A Brief History

Chiyoda-ku was founded in 1947 and has been the seat of the Japanese government since the Edo Period (1603 to 1868).  The area is named after a famous local castle, also known as Edo Castle, which was built on the site that is now home to the Imperial Palace.

The main train station in Chiyoda-ku is Tokyo Station but the area is also serviced by numerous stations operated by Tokyo Metro. 

Events

Tokyo International Forum hosts many international conventions and events throughout the year.  It is also home to the Oedo Antique Market and the Mitsuo Aida Museum.

A sumo exhibition at Yasukuni Shrine is usually held each year in early April.  Check the Nihon Sumo Kyokai website for dates.

Also in April, the Cherry Blossoms are at their best around Chiyoda’s Chidorigafuchi Moat. Walk the path around the moat or rent a boat for a romantic paddle around the moat with someone you love.

Check the Chiyoda city festival listings page for details on other events going on throughout the year in the city.

The Sights

The most famous tourist sight in Chiyoda-ku is the impressive Imperial Palace.  The adjoining Imperial Palace East Garden is also quite stunning and is free to visit.  

Famous Shrines in the area include Kanda Myoujin, Yasukuni Shrine and Hie Jinja.

Hibiya Park is an oasis of green and a favorite spot for the area’s office workers to escape

The Marunouchi area is home to many office buildings including the modern Shin-Marunouchi Building that houses four floors of restaurants as well as retail stores and office space.

Another dining option is Yakitori Alley, where skewered and grilled chicken are served with cold beer in a fun atmosphere.

Akihabara is Tokyo’s electronics district and home to many of the most recent tech toys, computers, cameras and game devices on the market.  You can also pick up some Mange or Anime in the area or visit one of many Maid Cafe’s.

The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo was established in 1952 and is home to the museum itself, a crafts gallery and The National Film Center all dedicated to collecting and preserving modern artworks, films and other items of note from the 20th century.

Tour the National Diet or parliament of Japan.

There are many great sights in Chiyoda and to help visitors see them all Chiyoda City offers three walking itineraries to choose from.  However, if you want to rest your feet, take a ride on the Marunouchi Shuttle, one of three free bus routes in Tokyo.

Fun Facts & Trivia

The most famous residents on the Ward are Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan. The palace has housed the Imperial Household of Japan since 1868, when the imperial family relocated from Kyoto which had been the imperial capital for more than a thousand years.

The Imperial palace and surrounding grounds occupy twelve percent of the the cities 11.6 square kilometers.

Image Credit: Personal Collection, Imperial Palace, Yasukuni Shrine & Akihabara

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I found eighteen cows as I walked along Marunouchi-Nakadori Avenue between Yurakucho and Tokyo Stations.  The artists created some surreal cows – some were subdued, many were very bright and a few were just a little strange.  The one that made me laugh out loud looked as if she had was headed home from a very long night out on the town with her fishnet stockings a little worse for wear – I’m calling her the S&M cow!

The Cow Parade was started 10 years ago in Switzerland and has made appearances in Paris and New York.  This is the third time the event is being held in Tokyo.  The Cow Parade 2008 will be on display until October 19th so you will want to get a mooo-ve on if you want to see them before they are herded off to their new homes!

This slide show features the 18 cows that I encountered on my walk this past weekend:

Which was your favorite member of the cow-munity in the Tokyo 2008 Cow Parade?

Image Credit: Personal Collection

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What will you find at the Oedo Antique Market?  The selection varies but you will likely find a selection of Japanese artwork, possibly some ukiyo-e (woodblock) prints and maybe some old Japanese signs that you could take home and display as a great souvenir from your trip. 

There are sure to be a selection of vintage kimonos and obi for you to peruse along with jewelry, Japanese ceramics, dolls and figurines.  You may also find the display of antique house wares intriguing and may even be tempted to pick up a Japanese screen to take home with you. 

The Oedo Antique Market market offers a glimpse into the way the Japanese lived and the things that they value from the Edo period, through the Meiji period, to the present day. Images from recent markets show that this is a fairly laid back event that can be enjoyed by antique lovers looking of their next treasure or the simply those who want to browse the history of Japan through the items on display. 

Event Details

Upcoming Dates:  September 7 & 21, October 5 & 19, and November 2 & 16
Hours:  9AM – 4PM
Location:  Courtyard of Tokyo International Forum (access map) with easy access from a number of train stations including Tokyo Station and Yurakucho Station.

The Oedo Antique Market is an outdoor event that may be canceled due to heavy rain.  Please check the Oedo Antique Market website for updates if the weather is questionable.

Image Credit: Flickr, japanese dolls

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The high-rise tower reaches a height of 198m (650 feet) and houses four floors dedicated to restaurants that feature cuisines running the gamut from traditional Japanese to Brazilian Barbeque and Modern Australian and everything in between.  An additional four floors are dedicated to wide variety of retail stores.  The remaining 30 floors house various corporate offices.

Fusing the rich legacy of Marunouchi with a modern vision for the future, the stately silhouette of this new landmark building was conceived by the globally renowned British architect Sir Michael Hopkins…..the Shin-Marunouchi Building symbolizes the new look and functionality of the Marunouchi Area.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting this great building and enjoyed walking through the art deco inspired lobby on my way to a delicious traditional Japanese Soba lunch at Ishizuki on the 5th floor.  After lunch I took a brief stroll out onto the open-air patio and had the pleasure of looking down on the renovations of Tokyo Station.   I will be heading back soon and recommend that you check it out the next time your are in the area.  (access map & directions)

Photo Credit:  Personal Collection

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On a visit to the branch in Harajuku I was amazed by the variety of hashi available. The walls were covered with hashi in almost every color of the rainbow and there were sizes and styles that I had never seen before.

When you purchase hashi the correct length is estimated at 1.5 times the distance between your thumb and index fingers when extended. You should also considers the finish, thickness, shape and weight of the hashi when deciding which pair is right for you. Hashi should never be put in the dishwasher or left soaking in water. Just wipe them down with a damp sponge and dry them with a dish towel before storing them. If your chopstick are wooden they will dry out over time but a periodic rub down with rapeseed or olive oil will keep them in good shape.

Ginza Natsuno also sell hashi rests and the variety on display was mind boggling. There were turtles, samurai, fish, castles, and I even spotted a baseball glove with a ball. These little ceramic gems were so adorable that you could start a collection and the uninitiated would never suspect that they were meant to rest your chopsticks on so the table cloth wouldn’t get dirty!

The Harajuku location is actually composed of two stores. The main store holds the hashi and hashi rests and the satellite store (next door) carries dishes, toys and figurines.

What better souvenir is there than one that you can actually use that will bring back fond memories of you trip to Tokyo?

The maps of the Ginza Natsuno locations are in Japanese but I have provided you with the station name and exit number which should make the maps easy to navigate using the Tokyo Transfer Guide. Here are the links to the maps:

Harajuku location, Exit A2 from Omotesando station.

Marunouchi location, 4th floor of the Shin-Marunouchi Building near Tokyo Station.

Ginza locations, Exit B5 from Ginza station.

Photos: Personal Collection

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