Kyu Maeda Koshaku Tei

This English Tudor style mansion was built in 1929 as a house for Marquis Maeda.
Maeda family used to be one of the largest feudal loads.

Maeda family has a Japanese style guest house in the same Komaba park, too.

Usually, family's house has Japanese style and guest house has western style.
Since Marquis Maeda has many friends in foreign countries, he made a guest house in Japanese style intentionally for his foreign friends to enjoy staying in Japan.

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<The Nearest Station>

Komaba Todai Mae station on Keio Inogashira Line (from Shibuya)

<Admission>

Free of Charge

9:00-16:30     Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

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Asakusa Shrine

Asakusa Shrine is right next to the main hall of Sensoji Temple.
Some visitors may not notice this place since it's relatively small in size.

But this shrine is the base of Sanja Matsuri ceremony.
Sanja Matsuri is one of the three greatest ceremony in Edo.

More than 1.5 million people come to see or join in this ceremony.

This is a good example of synchronization of Shinto and Buddhism.
In Japan, Shintoism and Buddhism have coexisted and amalgamated for a long time.

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<The Nearest Station>

Asakusa station on Ginza Line (G19/Tokyo Metro) /
Asakusa Line (A18/Toei Subway)

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Sensoji at night

Night view of Sensoji Temple is something to see.
Especially in Cherry Blossom season, it's beautiful with nice lighting.

Population at night is much smaller than one at day time.

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<The Nearest Station>

Asakusa station on Ginza Line (G19/Tokyo Metro) /
Asakusa Line (A18/Toei Subway)

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Dempoin Street

Dempoin Street has an atmosphere of Edo era.
Stores on this street are designed to remind an old time Japan.

There're five real size dolls of Shiranami Gonin Otoko on the roof or wall of stores.
Shiranami Gonin Otoko is a popular program of Kabuki play.
It's about 5 gangs who are trying to blackmail big money.

Try to find all of them.

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<The Nearest Station>

Asakusa station on Ginza Line (G19/Tokyo Metro) /
Asakusa Line (A18/Toei Subway)

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Nakamise Street

Nakamise Street is a shopping street between Kaminarimon gate and Hozomon gate of Sensoji Temple.

Most of visitors to Sensoji Temple take this approach.
So this street is always crowded.

There're many small souvenir shops.
You can try many different kind of snacks, too.

There's another shopping arcade crossing to Nakamise street in the middle.
It's called New Nakamise and has many stores and restaurants.

To avoid the crowds, take the street on the back side of Nakamise street.
There're fine specialty stores and restaurants, too.

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<The Nearest Station>

Asakusa station on Ginza Line (G19/Tokyo Metro) /
Asakusa Line (A18/Toei Subway)

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Sensoji Temple

Sensoji Temple may be one of the most popular temples in Japan.
In 628, fisherman brothers caught a statue of Kannon in their net.
This is the start of Asakusa Kannon or Sensoji Temple.

Kaminarimon gate may be number one photo spot as a symbol of Tokyo sightseeing.
Kaminari means thunder and god of thunder and god of wind are protecting this temple in the gate.Letters on the big lantern read "Thunder gate".

There's another gate, Hozomon in the middle of the approach, which is two story huge gate.

Five story pagoda is beside Hozomon gate.

Main hall has a huge roof and statue of Kannon has been kept secret and it's never been open to public. There's another statue of Kannon in front of hidden statue instead.

We have so many people here all the time.

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<The Nearest Station>

Asakusa station on Ginza Line (G19/Tokyo Metro) /
Asakusa Line (A18/Toei Subway)

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World Bags & Luggage Museum

This unique museum is operated by Ace co., ltd., a luggage manufacturer.
On the 7th floor of the building, this museum has very calm and relaxed atmosphere.

With about 550 valued items collected from all over the world, we can see unique culture,  custom and history of different countries.

Interesting information and knowledge concerning bags is available here.
Besides, the advanced industry technology is also introduced.

On the 8th floor, there's a viewing lounge where you can see Tokyo Skytree and Ryusaku Shinkawa Memorial room, who's the founder of Ace co.,ltd.

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<The Nearest Station>

Asakusa station on Asakusa Line (A16/Toei Subway)
/ Ginza Line (G19/Tokyo Metro)

Kuramae station on Oedo Line (E11/Toei Subway)

<Admission>

Free of Charge

10:00-16:30    Closed on Sundays and Holidays

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Ichinoe Nanushi Yashiki

Nanushi means a headman of the village and Yashiki means mansion.
So, Ichinoe Nanushi Yashiki is headman's mansion in Ichinoe.

This house belonged to Tajima family who were headman of the village from the beginning of Edo era (17th century).

Current building was rebuilt during 1772 - 1780.

This mansion is surrounded by moat and there're forests, fields and gardens.
This type of entrance is only allowed for Nanushi as well as Samurai.

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<The Nearest Station>

Mizue station on Shinjuku Line (S19/Toei Subway)

<Admission>

100 yen

10:00-16:00     Closed on Mondays

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Edogawa Art Museum

This amazing museum in Edogawa speedboat race track offers unique tour for limited customers.
You have to make a reservation in advance to attend the tour.
Tours are held only on the days when speedboat racing are held.
There's only one tour a day and this tour has only 10 people.

Big real size of Daimajin statues are at the both side of the entrance of the stand.

Most of the guests in the boat racing place may not know about this museum.
This museum is hidden in the back side of the racing stands.

They have very unique arts like paper crafts, plastic arts, Ukiyo-e related arts, etc.

This tour includes lunch and you can stay in special seat to enjoy speedboat racing for the rest of the day if you like.

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<The Nearest Station>

Funabori station on Shinjuku Line (S17/Toei Subway)
Free shuttle bus is available from Funabori station.

<Admission>

1500 yen (Tour including lunch and premium seat at the stand)

10:15-13:00  (Need a reservation)

Adult only (Speedboat racing is a gambling.)

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