Yakuoh-in temple / Shimoochiai, Shinjuku ward

Shinjuku is, as you well know, one of the most chaotic town in Tokyo, but that also includes some lush greenery and peaceful place in the area.


Yakuoh-in temple started that's history in Kamakura-era, around 800 years ago. Most of the buildings are not so old, but some stone monuments dated from Mid-Age are still remaining.

Temple yard was very quiet, calm and well cleaned.

Yellow lotus.
This photo was taken in early October... Wasn't the lotus flower season Summer?

This temple is famous for the Botan (peony) garden (the left side of picture).
I'd like to visit there in the Botan season and introduce the pics on this blog.

I had not known this temple until I found there serendpitously. I love this place.

You can go there from the Shimo-ochiai station (Seibu Shinjuku-line), or Takada-no-Baba station (JR, Yamanote-line / Tokyo Metro, Tozai-line).
It's a bit difficult to describe how to get to there. Instead of that, I drew a rough map. (Please click to enlarge the map)

If you need further information about this map, please ask me via "comment" field.

Autumn colours in Jingu-Gaien

This weekend, I went to the Jingu-Gaien park to see the ginkgo trees. The line of ginkgo trees in Jingu-Gaien is one of the popular autumn colour spots in Tokyo. Let me introduce the beautiful coloured ginkgos and the symbolic building of this park, Kaiga-kan.

The road was vehicle-free for walkers. There were lots of family groups and amateur photographers who came to enjoy the autumn colors.

The end of the line of ginkgos, you can see the "Kaiga-kan", a kind of art museum.

It was originally established for honoring Meiji Emperor in 1926, 13 years after he pasted away. There are lots of paintings regards to the historical events what Meiji Emperor played a big role.
Actually, I like this beautiful masonry building, but, to tell the truth, I couldn't enjoy those paintings displayed in there. I kind of think they may be valuable not for their artistic value but historical value. Anyway, it's an interesting place for studying modern Japanese history. You know, the reign of Meiji Emperor was a turning point from the Samurai world to the modern Japan.

Other than the "Kaiga-kan", Jingu-Gaien includes many fascilities, such as the National Stadium, Jingu Baseball Stadium/the home-ground of the professional team "Yakult Swallows", baseball grounds for amateur players, Ice skate link, tennis club, futsal courts, etc. They also lend bicycles and offer the free bike riding lesson. Actually, Kana learned riding there when she was in kindergarten.

The closest station: Shinano-machi (JR Chuo line) or Kokuritu-kyogijo (Toei Subway O-Edo line)

Click here to Jump to the Jingu-Gaien homepage.