Chill Out at the Seaside Park?

Enjoy autumn at Toyosu Park

It’s getting a little chilly lately in Tokyo, but it’s too early to keep indoors!!!

Now, time to make a trip to the urban seaside park where locals spend relaxing leisure on weekends.

hanging out on dockyard monuments

Here is the Toyosu Park, located 10 minutes by subway from Ginza and few minutes walk from Toyosu station on Yurakucho subway line and Yurikamome line. Toyosu is reclaimed land in the southwestern part of Koto City. The town was prospered as dockyard business in 1980s, and nowadays it’s known as a gate town to seaside area.

The park is located by Tokyo Bay and next to the urban shopping mall, LaLaport Toyosu. The park extends to the west along the sea, and Gas Museum, campsite, Football Park, and concert hall are following. Moreover, Japan’s biggest fish market will open in 2016 near these facilities.

“Mom, I wanna play here!!” – November 15, a festival day for children of 3, 5, 7 years of age

early Santa Claus is ready in courtyard

The mall offers a cinema, wide variety of shops and restaurants (180 in total) including Uniqlo (Japanese fast fashion), MUJI (minimal designed goods store), Tokyu Hands (household goods store), Daiso (100 yen shop). These novelty goods never let you down.

You may be fascinated by Japanese niche products.

today’s lunch

Of course, it’s great to have a meal at a fancy restaurant with a view of the ocean, but you may spend cozy lunch time with a quick & easy meal in the park. To-Go meals and Bento are available at the food court or supermarket (Aoki) in the mall. It’s even fun experience to try Japanese To-Go fast food. Bento shop, curry shop, rice bowl shop (beef & chicken) are around the intersection of Toyosu station.

Toyosu is also known as a town where the first Japanese convenience store was launched. A rice ball, sushi-roll, or sandwich would be great picnic lunch too. Then, do not forget to try 100 yen coffee. A self-service coffee machine makes fresh coffee with a taste similar to café.

On weekends, mini-train runs around the mall for kids, and food event, music event or sport event are often held in the park.  Thus, I guarantee you to have relaxing time in Toyosu Park, greenery open space by seaside. In case you get bored, you can rent an e-bicycle (pre-registration needed) at the park or Toyosu station and enjoy cycling through seaside area, or you can even cruise to Odaiba or Asakusa area.

“All Aboard!!!”

community cycle port under Yurikamome line

heads for Asakusa, traditional feel of Edo

Aren’t you getting tired of Tokyo sightseeing just following a guidebook?

If so, we introduce a free walking tour. 

Experience the daily life of locals with us.  
by E.M.

Let's get together to know about Sumo

Sumo is one of pillars of representing Japanese culture, so it attracts many foreign tourists. As tour guides, even we live in Japan, we don't know about how sumo originated and what is sumo culture. As our self training, we invited lecturer whose name is Yoshitaka Tsuchiya, working at Sumo museum and knowing much about Sumo culture, to give us a Sumo lecture. With new members joining this month, we enjoyed learning much about Sumo. Our mission is to disseminate unique Sumo culture in the world with new knowledge acquired at Sumo lecture . After Sumo lecturer, participated members got together to take a picture.       by A.C

If you would like to know about Sumo, please ask us anytime.
We would like to show you some interesting free walking tours.

New shops in Kiyosumishirakawa

In Kiyosumi-Shirakawa there are many spots, such as traditional Japanese garden, museum, cafes and shops.

In this article I recommend some shops there you can find something happy.

1.Brigela

Dou you know brioche?

Brioche is a pastry of French origin that is similar to a highly enriched bread, and whose high egg and butter content give it a rich and tender crumb.

Here you can get gelato in brioche. It is totally new sweets in japan

I choose pistachio and hazelnuts flavor. A slightly warmed brioche and cold gelato matched and are delicious. They make over ten flavors of gelato that suits the season. You will find your favorite flavor.

 <Brigela>

Open hours:  10:30 to 19:30(Closed on Mondays)

Location: 2-1-6 Miyoshi, Koto-city,Tokyo

2. Co.con

This is a gift shop. There are craft gifts, some items outshined by craftsmanship and artistic accessories.  You will find good souvenir.

■Pouch and cigarette case

■Tabi for kids

Tabi are traditional Japanese socks. Ankle-high and with a separation between the big toe and other toes. Tabi are essential with traditional clothing like kimono.

■Lantern made of washi, Japanese paper

Washi is a style of paper that was first made in Japan.

The word "washi" comes from wa 'Japanese' and shi 'paper', and the term is used to describe paper made by hand in the traditional manner. Washi is generally tougher than ordinary paper made from wood pulp, and is used in many traditional arts.

<Co.con>

Open hours:  10:30 to 19:30
(Closed on Mondays)

Location: 2-8-1 Miyoshi, Koto-city,Tokyo

3.RAMVIC

This is a pastry factory with artistic exterior. They mainly make and sell to corporate customers, but you can buy pastry from one peace at the entrance.

They sell maffins, dounuts, pies, cream puffs and so on.

These are delicious and offered at lower prices!

e.g. \150/maffin, \200/ cream puff

<RAMVIC>

Open hours:  Everyday, 10:00 to 17:00

Location: 2-6-1 Miyoshi, Koto-city,Tokyo

<Map>

From 10 to 15 minutes walk from Exit A3 Kiyosumishirakawa station on Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line / Oedo Line. by A.N

Are you interested in visiting unique spots in Koto City?

If so, please join our free walking tours　!

Four Divine Animals in Koto City

In Koto City, a new monument is placed in front of the Toyosu Civic Center when the center opened to public this September. It is the White Tiger monument, one of the Four Divine Animals. Other three monuments　have been placed already. So, four monuments are lined up now.

Ｗｈｉｔｅ　Ｔｉｇｅｒ

The Four Divine Animals, called “Sijin” in Japanese, are derived from old Chinese story. They are said to control and take care of safety for four directions, Blue Dragon,”Seiryuu”, for East, Red Phoenix,”Suzaku”, for South, White Tiger,”Byakko”, for West, and Black Snake-Tortoise,”Genbu”, for North.

Ｂｌｕｅ　Ｄｒａｇｏｎ

Ｒｅｄ　Ｐｈｏｅｎｉｘ

Black Snake-Tortoise

Blue Dragon is placed at the park of Higashioojima station, Red Phoenix is in the Wakasu Park and Black Snake-Tortoise is at the park of Kameido station.

Map of the Four Divine Animals in Koto City

Placing divine animals for four directions has been considered to be important when people hold nationwide events such as building castles, making tomb of nobleman and etc. 















In 1983, a mural color painting of Snake-Tortoise on the tomb wall was discovered at Kitora Tumulus, where a noble man was thought to be buried in about 7th or 8th century. The news catched people’s eyes followed by the discovery of mural painting of Blue Dragon and White Tiger in 1998, and by Red Phoenix in 2001.

Snake-tortoise (left) and Red phoenix

Site of Kitora Tumulus in Nara (left) and  Stone room of Kitora

Astronaut, Ms. Naoko Yamazaki

Let me introduce an episode. In 2010, Naoko Yamazaki, a Japanese female astronaut flew away from Kennedy Space Center to the space by Space Shuttle “Discovery” keeping the charm of the Four Divine Animals with her. After she completed the missions in International Space Station and came back to the Earth, she retuned the charm of the Four Divine Animals to Matsudo Shrine to show her appreciation.


There are several construction works going on preparing for the Tokyo Olympic 2020 and Tsukiji Fish Market’s new house in west area of Koto City. The White Tiger will watch the works and take care of the safety of the workers.        by B.I



Are you interested in unique divine animals in Koto city ?
If so, we will introduce you a free walking tour.
Feel free to contact us!  The tour details are here.

Rivers Are Calling You to Come Down

Have you ever seen a people paddling canoe in canals in Tokyo? 
For example, there are so many canals and rivers in Koto city to paddle, 
if we want to. If you do want to paddle canoe in the city and still you 

View from Onagigawa Canal

haven't tried it yet, then I'd say it's a shame to miss out the opportunity. 

Let's paddle in the canal. The weather tends to be extreme due mainly 
to a possible global warming, while the wind blowing across the canals 
is calling you to come down to the place that the water cools you gently.
You may feel so free when you saw birds floating on the water that you 
may forget about the troubles you've left behind in your daily life.

Tatekawa Canoe and Kayak Park

 If you don't know how to paddle canoe, don't worry. Koto city has provided you a place where you can learn how to do it. 
This is the place. Tatekawa Canoe and Kayak Park is only 10 minute walk from the JR Kinshicyo station.

Just visit there and you will find they've got everything you need; 
]such as instructors, canoes and paddles, life jackets and helmets. 
All you need is a pair of sandal and knee-length pants. They stay 
open until the end of October. Please note that they close on 
mondays. You can get more detailed infos about the place 
on their website.  (http://www.city.koto.lg.jp/seikatsu/douro/7476/62316.html)
All Canoeists Were Beginners when They Started

You will be full-fledged canoeist after practicing there couple of times. Then what's next? You may want to paddle in the nature. 
It's not difficult to find plaes where you can enjoy paddling under the blue sky in the Kanto area. For example, Chiba prefecture has a facility named Omigawa Nature House for Youths where you can experience 10km canoe tour on the river flowing into the Tonegawa river. You can refer to the website below; (http://omigawa.shopro.co.jp/）

Those Who Young at Heart Gathered on River Port for Paddling

Full-Fledged Canoeist Enjoys Paddling in the Kurobe river in Omigawa town that flows into the Tonegawa river.

You are not alone!

The Omigawa Nature House has been carrying out an event that offers 
an opportunity for beginners and experienced to challenge 10km canoe tour.

Almost half of 32 participants said they have never touched canoe before.

What would be your goal for paddling canoe? In my case, I'd like to watch the Ryogoku fire works over the Sumida river from canoe floating on the water.

Many Rivers to Cposs

Tokyo is the city sitting on the delta of rivers and canals. 
Why not come out of sardine commuter train and expose yourself to the river wind. Being paddling down the stream, you will really understand why noble Edo people loved boating so much.   by H.K

Autumn is the best season to visit Japan.
Would you like to stroll along the rivers in Koto city ? 

If so, please join our free walking tours!

The Kakashi (Scarecrow) Contest in 2015

Komachi scarecrow

The 18^th annual Kakashi (Scarecrow) contest sponsored by the association of local storekeepers was held during September 1 - 23. We reported this event, which only “those who in the know” knew about, on our blog last year, but let us write about this year’s contest again so that it may become a little more popular next year.

About 160 “decorative” scarecrows were displayed along both sides of “Fukagawa-museum” street in Kiyosumi-shirakawa, Koto-city, where contemporary art galleries and newly-emerging coffee shops have attracted more people recently and which still retains an atmosphere of Shitamachi - the old working class section.

Doraemon scarecrow

All scarecrows were made elaborately with participants' hard work, standing at intervals of about 3 - 5 meters for as long as 900 meters down the street. Visitors enjoyed the atmosphere of this open-air gallery, while having a walk in the town.

Minions scarecrow

Here is the one that received the Koto-city mayor’s award. The model is the heroine of NHK’s morning drama, “Mare.”

Mare scarecrow

You can take part in this contest without any entry fee, and if you are not confident about making a scarecrow from scratch, there are free frameworks prepared for kakashi available for you to build on.

This contest could be another institution around here next year, so why not think of entering your work!     by M.M

Autumn is the best season to visit Japan.
Would you like to visit koto city and enjoy scarecrow contest ? 

If so, please join our free walking tours!

Bon-Odori Dance

                     

Summer has come! But it is terribly hot and humid in Tokyo. Winter is not so severely cold in Tokyo as compared to northern area, so summer is the toughest season for many people. If you are in Tokyo now, please be careful not to get heat stroke under the blazing Sun.

However, there are many attractive things in summer. Watching fireworks, swimming in sea or pools, having watermelons, shaved ice, or beer, and watching and participating summer festivals, and so on. Among them, we would like to introduce you “Bon-Odori” dancing.

You might have heard amusing music and sound of drumming around parks or squares in the evening in this season. You might have seen people wearing kimono and dancing there. Yes, it is bon-odori.

 Bon, or sometimes called obon, is a Japanese Buddhist custom for commemorating one's ancestors. It is believed that the ancestors' spirits return to this world during bon period in order to visit their relatives. People decorate their Buddhist altars with flowers and lanterns to greet ancestors’ spirits, offer foods, and visit graves.

There are many events in the bon season, and the “bon-odori” dancing is one of them. There are several theories about the origin of this dancing. It is held in bon season, but usually a religious atmosphere is quite sparse. So if you are interested in the dancing, don’t just watch it, try to participate in it freely.

The dancing might look a little complex at first. But soon you will find that it just repeats some simple and easy motions to the music. You don’t need any special costumes or skills to dance. Just enjoy yourself and just have fun! 

There is a good opportunity to watch and try a bon-odori event in Koto City area. It will be held on August 22th and 23th at Fukagawa Park near Monzen-Nakacho subway station. It will start at 19:00 and end at 21:00 on both days. You can also see an amazing Japanese drumming performance, Fukusumi Taiko. Enjoy summer in Japan to the full!　　by C.N.

Even Japanese summer is terribly hot, there are many interesting entertainments.

Would you like to visit koto city and join sightseeing as well as bon-odori dance ? 
If so, please join our free walking tours!