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 […]

hamarikyu
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Hama-rikyu Garden

Hama Rikyu is a large, attractive landscape garden in central Tokyo. Located alongside Tokyo Bay, Hama Rikyu features seawater ponds which change level with the tides, and a teahouse on an island where visitors can enjoy Japanese tea and sweets while seeing the scenery. The traditional garden stands in a contrast to the high rises of the Shiodome district. The garden was originally built as a feudal lord’s Tokyo residence and duck hunting grounds during the Edo period (1603-1867), but later used as a strolling garden and as an imperial detached palace. Shoguns enjoyed the scenery from tea house with their guests and appreciated various ornaments inside.

Sumida Hokusai Museum
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Sumida Hokusai Museum & Hokusai Katsushika

Opened in November 2016 in Sumida area, Hokusai Museum is dedicated to the Ukiyoe artist Katsushika Hokusai. Sumida is the district where Hokusai was born and spent most of his life. The four-story museum was designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Sejima Kazuya of the architecture firm SANAA.  Katsushika Hokusai Katsushika Hokusai is one of the most famous Ukiyoe Painters in Edo period. His 36 sceneries of Mt. Fuji is well known around the world. During his life it is said he moved 93 times, married twice and lived to be 90 years old. The secret for long life even compared with the present life expectancy may be that he […]

Edo Tokyo Museum
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Edo-Tokyo Museum

Opened in 1993 Edo-Tokyo museum displays 400 years of history and life culture from Edo era to the present day using replicas. The museum consists of Edo Zone and Tokyo Zone. Edo Zone First we cross the Nihon bashi bridge of real size and reach the zone where life of ordinary people in Edo are lively replicated.  “Edo”, now Tokyo flourished as the political and cultural center of Japan for over 400 years after Tokugawa Ieyasu located the shogunate at Edo in 1603. Life of Townspeople In 18th century Edo became one of the world’s leading cities with population of 1 million, and its own unique culture blossomed. Many young […]

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Ryogoku Sumo stadium

Sumo stadium was opened in 1985, 3 of 6 sumo tournament are held here in January, May and September. Sumo, the oldest sport in Japan was originally practiced as a part of Shinto ritual for good harvest in ancient times. Professional wrestlers appeared in Edo period and matches were held to raise money to construct shrines and temples or the new bridge. In 1909 sumo was designated as the national sport.  In a Sumo match two wrestlers wearing only loincloths wrestle in 4.5meter diameter ring until one of them is pushed out or touches the ground with any part of body except the soles of his feet.  There are six […]