Tokyo Day 4- Gardens, Temples and Towers

Rikugien Gardens

It is overcast and 22° … but it is not raining.

We catch the subway to Rikugien Gardens. We are lucky as the Gardens offers free tours with an English speaking guide the 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month and today is the 1st Sunday of October. We learn that the gardens are over 300 years old and themed around Waka poetry (similar to Haiku). They are based around plants, stone and water and are designed to represent parts of Japan. We found having a guide was really helpful in appreciating the gardens.

Zojoji Temple

We grab a subway to Zojo-ji Temple which is a Buddhist temple. Along one side of the temple are hundreds of Jizus which are doll like stone figures each dressed in bonnet and cape to keep them warm. These figures are care guardian deities of children who have died.

Tokyo Tower

Nearby is the Tokyo Tower which is reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower, but with no sparkling like diamonds.

And it is back to the subway. It turns out that the five day ticket we thought we bought was really only a two day ticket. So we go to the ticket machine and get a one ride ticket to our next stop…Ueno Park.

Ueno Park

Ueno Park is a large park with museums, a zoo, temples and more. Both tourists and locals are enjoying Sunday in the park. Street buskers are all over the place. I notice an area behind glass where smoking is allowed. Smoking except in designated areas is illegal on the streets of Tokyo.

Tokyo Subway Passes

It’s back onto the subway and we are off to the Asakusa District. The subway here is so efficient, so usable. Toronto is so far behind. We find a tourist information booth and are able to buy a couple two day passes. These passes are only sold to foreigners and only if you produce your passport.

Asakusa and Sensoji Temple

Asakusa is famous for the Senso-ji Temple which is a must do on any Tokyo
itinerary. In fact it is the most popular attraction in the city with 30 million visitors annually. Originally built in 628 AD, it has been rebuilt many times due to wars, earthquakes and fire.

Kimono Girls

There are many women dressed in traditional kimonos; many authentic and some that are most definitely not. Tourists can rent kimonos near the temple. There are also a number of professional photographers doing photo sessions.

Fortunes Told

The temple is surrounded by buildings where you can learn your fortune for a fee of 100 yen (90 cents CAD). You shake a metal container full of long sticks and turn it upside down. The container has a small hole at one end big enough for just one stick to come out. Whatever stick comes has a Japanese caricature on it. Nearby are rows of drawers with different caricatures. You find the corresponding drawer with the caricature of your stick, then open the drawer and inside is a piece of paper with your fortune written on it. If it is a good fortune (like mine was) you take it with you. If it is a bad fortune (like John had), you fold it thinly, tie it to one of the strings on a nearby wooden frame and leave it there.

Temple Area and Supper

We next go to the smoking big cauldron of incense. If you have a body part that needs healing, you swoop the smokey incense towards that part.

We wander around, exploring the temple before heading out for a tempura supper. I also order a sake. The sake here is so smooth. They are very generous with their portions.

We are also served a smokey tasting cold drink. I don’t know what it is (tea maybe?), but it is very enjoyable.

Every toilet that I have used in Japan has been very clean and has all the bells and whistles. Some even have heated seats. It makes going to the bathroom seem luxurious. I think I know what I’ll be asking Santa for at Christmas.

Sensoji Temple by Night

Now that it is dark, we head back to Senso-ji Temple. Of course I need to get a green tea ice cream cone.

The temple complex is truly magical at night and the crowds are a lot smaller. Click here for a short video.

Tokyo Sky Tree and the Sumida River Walk

Tokyo Sky Tree is lit up at night but you cannot see the upper portion as the clouds are so low tonight. It is still very pretty.

We head over to the nearby Sumida River Walk. It is so lovely with the lights of boats on the water, Tokyo Sky Tree in the background and the illuminated bridges.

The Golden Turd

Across the river a building has a giant golden thing on the roof… whale, slug, sperm? After some investigation, we find out that the building belongs to the Asahi Beer Company and the monument of the golden fire represents the heart of Asahi Beer. It was inspired by the Olympic flame. The locals refer to the monument as the golden turd and they refer to the building it is on as the Poo Building.

We grab the subway for the ride back to our hotel.