Otaguro Garden

 Otaguro Garden used to be a house of Mr. Motoo Otaguro who's a music critic.

Ginkgo trees in line from the main gate lead you to the Japanese garden.

 There's a pond and a tea room.

Mr. Otaguro's house remains as a memorial hall.

It has a piano and a record player in the hall.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Ogikubo station on Chuo Line

Ogikubo station on Marunouchi Line (M01/Tokyo Metro)

<Admission>

Free of Charge

9:00-17:00        Closed from Dec. 29th through Jan. 1st

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Myohoji Temple

Myohoji Temple was opened in early 17th century and this temple is known as Osohi sama in Horinouchi. This is from the principal image of Nichiren who was one of the greatest priest in Buddhism in Japan.

This image was made in 13th century by Nichirou who was a disciple of Nichiren.

After Nichiren was transported to the island, his disciple Nichirou had prayed for him on seashore.
One day, a piece of shiny wood floating on the surface of the sea came to him from the direction that Nichiren's boat was heading to.

Nichirou sculptured an image of Nichiren on this sacred wood.

Nichiren returned from his exile after 1000 days and Nichiren was pleased with this image and he put a spirit in this image by himself.

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<The Nearest Station>

Higashi Koenji station on Marunouchi Line
(M04/Tokyo Metro)

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Sanshi no Mori Park

Sanshi means silk thread and mori means forest.
There used to be a research institute of silk thread.

This park was open after this facility had moved to Tsukuba area.
Front gate keeps an image of the old facility.

There's an artificial waterfall and a pond.

A football ground is shared with the elementary school next door.
The indoor swimming pool is open to public when the school doesn't use it.

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<The Nearest Station>

Higashi Koenji station on Marunouchi Line
(M04/Tokyo Metro)

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Togo Shrine

Togo Shrine is for Admiral Togo who was the head of navy in Russo-Japanese War.
He beat Russian navy in the Battle of Tsushima.

He had served three generations of emperor.
There's a pond with bridges.

There's a monument for victims in submarine.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Harajuku station on Yamanote Line
Meiji Jingu Mae station on Chiyoda Line / Fukutoshin Line
(C03/F15/Tokyo Metro)
 
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Kyu Nogi Residence

General Nogi's residence is located next to Nogi Shrine.
Actually Nogi Shrine was built in Nogi's residence.

You cannot get into the house except several days in September but you can see inside through windows.

Clothes they wore when they killed themselves are exhibited.
Bloodstain fades out but you can see the hole on the clothes where the sword came through.

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<The Nearest Station>

Nogizaka station on Chiyoda Line (C05/Tokyo Metro)

<Admission>

Free of Charge

9:00-16:00      Closed from Dec. 29 through Jan. 4

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Nogi Shrine

Nogi Shrine deifies General Maresuke Nogi who was a head of army in the Russo-Japanese War at the beginning of the 20th century.

He killed himself on the death of Meiji Emperor in 1912.
His wife followed him, too.

Many people visited his house to mourn for their death.
This shrine was built next to his house to memorialize their loyalty.

The name of the hill was changed to Nogizaka.

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<The Nearest Station>

Nogizaka station on Chiyoda Line (C05/Tokyo Metro)

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Tokyo Daijingu Shrine

Tokyo Daijingu Shrine is called "Ise Shrine in Tokyo".
Ise Shrine is the origin of all shrines in Japan.
Its official name is "The Shrine".

For people in Edo, making a pilgrimage to this sacred place was a dream for their life.

In 1880, Tokyo Daijingu was made for people who couldn't go to Ise Shrine.
It's located in Hibiya originally then moved to current place after Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923.

Amaterasu Sume Okami and Toyouke no Okami are deified as well as Ise Shrine.
Amaterasu Sume Okami is a goddess for all Japanese people and Toyouke no Okami is a god of agriculture, industries and living.

This place is very popular among young single girls who have wish for marriage.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Iidabashi station on Chuo Line / Sobu Line
Iidabashi station on Oedo Line (E06/Toei Subway) /
Tozai Line/Yurakucho Line/Namboku Line (T06/Y13/N10/Tokyo Metro)

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