Tokyo Temples and Shrines

Kanda Myojin Shrine

Yushima Siedo

Kanda Myojin

Bentendo Temple

Kaneiji Temple

Sensoji Temple

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Meiji Shrine

Torii Gate

I did a post about the temples and shrines in Kyoto, so now it time to do one on Tokyo. I had to do a bit of research to make sure I named the photos correctly but hopefully I did!

The first shrine was called Kanda Myojin it was a small one compared to the others. It was not so busy too, normally the other places were packed to bursting point. To this shrine the people come to pray for prosperity, it dates back 1,270 years. In the same area was the Yushima Siedo shrine dedicated to the Chinese Scholar Confucius.

In Ueno park there are lots to see and do, there we saw Bentendo Temple and Kaneiji Shrine. Kaneiji Shrine is a Buddhist temple founded in 1625. Bentendo Temple is dedicated to the Goddess of Benten, this temple is on an island on Shinobazu pond.

Sensoji Temple is the oldest in Tokyo, you enter through Thunder Gate (Kaminarimon) then you come to streets called Nakamise. There are many different types of shops and it is nice to browse around. This temple is quite large and there is lots to see and it is busy!

The last shrine we visited was called the Meiji Shrine, this shrine is amid a forested area so once you have visited it you can easily go for a walk. The shrine is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and the Empress Shoken, it was destroyed in WWII but then rebuilt. We saw quite a few couples getting married, it was quite interesting to see the bride and groom and their outfits.

As you can imagine there are lots of temples and shrines to see in Tokyo, Sensoji Temple and Meiji Shrine are two of the main ones to visit.

Happy travelling!

Photo of the Week - Tokyo Greens

Photo of the Week comes from the city of Tokyo, I think it was near Omotesando. This is the street that is famed for the architecture buildings. Not really sure what it is supposed to be but I like it anyway.

It`s mid-week and this time of year is busy with preparations for Christmas, two more weeks and then off to Scotland.

On another note I have booked the Easter weekend and will be going to Ljubljana, Slovenia. The plan was to go to Riga, Latvia but the idea fell through. Anyway I am just as excited to be going to Ljubljana and visit a new country.

Tokyo Postcards

Famous Nijubashi Bridge

Imperial Palace

Holy Resurrection Cathedral

The Golden Turd!

Looking down the Sumida river

Prada Aoyoma

Roppongi

Tokyo Tower

The National Art Center

National Art Center

Naka-Meguro area

Hibiya Park

Hibiya Park

The trip to Japan took place in April about 6 months ago it was a great trip and we had lots of fun and met lots of lovely people.

We visited Tokyo and Kyoto, but most of our time was spent in the giant metropolis which is Tokyo and its population is over 13 million. In all honestly it was always busy no matter where you go or what time it would be.

There are many distinct areas in Tokyo and we tried to visit as many as possible and see as much as possible. We saw a bit of the Imperial Palace, its gardens and we were still able to see the famous cherry blossoms that Japan is famous for this time of year.

We visited the Sky Tower which had great views and before we began us longish walk to find it we can across these buildings with a strangely shaped golden thing. Apparently its been named The Golden Turd. It is on the Asahi Beer building and was designed by French architect Philippe Stark
and it is supposed to look like foam rising from a beer mug.

We took a cruise down the Sumida river taking in all the sites along the river which then takes you towards Tokyo Bay. We stopped off nearish to our hotel and walked back a new way, trying not to get lost!

We walked around Roppongi checking out the shops, buildings, museums and any other odd looking stuff we could see. If you like to see some interesting architectural buildings then get yourself over to Omotesando which has loads of buildings from the likes of Boss, Stella McCartney, Prada, Christian Dior to name but a few.

We visited some parks and on our last day Hibiya park which was near to the Imperial Palace. It was quite pleasant with a huge pond, fountain and lots of benches to sit quietly and contemplate life. We also wondered around a fab area called Naka-Meguro which has loads of really lovely shops, bars and cafes which are alongside a canal. But there was hardly any water in this canal but it was still a super walk along them.

Anyway enough writing, this might have been the longest post I have ever written, who knows!

Have a great weekend!

Kyoto Temples

The Golden Pavilion

Inari Temple

Ginkakuji Temple

Our trip to Japan back in April also included a stop in Kyoto for 3 days. We took the Bullet train which was also an experience in itself and arrived in Kyoto rather quickly.

Whilst in the train station we visited the tourist office and asked what were the main sights to visit. The lady gave us a lowdown on basically the most popular ones. So after we checked into our hotel we set off to visit one of them, The Golden Pavilion. It was very serene and tranquil place, in spite of the fact it was very busy still even though it was closing soonish. We wondered around and it didn`t take so long to walk through the complex.

The next day we visited two more temples, Inari and Ginkakuji. Inari is a little out of Kyoto and on the base on a mountain or hill. We started the walk to the top but give up, but it is a very bright orange temple. Lastly Ginkakuji, which is a World Cultural Heritage Site, again you follow a defined path and there is no wondering around alone off the beaten path.

All three temples are easily reached by public transport and the system is very good, with English announcements too. Also Japanese people were always very helpful to us when we got lost and really tried to speak some English.

Photo of the Week - Cute Post Office

When we saw this Post Office in Kyoto we both thought it was so cute! Hope everyone is having a good week, already Thursday tomorrow! That means for me only one more working day!