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The Tokyo Station Hotel is a historic hotel that has been integrated into the red brick building of Tokyo Station and has been in operation since the year after Tokyo Station opened. Currently, a day tour that includes a tour of the Tokyo Station Hotel and lunch is secretly popular! I decided to take part!

Tour the Tokyo Station Hotel!

The red brick building of Tokyo Station was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 2003. Since 2006, restoration of the original exterior and earthquake reinforcement work has been carried out, and the station has reopened for business on October 3, 2012. At the new Tokyo Station Hotel, the guest room corridors have been turned into a gallery that shows the station's history

The former Tokyo Station Hotel is also known for being the place where great Showa-era writers such as Yasunari Kawabata and Seicho Matsumoto stayed to write. To commemorate this, the exhibits include a framed double-page spread of the first installment of the magazine series "Dot and Line," as well as a framed timetable. If you join the tour, hotel staff will guide you to the guest room floors that are off-limits to guests

Go straight from the guest room floor on the 3rd floor and you will be guided to the Cathedral Dome on the south side. On the other side of the window is the South Exit Hall of Tokyo Station. On the wall, there is a notice explaining the restoration of the dome's ceiling and wall decorations. Here, the hotel staff will give you a detailed explanation. Of course, they will also answer your questions patiently

Looking down from the window, you can see the South Exit Hall. There is a walkway with handrails around the door opposite on the 3rd floor, but this is for maintenance purposes and is not used by hotel staff. There are also guest rooms on the 3rd floor of the Cathedral Dome that overlook the South Exit

The best room! Imperial Suite

After touring the Cathedral Dome at the south exit, we next took a look at the guest rooms. Only rooms that are not occupied that day can be visited, but this time we were shown the only special room, the Imperial Suite. The living room in this room is spacious enough to comfortably accommodate 16 people, with a sofa, table, and desk

The street visible from the living room window is Gyoko-dori, which stretches towards the Imperial Palace. The Imperial Suite is located exactly in the middle of Tokyo Station. The buildings on either side are Shin-Maru Building on the left and Maru Building on the right. Directly below is the driveway where the Emperor passes when he uses Tokyo Station

The bedroom is spacious. The bed is king-size, and an LCD TV is installed on the wall opposite the bed. The bathroom is adjacent to the bedroom. There is also a minibar. If you're wondering about the room rate, it is said to be around 800,000 yen per night, excluding consumption tax, service charge, and accommodation tax. Incidentally, Tokyo Station Hotel is highly rated overseas, and in 2018 it received a four-star rating for the third consecutive year in the American Forbes Travel Guide

The tour ends with lunch in the atrium!

After touring the Cathedral Dome and the guest rooms, we had lunch at the Atrium, a restaurant exclusively for guests. Originally an attic in the center of the station building, it was renovated during restoration work that began in 2006. The red bricks on the left wall are from the pre-war Tokyo Station Hotel. The high ceilings and abundant natural light make it very relaxing

The Atrium is originally the venue for the breakfast buffet. In front of it is the space where the lunch buffet dishes are laid out. As there are many guests from overseas, the names and descriptions of the dishes are posted in English next to the food. Incidentally, the tour lunch served here is basically a French course meal. Depending on the tour, there are lunches with beef stew as the main dish

How was it?

Several travel agencies offer tours of the Tokyo Station Hotel for a limited time. The Tokyo Station Hotel also offers the "Atrium Lunch Plan" several times a month. For more details, please see the "Atrium" page on the hotel's official website. You're sure to enjoy something out of the ordinary!

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Kiyosumi Garden in Fukagawa began as Fukagawa Shinbokuen Garden, built by Mitsubishi Group founder Yataro Iwasaki as a place for employees to relax and receive guests. Take a stroll through this famous Meiji-era garden, which still retains its original appearance

The strolling garden built by Iwasaki Yataro

Kiyosumi Garden is a Tokyo Metropolitan Government designated Place of Scenic Beauty. It is said that this was once the site of the residence of Kinokuniya Bunzaemon, a wealthy merchant from the Edo period. Later, it became the secondary residence of the Sekijuku domain. Then
, in 1878 (Meiji 11), Iwasaki Yataro purchased 10,000 square meters of land in the surrounding area and opened Fukagawa Shinbokuen Garden. In 1924 (Taisho 13), the Iwasaki family donated Fukagawa Shinbokuen Garden to the city of Tokyo, and the current Kiyosumi Garden was born.

By the way, Kiyosumi Park, which is adjacent to Kiyosumi Garden, is also the former site of Fukagawa Shinbokuen. While Kiyosumi Garden requires an admission fee, Kiyosumi Park is open to the public free of charge

Currently, Kiyosumi Garden is one of the most popular spots for foreign tourists. On the day we strolled around, tourists from various countries were enjoying the garden

Kiyosumi Garden is a strolling garden with a large pond called the Great Pond. The water for the Great Pond is currently rainwater, but in the past it drew water from the Sumida River. As a result, the water level of the pond would rise and fall with the high and low tides, causing the view to change

There are three islands in the pond: Nakanoshima, Wajima, and Matsushima, and on the water's edge is a tea-ceremony pavilion built in the sukiya style that juts out into the pond. The pavilion was originally built for reception by the Iwasaki family. It was renovated in 1985 and can now be used as a meeting place. There is a fee to use the pavilion. The pavilion was selected as a Tokyo Metropolitan Historical Building in 2005

As you stroll around the Great Spring, enjoying the view around it, you'll come across large stones lined up like a path on the edge of the pond. This is called "Iso-Watari." It was created so that you can enjoy the scenery while feeling like you're walking on the pond

The garden is filled with many garden stones of various sizes. Not only Ikoma stone, but also famous stones from all over the country, such as Bitchu granite, Sanuki granite, Iyo blue stone, and Kishu blue stone, are collected here. The paving stones, rock crossing stones, and stone bridges that are commonly placed here are all made from these famous stones. Incidentally, the stones decorating the garden were once collected from all over the country by the Iwasaki family

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After a stroll through the famous garden, enjoy Fukagawa cuisine!

After strolling through Kiyosumi Garden, why not have lunch on Fukagawa Meshi, a dish that has been eaten in Fukagawa since the Edo period? Just across the street from Kiyosumi Street, you'll find a collection of restaurants specializing in Fukagawa Meshi, a Fukagawa delicacy. Look for the large lantern bearing the words "Fukagawa Edo Museum." This area is lined with popular restaurants that often have long lines at lunchtime

During the Edo period, Fukagawa was a fishing town, and clams were one of the things that were caught in abundance, making it a Fukagawa specialty. When there was an overabundance of clams, a processed food was made to keep them fresh and edible, and this is still a Fukagawa specialty today: clam tsukudani

Directly opposite the Fukagawa Edo Museum is Fukagawajuku, a restaurant specializing in Fukagawa meshi. It is one of the most popular restaurants. They serve two types of Fukagawa meshi.
One is Fukagawa meshi, which was eaten when Fukagawa was a fishing town, and is made by pouring chopped green onions and raw clams simmered in miso over hot rice.
The other is Fukagawa meshi, which is rice cooked with clams and was made for bento lunches around the time when the area around Fukagawa was reclaimed and the town changed from a fishing town to a town of carpenters.

There is a menu with photos on the sign at the entrance to Fukagawa-juku. Fortunately, there is also a menu where you can get half-size portions of both of the two types of Fukagawa-meshi. The restaurant's recommendation is the authentic Fukagawa-meshi that fishermen used to eat. Incidentally, Fukagawa-meshi, which is piping hot rice topped with bukkake, has also been selected as one of the 100 best local dishes by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

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How was it?

Kiyosumi Garden, known as a famous garden of the Meiji era, is easily accessible, just a four-minute walk from Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station. A restaurant specializing in Fukagawa's specialty, "Fukagawa Meshi," is also just three minutes from the station. After strolling through the garden and sampling Fukagawa cuisine, we also recommend a visit to the Fukagawa Edo Museum

When visiting Asakusa, Tokyo, you can't miss Sensoji Temple.
There are many things to see, such as the huge Kaminarimon Gate, the multi-story pagoda, and the Nakamise shopping arcade.
Recently, it has also become a great spot to view the Skytree from below, so it is always crowded with tourists.

Yes, it's always crowded!
For those who don't like crowds or get motion sickness, this crowded tourist scene is not a pleasant experience. It's
no wonder that some people skip it, even though it's one of Tokyo's most popular tourist destinations.

However, it would be a shame to come all the way to Tokyo and not visit Sensoji Temple!
So, this time we will introduce another side of Sensoji Temple that can only be enjoyed by people who don't like crowds!

What is Sensoji Temple?

For those who don't know what Sensoji Temple is, let me explain.
Sensoji Temple is a sacred place of Kannon Bodhisattva with a history of nearly 1,400 years.

Even if you're not familiar with Sensoji Temple, you've probably seen the gate with the giant red lantern hanging from it with the word "Kaminarimon" written on it. Its
official name is "Furaijinmon Gate," and it is the main gate of Sensoji Temple, with the wind god and thunder god enshrined on either side of the gate.

Once you pass through Kaminarimon Gate, you will see Nakamise Street.
The main approach to Sensoji Temple stretches for about 250 meters from Kaminarimon Gate to Hozomon Gate, and vermilion-lacquered stores line both sides of the approach.
This is Nakamise Shopping Street, one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan.
It is incredibly lively, with tourists from Japan and abroad visiting every day.

Next comes the Hozomon Gate.
Previously, it was also called Niomon Gate because of the two Nio statues enshrined on both ends.
After it was destroyed in the Great Tokyo Air Raid, it was rebuilt and given the name Hozomon Gate because it houses the sutras and temple treasures.

And the main hall.
It is also called the Kannon Hall because it enshrines the Bodhisattva Kannon.

Having seen all of this, you can say that you have been to Sensoji Temple for the first time.
There are many other things worth seeing, such as the five-story pagoda, Kagetsu Hall, Yakushi Hall, Awashima Hall, and Denpoin Temple.
However, as it is one of Japan's most famous tourist destinations, it is crowded everywhere. This is
not ideal for people who don't like crowds.
So, what can people like you do to enjoy Sensoji Temple?

If you're going to Sensoji Temple, we recommend going at night! Here's why!

I wrote earlier that Sensoji Temple is "always" crowded with tourists, but this is actually misleading.
I was using the word "always" to mean "every day."
In fact, there is a time of day when Sensoji Temple is not crowded.
That time is "night."

At night, the Nakamise shopping street closes, and the main hall closes as well.
Tourists assume that there is nothing left to see, and so they don't flock there.
However, Sensoji Temple at night actually has many wonderful sights that you can't see during the day!

The lighting is beautiful!

One of the highlights of Sensoji Temple at night is the illuminations.
The illuminations began on October 1, 2003, as part of a project to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Edo shogunate.

When Sensoji Temple is lit up at night, the main hall, Kaminarimon Gate, five-story pagoda, and Hozomon Gate are illuminated.
Photos of the Hozomon Gate and the five-story pagoda together are particularly spectacular.
Don't forget to take some photos!

Although it is not related to Sensoji Temple, the Skytree, which can be seen from Sensoji Temple, is also beautifully lit up, so we recommend checking it out as well!

Nakamise Shutter Mural "Asakusa Picture Scroll"

Nakamise Street is not only fun during business hours.
In fact, it displays another charm after the shutters are closed.
That is the Nakamise Shutter Mural "Asakusa Emaki."

"Asakusa Emaki" is the face of Nakamise Street at night, completed in 1989.
Painted by a distinguished team under the supervision of Professor Hirayama and Assistant Professor Fukui of Tokyo University of the Arts, the mural is a delight to visitors.

The 400m long mural depicts the history of Asakusa and seasonal events.
It symbolizes Japanese culture and will surely become one of Sensoji's legacies that should be preserved for future generations.

If you don't like crowds, we recommend going at night

Sensoji Temple is a popular tourist spot for foreigners and school trippers,
which can be a big problem for people who dislike crowds.

If you are one of those people, why not try visiting at night?
Its charm, which is completely different from the daytime, will add color to your trip!

Sensoji Temple <Information>

• Name: Sensoji Temple
• Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032
• Phone number: 03-3842-0181
• Official URL: https://www.senso-ji.jp/

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Hama Rikyu Gardens is the Hama Palace associated with the Tokugawa Shogunate. It is now a metropolitan garden, but during the Meiji period it was used as a detached palace for the Imperial family and for diplomatic purposes. Today, let's take a stroll through the remains of the Hama Palace of the Tokugawa Shogunate

The famous "Three Hundred Year Pine" is one of the largest black pines in Tokyo

Hama Rikyu Gardens was originally the secondary residence of the Kofu domain. In 1654 (the third year of the Shoo era), Tokugawa Tsunashige, the lord of Kofu, received this land as a gift from the Tokugawa shogunate. Later, Tokugawa Tsunashige's son, Tokugawa Tsunatoyo, became the sixth shogun, Tokugawa Ienobu. This marked the end of the Kofu domain, and the area became a tenryo directly ruled by the Tokugawa shogunate. At the same time, this garden became the Tokugawa shogunate's Hama Palace. It is said that the famous 300-year-old pine tree was planted by Tokugawa Ienobu at that time. It is home to one of the largest black pines in Tokyo, and its vitality makes it known as a power spot for longevity and prosperity

The high-rise buildings of Shiodome stand out, but the vacant lot in the foreground is no ordinary vacant lot. This is a flower garden. In spring, nanohana flowers turn everything yellow, and in autumn, yellow cosmos flowers turn the entire lot orange, coloring it all. In the green space, during the Edo period, many storehouses were lined up where rice and rice seeds were stored in preparation for famine. It is now a garden, but during the Tokugawa shogunate, it was such an important facility that it even housed the shogunate's gunpowder storehouse

The "Shioiri Pond" where the Shogun enjoyed boating

The pond you see here is not a natural sight. It is an artificial pond called "Oisensui" (Great Spring Water), created by humans. It is called "Shioiri Pond" because it draws seawater from Tokyo Bay. Four teahouses were built around this pond

The teahouse in the middle of the pond is Nakajima's Teahouse. There is now a bridge called Otsutaibashi across the pond, but during the Edo period there was no bridge and the Shogun travelled by boat from Edo Castle to Nakajima's Teahouse. It is said that Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last Shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate, ate castella cake at Nakajima's Teahouse

During the Edo period, there were three teahouses on the banks of the Great Spring: Matsu no Ochaya, Tsubame no Ochaya, and Hawk no Ochaya. Based on documents from the Hama Palace during the reign of the 11th shogun, Tokugawa Ienari, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government recreated Matsu no Ochaya in 2010, restored Tsubame no Ochaya in 2015, and finally restored Hawk no Ochaya in April 2018

By the way, since the pond is filled with seawater, the fish that live here are sea mullet, seigo, goby, and other sea fish. You can also see sakka crabs, sea lice, and barnacles

The duck hunting grounds where the Shogun hunted ducks

A "duck hunting ground" is a place for duck hunting, and there are two within the garden: the Koshindo Duck Hunt and the Shinzenza Duck Hunt. In both cases, the pond and forest are surrounded by a bank about 3 meters high, and the bank is lined with trees to hide the pond from the outside. This is so that the ducks can rest in peace

The photo above shows the Koshindo Duck Hunt, which was built in 1778. The photo below shows a monitoring post for feeding the ducks that gather around the pond. Wild ducks were kept in the pond to lure them into a false sense of security. At the appointed time, they would be called in by hitting a wooden mallet and food would be fed from a bamboo tube

Several waterways have been dug into a secluded pond surrounded by trees to make it appear safe for the ducks. This is the moat. At the back of the moat is a secluded pond where the ducks think it is safe. The ducks kept as decoy are notified with a wooden mallet that it is feeding time, and the wild ducks follow them. At that time, the ducks are scooped up with nets from both sides of the bank. Any ducks that escape the nets are shot with arrows

Shogun's exclusive dock, "Shogun Oagariba"

Towards the end of the Edo period, the Shogunate Navy Training Center was located in the Tokugawa Shogunate's Hamagoten. Katsu Kaishu was in charge of this facility. Sakamoto Ryoma, who became Katsu Kaishu's disciple, also joined the staff. The Shogun Oagariba was a dock exclusively for the Tokugawa Shoguns. Whenever the Shogun boarded a warship, he would board a boat from here and board the warship anchored offshore

People also disembarked from warships by boat here. The 15th shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, who was defeated in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, also disembarked here. It is said that Katsu Kaishu was summoned to greet Yoshinobu here and entrusted him with everything that would come afterwards. It is also said that Hijikata Toshizo and other members of the Shinsengumi boarded Tokugawa Shogunate warships and disembarked here

How was it?

After the Tokugawa Shogunate was abolished with the Meiji era, this became a detached palace for the Imperial family. Emperor Meiji is said to have hosted foreign institutions here to conduct diplomatic activities. Hama Rikyu was burned to the ground in the Great Kanto Earthquake and the Tokyo Air Raids, but the "Three Hundred Year Pine" remains intact from the Edo period. Why not come and feel the sea breeze at the same place where the Tokugawa Shoguns once came to cool off?

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