Zenkoji Temple

The most famous Zenkoji Temple is one in Nagano prefecture.
This is the one in Tokyo which is a branch of one in Nagano.

This temple started as a part of Dentsu-in Temple near here in 1602.
Name was changed to Zenkoji Temple as a branch in 1884.

There's another temple next to Zenkoji.
It's Jigan-in Takuzosu Inari Temple which deifies Takuzosu, a priest of Dentsu-in who was a god.
There's an Aphananthe oriental elm tree on the street. It's told the spirit of Takuzosu is in this tree.

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<The Nearest Station>

Kasuga station on Mita Line / Oedo Line (I12/E07/Toei Subway)

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Yanaka Ginza

Yanaka Ginza is a shopping street with many kinds of stores.
It's located at the bottom of the hill.

There's a popular stairway "Yuyake dandan" or "Sunset steps" to go down to Yanaka Ginza.
There're a lot of cats on this stairway.

In Yanaka Ginza, we have many specialty stores like meats, rice cakes, sweets, clothes, goods & accessories and so on. This street has an old downtown atmosphere.

Mince cutlets of two stores are popular and they have queues in front of stores.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Nippori station on Yamanote Line / Keihin Tohoku Line
Nippori station on Keisei Line

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Ya-Ne-Sen

Ya-Ne-Sen is a shortened name of three towns.
Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi.

This area is one of the most popular place for walking.
These towns still keep the atmosphere of old downtown.

Yuyake dandan is a stairway to get into Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street.
Many cats are relaxing around here.

There are many old temples and shrines, fine museums, unique shops and restaurants and small galleries.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Nippori station on Yamanote Line / Keihin Tohoku Line
Nezu station / Sendagi station on Chiyoda Line (C14/C15 Tokyo Metro)

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Odaiba

Odaiba is the newly developed area in Tokyo bay.
Odaiba means base place for cannon against foreign countries.

Most of the area is reclaimed land.
Main transportation in Odaiba is Yurikamome which is new type of transportation system.

There are many facilities for shopping and entertainment in this wide area.
You will cross the Rainbow Bridge to enter Odaiba.

Pallete town has many different kinds of amusement.
Oedo Onsen Monogatari is a hot springs theme park.
Fuji TV headquarters is in an unique style building.
International Exhibition Center always has big events.
There are many shopping centers like Aqua City Odaiba, DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, DECKS Tokyo Beach etc.

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<The Nearest Station>

Stations on Yurikamome Line
- Odaiba Kaihin Koen
- Daiba
- Fune no Kagakukan
- Telecom Center
- Aomi
- Ariake

International Exhibition Center station / Tokyo Teleport station
on Rinkai Line

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Philatelic Museum

Philatelic Museum changes its exhibition every three months.
They show unique postage stamps from all over the world which meet the theme.

A world map and Japan map with stamps are on the wall.

There's a table and chairs facing bamboo garden outside.

They have library on the second floor and exhibit the oldest postage stamp in the world and in Japan.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Mejiro station on Yamanote Line

<Admission>

200 yen

10:30-17:00     Closed on Mondays

Free of Charge on 23th day every month

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Museum of Yebisu Beer

Yebisu beer is popular as a premium brand of Sapporo beer.
You can find everything about Yebisu beer here.

You are not supposed to step on Yebisu (One of Gods) in the circle in the middle of stairway.
There's a beautiful copper brewing kettle in front of the stage.
This was actually used at the Yebisu brewery until 1987.

They have a gallery to show the history of Yebisu beer and Tasting Salon to enjoy various types of Yebisu beer.

I strongly recommend to take a tour which gives you all about Yebisu and finishes tour with tasting two varieties of Yebisu beer using master techniques for delicious drinking.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Ebisu station on Yamanote Line/Saikyo Line

<Admission>

Free of Charge

500 yen to participate in the tour (including beer tasting)

11:00-18:00     Closed on Mondays and New Year Holidays

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Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum pf Photography is in Yebisu Garden Place.
This museum exhibited works of the art photography and media art selected from around the world.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Ebisu station on Yamanote Line/Saikyo Line

<Admission>

Currently Closed due to renovations.
It will open in autumn of 2016.

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Yebisu Garden Place

Yebisu Garden Place is a beautiful brick commercial complex with restaurants, department store, hotel, movie theater, event hall and museums.

This place used to be Yebisu beer factory.
This area is named Yebisu after this beer brand.

There're open spaces in the middle of the buildings.
A part of them has a huge roof.
Open air market is held on weekends.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Ebisu station on Yamanote Line/Saikyo Line

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Shiba Daijingu Shrine

Shiba Daijingu Shrine was built in 1005, more than 1000 years ago.

Since same gods as Ise Shrine (Amaterasu Omikami and Toyouke Omikami) are deified, it's called Ise in the East.

Visiting Ise Shrine was one thing to do in a life, but it's hard to do since it's expensive and time consuming. This shrine became popular among Edo people instead of visiting Ise Shrine.

This shrine is in the territory of "Me-gumi", one of 48 fire fighters teams in the city of Edo.

"Me-gumi" became famous after fighting against Sumo wrestler.  

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<The Nearest Station>

Shiba Koen station on Mita Line (I05/Toei Subway)

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