What does Akihabara mean?
The autumn leaves are changing. It’s time to tackle the otaku mecca – Akihabara! Continue reading What does Akihabara mean?
Tag: fire
The Kanda River
The story of the Kanda River is a story as old as Edo itself. It is part and parcel of the evolution of the city. Continue reading The Kanda River
What does Yurakucho mean?
Formerly part of the outer enclosure of Edo Castle and now a shopping district next to Ginza, Yurakucho is strange name with an elusive past. Continue reading What does Yurakucho mean?
Edo River Fireworks
Summer in Japan means matsuri (festivals), hanabi (fireworks), and fuzoku (prostitution). Today we’ll look at the first two! Continue reading Edo River Fireworks
Suzugamori Execution Ground
As one of the most popular “Haunted Spots” of Tokyo, Suzugamori will not disappoint. Most of the “creative executions” happened here. If you visit, you won’t be disappointed. Continue reading Suzugamori Execution Ground
What does Kichijoji mean?
KichijÅji, one of the coolest towns in Tokyo looks like a temple name. But if you go to KichijÅji, you won’t find any temples by that name. Today, we’ll find out why there is not temple in KichijÅji called KichijÅ-ji. Are you ready to rock? Continue reading What does Kichijoji mean?
Tokugawa Funerary Temples
Today I’m starting a 16 part series describing the graves of all 15 Tokugawa shoguns. If you’re planning to travel to Japan, and Tokyo in particular, you might want to consider visiting these spots. Unfortunately, there isn’t much left to see in Tokyo, but what is remaining is intriguing! Continue reading Tokugawa Funerary Temples
Conflag Hag – How Fires Shaped the Face of Edo and Tokyo
Major fires (conflagrations) have changed the organization and look of Tokyo, Japan. Today let’s look at some of the major disasters that made Tokyo what it is today! Continue reading Conflag Hag – How Fires Shaped the Face of Edo and Tokyo
One Match Can Start a Fire
I’ve been living in Tokyo 5 years and I never noticed these guys until this year. But apparently they do this every year. And according to my friend, they’ve been doing it since the Edo Period (1603-1868). (Go figure). On cold winter nights, groups of volunteers walk through the streets of Tokyo chanting and hitting wood blocks. Who are these people and what are they doing? Well, tonight when they came through my neighborhood I recorded them JAPAN THIS! and I will explain what they’re doing. In the Edo Period all the buildings were built out of wood. The city … Continue reading One Match Can Start a Fire
