The Tokyo Traveler » Nihonbashi http://www.thetokyotraveler.com About Tokyo for travelers, visitors, and residents. Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:30:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Traditional Rickshaw Tours of Tokyo http://www.thetokyotraveler.com/2008/09/traditional-rickshaw-tours-of-tokyo/ http://www.thetokyotraveler.com/2008/09/traditional-rickshaw-tours-of-tokyo/#comments Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:00:05 +0000 http://www.thetokyotraveler.com/traditional-rickshaw-tours-of-tokyo/ Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

]]> jinrikisha line drawing The term rickshaw is a western word  derived from the Japanese word jinrikisha which can be literally translated as “human-drawn carriage” in English.  The much romanticized jinrikisha is a simple cart with large, spoked wheels on either side and an axle that rests upon the ground until a runner picks it up to navigate the occupants to their chosen destination.  The jinrikisha is was invented in Japan around 1868 and was one of the main modes of transportation around the city with over 40,000 in operation by 1872.

Today, you can tour the Asakusa and Nihonbashi areas of Tokyo on a jinrikisha reminiscent of those used in the latter half of the 18th and the early portion of the 19th century, before cars took over the streets of Tokyo.

jinrikisha Asakusa

Kurumaya Nihombashi offers four different jinrikisha tours of the Nihonbashi area starting at Y7,200 for 30 minutes and, for a limited time, you will receive a 10% discount by booking a tour through their website. The Nihonbashi area is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Tokyo and is home to many historic temples, shines and traditional business.

If you are in the Asakusa area, Jidaya offers a variety of different jinrikisha tours starting at Y2,100.  Book a tour by calling 03-3843-0890 or just head out to Asakusa where you can’t miss the runners and their vehicles lined up  along Kaminamiron-dori, near the Kaminamiron gate, entrance to Nakamise shopping street and the famous Senso-ji temple.

Take a break from walking and explore these two great areas on a jinrikisha – what a great way to see the city!

Image Credit:  Wikimedia, Jinriksha & Flickr, IMG_6131

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]]> http://www.thetokyotraveler.com/2008/09/traditional-rickshaw-tours-of-tokyo/feed/ 0 The Japanese Fan – A Functional Accessory http://www.thetokyotraveler.com/2008/08/the-japanese-fan-a-functional-accessory/ http://www.thetokyotraveler.com/2008/08/the-japanese-fan-a-functional-accessory/#comments Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:00:05 +0000 http://www.thetokyotraveler.com/the-japanese-fan-a-functional-accessory/ Post from: The Tokyo Traveler

]]> FansOn the streets of Tokyo it’s not uncommon to see people of all ages fanning themselves during the hot summer months. Men, women and children have used fans for centuries as a way to stave of the heat and humidity and one company has been crafting these highly functional, and beautiful, Japanese accessories for over 400 years.

Ibasen started business in 1590 and still operates today in the Nihonbashi area of Tokyo. At first Ibasen mostly dealt in washi (Japanese paper) and bamboo goods but in the late Edo period the company started making and selling uchiwa(fan), sensu (folding fans) and ukiyo-e (Japanese woodblock prints).

The quality of a sensu can be measured by the symmetry and flatness of the kami (paper) utilized, the quality of the hone (bone, usually a special type of bamboo), the space between the ten (top of the fan) and the nakabone (ribs), and the tightness of the kaname (pivot point).

Today craftsmen and women continue the tradition of fan making and offer their wares to the public at the Ibasen store, located a short walk from the Mitsukoshi-mae Metro station (look for the green arrow on this map and take the A4 exit located in lower left quadrant). The store is open 10-6 on weekdays, closed on weekends and holidays.

Image Credit: Personal Collection

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