Home > TOKYO 東京都

Last additions - TOKYO 東京都
mu805-20060320_7783s.jpg
Shirahige Bridge on the Taito Ward end.Mar 04, 2023
mu803-20060320_7775s.jpg
Sumida River from Shirahige Bridge.Mar 04, 2023
mu802-20060320_7781s.jpg
Shirahige Bridge over Sumida River is on the border of three wards: Sumida, Taito, and Arakawa. The original bridge was wooden built in 1914. It was a toll bridge, but didn't do well business wise due to watashi-bune commuter boats in the same area.Mar 04, 2023
mu801-20060320_7770s.jpg
Built in 1931, Shirahige Bridge was named after nearby Shirahige Shrine. Length is 167.6 meters. Amazing that it survived World War II. 白鬚橋Mar 04, 2023
mu800-20060320_7768s.jpg
Also near Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden is Shirahige Bridge crossing Sumida River to Taito Ward (left side) and Arakawa Ward (right side). The road leads to Minowa and Minami-Senju.Mar 04, 2023
mu753-20060320_7766s.jpg
Shirahige Shrine in Higashi Mukojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo is also a branch shrine of Shirahige Shrine in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture. 白鬚神社Mar 04, 2023
mu752-20060320_7762s.jpg
Shirahige Shrine in Higashi Mukojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo. "Shirahige" literally means "white beard," a sign of old age and longevity. The shrine worships Sarutahiko Ōkami for strength and guidance.Mar 04, 2023
mu750-20060320_7767s.jpg
Near Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden are seven shrines for the Sumidagawa Seven Gods of Good Fortune (Sumidagawa Shichi-fukujin 隅田川七福神めぐり). This is a map of the seven shrines.Mar 04, 2023
mu751-20060320_7761s.jpg
Near Mukojima Garden is Shirahige Shrine in Higashi Mukojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo. Dedicated to the God of Longevity, it's one of the Sumidagawa Seven Gods of Good Fortune. 白鬚神社Mar 04, 2023
mu711-20230228_9477s.jpg
Turn right and go straight. There will be a small playground.Mar 04, 2023
mu710-20230228_9475s.jpg
From the bus stop, follow the sign to walk to the garden's front entrance. Walk around the garden fence.Mar 04, 2023
mu709-20230228_9472s.jpg
On the Nippori-bound bus #22 (里22) from JR Kameido Station, get off here at Hyakkaen-mae bus stop.Mar 04, 2023
mu708-20230228_9474s.jpg
Mukojima Hyakkaen is near Higashi-Mukojima Station on the Tobu Skytree Line or Keisei Hikifune Station on Keisei Oshiage Line.Easiest way is to take the Nippori-bound bus #22 (里22) from JR Kameido Station (bus stop 6). Get off at Hyakkaen-mae.Mar 04, 2023
mu707-20060320_7696s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu706-20060320_7752s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu705-20060320_7702s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu704-20230228_9547s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu702-20060320_7701s.jpg
The garden has 29 monuments like this dedicated to poets or literature.Mar 04, 2023
mu703-20230228_9531s.jpg
寶屋月彦の句碑Mar 04, 2023
mu701-20230228_9699s.jpg
Small gift shop and cafe with outdoor seating. 売店Mar 04, 2023
mu700-20230228_9684s.jpg
Baido-sui well 梅洞水Mar 04, 2023
mu509-20060320_7746s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu508-20060320_7738s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu507-20060320_7740s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu506-20060320_7742s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu505-20060320_7736s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu504-20060320_7735s.jpg
These flowers were in bloom in late March.Mar 04, 2023
mu503-20060320_7705s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu502-20060320_7703s.jpg
These flowers were in bloom in late March.Mar 04, 2023
mu501-20060320_7734s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu500-20060320_7732s.jpg
These flowers were in bloom in late March.Mar 04, 2023
mu391-20230228_9605s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu390-20230228_9590s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu389-20230228_9591s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu388-20230228_9604s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu387-20230228_9588s.jpg
Plum blossoms in front of Onari-zashiki 御成座敷.Mar 04, 2023
mu386-20230228_9586s.jpg
Onari-zashiki 御成座敷Mar 04, 2023
mu385-20060320_7714s.jpg
Pond has koi fish.Mar 04, 2023
mu384-20060320_7707s.jpg
Garden pond is slender.Mar 04, 2023
mu383-20230228_9598s.jpg
Garden pond is designed as a marsh.Mar 04, 2023
mu382-20230228_9595s.jpg
Pond bridgeMar 04, 2023
mu381-20230228_9594s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu380-20230228_9681s.jpg
Pine tree at Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden, bottom view.Mar 04, 2023
mu379-20230228_9648s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu378-20230228_9646s.jpg
Pine tree at Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden.Mar 04, 2023
mu377-20230228_9644s.jpg
Pine tree at Mukojima with yukitsuri ropes for protection against snow.Mar 04, 2023
mu376-20230228_9641s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu375-20230228_9599s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu374-20230228_9643s.jpg
Small bamboo grove.Mar 04, 2023
mu373-20230228_9620s.jpg
Pine tree.Mar 04, 2023
mu372-20230228_9642s.jpg
Pine tree.Mar 04, 2023
mu371-20230228_9567s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu370-20230228_9601s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu368-20230228_9521s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu369-20230228_9562s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu367-20230228_9525s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu366-20230228_9518s.jpg
White plum blossoms named "Shirokaga."Mar 04, 2023
mu365-20230228_9565s.jpg
Species name is "Shirokaga."Mar 04, 2023
mu364-20230228_9626s.jpg
This is a pretty white plum blossom tree. Species name is "Shirokaga."Mar 04, 2023
mu363-20230228_9640s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu362-20230228_9633s.jpg
Japanese bush clover (hagi) tunnel.Mar 04, 2023
mu361-20230228_9537s.jpg
Japanese bush clover (hagi) tunnel.Mar 04, 2023
mu360-20230228_9631s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu359-20230228_9625s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu358-20230228_9637s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu356-20230228_9627s.jpg
Japanese bush clover (hagi) tunnel.Mar 04, 2023
mu357-20230228_9622s.jpg
Japanese bush clover (hagi) tunnel.Mar 04, 2023
mu355-20230228_9558s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu354-20230228_9621s.jpg
Japanese bush clover (hagi) tunnel is flanked by plum trees. ハギのトンネルMar 04, 2023
mu353-20230228_9548s.jpg
Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden's Japanese bush clover (hagi) tunnel. Need to see it in early September. Otherwise, it's bare.Mar 04, 2023
mu352-20230228_9556s.jpg
Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden's major feature is this Japanese bush clover (hagi) tunnel.Mar 04, 2023
mu351-20230228_9543s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu350-20230228_9542s.jpg
Pink plum blossoms.Mar 04, 2023
mu348-20230228_9532s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu349-20230228_9536s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu347-20230228_9527s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu346-20230228_9529s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu344-20230228_9553s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu345-20230228_9554s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu342-20230228_9560s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu343-20230228_9552s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu341-20230228_9639s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu340-20230228_9617s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu338-20230228_9610s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu339-20230228_9618s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu337-20230228_9613s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu336-20060320_7699s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu335-20060320_7700s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu334-20230228_9693s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu332-20230228_9673s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu333-20230228_9677s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu330-20230228_9662s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu331-20230228_9668s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu329-20230228_9660s.jpg
Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden ume plum blossoms.Mar 04, 2023
mu328-20230228_9656s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu327-20230228_9523s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu326-20230228_9513s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu325-20230228_9512s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu324-20230228_9583s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu322-20230228_9576s.jpg
Plum blossoms in Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden and Tokyo Skytree.Mar 04, 2023
mu323-20230228_9509s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu321-20230228_9575s.jpg
Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden plum blossoms with Tokyo Skytree in the background.Mar 04, 2023
mu320-20230228_9581s.jpg
Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden has some trellis where you can sit and admire the flowers.Mar 04, 2023
mu319-20230228_9580s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu318-20230228_9499s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu316-20230228_9503s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu317-20230228_9500s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu314-20230228_9501s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu315-20230228_9493s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu313-20230228_9507s.jpg
Mar 04, 2023
mu312-20230228_9494s.jpg
Small hut or gazebo. あずまや Mar 04, 2023
mu311-20230228_9690s.jpg
Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden was destroyed by the March 1945 firebombing of Tokyo, but was rebuilt and reopened in 1949.Mar 04, 2023
mu310-20230228_9700s.jpg
Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden with ume plum blossoms in Sumida-ku, Tokyo.Mar 04, 2023
mu308-20060320_7759s.jpg
Flowers currently in bloom in the garden.Mar 04, 2023
mu309-20230228_9491s.jpg
This was late Feb. when the plum blossoms were in full bloom.Mar 04, 2023
mu307-20230228_9488s.jpg
After paying admission, go through this Garden Gate to enter the garden. 庭門Mar 04, 2023
mu306-20230228_9487s.jpg
The garden has 29 monuments for poetry and poets. 千寿庵益賀の句碑Mar 04, 2023
mu305-20230228_9486s.jpg
Poetry monument as you enter the garden. This one is by famous Haiku poet Matsuo Basho. About the coming of spring. 松尾芭蕉の句碑 Mar 04, 2023
mu304-20060320_7690s.jpg
About Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden in Japanese.Mar 04, 2023
mu303-20230228_9473s.jpg
Event schedule for Mukojima Hyakkaen's Ume Matsuri (Plum Blossom Festival) from Feb. 11 to March 5, 2023. A few events and entertainment are held on the weekends during this period.Mar 04, 2023
mu302-20230228_9484s.jpg
About Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden.Mar 04, 2023
mu300-20230228_9485s.jpg
Operated by the Tokyo government, Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden is a medium-size Japanese garden in a quiet residential area in eastern Tokyo (Sumida Ward) not far from Tokyo Skytree.Mar 04, 2023
mu301-20230228_9481s.jpg
Entrance to Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden. Open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (enter by 4:30 p.m.), Closed: December 29 to January 3. Garden admission is only ¥150 for adults. For age 65 and older, only ¥70. What a bargain.Mar 04, 2023
mo351-20220409_8428.jpg
JR Shin-Koiwa north entrance. On the left is the escalator to Skydeck Tatsumi.May 11, 2022
mo350-20220409_8174.jpg
JR Shin-Koiwa Station north entrance (kitaguchi).May 11, 2022
mo341-20220409_8187.jpg
On the south side of JR Shin-Koiwa Station, inside a shopping arcade named Lumière. 新小岩ルミエール商店街 May 11, 2022
mo340-20220409_8185.jpg
On the south side of JR Shin-Koiwa Station is a shopping arcade named Lumière with 140 stores. It extends across both Katsushika and Edogawa Wards. 新小岩ルミエール商店街 May 11, 2022
mo333-20220409_8186.jpg
JR Shin-Koiwa Station south entrance straight ahead. Koban police box on the right. A new station building will soon appear.May 11, 2022
mo332-20220409_8152.jpg
JR Shin-Koiwa Station south side as seen from the platform.May 11, 2022
mo331-20220409_8151.jpg
JR Shin-Koiwa Station south side as seen from the platform. This view will soon be gone when the new station building under construction is completed. The Lumière shopping arcade is visible.May 11, 2022
mo330-20220409_8150.jpg
JR Shin-Koiwa Station south side as seen from the platform. May 11, 2022
mo291-20220409_8398.jpg
Monchicchi Park is near Naka River.Apr 21, 2022
mo290-20220409_8259.jpg
Park rules.Apr 21, 2022
mo289-20220409_8258.jpg
Back entrance.Apr 21, 2022
mo288-20220409_8260.jpg
Monchicchi Park's Chibikko Hiroba, a small playground for infants.Apr 21, 2022
mo287-20220409_8264.jpg
Monchicchi-chan rockerApr 21, 2022
mo286-20220409_8262.jpg
Monchicchi-chan rockerApr 21, 2022
mo285-20220409_8261.jpg
Monchicchi rockerApr 21, 2022
mo284-20220409_8266.jpg
Monchicchi playground for infants and preschoolers.Apr 21, 2022
mo283-20220409_8271.jpg
Another section of Monchicchi Park is Chibikko Hiroba, a small playground for infants. ちびっこ広場Apr 21, 2022
mo282-20220409_8270.jpg
Park restrooms decorated with Monchicchi.Apr 21, 2022
mo281-20220409_8273.jpg
Playground equipment with a Monchicchi silhouette on the ground.Apr 21, 2022
mo280-20220409_8268.jpg
Playground equipment for older kids.Apr 21, 2022
mo279-2219801013-007.jpg
Sekiguchi Doll House displayed many celluloid dolls. The company got its start in 1918 making celluloid toy dolls.Apr 21, 2022
mo278-20220409_8282.jpg
The building was a storehouse for celluloid doll materials before it became a doll museum. Since celluloid is flammable, the storehouse was made of stone bricks.Apr 21, 2022
mo277-20220409_8277.jpg
Sekiguchi Doll House was located here before it was torn down to make way for this park. This monument is made of the stone bricks from the Doll House. The original Doll House sign is here.Apr 21, 2022
mo276-20220409_8279.jpg
Sekiguchi Doll House monument. Sekiguchi Doll House was a small museum of vintage celluloid dolls produced by Sekiguchi. Apr 21, 2022
mo275-20220409_8276.jpg
Monchicchi on the cobblestones.Apr 21, 2022
mo274-20220409_8286.jpg
In this corner, fitness equipment for stretching your body.Apr 21, 2022
mo273-20220409_8284.jpg
Main part of Monchicchi Park. Good place to run around, play with radio-controlled cars, or use playground equipment. This is also the emergency evacuation zone.Apr 21, 2022
mo272-20220409_8293.jpg
Opened on April 9, 2016 with a ceremony attended by many local dignitaries, Moncchichi Park is in a quiet residential neighborhood in Nishi Shin-Koiwa near Naka River.Medium-size park (4,580 sq. meters) with a graveled ground, cobblestones, and playground equipment. Apr 21, 2022
mo271-20220409_8287.jpg
Entrance to the main area of Monchicchi Park. As an emergency evacuation zone, this area has a storehouse storing emergency provisions, manholes for makeshift toilets, wash basins, rainwater tank, and a few benches which can be converted into wood-burning stoves.Apr 21, 2022
mo270-20220409_8323.jpg
Monchicchi angel has its own corner of the park. 天使のモンチッチApr 21, 2022
mo269-20220409_8322.jpg
Unique Monchicchi angel made of ceramics. Plaque reads, "May your wish come true. Wishing you happiness and smiles!" Maybe this is an object for prayers.Apr 21, 2022
mo268-20220409_8344.jpg
Water will spew out in summer.Apr 21, 2022
mo267-20220409_8343.jpg
Water fountain Monchicchi. This Monchicchi tower will spew water in summer.Apr 21, 2022
mo266-20220409_8358.jpg
Also see my Monchicchi blog post.Apr 21, 2022
mo265-20220409_8320.jpg
This is Gutchi from the Kuta-kuta monkey series in 1973 which evolved into Moncchichi. It was when Sekiguchi was transitioning from a plastic doll maker to stuffed animals, a totally different product requiring a different set of skills.Apr 21, 2022
mo264-20220409_8316.jpg
On the left is Mademoiselle Jeje from 1973. Her thumb-sucking was also incorporated in Monchicchi. In the middle are clown dolls for music boxes in 1984.Apr 21, 2022
mo263-20220409_8340.jpg
Poppo-chan from 1969.Apr 21, 2022
mo262-20220409_8341.jpg
Little Butch from 1977.Apr 21, 2022
mo261-20220409_8339.jpg
Bronze statues of old Sekiguchi dolls complete with background info.Apr 21, 2022
mo260-20220409_8363.jpg
These new Monchicchi/Sekiguchi statues were donated by Sekiguchi Co. chairman Sekiguchi Koichi.Apr 21, 2022
mo259-20220409_8362.jpg
The new Monchicchi Zone is adorned with Sekiguchi doll statues.Apr 21, 2022
mo258-20220409_8314.jpg
Monchicchi bench.Apr 21, 2022
mo257-20220409_8379.jpg
A few Monchicchi above and on a bench.Apr 21, 2022
mo256-20220409_8380.jpg
Boy Monchicchi on the roof.Apr 21, 2022
mo255-20220409_8332.jpg
Apr 21, 2022
mo254-20220409_8334.jpg
Apr 21, 2022
mo252-20220409_8348.jpg
Apr 21, 2022
mo253-20220409_8330.jpg
Apr 21, 2022
mo250-20220409_8329.jpg
Monchicchi Park layout. Upper left is the new Monchicchi Zone and lower right is the new Chibikko Hiroba for infants.Apr 21, 2022
mo251-20220409_8346.jpg
Two panels show the wide variety of Monchicchi costumes. Like Barbie dolls, Moncchichi come in an incredible variety of versions and costumes.Apr 21, 2022
mo249-20220409_8389.jpg
How Monchicchi was born.Apr 21, 2022
mo248-20220409_8328.jpg
History of Sekiguchi Corporation, inventor of Monchicchi.Apr 21, 2022
mo247-20220409_8384.jpg
There's also baby Monchicchi named Bebichhichi-kun (boy on the left) and Bebichhichi-chan (girl).Apr 21, 2022
mo246-20220409_8327.jpg
Monchicchi Mini Museum exhibit panel explaining about Monchicchi.Apr 21, 2022
mo245-20220409_8337.jpg
Apr 21, 2022
mo244-20220409_8336.jpg
Apr 21, 2022
mo243-20220409_8324.jpg
The exterior of the panels has stained glass-like artwork.Apr 21, 2022
mo242-20220409_8326.jpg
Monchicchi Mini Museum is a small open-air pavilion with a video monitor and display panels.Apr 21, 2022
mo241-20220409_8367.jpg
In the rear is the new Monchicchi Mini Museum.Apr 21, 2022
mo240-20220409_8325.jpg
Back of the Monchicchi welcome monument is another selfie spot.Apr 21, 2022
mo239-20220409_8313.jpg
Moncchichi-chan now a mom.Apr 21, 2022
mo238-20220409_8312.jpg
Moncchichi-kun now a dad.Apr 21, 2022
mo237-20220409_8311.jpg
The original Moncchichi pair were fraternal twins, but were magically reinvented into a married couple. On October 30, 2004, they had fraternal twin babies (boy and girl) named “Bebichhichi” (ベビチッチ).Apr 21, 2022
mo236-20220409_8295.jpg
Monchicchi Zone's centerpiece monument great for selfies. Meet the Monchicchi family. On January 26, 2004, the boy and girl Moncchichi got married on Moncchichi’s 30th anniversary. Apr 21, 2022
mo235-20220409_8305.jpg
Girl Monchicchi-chan greets you.Apr 21, 2022
mo234-20220409_8306.jpg
Boy Monchicchi-kun greets you.Apr 21, 2022
mo233-20220409_8378.jpg
This new Monchicchi Zone has 27 Monchicchi/Sekiguchi statues all donated by the Sekiguchi Koichi, company chairman.Apr 21, 2022
mo232-20220409_8372.jpg
Entrance to the new Monchicchi Zone at Monchicchi Park.Apr 21, 2022
mo231-20220417_8782.jpg
Bulletin board notice about Monchicchi Park unveiling its new expanded areas (Monchicchi Zone and Chibikko Hiroba) on April 2, 2022.Apr 21, 2022
mo230-20220409_8368.jpg
The park's main area (evacuation zone) is open 24/7, but Monchicchi Zone is gated and open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during April to September and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during Oct. to March. Closed from Dec. 29 to Jan. 3.Apr 21, 2022
mo229-20220409_8375.jpg
Monchicchi Park is a local public park which also serves as an emergency evacuation zone where nearby residents can seek refuge if homes are damaged in a large earthquake, etc. The new Monchicchi Zone is on the left. モンチッチ公園Apr 21, 2022
mo228-20220409_8257.jpg
From the bus stop, follow the signs to the park entrance.Apr 21, 2022
mo227-20220409_8254.jpg
Get off here at Kami-Hiraicho stop (上平井町). Even the bus stop signs have Monchicchi.Apr 21, 2022
mo226-20220409_8249.jpg
Shin-Koiwa Station's northeast Tohoku Open Space Area (Tohoku Hiroba) bus stops. Go to bus stop 12 to board the bus for Monchicchi Park. Every October, the Shin-Koiwa Station Tohoku Hiroba Festival is held here and Monchicchi also appears.Apr 21, 2022
mo224-20220409_8246.jpg
Shin-Koiwa Station's Tohoku Open Space Area (Tohoku Hiroba) bus stop map near Shin-Koiwa Station. Go to bus stop 12 to take the bus to Monchicchi Park. This is on the north side of the station. Other bus stops are elsewhere.Apr 21, 2022
mo225-20220409_8248.jpg
Floral decoration at Shin-Koiwa Station and bus stops.Apr 21, 2022
mo223-20220409_8232.jpg
Skydeck Tatsumi pedestrian walkway floor tiles decorated with Monchicchi. Apr 21, 2022
mo222-20220409_8230.jpg
Skydeck Tatsumi pedestrian walkway floor tiles decorated with Monchicchi.Apr 21, 2022
mo221-20220409_8226.jpg
Skydeck Tatsumi pedestrian walkway to the bus stops is decorated with Monchicchi. スカイデッキたつみ Apr 21, 2022
mo220-20220409_8414.jpg
About Monchicchi and Katsushika Ward/City.Apr 21, 2022
mo219-20220409_8417.jpg
Apr 21, 2022
mo218-20220409_8418.jpg
Skydeck Tatsumi pedestrian walkway to the Tohoku Open Space Area (Tohoku Hiroba) bus stops is decorated with Monchicchi. スカイデッキたつみApr 21, 2022
mo217-20220409_8240.jpg
Escalator handrail decorated with Monchicchi. Apr 21, 2022
mo216-20220409_8223.jpg
Escalator handrail decorated with Monchicchi. Apr 21, 2022
mo215-20220409_8220.jpg
Escalator handrail decorated with Monchicchi. Way to the Skydeck Tatsumi walkway to the Tohoku Open Space Area (Tohoku Hiroba) bus stops near the train station.Apr 21, 2022
mo214-20220409_8428.jpg
JR Shin-Koiwa Station's North Entrance (JR Sobu Line). The stairs/escalator going up to the Skydeck Tatsumi pedestrian walkway to bus stops can be seen on the left.Apr 21, 2022
mo213-20220409_8244.jpg
Monchicchi manhole cover near JR Shin-Koiwa Station. Moncchichi manhole covers were installed on both sides of the station in June 2017. Apr 21, 2022
mo212-20220409_8202.jpg
There's a boy and girl Monchicchi usually depicted as infants sucking their thumbs.Apr 21, 2022
mo211-20220409_8207.jpg
Back of the Moncchichi monuments in front of Shin-Koiwa Station, not to be confused with Koiwa Station. Shin-Koiwa Station is in Katsushika Ward while adjacent Koiwa Station is in Edogawa Ward. They are two different stations easy to mix up.Apr 21, 2022
mo210-20220409_8216.jpg
QR code for the Monchicchi web page.Apr 21, 2022
mo209-20220409_8158.jpg
Map to Monchicchi Park, about a 15-min. walk or short bus ride.Apr 21, 2022
mo208-20220409_8157.jpg
Also at JR Shin-Koiwa Station's north entrance, a large signboard and map including directions to Monchicchi Park.Apr 21, 2022
mo207-20220409_8422.jpg
Monchicchi Clock Tower in front of JR Shin-Koiwa Station's north entrance. Lights up in the evenings. Good place to meetup in Shin-Koiwa. モンチッチ時計塔Apr 21, 2022
mo206-20220409_8419.jpg
Monchicchi Clock Tower was installed in Oct. 2020 in front of JR Shin-Koiwa Station's north entrance. Tower has stained glass Monchicchi artwork. モンチッチ時計塔Apr 21, 2022
mo205-20220409_8210.jpg
These Monchicchi monuments were donated by Sekiguchi Koichi, chairman of Sekiguchi Co., Ltd. which created Monchicchi.Apr 21, 2022
mo204-20220409_8213.jpg
Katsushika Ward/City appointed Moncchichi as Katsushika's "PR Manager" on Dec. 2, 2012. A de facto official mascot.Apr 21, 2022
mo203-20220409_8180.jpg
Another Monchicchi monument with seven smaller Monchicchi. These Monchicchi monuments are a good spot to meetup with friends at Shin-Koiwa Station. モンチッチ この指とまれ像Apr 21, 2022
mo202-20220409_8199.jpg
Back of the Monchicchi statue. Shin-Koiwa is where Sekiguchi Corporation, the toy company which invented Moncchichi, is based. モンチッチ像Apr 21, 2022
mo200-20220409_8153.jpg
Shin-Koiwa has been transformed into a Moncchichi town. Go to JR Shin-Koiwa Station (JR Sobu Line) and see Moncchichi most everywhere. Outdoor sculptures, manholes, clock tower, escalator handrails, and bus station signs.モンチッチモニュメントApr 21, 2022
mo201-20220409_8169.jpg
Bronze Monchicchi statue in front of JR Shin-Koiwa Station's north side (kitaguchi). Plaque reads "To all Monchicchi fans: With love and appreciation, Sekiguchi Koichi" These Moncchichi monuments were unveiled here on January 26, 2022. Apr 21, 2022
tk579-20220316-0479.jpg
Hachioji manhole cover. It depicts a Sanbaso dancer (三番叟). Sanbaso is a well-known dancer in Noh and kabuki. He comes from a Noh prayer dance called Okina (翁) dating from the 14th century as a religious ritual. Hachioji's manhole shows the Sanbaso as a Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo puppet (八王子車人形). It's a unique offshoot of bunraku puppetry performed by a troupe based in Hachioji.
Here's a video that shows exactly what it is: https://youtu.be/XV8gVw5Rhwg
Apr 02, 2022
tk578-20220316-0615.jpg
Plum blossom bus at Takao Station (North exit). They have two buses running at the same time between Takao Station (North exit) and the plum groves. Apr 02, 2022
tk577-20220316-0580a.jpg
Apr 02, 2022
tk576-20220316-0581a.jpg
Yuhodo Bairin (遊歩道梅林)Apr 02, 2022
tk575-20220316-0584a.jpg
Apr 02, 2022
tk574-20220316-0589.jpg
Apr 02, 2022
tk573-20220316-0591.jpg
Apr 02, 2022
tk572-20220316-0593.jpg
Apr 02, 2022
tk571-20220316-0594.jpg
Apr 02, 2022
tk570-20220316-0596.jpg
Yuhodo Bairin (遊歩道梅林)Apr 02, 2022
tk569-20220316-0599.jpg
Apr 02, 2022
tk568-20220316-0600.jpg
Apr 02, 2022
tk567-20220316-0603a.jpg
Yuhodo Bairin (遊歩道梅林)Apr 02, 2022
tk566-20220316-0605a.jpg
Yuhodo Bairin. There's usually a Plum Blossom Matsuri festival on one of the weekends, but it was canceled in 2021 and 2022 due to Covid-19.Apr 02, 2022
tk565-20220316-0611.jpg
However, it seems most people first take the bus from Takao Station to Kogesawa Bairin and then start from there which is what I did.Apr 02, 2022
tk564-20220316-0612.jpg
Entrance to the walking path to see Yuhodo Bairin (遊歩道梅林). From Takao Station, it's a 15-min. walk to here.The path goes along the river and you can walk all the way to Kogesawa Bairin on the far end, about 5 km away. It would take about 90 min. one way. Then take the bus back to Takao Station.Apr 02, 2022
tk563-20220316-0575a.jpg
Apr 02, 2022
tk562-20220316-0571a.jpg
Apr 02, 2022
tk561-20220316-0568a.jpg
Yuhodo Bairin (遊歩道梅林)Apr 02, 2022
tk560-20220316-0565.jpg
Toward the end (or beginning) of the trail are more plum blossoms called Yuhodo Bairin (遊歩道梅林).Apr 02, 2022
tk559-20220316-0563a.jpg
This is near the entrance to this walking path.Apr 02, 2022
tk558-20220316-0561.jpg
Apr 02, 2022
tk557-20220316-0560.jpg
Turn left to see another plum grove, but I was too tired and just went straight.Apr 02, 2022
tk556-20220316-0559.jpg
Red plum blossoms in a small park.Apr 02, 2022
tk555-20220316-0552.jpg
This part of the river was dry due to construction work upstream.Apr 02, 2022
tk554-20220316-0549.jpg
Homes along the river.Apr 02, 2022
tk553-20220316-0545.jpg
Apr 02, 2022
tk552-20220316-0535.jpg
Walking path along the river.Apr 02, 2022
tk551-20220316-0533.jpg
Apr 02, 2022
17881 files on 71 page(s) 3