Tokyo Walk: Temples & Shrines of Minato City
Minato City is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo. In April, I walked from Shinbashi to Roppongi, visiting some of the many shrines and temples of the area along the way.
sightseeing
Iwabuchi Sluice Gates in Akabane
The Old Iwabuchi Sluice Gate (aka Red Sluice Gate or Akasuimon) is a flood gate located in Akabane (Kita City), at the spot where the natural Arakawa River becomes the Sumida River. The construction of the gate in the 1920’s was accompanied by the digging of an artificial canal, starting at the same location: This canal is the Arakawa River that flows through Tokyo. The system was designed so that, in case of a flood, the gate would be closed and overflow water would instead get into the canal and quickly dumped into the sea. The Red Gate still stands but its role has been taken over by the new Iwabuchi Sluice Gate (in blue). This page has more context about the floods of the Sumida River and the gates.
The gates are in the middle of a large park that I visited a few weeks ago.
Tokyo Walk: Temples & shrines of Asakusa (Part 2)
Continuing the visit to the temples and shrines of Asakusa. First, Imado Shrine, which claims to be the birthplace of the maneki neko (beckoning cat).
Tokyo Walk: Temples & shrines of Asakusa (Part 1)
Asakusa has a large number of shrines and temples in easy walking distance from each other. There is even a pilgrimage of the 7 Lucky Gods, where you can go through a few of those shrines and collect stamps along the way. For myself, I did my own pilgrimage last April. Starting in Uguisudani, the least used station of the JR Yamanote line and finishing at Senso-ji, I visited:
- Onoterusaki Shrine
- Otori Shrine
- Benten Pond
- Yoshiwara Shrine
- Tobi Fudoson Temple
- Ishihama Shrine
- Hashiba Fudoson Temple
Spring at Kyu-Furukawa Garden
While I was at Kyu-Furukawa Garden for the rose festival, I spent some time strolling around the Japanese garden.
Institute for Nature Study
The Institute for Nature Study (自然教育園; Shizen Kyoiku-en) is a nature reserve in Tokyo near Meguro Station.
Boat ride on Lake Sagami
After getting down from Mount Jinba and reaching Lake Sagami, I boarded the big swan sightseeing boat for a tour of the lake.
Hossawa Waterfall
The Hossawa Waterfall (払沢の滝; Hossawa-no-taki) is located in Hinohara Village, in western Tokyo. It is only about 10 minutes from the bus stop, next to the trailhead to Mount Sengenrei. This page has a map and directions to its location.
Tokyo Racecourse
Tokyo Racecourse (東京競馬場; Tokyo Keiba-jo) is a horse racing course located in Fuchu, Tokyo and operated by JRA.
Lake Kawaguchi in spring & Fuji Omuro Sengen Shrine
After the boat ride, I walked on the north bank of Lake Kawaguchi until I reached the Fuji Omuro Sengen Shrine, Mount Fuji’s oldest shrine. I then took a bus to the train station.