaurants, small stores, French restaurants and cafes. But in the deep alley where remain atmosphere of entertainment district as if Geisha appeared. On weekday evenings business persons entertain the guests here, and on weekend many tourists and locals stroll down shopping and dinning on Kagurazaka avenue.  Sukeroku Yokocho, back street Why not stroll along the narrow alleys at back street ?You can find another hidden Kagurazaka. Black wooden fences and stone paved […]

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Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens

History of Koishikawa Garden One of the major daimyo feudal lord’s gardens and a stroll garden where you walk around the central pond while enjoying the changing scenery In Edo period Mitsukuni Tokugawa completed the garden taking advantage of the landscape to build miniature ocean, rivers, mountains and others, replicating beautiful scenery found in Japan and China. At Meiji restoration it was handed over to the new government and used by Emperor to welcome the foreign dignitaries. In 1952 the garden was designated as a site of special historical and scenic beauty in Japan. Chinese influence The garden is full of Chinese influence and the name is originated in a […]

Tocho, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office
Shinjuku

Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tocho

Completed in 1991 the Tokyo metropolitan government complex has 48 storied, 243 meters high twin tower main building. Designed by Kenzo Tange, epoch making architect and said to have been inspired by the Notre Dame in Paris. Both the north and south towers have the observation deck open to the public on the 45th floor at 202m from where you can enjoy panoramic view in Tokyo, free of charge. This big ornament is hung on the wall at 2nd floor. This is Kumade for raking up grains and fallen leaves, usually made of bamboo. “Kuma” means Bear, “de” means claws. Kumade is shaped bear’s claws, so called Kumade. Thought to […]

EXPERIENCE

Shinjuku Kabuki cho

Kabuki cho developed after world war Ⅱ as an entertainment area. As its name indicates there was a plan to build Kabuki theater here, but plan stopped because of budget shortage. The movie theater was built here and “Godzilla” series was produced. Entertainment like Robot restaurant, Samurai museum and Ninja trick house attract the tourists. Shinjuku Golden Gai  At Shinjuku Golden Gai there are about 280 restaurants and bars and foreign visitors have increased over the last few years and it is now a major Tokyo evening tourist attraction. Shinjuku is known for skyscrapers, neatly suited businessmen and clean and cozy streets. But this is not always true at Golden […]

Nakano Broadway
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Nakano, Koenji

Nakano Broadway Opened in 1966, multi story mall has anime, manga and cosplay shops now. Even unless you are anime fan walking along Nakano Broadway must be fun. Mandarake, vintage manga & anime shop Originally started in Edo era, Shopping arcade were lined with inns, restaurants and temples and shrines where many people passed thru and gathered. Now arcades are decreasing because of the lifestyle change all in Japan, but Nakano Broadway was revived as a mecca of subculture with opening of vintage shops of manga & anima like Mandarake. Castilla, sponge cake is popular among tourists from overseas. Koenji Koenji is the name of area where Koenji temple, Hikawa […]

Art & Museum

Ukiyoe, wood block print

During Edo period under the isolation policy Ukiyoe, wood block print uniquely developed. Ukiyo means the modern and the popular subjects of those days and they were depicted in Ukiyoe.Sumo wrestler, kabuki actor and beautiful woman and scenery were representative themes. Three persons such as painter, carver, printer, were involved in making Ukiyoe. Painter designed, carver carved 7 wood panels and printer beautifully printed all the layers on the paper. It is said about 200 pieces were printed a day and popular paintings were repeatedly printed. It cost as much as a sheet of buckwheat noodle and the commoners could afford to enjoy it. Ukiyoe was first introduced overseas as […]

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Chrysanthemum exhibition, Shinjuku Gyoen

It is believed that the first chrysanthemum was introduced from China to Japan in the late 8th century. Since then many varieties have been created during Edo period (1603-1868). A single flowered chrysanthemum with 16 petals is the crest only for the Emperor family. The first chrysanthemum exhibition was held for the Imperial family at Akasaka Palace in 1878, and later relocated to Shinjuku Gyoen in 1929. Since then Shinjuku gyoen became well known to the world as a garden to uphold the tradition and beauty of the chrysanthemum for the Imperial family. These chrysanthemum beds within the Japanese stroll garden show different varieties of flowers in the unique method […]

Shinjuku gyoen garden
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Shinjuku gyoen national garden

Used to be the residence of a guardian who served Shogun Tokugawa at the beginning of 7th century the area became the Imperial garden in 1906 and now opened to the public. Many giant trees were planted long ago, some of them in the Edo era (about 150 years ago).  The garden composes of French formal garden, Japanese garden and English landscape garden. To cerebrate the marriage of Emperor Showa, Taiwan kaku was gifted from Taiwan where was a part of Japan in 1928. In the greenhouse covering about 100m2  tropical and subtropical plants are grown, and a lot of orchid varieties are produced. The greenhouse also works as conservation […]