Tour of Tsukishima (Prewar Tokyo with Tokyoite, Sumi Ohashi)
Another fine day without rain, 46F at the start and up to 60F for the high.
The Tsukishima portion of Tokyo is an island in Tokyo Bay filled with narrow alleys and homey row-houses. It is perhaps the sole portion of Tokyo that was not destroyed by earthquake and war. Here are the summary details:
- Tsukishima was created in 1892 by reclaiming land from Tokyo Bay using soil dredged during the construction of a shipping channel.
- It was originally designated as an iron-working area.
- The island is located in the Sumida River estuary, next to the Tsukuda District.
- The name "Tsukishima" translates to "moon island".
- Tsukishima is famous for its monjayaki, a dish made from a flour-based batter with various ingredients like cabbage, seafood, and meat.
- You can still find remnants of old Tokyo in the back alleys and lanes, especially around Sumiyoshi Shrine.
- Areas of the island have been redeveloped into residential high-rise complexes in recent decades.
On the way to Tsukishima we passed by the Chuo kabuki-za theatre. Originally, men and women acted in Kabuki plays, but eventually only male actors performed the plays: a tradition that has remained to the present day.
We cycled past the original Tokyo Fish Market. The fish market has been relocated and is now a major tourist attraction that we avoided on our bikes.
Ginza District building.
We cycled to a major Shinto Shrine where a Sri Lankan festival was commencing on the temple grounds.
The Tokyo Fire Department (TFD) uses this "disaster simulator vehicle" equipped with VR technology to simulate earthquake conditions, allowing people to experience shaking, wind, heat, and 360° VR views to prepare for real disasters.
Shinto Shrine
The shrine was hosting an Ikebana flower arrangement exhibit. Ikebana, or "making flowers come alive," is the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement that emphasizes harmony, space, and the natural beauty of flowers and other plant materials.
Animal carvings on the temple stairs.
Many Japanese children wore traditional dress. Sumi Ohashi said as that a consequence of the Japanese low birth rate, many children have 8 grandparents for a single child. Grandparents indulge grandchildren by gifting traditional clothing.
Temple grounds
Sculpture at the bridge entering Moon Island, or Tsukishima.
He claimed to be training to strengthen his heart by walking while towing this tire tread. Go figure.
More than enough background and I had to write nothing!
Entry
Dapper family. Saturday, great weather, and it's a holiday where groups picnic, eat, and drink under the cherry blossoms.
Our group at a small temple.
Serving a white rice-based beverage and a red bean-based beverage.
The observant drop in coins, say a prayer, and then clap.
These typical small homes are surrounded by housing towers. The narrow side street are mostly private homes with a few businesses.
Combination washing machine & spin dryer.
Restaurant publicizing famous patrons. Not sure about the Brad Pitt Time Magazine cover.
Lunch today was at a monjayaki restaurant. I had to look it up:
- Monjayaki is often shortened to "monja," is a savory Japanese-style pancake or batter dish, a local specialty of Tokyo.
- Here's a more detailed look at monjayaki:
- Monjayaki originated in the "shitamachi" (working-class, industrial) areas of Tokyo, particularly in the Tsukishima area, during the Meiji era as a snack for children.
- The base of monjayaki is a batter made from flour, water or dashi (broth), and sauce, topped with ingredients like cabbage, seafood, or meat, and cooked on a teppan (iron griddle).
Lot's of food, numerous courses, delicious. I was busy eating, so few photos.
They loved having their picture taken.
Numerous Dog of the Day candidates.
Clean Up!
The winner might be the toy poodle sporting a tiny beret.
Duane, Jeanette, Monica, Scott, Larry, Nina, Nicola, Howard, Alex, Eliete
Limited cycling opportunities for us in Tokyo. Most of our cycling comprises 10 senior adults riding silly folding bikes single file at 8-to-10 mph. After returning from lunch at Tsukishima, 5 of us set off to circle the Imperial Gardens surrounding the former Edo Castle. Alex expertly lead us through the traffic and pedestrians on the streets and sidewalks. Bike lanes are marked as shown, better than nothing, with narrow spaces left when traffic backs up at intersections.
Beef, pork, or chicken? All on the same corner.
Thanks for the photos. So many interesting things to see. And you can get a soft serve ice cream cone at the chicken restaurant!
ReplyDelete