Still in Beta: Etsuko's Japan photo tour guide

Shops in Yanaka, Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:02:00 +0000

Isetatsu: Traditional Japanese paper and stationary
Address :2-18-9 Yanaka,Taito-ku,Tokyo Phone :03 3823 1453
English site: http://www.norenkai.net/english/shop/isetatsu/index.html

Midoriya: Fine bamboo crafts
At Yanaka Ginza Phone: 03-3828-7522

Hamamatsuya: Traditional footware, geta and sandals
At Yanaka Ginza Phone: 03－3828－1301
You can get your semi-custom fitted geta here. Pick your favorite colors and patterns of hanao. Then, they will fit geta for you in 30 min.

Mujinzo: Nice Japanese traditional crafts and sandals
At Yanaka Ginza Phone: 03-3828-6203

Amazake Yokocho Street, Ningyocho, Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Old neighborhood with lots of sweets shops, bento shops, and traditional music instruments. Being located near Meiji-za, you see some old businesses supporting the traditional art performances, such as box makers, shamisen shops, kimono shops.

Short stroll on the Amazake Yokocho Street takes you to old Japan. There's not much "special" things to see, but it is such a nice little area to escape from the busy areas.

English links

About Ningyocho- English website.
http://www.chuo-kanko.or.jp/english/ningyou/profile.html

English Map: http://www.chuo-kanko.or.jp/english/ningyou/area_map.html

Interview with Traditional craftsmen: Iwai Tsuzura, Amazake Yokocho, Ningyocho, Tokyo
one of the only two shops in Tokyo still making Tsuzura, basket made of bamboo and lacquer.
http://www.tokyochuo.net/issue/traditional/2004/06/english.html

Suitengu, Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:04:00 +0000

Suitengu is located between TCAT and old neighborhood of Ningyocho. People come to Suitengu Shrine to pray for fertility and for safe child birth. Naturally, you see a few stalls selling baby goods. Even sake brands they display has something to do with children.

If you are in the neighborhood, nice place to stop by.

How to get there: Short walking distance from TCAT in Hakozaki.

Japanese link
http://www.suitengu.or.jp/index.html - Suitengu Official Web Site

English area information at Royal Park Hotel page with some restaurant information offering bilingual menu.
http://www.rph.co.jp/english/access/acc00200.html

Yanaka Giza, Yanaka, Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:18:00 +0000

About Yanaka on Digi Promotion in English:
http://www.digi-promotion.com/tokyo-neighborhoods/yanaka/

Yanaka Ginza

Cat and Temple Town, Yanaka

Ameyoko, Ueno, Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Mon, 25 May 2009 11:25:00 +0000

Ameyoko is very lively shopping area that stretches from JR Ueno to UR Okachimachi Station. It is interesting to see all kinds of shops from seafood, clothes, and cosmetics all mixed in the crowded small area.

This post on DannyChoo.com has really great pictures of Ameyoko.

How to get there: From Ueno - JR Ueno Central Exit, Hibiya or Ginza Line 5B Exit
From Okachimachi - JR Okachimachi North Exit, Hibiya or Ginza Line A2,A5, A7 Exit, Oed Line A7 Exit

Ameyoko Official English website: http://www.ameyoko.net/e/

Ueno Park, Ueno, Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Sun, 24 May 2009 11:45:00 +0000

About Ueno on JNTO

Visits to National Museum and National Museum of Modern Art can be chaotic depending on exhibition, except for the permanent exhibitions. If it is popular one, expect to wait about 30 min to 80 min to get in. Bring a lot of water and sun screen during the summer.

National Museum of Nature and Science

English Web Site: http://www.kahaku.go.jp/english

Tokyo National Museum

English Web Site: http://www.tnm.jp/en/servlet/Con?pageId=X00&processId=00

The National Museum of Modern Art

English Web Site: http://www.nmwa.go.jp/en/

How to get there: JR Ueno Station
Hours: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm is when all three museums are open. All museums in the park have different hours and extended hours. Please inquire the hours of museums you are planning to visit.
Closed: Mondays

Tokyo Cruise, Sumida River Line, Asakusa, Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:43:00 +0000

From Asakusa, take one way river cruise to either Hamanorikyu or Hinode-sanbashi and enjoy the view of Tokyo. (about 40 min)

Arriving at the ticket office 15-20 min before the departure time is advisable.
Tokyo Cruise: Sumida River Line & Timetable

How to get there: From Asakusa, walk toward the landmark of the area by the river, Asahi Beer Hall. The ticket office and the pier are on your left before the bridge.

Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Fares: 720 yen to 1060 yen per person, depends on the destination

While you are there, you cannot miss the Asahi Beer Hall designed by Philippe Starck.

About Asahi Beer Hall on bento.com

Nakamise, Sensoji, Asakusa, Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Wed, 13 May 2009 10:27:00 +0000

Please see Sensoji, Asakusa, Tokyo

Nakamise is the shopping area between Kaminarimon Gate and Hozomon Gate at Sensoji, Asakusa. Fun place to munch on manju, ningyoyaki, and osenbei.

Nakamise Shotengai at Sensoji, Asakusa
Official English website.
http://asakusa-nakamise.jp/e-index.html

List of shops at Nakamise

Tsukiji Jogai Shijo

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Sat, 09 May 2009 04:36:00 +0000

Tsukji shows two faces to the world. First is jonai, the giant, enclosed wholesale fish and vegetable market area–this is what most people think of as Tsukiji. But, there is also jogai, this includes all of the shops and restaurants running down the streets adjoining the regular wholesale market.

Tsukiji jogai market has specialty shops such as konbu, nori, katsuo, tamago, vegetables, fish, knives, kaiseki ingredients, poultry, meat, chinmi, pickles, and restaurants. You can find some street food there, too.

Japanese PDF map of Tsukiji jogai
http://www.tsukiji.or.jp/ZYOGAI/map01.pdf

How to get there: Tokyo Metro Tsukiji Station Exit 1or Oedo Line Tsukiji Shijo
Address: Tsukiji 4-10-16, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 5 a.m.-1 p.m.
Closed: Closed Sundays and national holidays, as well as two Wednesdays a month (varies)

Official Japanese website.
http://www.tsukiji.or.jp/

Kappabashi, Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:47:00 +0000

Kappabashi is a must see area if you like cooking. You will find over 170 shops, mostly wholesale shops with kitchen items and restaurant supplies.

Good place to look for knives, plates, ceramics, bowls, plastic food, and many more kitchen items.

Knife shops I like:
TDI

Kamata

How to get there: If you walk from Senso-ji, Asakusa, it is about 10 minutes walk. Othersiwe, Tawara-cho station on Ginza line
Address:
Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Closed: Sundays and Holidays

English links

Kappabashi Dogu Street
Official English website.
http://www.kappabashi.or.jp/en/index.html

About Kappabashi and good map of the street at Bento.com
http://www.bento.com/phgal-kappabashi.html

Sensoji, Asakusa, Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:09:00 +0000

Photo: May 2009 Sensoji, Asakusa
I am not sure how long the main building is going to be covered up.

Sensoji in Asakusa is a good destination on the first full day you have in Tokyo. It is very easy to get to and offers a lot to see in addition to the temple.

You can stroll the surrounding areas for shopping or trying all kinds of food such as sweets, noodles, tempura and sushi.

Time spent in Asakusa can be anywhere from 30 min to half a day.

How to get there - http://www.senso-ji.jp/access/index_e.html

English links

Senso-ji Official English website:
http://www.senso-ji.jp/guide/index_e.html

About Sensoji on JNTO website:
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/tokyo/asakusa.html

Restaurant Map of Asakusa in English(PDF):
http://www.asakusa-umai.ne.jp/e_asakusa/map/images/umaimapE.pdf

Edoyu, Ryogoku, Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Tue, 05 May 2009 03:09:00 +0000

While you are exploring Ryogoku, you can go for a quick or long bath at Edoyu. It's a bit more than regular sento or bath house and you do not have to bring anything with you.

They have a few different types of bath, sauna, treatments, ganbanyoku, restaurants and the relaxation area.

Cost: 2,300 yen
Items included in the fee: towels, clothes to wear inside the facility, shampoo, soap
Hours: 11 am - 9 am
Open every day
Address：1-5-8 Kamezawa, Sumida, Tokyo
Phone：03-3621-2611
One minute from Oedo line subway, Ryogoku Station A3,4.
URL in Japanese: http://www.edoyu.com/ryougoku/index.html

Restaurants in Ryogoku, Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Mon, 04 May 2009 02:20:00 +0000

List of restaurants in Ryogoku I have been to.

1. Casico
This place is closed now and you will find Century 21 now. (May 2009)

2. Hosokawa
Famous and serious soba joint. Very, very quiet and they have age limit. Children under 6 are not allowed in the restaurant.
Address: 1-6-5 Kamezawa, Sumida, Tokyo
Phone:: 03-3626-1125
Hours: noon - 3 pm, 5 pm - 9 pm
closed on Mondays

3. Chanko Kirishima
One of many Chanko Restaurants in Ryogoku. This place is very busy during lunch, but if you order regular Chanko Nabe for 3,000 yen or so, you can get seated right away.
Address: 2-13-7 Ryogoku, Sumida, Tokyo
Phone:: 03-3632-8710
Hours: 11：30～23：00
Chanko Kirishima Web in French:
http://fujimori.club.fr/Chanko-Ryogoku-fr.html

Photo: Sumo Croquette at Chanko Kirishima

4. Sakura Saryo, 7th Fl at Edo-Tokyo Museum
Nice View. Serves soba, udon and Tokyo regional food such as fukagawameshi.
Location: 7th fl, Edo-Tokyo Museum
Hours: 11：00～18：00

View Ryogoku, Tokyo in a larger map

Sumo Museum & Kokugikan, Ryogoku, Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Sun, 03 May 2009 01:32:00 +0000

Sumo Information in general provided by Nihon Sumo Kyokai.
http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/index.html

Even if you are not a big Sumo fan or if there's no tournament at Kokugikan, Sumo Museum is a good spot to stop after Edo-Tokyo Museum or before you head to chanko nabe lunch or dinner. It is free to get in and a good spot to learn history of Sumo. They also sell silly Sumo souvenirs such as magnets, towels and T-shirts.

About Sumo Museum

Location: first floor of The Ryogoku Kokugikan
Open: 10am - 4:30 pm
Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays
Admission: free

Imperial Palace, Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Sat, 02 May 2009 06:03:00 +0000

Should travelers to Tokyo visit Imperial Palace?
I liked the tour of Imperial Palace. If you are traveling on your own and if you are making a special trip to view Nijubashi, I would advise to save it to last and go there if you have time. The bridge and the East Garden are the only two area you can see and enjoy without the tour.

Imperial Palace:
Tours are offered for free on weekdays at 10 am and 1:30 pm. You need to make a reservation in advance to join the tour.

To see what the tour will cover, please click on the map at the following URL and find information of each viewing points covered during the tour.
http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/guide/institution_kokyo.html

Multilingual recorded guide systems are available during the tour. The guide, who is also an on site security guard, will let you know which number to listen to at each spot.

The tour takes a bit over one hour. During the summer, make sure to buy lots of bottles of water before the tour. You are requested to stay with the group at all times.

About Imperial Palace
Please visit The Imperial Household Agency Web site to see how to book a tour in advance.
http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/about/koukyo.html

Schedule of the available tour can be found here.
http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/sankan/servlet/recept/initCourse

East Gardens:

About East Gardens

Nice park to take a break and picnic if the weather is nice.

Closed on Mondays, Fridays, the Emperor's Birthday on December 23 and from December 28 to January 3 of the following year.

Hours: 9 am - 4:30 pm

Edo-Tokyo Museum, Ryogoku, Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Fri, 01 May 2009 04:19:00 +0000

Edo-Tokyo Museum, Ryogoku, Tokyo

I highly recommend to visit Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryogoku to anyone visiting Tokyo. I also recommend to allow a few hours at the museum if you like history.

They recently acquired a few pieces to complete the set of Tokaido Gojyusantsugi or The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō by Utagawa Hiroshige (aka Ando Hiroshige) at the museum. Special exhibition to view all 53 Hiroshige's master pieces is on the 5th floor and ends on 5/10/2009.

In addition to the permanent exhibit on the 5th and 6th floor, they always have special exhibit on the first floor. Current exhibit is featuring one of the greatest anime artist in Japan, Osamu Tezuka. (until 6/21/2009)

While you are there, please make sure to stop at the museum shops on the first floor. They have lovely tenugui and other traditional items there.

Volunteer guide services are available between 9 am - 3 pm in eight languages and can be coordinated in advance.

Closed on Mondays.
Hours: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (7:30 pm on Saturdays)
Admission fees:
Adults 600yen

Please visit Edo-Tokyo Museum English Website for hours and admission fees.

Japan Regional Map

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:34:00 +0000

Onagawa, Miyagi

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:40:00 +0000

Onagawa is very quiet port town along the coast between Ishinomaki and Kesennuma, Miyagi. It's best known for its nuclear power plant.

It appears there are some marine activities in the area like kayaking or fishing. We had rainy weather here, so decided to go inland, rather than spending the day in rainy ocean.

We stayed at Kanomataya Ryokan and it was a good place to stay.
Things to see: Marine Pal Onagawa
Onagawa in Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onagawa
Onagawa City Information:http://www.town.onagawa.miyagi.jp/maintop_eng.html

Salmon factory in Onagawa

Shiogama Fish Market, Miyagi

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:05:00 +0000

This is my favorite wholesale/retail fish market.I believe official English name is Shiogama Marine Products Wholesale Center.

It is only 15 min walk or a couple of minutes taxi ride from the JR Honshiogama Station on Senseki line. It is extremely relaxed and friendly to general public compare to Tsukiji. It's a major tuna market, too. You will see many tuna wholesalers and other fish only found in this area.

Best of all, you can buy fresh fish at the market, bring them to the corner restaurant in the market, and get rice and miso soup set for 300 yen (as of fall 2007). You can make your own seafood donburi, tuna donburi or uni donburi! Such a nice treat!

Hours: 3:00 am 1:00 pm
Sundays 6:00 am to 2:00 pm

I have been there on Sunday and it was very quiet, but I still got good uni to eat at the market.

If you like fish, this fish market is highly recommended!

Wholesale Fish Market web site in Japanese:
http://www.nakaoroshi.or.jp/

Shiogama Jinja, Miyagi

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:43:00 +0000

While in Shiogama, other than sushi and fish market, there are a couple other places you might want to stop by.
This English site is run by Shiogama Tourism Association.
http://www.kankoubussan.shiogama.miyagi.jp/english/index.html

Shiogama Jinja is very quiet and nice spot to stop by while in Shiogama
About Shiogama Jinja by Tourrism Association: http://www.kankoubussan.shiogama.miyagi.jp/english/jinja/index.html

Nice pictures from Shiogama on Flickr, Poche's photostream.

Ishinomaki, Miyagi

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:57:00 +0000

1 and 1/2 hours from Sendai or 1 hour from Matsushima on JR Ishinomaki Line, this place is a sleepy fishing town in northern Miyagi on the coast between Matsushima and Kesennuma.

JR trains to Ishinomaki and everything around the Ishinomaki station from the vending machine to windows had bright cartoon characters, all Ishimori Shotaro's manga.

Ishinomaki port area is the fourth largest port in the nation for quantity of catch they bring in. (according to 2001 data)

English tourist information by the city of Ishinomaki:
http://www.city.ishinomaki.lg.jp/EN/sightseeing.jsp

About Ishinomaki on Wikipedia.

I visited this town to visit the brewer of Hitakami, Hirako Shuzo.

Suishotei, Shiogama, Miyagi

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 07:25:00 +0000

Shiogama, Miyagi is located one station before Matsushima from Sendai. The town is famous for fish market and for sushi.

I keep going back to Suishotei who offers fresh seafood. Their menu is highly seasonal and I recommend to go there for dinner. I think this place is worth traveling from Tokyo just for food.

Suishotei's English Web Site

Adress: 4-8, Kaigandori, Shiogama city,
Miyagi Prefecture , 985-0002
TEL: 022-362-1777
Weekday hours 11:30-14:00 17:00-21:00
Holiday hours 11:30-14:30 17:00-20:30
Closed on Tuesdays

Matsushima, Miyagi

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 07:02:00 +0000

Out of Three Great Views of Japan, this is my favorite. It is good for a day trip from Tokyo, especially if you have the JR pass. JR has a limited time offer for a day trip a round trip to Matsushima area from Tokyo around 16,000 yen. (as of October 2008)

Things to do in Matsushima
1. Ferry Boat Ride
2. Oysters - on the weekends, you will find bbq oysters everywhere in town.
3. If you have time, stay at one of nice ryokan to view the sun rise
4. Stop at a great Sake Shop, Mutoya, who carries only Miyagi sake. It is delightful to visit them.

English travel guide by Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Office.
http://www.pref.miyagi.jp/kankou/EN/sightseeing/Matsushima/Matsushima.htm

Imperial Palace, Kyoto

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 05:01:00 +0000

Tour of Kyoto Imperial Palace can be arranged with reservation.
http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/guide/kyoto.html

Day Trip to Nikko from Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (etsuko) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:12:00 +0000

Approximate Total Time:

4 hours round trip travel time on the Tobu railways from Asakusa, Tokyo

4 hours – 4 and 1/2 hours at Nikko

Walking Distance:

Total walking distance is around 4-5 km which includes walking up to Tōshō-gū from the station, then, covering temple grounds on foot. I returned to Nikko Station by bus.

Model Walking Route:

On this model route, the main shrines and temples of Nikko are covered. Some areas can be skipped if pressed for time. Admission ticket for Tōshō-gū and Sleeping Cat is 1,300 yen. If you have more than two hours in Nikko, get a combination ticket for 1,000 yen to cover Tōshō-gū (excluding Sleeping Cat), Futarasan-jinja, Rinnō-ji and Taiyūin. To see Sleeping Cat in addition costs 520 additional and may not be worth the extra fee.

Late October through November is the peak season for this area and weekends are always crowded. You may want to adjust walking time accordingly and make sure you have a returning train reservation.

Nikko Station

↓

Shin-kyō Bridge

↓Notes: If you get to Nikko around noon, there are some restaurants offering yuba or soybean curd lunch,
↓soba, and okonomiyaki along the way between the station and the Shin-kyō bridge.
↓For Wednesdays and Thursdays, some restaurants are closed.

Rinnō-ji (30 min)

↓Notes: Tour of Sanbutsu-dō is offered regularly and three Buddha statues are very impressive.
↓Without the tour, you can go through inside the temple in less than 30 min.
↓No photography is allowed inside.

Treasure House & garden (30 min) 300 yen admission even if you have 1,000 yen combination ticket

↓ Notes: Very nice quiet garden. Exhibition at the treasure house is very small, but good size to digest.

☆Tōshō-gū (60 min – 90 min at least)

↓Notes:Impressive, must see place to see early Edo period architecture with famous wood carvings.
↓Sleeping Cat and entrance admission to the Okusha or the tomb of Ieyasu Tokugawa is
↓additional 520 yen if you ↓have 1,000 yen combination ticket. It’s a bit of a hike up to the tomb

☆Treasure House (20 min) 500 yen admission even if you have 1,000 yen combination ticket

↓ Notes: Nice, small exhibition of mementos of Tokugawa Ieyasu, such as his swords, armor, and official ↓appointment letter.

Futarasan-jinja (20 min)

↓ Notes: Very peaceful.

☆Taiyūin -byo (40 min or more)

↓ Notes: 3^rd Tokugawa Shogun, Iemitsu’s mausoleum. It is very quiet in here and quite interesting to see
↓different type of architecture from Tosho-gu. You will see colorful statues of various deities by the gates
↓throughout. I would not miss this spot.

Nikko Station by bus or taxi

Cost:

For this model walking course, total admission is around 2,300 yen.

Round trip from Asakusa to Nikko is 5,480 yen per person using Tobu Limited Express, which is the best choice if you travel without the Japan Railpass.

Food:

For lunch, there are some restaurants on the way to the shrines and temples complex.

References:

Snapshots of each location can be found at this English site run by the city:

http://www.city.nikko.lg.jp/kankou/shaji/english/main.htm

The tourist information center has very detailed on-line English guide

http://www.nikko-jp.org/english/index.html

Other:

Toilets: All locations have western style toilets.

☆=recommended