Kyu Yasuda Garden

Kyu Yasuda Garden is on the next block of Kokugikan.
This used to be a urban villa of one of feudal loads and purchased by Zenjiro Yasuda who is the founder of Yasuda financial group in Meiji era.

After his death, it's donated to city of Tokyo in Taisho era by his will.
Now it's managed by Sumida City after transferring from Tokyo.

The pond has a tide because the pond water used to be led from Sumida River.
Now, tide is controlled by a pump to avoid contamination.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Ryogoku station on Sobu Line
Ryogoku station on Oedo Line (E12/Toei Subway)

<Admission>

Free of Charge

9:00-16:30
9:00-18:00  (Jun. through Sep.)

Closed on Dec. 29th through Jan. 1st

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Kokugikan

Kokugikan is Sumo Amphitheatre in Ryogoku.
15 days Sumo tournaments are held 6 times a year and 3 times are held here in January, May and September.

March tournament is held in Osaka, July tournament is held in Nagoya and November tournament is held in Fukuoka.

During tournament colorful banners with wrestlers name are displayed around Kokugikan.

This place is also used for concerts. At that time, sumo ring is taken away.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Ryogoku station on Sobu Line
Ryogoku station on Oedo Line (E12/Toei Subway)

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The latest 32 pictures of winner of the tournament are displayed in Kokugikan and old ones are returned to the winner and most of them are displayed in training room, his school etc.

Some of them are displayed in JR Ryogoku station.

Mori Museum

Mori Museum is located on the 53rd floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower.
Exhibitions of modern art are held here.

Since Roppongi City never sleeps this museum is open until 10:00 pm.
You can get to the open air Sky Deck for additional 500 yen.

Tokyo City View (Observatory) requires other ticket.

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<The Nearest Station>

Roppongi station on Oedo Line (E23/Toei Subway)　/
Hanzomon Line (H04/Tokyo Metro)

<Admission>

1800 yen    Closed during replacements of exhibits

10:00-22:00

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Hinokicho Park

Hinokicho Park is in Tokyo Midtown and it has a Japanese garden with streams and a pond.
Also, it has lawn space and kids park with swings and slides.

Japanese garden has rest house beside the pond and it's like an oasis surrounded by high rise buildings.

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<The Nearest Station>

Roppongi station on Oedo Line (E23/Toei Subway)　/
Hanzomon Line (H04/Tokyo Metro)

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Tokyo Midtown

Tokyo Midtown is a big commercial complex with stores, restaurants, museums, hotels, residences and parks.

Shops and restaurants are in the big mall "Galleria".
Suntory Museum is in the same building.

21_21 Design Site is on the other side of the garden.

Fuji Film Square including free museum is in the Midtown West building.

Many events are held inside and/or outside of the building.

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<The Nearest Station>

Roppongi station on Oedo Line (E23/Toei Subway)　/
Hanzomon Line (H04/Tokyo Metro)

Shops open from 11:00-21:00
Restaurants open from 11:00-24:00

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Godzilla in Shinjuku

Real size Godzilla appeared on the TOHO Cinemas building in Kabukicho, Shinjuku.
When you walk from JR Shinjuku station to Kabukicho, you may find his head on the building from the cross section with Yasukuni Street.

This Godzilla roars and emits smoke (of radiation ?) at noon and 7 pm.

This building has movie theaters from 3rd floor through 6th floor, and a Hotel from 8th floor through 30th floor.

Godzilla view rooms are available on the 8th floor of Hotel Gracery.
Godzilla head is just outside of your room's window.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Shinjuku station on Yamanote Line / Chuo Line etc.

Shinjuku Nishiguchi station on Oedo Line (E01/Toei Subway) /
Marunouchi Line (M08/Tokyo Metro)

Seibu Shinjuku station on Seibu Shinjuku Line

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TEPIA Advanced Technology Gallary

TEPIA stands for Association for Technological Excellence Promoting Innovative Advances.
If you'd like to know the most advanced technology in Japan, this is the right place to visit.

Exhibitions are kind of showcases of advanced technology of Japanese companies.

At the entrance hall, there's a screen to guess your sex and age.

They have four zones.

1. "Technology Pathway" focusing on robotics technology

2. "Technology Showcase" introducing advanced technology with their design background related to social problems

3. "Technology Studio" showing experimental technology to suggest future society and lives

4. "Technology Lab" providing an experience of technology principles of robotics.

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<The Nearest Station>

Gaienmae on Ginza Line (G03/Tokyo Metro)

<Admission>

Free of Charge

10:00-18:00   (Week days)     Closed on Mondays
10:00-17:00   (Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays)

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Guides tour in English is available.

Meguro Fudoson Temple

Meguro Fudoson Temple was developed in early 9th century.
This temple has been popular and this was one of three lottery places in Edo.
(The others are Yushima Temmangu Shrine and Yanaka Kannoji Temple.)

The name of the place "Megro" comes from this Meguro Fudoson Temple.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Meguro station on Yamanote Line
Megro station on Mita Line (I01/Toei Subway) /
Namboku Line (N01/Tokyo Metro)

<Admission>

Free of Charge

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Five Hundred Rakan Temple

Five Hundred Rakans are 500 Disciples of Buddha.
A priest Shoun made more than 500 wooden statue of Rakan in Edo era.
We have many stone statues of 500 Rakan, but wooden statues are very unique.

This temple used to be located in Honjo and popular among people in Edo.
But it fell after Meiji Restoration and moved twice, then settled in current location.

Currently, 305 statues still remain.
Real size statues are sitting together and each one has its own character.
Photographs in 500 Rakan Hall are prohibited but spending quiet time with many Rakans is an interesting experience.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Meguro station on Yamanote Line
Megro station on Mita Line (I01/Toei Subway) /
Namboku Line (N01/Tokyo Metro)

<Admission>

300 yen

9:00 - 17:00

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Rest rooms in Gajoen

A Happy New Year !!

Somehow, new year starts with an article about rest rooms.
Public rest rooms in Japan have good repetition because of their cleanliness.

Rest rooms in Gajoen are gorgeous.
You may not notice if you don't have rest room signs in front of the entrance.

There's a bridge inside and pictures on the ceilings.

There're make up booths in Ladies' rest room.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Meguro station on Yamanote Line
Megro station on Mita Line (I01/Toei Subway) /
Namboku Line (N01/Tokyo Metro)

<Admission>

Free of Charge

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