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!

Tokyo at Night!

Shibuya

Tokyo Government Office

Shinjuku

Over a month since the trip to Japan and still got lots of posts to do, but this one is all about Tokyo at night. To be honest seeing Tokyo at night was one of the most exciting parts of the whole trip. At times I could have just sat in a bar and looked, it was just amazing.

The first evening we walked to see the Tokyo Tower, another evening we explored Shibuya Crossing, another evening we visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices where there is an observation floor. We had a quick wonder around Shinjuku which is called a city in a city.

All the sights we saw in Tokyo were really amazing and really great.

Kimono Time!

This lovely lady helped us to find Shinjuku!

During our time in Japan we saw quite a lot of people wearing Kimonos, and to us it was really fascinating to see. I was not really sure if they were wearing the Kimono for a celebration or just some people like to wear them. It did seem like it would be difficult to walk wearing one, as they are tied quite tight and the shoes have that bit like in flip flops for the toes. Having said that presumably they are used to wearing a Kimono and know how to walk properly.

The last five photos were taken at the Meiji-ji Shrine, there seemed to be a few weddings on. I guess they must be used to tourists being at this shrine and taking photos of the many weddings that take place here. This wedding passed like a procession and of course I like many took lots of photos, but the bride did look really amazing.