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What does Ginza mean?
Today Ginza is the center of fashion and luxury brands in Japan, but its origin is quite humble and its fame grew over the centuries. Continue reading What does Ginza mean?
Tag: nihonbashi
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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 Suitengumae mean?
Want to announce your pregnancy the sneaky Tokyo way? This is the article for you.
Continue reading What does Suitengumae mean?
Why is Roppongi called Roppongi
Today, Roppongi is a party town. For years it’s been popular with foreigners due to its proximity to so many foreign embassies. Because of this proximity, the area is relatively English-friendly which makes it a destination for foreigners visiting Japan and the seedy businesses that often cater to (or try to take advantage of) foreigners. But in the Edo Period, this was home to sprawling mansions of the elite ruling class. Many of the street blocks still correspond to the locations of these residences. Continue reading Why is Roppongi called Roppongi
What does Bakuro-Yokoyama-cho mean?
Bakuroyokoyamacho! Bakuroyokoyamacho! Bakuroyokoyamacho! Say it three times and the ghost of Tokugawa Ienari will appear. Continue reading What does Bakuro-Yokoyama-cho mean?
Denma-cho Prison
Today we’ll look at Edo largest prison and talk about some of the ghoulish ways in which criminals were executed. Continue reading Denma-cho Prison
Edo Execution Ground Spectacular!!!
I hope I don’t lose readers for this series… but here we go. A 4 part series on the 3 execution grounds of Edo. It’s gory, depressing, spooky and fascinating. Continue reading Edo Execution Ground Spectacular!!!
What does Senju mean?
In the Edo Period, Senju was a hub to some of the most prestigious destinations of the Era. It was a launch pad for many travelers in the realm, but it was a particularly special hub for the Shogun Family. Continue reading What does Senju mean?
What does Muromachi mean?
The history of today’s place name is going to take us on a long journey across the country to Kyoto and back in time to the Ashikaga Shogunate (and in reality back to the Kamakura and Heian Periods). Plot twists abound. Strap yourselves in and get ready to feel the G’s, baby. Continue reading What does Muromachi mean?
What does Anjin-cho mean?
Have you ever seen the old American TV series “Shogun?”
Or have you ever imagined what it would be like if you, a foreigner, were a samurai in feudal Japan? Continue reading What does Anjin-cho mean?
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What does Nihonbashi mean?
Nihonbashi! Once the most famous bridge in Japan, now most people are surprised to hear there’s actually a bridge here at all. Continue reading What does Nihonbashi mean?
Why is Kyōbashi called Kyōbashi?
Today’s place name is Kyobashi. It means “bridge to the capital.” Was that Edo or Kyoto? More importantly, this bridge is a testament to Japanese engineering. It’s final incarnation was completed one year before the Great Kanto Earthquake leveled Tokyo in 1923 but the bridge survived. It also survived WWII. But it didn’t survive modern progress in Tokyo…. Let’s learn more! Continue reading Why is Kyōbashi called Kyōbashi?
What does Kayabacho mean?
Kayabacho isn’t the most exciting place in Tokyo and neither is its name. But it is a pretty strange name, so let’s find out why there’s such country sounding place name in the center of one of Tokyo’s busiest business districts! Awwwwwww yeah!
Continue reading What does Kayabacho mean?
