In the fall, the harvest of new rice is celebrated at temples and shrines and moon viewing, tsukimi, is all the rage.  Residents and visitors alike head out for walks in the parks of Tokyo to take in the colorful fall foliage with almost as much delight as when they head off to picnic under the cherry blossoms each spring. The changing colors of fall foliage is a beautiful sight no matter where you are and Japan is no exception.  The leaves of Japanese Maple trees make a gradual change from pale green to a fiery red each autumn and the Ginko leaves turn a lovely shade of yellow.  Consider a cruise down the Sumida River to Hamarikyu Detached Palace Garden or a visit to Rikugien Garden to take in the stunning colors of fall in Tokyo.

Moon viewing is a traditional Japanese autumn event that coincides with the full moons in September and October each year. Japanese silver grass, dumplings called tsukimi dango and sake are usually displayed as offerings during tsukimi which will occur on September 14th and October 11th this year.  The Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel in Shibuya has put together a tsukimi accommodation package that includes a bottle of sake and seasonal foods meant to be enjoyed while you gaze out at the moon from your room on the upper floors of the hotel.  The package also includes a twin or king room and breakfast for ¥48,000 and is available through November 14th.

The city’s restaurants and home chefs take full advantage of seasonal foods and fall favorites such as pine mushrooms (matsutake), gingko nuts (ginnan) and mackerel (saba) will start to appear on menus and in the supermarkets along with new rice (shin-mai) which is harvested in September and October.

While summer in Tokyo is the peak of festival season in the city, there are many fun fall festivals and events on the calendar.  The Japan Times Festival Listings offer a good overview of events in the city each month and is a great resource to find the fall festival that fits into your schedule.

So get out there, sample some seasonal food, attend a fall festival and be sure to ponder the moon this Autumn in Tokyo!

Image Credit: Flickr, Happiness Found in Ueno Park & Full Moon

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

A Brief History

Bunkyo-ku, translated as “culture ward”, was established in 1947 and is a combination of Hongo Ward, which dates back to the Edo period, and Koishikawa. The ward has been home to many famous Japanese artists, writers and politicians throughout it’s history it and was once the outermost boundary of urban Edo.

Events

In February and March take in the Ume (Japanese apricot blossom) Matsuri at Yushima Tenjine (Shrine).  The shrine’s grand festival is held in May and the Kiku Matsuri (chrysanthemum festival) is held in November.

Catch a baseball game at Tokyo Dome (April – October) or visit the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum any time of the year.

Visit the annual Azalea (satsuki) Festival at Rikugien Gardens from late May to early June.

Dine by the light of fireflies in June or pursue the gardens of Chinzan-so year round.

The Sights

Yushima Tenjine (Shrine) enshrines the spirits of  Michizane Sugawara (845-901), a politician and a scholar during the Heian era and who was deified upon his death as Tenjin, the God of scholarship and literature.  Many students visit this shrine before school entrance examinations and pray to Tenjin for success.

The Akamon (red gate) of The University of Tokyo – Hongo Campus was built in 1828 to welcome a new bride to the then residence of Lord Kaga.  It is now a symbol of the University and will provide access to Sanshiro Ike Pond.

Yayoi Art Museum features a collection from Kasho Takabatake who is famous for his shojo-ga, illustrations of frail women with large eyes that became iconic during the 19th century.

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is beautiful garden with both Chinese and Japanese accents.  Construction of the garden began in 1629 and it has been designated as a “Special Place of Scenic Beauty” by Japan.

Visit Nezu-jinja Shrine which is said to have been established over 1900 years ago and is home to many Important Cultural Assets of Japan.

Download the Bunkyo City Tourist Asscoation’s “A Town of Culture:  Bunkyo Walking Tour Guide” (Large PDF) to read more about the sights, festivals and famous people connected to Bunkyo Ward as well as how you can rent a bike to make navigating this hilly ward of Tokyo a little bit easier.

Tokyo Toursim Info also presents three area walks.  A full day walk itinerary that includes Tokyo Dome and Koishikawa Korakuen, or half day walks that include the Koishikawa Botanical Garden or a stroll through old Japanese streets in Yanaka and Nezu.

Fun Facts & Trivia

From 1984 until 2004, the portrait of famous Bunkyo-ku resident and author Soseki Natsumi appeared on the Japanese 1000 Yen note.

Famous Japanese Haiku poet Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) is said to have lived and worked in Bunkyo-ku.  In addition to writing his famous poems, he also worked on the construction of the Kanda water system from 1677-1680 – not very glamorous work!

Image Credit:  Flickr, Tokyo Dome, Personal Collection, Rikugieun Pond & Flickr, Nezu Shrine

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

Aka (Red) is the color of the circle representing the sun on the Hinomaru, the flag of Japan, and is considered good luck. The Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa and many of the shrines around Tokyo are painted in this deep crimson color.Kiiro (Yellow) is the color of the Ginko biloba leaves in the fall. Better know for their green color, the Ginko biloba leaf is one of the symbols of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Midori (Green) can be found in the parks and gardens that are pockets of natural beauty amidst the modern architecture and noise of this bustling city. Sakurairo (Pale Pink) is the color of spring in Tokyo and the color of the cherry blossoms that bloom each year. There are so many other colors that Tokyo has to offer, there is the blue and white of the traditional pottery and fabrics, the white and silver that is ever present on the modern architectural wonders that grace the Tokyo skyline, and the black sumi ink that artists use to create renderings of the kanji and Japanese poetry that are gorgeous in their simplicity.

Lastly, covering the whole spectrum of color is the aptly named Rainbow Bridge in the Odaiba area of Tokyo.

Come explore the rainbow of colors that Tokyo has to offer, you won’t be disappointed!

Image Credits: Flickr, Kaminarimon, Japanese style garden #2, 銀杏並木, Cherry Blossom at night & Rainbow Bridge

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

• Meiji Jingu Shrine – The garden is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ( 6 p.m. on Sat. & Sun.). Admission:¥500.  Closest Station: Harajuku (Yamanote Line) or Tokyo Metro Meiji-Jingumae Sta.
• Horikiri Shobuen Garden -  The garden is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Admission is free.  Closest Station:  10 minute walk from Horikiri-Shobuen Station
• Mizumoto Koen Park – The garden is open daily from dawn to dusk.  Admission is free.  Directions: South Exit of Kanamachi Sta. From there, 10-15 min. by bus to Mizumoto Koen Bus Stop, and then a 7 min walk.

The Meiji Jingu garden, pictured above, is my favorite.  Thousands of irises meander along a creek bed that seems to go on forever.  There are many benches and a snack-shop in the garden where you can pause to take in the view.

Photo Credit, Flickr, IMG_6740

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler