[Tokyo] Edo period tourist destination! Stroll around Oji, Kita Ward

Toden Arakawa Line vehicles passing in front of Asukayama Park

Oji, Kita Ward, has been popular as a scenic tourist destination since the Edo period, including Asukayama, where the 8th Shogun Yoshimune planted cherry blossoms. It has also been used as the home of Mitsuhiko Asami in Yasuo Uchida's detective novels ``Asami Mitsuhiko Series,'' and has also been used as a filming location for a special TV drama. Now, let's take a walk around the town of Mitsuhiko Asami, including Asukayama Park, Nasu Falls, and Hiratsuka Shrine.

Otonashi River Water Park, also visited by Mitsuhiko Asami

Otonashi River Shinsui Park, a famous spot for cherry blossom viewing in spring

Otonashi River Shinsui Park is located right next to JR Oji Station. It's on the opposite side of the rotary. It is also one of the ``100 Best City Parks in Japan''. During the cherry blossom season, 21 Yoshino cherry trees make this a beautiful cherry blossom viewing spot. The Otonashi River is flowing in the middle of the photo. This is the place where Mitsuhiko Asami often came to play when he was a child, and it often appears in the drama "Mitsuhiko Asami Series." In addition, it is also the filming location for the special drama series ``Okashina Detective'', which has moved from Saturday Wide Theater to Sunday Wide. This series starring Shiro Ito and Michiko Haneda is also set in a prince.

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Ogiya's omelette, Oji's specialty

When you visit Otonashigawa Shinsui Park, you must try the tamagoyaki at Ougiya, which is located on the first floor of the Shin Ogiya Building adjacent to the park. I visited before the store opened, so the photos are still in preparation. The business hours and other information written in beautiful calligraphy are posted on the stalls. This restaurant has been specializing in hand-baked tamagoyaki since 1648. Among them, we recommend the ``Kamayaki Tamago'', which has been passed down from generation to generation since the Edo period. Advance reservations are required for this, so please contact us by phone first.

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Otonashi Bridge, famous for “The Odd Detective”

If you recognize the arch of the bridge in front of the building and the tree-lined street, you are a big Mitsuhiko Asami fan and a fan of ``The Odd Detective''. Otonashi Bridge appears casually in the conversation scene while walking. Of course, scenes of people walking on bridges often appear in dramas.

Stroll around Oji Shrine and Oji Inari Shrine

Oji Shrine related to Tokugawa Yoshimune

Oji Shrine is right next to the Otonashi Bridge on the right. This shrine was designated by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1591 as a place of prayer for the shogun family. It was protected by successive shoguns, especially Yoshimune, the 8th shogun, who protected Oji Shrine generously because it was a shrine connected to his hometown of Kishu (now Wakayama Prefecture).

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The approach to Oji Inari Shrine is a stone staircase.

Oji Inari Shrine is one of the most prestigious Inari shrines in the Togoku region. It is said that on New Year's Eve, all the Inari gods in Kanto and eastern Japan send their fox messengers to visit the shrine. In 1993, following this legend, the ``Oji Fox Parade'' was held on the night of New Year's Eve, where people donned fox makeup and paraded to Oji Inari Shrine to make their first visit to the shrine, and now it has become a year-end tradition. By the way, because there is currently a kindergarten on the grounds of Oji Inari Shrine, this approach is only open on holidays. On weekdays, this area is used as a playground for kindergarten children. The kindergarten is just to the left of the stone steps. Pilgrims on weekdays use a different approach.

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Nasu no Taki Park is a healing space in the heart of the city.

Beyond the elegant gate is a quiet garden

Cool Otaki waterfall

Nasu no Taki Park was originally the residence of the village head of Oji Village during the Edo period. It began when a garden with a waterfall was opened to the public as a summer retreat. Kita Ward is currently offering it free of charge. By the way, Nasu Falls is centered around Odaki, which has an 8-meter drop, which is rare in Tokyo, as well as Medaki, Tokko Falls, and Yutama Falls. Gyoku no Taki) and four waterfalls. This is a stroll-style garden that makes good use of the slope, with mountains, ponds, and rivers, where you can enjoy forest bathing.

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Asukayama has been a popular tourist destination since the Edo period.

Ascargo you can ride for free

"Asuka Park Rail" is a monorail that was created in Asukayama Park in July 2009. The vehicle in the photo is the Ascargo, which shuttles to and from the mountaintop, and you can ride it for free. The service runs from 10:00 to 16:00, and there are 6 seats. Although the ride only takes a few minutes, there is also a guide narration by Chieko Baisho, an actress who was born in Oji, about Asukayama and her love for Oji. Please take a ride.

View of Oji Station area from Asukayama

When you arrive at the top of the mountain on Ascargo, you can see the area in front of Oji Station. What you can see in the front is the elevated Tohoku, Joetsu, and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines. You can see not only the Shinkansen but also the Keihin-Tohoku Line and other trains passing by, so many families come here with their children to watch the trains.

Asukayama Park is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in spring.

Asukayama Park has been known as a cherry blossom viewing spot since the Edo period. It began when the 8th Shogun Yoshimune planted cherry blossoms brought from Yoshino in Nara in the Asuka mountains. Currently, there are 600 cherry trees, including Someiyoshino and Satozakura. In spring, the entire mountain is covered with cherry blossoms, making it a truly spectacular sight.

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Enjoy the Mitsuhiko Asami series of dango

Hiratsukatei, a restaurant only known to those in the know

A restaurant famous among Mitsuhiko Asami fans is Hiratsukatei Tsuruoka, located on the approach to Hiratsuka Shrine. The dango here has appeared countless times in novels and dramas as Mitsuhiko Asami's mother's favorite food. ``Yaki dango'' with soy sauce sauce and ``sweet dango'' with red bean paste are popular. Also, this store appears almost every time in "Okashiwa Keiji". Inside the store, photos from the Asami Mitsuhiko series are on display.

The familiar view from “The Odd Detective”

This is also Hiratsukatei. This is the view from the left hand side of the approach to the shrine. This is the angle of Hiratsukatei who appears in ``The Odd Detective.'' In the drama, Shiro Ito and Michiko Haneda were eating tea and dango on a bench lined with red Japanese umbrellas and red carpets. Actually, this restaurant only serves takeout.

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Oji, Kita Ward, allows you to enjoy plenty of nature in the heart of the city. Moreover, admission to Otonashigawa Shinsui Park, Nasu no Taki Park, and Asukayama Park is free. If you bring your own lunch, you are sure to have a relaxing time. Please come and take a stroll. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.