2016年7月31日日曜日

Hokutopia

Hokutopia is a high rise building managed by Kita city.
It has concert halls, event halls and restaurants.

On the top floor of the 17 story building, there's an observatory.

Since this building is located in the north of Tokyo, it'll be against to sunshine.
So, when you see tall buildings in Tokyo, it is hard to see.

It's fun to see trains including Shinkansen (Bullet Train) on the foot of building.

*****************************************************************
<The Nearest Station>

JR Oji station on Keihin Tohoku Line

<Admission>

Free of Charge

8:30-22:00     Closed on maintenance day (Once a year)
                   Dec. 29 - Jan. 3

*****************************************************************






2016年7月30日土曜日

Funakata Shrine

Funakata Shrine was founded in 725.
This shrine was called twelve gods in Edo era based on the story about a princess in 13th century. A princess of the load had drown herself to death and 12 maids followed her.

************************************************************
<The Nearest Station>

Arakawa Yuenchimae station on Arakawa Line (Street Car)

************************************************************







2016年7月29日金曜日

Arakawa Yuen Amusement Park

Arakawa Yuen is a small amusement park run by Arakawa City.
Attractions in this amusement park are mild and good for little kids.

There's a little zoo so that kids can pet animals.
Also, they have a swimming pool.

************************************************************
<The Nearest Station>

Arakawa Yuenchimae station on Arakawa Line (Street Car)

<Admission>

200 yen to enter
Free ride for 1200 yen
Various combination tickets

9:00-17:00     Closed on Tuesdays

************************************************************







2016年7月28日木曜日

Hozoin Temple

Hozoin Temple was opened some time before 1633.
It's told that the founder priest of this temple had died in 1633.

This temple has some treasures like Buddhism pictures but they are not opened to public.
This area is used as hunting field for Shogun in Edo era.

**************************************************
<The Nearest Station>

Odai station on Arakawa Line (Street car)

**************************************************






2016年7月27日水曜日

Toneri Park

Toneri Park is a huge park with forests.
It has a baseball field, tennis courts, track and field, but main area is covered with trees.
The main area has a big pond and many open spaces.

******************************************************
<The Nearest Station>

Toneri Koen station on Nippori Toneri Liner

******************************************************




2016年7月26日火曜日

Taisoji Temple - Gokaicho

Taisoji Temple has only two days of Gokaicho in a year.
Gokaicho is an event to open the doors which are shut on other days.
They open the doors of some buildings on only January 16th and July 16th.

In Emmado hall, they have two scary statues.
One is Emma Daio or King of the hell who judges the dead who came to the hell.
The dead may be sent to different kind of the hell.
If the dead lies, he may pull out its tongue using a huge puller on the wall.

The other one is Datsueba who served to Emma Daio.
She is at the Sanzu no Kawa which is a river between this world and the other world.
She takes off the clothing of the dead to weigh its sin.

*********************************************************************
<The Nearest Station>

Shinjuku Gyoenmae station on Marunouchi Line (M10/Tokyo Metro)

*********************************************************************








2016年7月25日月曜日

Nishi Arai Daishi Temple - in the area

Besides main hall, there're many statues, buildings and ponds in Nishi Arai Daishi Temple.
There're some unique guardian deities of children.

You can enjoy seasonal flowers in gardens in the temple in all seasons.

*****************************************************
<The Nearest Station>

Daishimae station on Tobu Daishi Line
Nishi Arai Daishi Nishi station on Nippori Toneri Liner

*****************************************************










2016年7月24日日曜日

Nishi Arai Daishi Temple

Nishi Arai Daishi Temple's official name is Sojiji Temple.
But this temple is known as Nishi Arai Daishi. This name is based on history of this temple.

In early 9th century, Kobo Daishi who is one of the greatest priests in Buddhism in Japan traveled around Japan to save people.

When he visited here, an epidemic was prevalent.
He carved statue of Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) and statue of himself, then he put them in dried well and preyed for 21 days.

Suddenly clean water welled up and the epidemic disappeared by this water.
"Nishi" means West and "Arai" means New Well. Daishi means Great Teacher.

This well was located to the west of the main hall of the temple, it's called Nishi Arai Daishi.

*****************************************************
<The Nearest Station>

Daishimae station on Tobu Daishi Line
Nishi Arai Daishi Nishi station on Nippori Toneri Liner

*****************************************************









2016年7月23日土曜日

Gundam

Gundam Cafe is in Akihabara, Tokyo station and Odaiba.
In Odaiba, there's a real size Gundam in front of Diver City.

Diver City is a commercial complex building with shops and restaurants.

********************************************
<The Nearest Station>

Tokyo Teleport station on Rinkai Line
Daiba station on Yurikamome Line

********************************************




2016年7月22日金曜日

Takeshita Street

Takeshita street is the most popular street among teenagers.
There're many fashionable stores and street is filled with young kids (especially girls).
Majority of the stores is related to "fashion" but the price is relatively reasonable since their customers are teenagers.

***********************************************
<The Nearest Station>

JR Harajuku station on Yamanote Line

***********************************************