La maison du chat noir / Koishikawa, Bunkyo-ward

To tell the truth, I hadn't known the presence of this unique building until my friend ブライアン(Bryan) who lives in the US told me. He said he run across this cat accidentally during his Sanpo when he lived in Tokyo.

This building is located in near the Konnyaku-Enma. It's a neat and quiet residential area. (Regarding the Konnyak-Enma, please visit my previous posting)

Recently I found that the owner of this building is a famous journalist, nonfiction writer, Takashi Tachibana. I like his article because he is very good at introducing a cutting-edge of science or political things with his plain wording.
I heard that he used this building as a library. As I learned this information, I feel the face of this cat seems to look intelligent, , , don't you think so?

Ume (prunus mume) 3 / Ushi-Tenjin

Yushima Tenjin, which was introduced previous posting (1),(2), is well known nation wide and always crowded with examinees, meanwhile, there are many quiet small local tenjin-sama allover Japan.

Ushi Tenjin, which have been cherished by Koishikawa neighbors for a long time, is one of them. Lee and I went to there to see Ume on March 1st.

In here, Koubai (red Ume) dominated rather than Hakubai (white Ume).

Gardian animal, Komainu.

I've never seen such a fantastic Komainu. It(she?) was in the middle of breast feeding! I didn't know that Komainu has gender difference. This feeding Komainu stood right side of the gate.

So then the left side one was the father?

The closest station is Korakuen(Marunouchi line and Nanboku line, Tokyo Metro), but it takes about 10 min. on foot from station. You can find the map from Ushi Tenjin's web site.

The Koishikawa Korakuen Garden/ Korakuen, Bunkyo ward

Last Friday, I had a day off to have an annual medical check-up. The check-up was finished earlyer than I expected. It was a clear sunny day. I found there were no clouds in the sky when I left the clinic. I realized there was a famous garden near the clinic, and its a good chance to enjoy walking. So I dashed back home, grabbed my camera and hurryed back to the garden where I had wanted to enter for a long time (previouse post regarding this garden is here).
The Korakuen garden. When most of the Japanese hear this place-name Korakuen, it might reminds them (including me) the Korakuen amusement park or the baseball park. But originally, this place-name was named after the Korakuen garden. In edo era, this place was the garden of the mantion owened by the important and influential Daimyo (feudal loard), Mito-Tokugawa family.

As soon as you enter the garden, you will see the big dome roof of the baseball park and the building of Bunkyo City Hall. Its a bit disappointed view, but you'll forget those soon.


Engetsukyo bridge.

This stone bridge has been there since this garden's opening (17 centuries).





Shiraitonotaki falls.


There is a big pond in the center of the garden. I heard that, in edo era, the owner and his guest had enjoyed boating on this pond



Unlike the other Japanese garden in Tokyo, e.g. Rikugien (please see the previous post), Koishikawa Korakuen has some artificial hills.


The picture below is the ruin of Saigyo-dou. Unfortunatery, some of wooden architecture were lost in fire during the World war II.

This is a Saigyo-dou photo taken 70 years ago.

Gardian dog still has been guarding the site.



Although the garden is located in the center of Tokyo, I could find some Kosagi (Egretta garzetta) came flying.


I fully enjoyed a peaceful afternoon.

The closest station of this garden is Korakuen station(Tokyo Metro Marunouchi-line, Nanboku-line).

Sunset in the Mt. Fuji / from the observation room of Bunkyo City Center

Last year, I introduced the Bukyo City Center in the posting regarding "Konnyaku Enma" and "Korakuen ball park". (Don't you remember? Please check the previous posting Jan. and May 2006 . ) This is a sunset view from the observation room of the Center. You can see the beautiful silhouette of the Mt Fuji clearly. It's amaging.

Twin towers in front of Mt Fuji is the building of Tokyo Metropolitan Government which located in Shinjuku.

Bunkyo City Center: It includes concert halls, exhibition room and Bunkyo ward office.　The observation room is on 25th floor. You can get the Center directly from Korakuen station of Tokyo Metro (Marunouchi & Nanboku line.) or Kasuga station of Toei Subway(Mita line).

The Koishikawa Korakuen garden

Although this garden is located next to the Korakuen ballpark, it’s a very calm and peaceful place.
This garden was established as a part of the Mito-Tokugawa clan’s Edo(Tokyo) residence in 17 century. Mito-Tokugawa clan was a one of the Tokugawa Gosanke, the Shogun-Tokugawa’s three branches.

Of course, Shige and Lee couldn’t enter this garden because Lee is a dog. Please have a look at the great view from the gate and the beautiful outer wall of the Korakuen garden! !(whew)
Actualy, I haven't entered the garden, but I heard that the inside is beautiful.

I found the mark of Tokugawa on the wall roof. The crest of hollyhock. The symbol of the power.

According to the sign board which stood beside the gate, the stone of the wall basement was originally transferred by the local clan for construction of the stonewall of the Tokugawa’s Edo castle. Even now, you can see the carved signs on the stone face. It indicates the origin (the name of the clan).

Take Lee out to the Ball Game!

~~Take Lee out to the Ball Game. Take Lee out with the crowd! ~~

Korakuen Kyujo the Korakuen Ballpark is located between the Bunkyo city hall and the Koisikawa Korakuen park. You can also see it from Konnyak Enma. You can go there from the Korakuen station of the subway Marunouchi-line or the Suido-bashi station of JR line.

This ballpark is the home ground of the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants.
When Shige and Lee visited there, the time was barely 9am so the ground was closed but there were long lines to get the numbered tickets for buying the night game of “Giants vs. Osaka Hanshin Tigers”. Many Japanese love baseball game! When I was a kid, my hero was Sadaharu Oh, the legend of baseball. He was a clean up batter of the Giants.

There is the baseball hall of fame and museum in the ballpark. If you are a baseball lover, check it out!
Adding to that, there are many place to go like shopping mall, sports bar, many kind of restaurants (I found the Babba-Gump Shrimp. Run Forest, Run!), an amusement park and a spa.

Mecha-Godzilla?
Nope. The Bunkyo city hall. The monument of the bubble economy. You can see the panoramic view of Tokyo from the observation room (the mouth of Mecha-Godzilla). In clear day you can also see the Mt. Fuji clearly. There are many amateur photographers at sundown. Next to the observation room is a good restaurant which is run by the Chinzan-So, the famous garden restaurant.

I don’t mind if I can’t see the ball game. But, buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack!

The Korakuen station. The subway Marunouchi-line is very old line and depth is not so deep.