Nihombashi Bridge

Original Nihombashi Bridge was built on Nihombashi River in 1603.
And it was determined as the starting point of the five main roads.

Current bridge was built in 1911.
There's a starting (zero) milestone on the road.
There's a replica on the sidewalk.

Currently 7 National highways start from here.

A highway goes over the bridge, so it looks bad.

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<The Nearest Station>

Nihombashi station on Ginza Line / Tozai Line (G11/T10/Tokyo Metro) /
Asakusa Line (A13/Toei Subway)

Mitsukoshimae station on Ginza Line / Hanzomon Line
(G12/Z09/Tokyo Metro)
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Yokoamicho Park - Japanese Garden

Yokoamicho Park is known as Memorial Park for the Kanto Earthquake Disaster.
It has a Japanese Garden beside the Tokyo Memorial Temple.

It has a pond and a stream surrounded by many different kind of plants.

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<The Nearest Station>

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

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Memorial Museum for the Kanto Earthquake Disaster

Many people who evacuated here after the Great Kanto Earthquake died due to fire in 1923. 38,000 people died here.

This museum was built in 1931 to show the disaster and reconstruction after the earthquake.Exhibitions include articles left after disaster, pictures, arts etc.

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<The Nearest Station>

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

<Admission>

Free of Charge

Museum  9:00-16:30        Closed on Mondays

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Setagaya Kannon Temple

Setagaya Kannon Temple is relatively new.
It was established in 1951.

This temple is not big one but it has many interesting things.

Buildings are unique and beautiful.
One of them is for Kamikaze Pilots who sacrificed their lives in World War II.

There's a Ukon cherry blossoms which has yellow flowers.
It's one of 27 trees in Japan.

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<The Nearest Station>

Sangenjaya station on Tokyu Den-en Toshi LIne

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Kyoto Station

JR Kyoto Station has one of the most modern building.
There's no traditional Japanese taste at all.

It's interesting that Kyoto has such station since image of Kyoto is historical city with traditional temples and shrines.

There're big stairs leading you to the terrace on top of the building.
You can see near futuristic architecture from there.

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<The Nearest Station>

JR Kyoto station

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Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto Imperial Palace was the residence of the Emperor until 1869 when the capital of Japan was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo during the Meiji Restoration.

The capital was moved from Heijo-kyo (Nara) to Nagaoka-kyo in 784 and moved to Heian-kyo (Kyoto) in 794.

Current Kyoto Imperial Palace is surrounded by walls which make a 450 m x 250 m rectangle. It's in huge Kyoto Gyoen National Garden.

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<The Nearest Bus Stop>

Karasuma - OImadegawa

<Admission>

Free of Charge         Closed on Mondays, Dec. 28 through Jan. 4

9:00 - 16:30 : Sep. and Mar.
9:00 - 16:00 : Oct. through Feb.
9:00 - 17:00 : Apr. through Aug.

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Nishi Honganji Temple

Nishi Honganji Temple started from the mausoleum of the Great Priest Shinran.
Shinran started Jodoshinshu Sect of Buddhism and passed away in 1263.

A mausoleum was built in 1272 by his disciples.
Temple became big but was transferred several time for some reasons.

It comes to Kyoto again around year of 1600.

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<The Nearest Bus Stop>

Nishi Honganji Mae

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Imakumano Kannonji Temple

Imakumano Kannnonji Temple is in the mountain and very quiet.
It's not well known sightseeing spot, however, you can enjoy quiet environment and history of Kyoto.

You'll go through a red bridge to get into the area of this temple.

This temple started as a hut of the Great Priest Kukai in 807.
It's just after he came back from study trip in China.

Buildings were built in 9th century, but lost in the civil war in 15th century.
Current buildings were built after this war.

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<The Nearest Bus Stop>

Sennyuji-Michi

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