Haode Temple
Gohonzon Temple is located in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. It is a temple with rich historical and cultural heritage, and it is also the birthplace of the famous "Maneki Neko". Gohonzon Temple was built in 1480 and originally belonged to the Rinzai sect. It was later converted to the Soto sect in 1584. This temple is large in scale and has a peaceful environment. Every spring, the area around the temple is filled with beautiful cherry blossoms. Additionally, the Setagaya Castle Ruins are located nearby, further adding to the historical and cultural atmosphere of the area.
Jimbocho Used Bookstore Street
In the area surrounding the intersection of Jinbocho in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, there is a vast area with a large concentration of bookstores, most of which are second-hand bookstores. This is the largest second-hand bookstore street in the world, filled with ancient buildings and billboards, with bookstalls lining the sidewalks. Although the space inside the bookstores is small and the decoration simple, they often display a variety of different books, which are very popular with book lovers. The well-known "Neyama Bookstore" is also located here and sells books related to China.
Design vision
This art museum was designed by Tadao Ando, whose inspiration came from Issey Miyake's "A Piece of Cloth" design concept, which is one of the reasons why it has become a "pilgrimage site" for fans of Tadao Ando. The exterior of the museum is understated and has a sense of design, and the roof, which is made up of two complete steel plates forming an inverted triangle, is particularly eye-catching. Although 70% of the overall space of the building is hidden underground, large areas of floor-to-ceiling windows bring in a lot of natural light, making the two exhibition halls located underground very bright and giving a comfortable feeling.
National museums of two countries
The two regions are a scenic spot with Edo-style charm, as well as a famous gathering place for sumo wrestlers. On the streets and inside the train stations, you can see sumo wrestlers wearing yukatas. There are six major sumo tournaments held every year, with three of them taking place at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in January, May, and September. In addition, there is a Sumo Museum on the first floor of the Kokugikan, where you can see various materials related to sumo such as ukiyo-e prints, banzuke (list of sumo wrestlers' ranks), and embroidered aprons. It is recommended for visitors to visit the Sumo Museum in addition to watching the matches.
Nezu Shrine
The 1900-year history of Negishi Shrine fills it with an atmosphere of historical sediment, while its red gate and main hall showcase the beauty of history and tranquility. Inside and outside the shrine, azaleas are abundant, and the collision between different colors brings vitality to this sacred place. In May each year, the bright red and pink azaleas bloom, adding an indescribable beauty to Negishi Shrine.
Goddess of the Ghosts and Children (a deity in Chinese mythology)
This shrine is located near the Kishimojin-mae station on the Arakawa line. It is not very large, but is very peaceful. The interior of the shrine is simple and elegant, without excessive decoration, conveying the solemn and quiet atmosphere of Japanese shrines. In front of the shrine, there is a century-old candy store called "Kamikawaguchi-ya", where you can taste local specialties and have a unique cultural experience.
