White Tiger

Tsukiji Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
October 7, 2014

On our way back to the Tsukiji subway station, we were drawn to the Tsukiji Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. I looked at the edifice and I felt like I've seen it in a dream before. We just had to check it out.

The building's noteworthy architecture showed hints of Hindu Buddhist design. In contrast to the nearby bustling Tsukiji Market, this place was very solemn.

Tsukiji Hongwanji Buddhist Temple

At the entrance, a friendly monk gave wide grins as he welcomed guests. He also handed out keepsakes:  a lemon-shaped piece of paper featuring the white tiger or byakko, a mythological creature. Legend has it that the white tiger will only appear when there is peace throughout the world. I wish I understood the meaning of the Japanese inscription on the back of the paper.

The White Tiger or Byakko

A keepsake from Tsukiji Hongwanji Buddhist Temple

The main worship hall or Hondo was astonishing with the elaborate detail from floor to ceiling. It was like opening a treasure chest that was brimming with gold.

The main hall or Hondo inside the Tsukiji Hongwanji Buddhist Temple

The captivating detail of the middle altar enshrining the Amida Buddha. 

A worshipper burns incense and bows in front of the Buddha.

A closer look at the left auxiliary altar.

The right auxiliary altar is just as elegant.

This platform or stage is probably used during certain ceremonies.

It was definitely worth the quick visit. Before leaving the temple, we took a few more pictures of the unique architectural details.

The top of the main door is adorned with stained glass depicting lotus flowers. Can you see it behind me?

Alan at the foot of the steps leading to the temple.

If you'd like to learn more, here are additional resources with great photos about Tsukiji Hongwanji:

http://www.tsukijihongwanji.jp/eng/?fr=navi

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/shritemp/tsukijihonganji.html

http://mcha-jp.com/5432

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsukiji_Hongan-ji



This story was continued from To Market, To Market.

To Market, To Market

Tsukiji Market
October 7, 2014


The popular Tsukiji Market was on our agenda for the day but I didn't want to wake up before 5:00 a.m. to watch the tuna auction. Even though we missed the early morning attraction, the market was still buzzing and had so much in store for first-time visitors like us.

Tsukiji Market is one of the biggest markets in the world.

Fresh and interesting catch

Lots of fresh seafood

This wholesale market sells many fresh (and interesting) fish and seafood. I didn't even recognize some of them. They also feature fresh fruit and vegetable produce. I found asparagus and peanuts that were so thick around, I couldn't believe my eyes.

Giant peanuts and other produce in Tsukiji Market

More goodies (some peculiar) on display

It's fun to browse at the different products for sale.

We weaved through the crowds and browsed at the market's various products including souvenir items. I even found mini hand fans. Not the folding kind but the round ones. They were so cute, I couldn't resist buying a few for keepsake. I also bought some paper coasters featuring typical Japanese landscape designs. They were lovely!

It's hard to miss the several walk-up food stalls serving fresh sushi and ramen. Visiting folks were lining up to eat. Some were even relishing their meals with beer. And it was only around 9:00 a.m!

Tsukiji Market is famous for its fresh sushi and ramen.

Just one of the stalls serving fresh sushi  in Tsukiji Market

They have picture menus so you can point at what you'd like to order.

Even though we went there right after breakfast (had some yummy pastries we bought from a bakery in Akihabara the night before), I was craving breakfast with eggs. We found a store that served specialty omelette rolls. I was so happy! I ordered the one with salmon and veggies. It was really good and rather sweet-tasting but served cold.

I asked the cold omelette store owners to pose for me.

A variety of cold omelette rolls

Alan, on the other hand, bought some of the delicious walnut clusters.

A store owner offering samples of his freshly cooked fish.

If you happen to roam these parts, you'll find a shop that sells a collection of sake cups. Some could potentially be used as shot glasses. In the back of the store, they have expensive lacquered boxes and containers that could be used to serve rice.

A collection of sake glasses.

On our way out, we saw a group of elementary school students in line for a tour. Nice to know that even they get a treat by visiting Tsukiji Market and learning about their own culture.

Elementary school boys on a field trip.

Across the way is Tsukiji Bon Marche

I read that Tsukiji Market will soon be relocated. I'm glad we had the chance to see this original location. JTB Tours, the largest and most reputable tour company in Japan, offers a guided tour of the bustling shops of Tsukiji Market that ends with a sushi-making workshop. You can learn more here.

Read more about Tsukiji Market's history here.



This story is part of a series on Japan adventures and is continued from Menu Surprise.

Menu Surprise

Akihabara

October 6, 2014

There was so much more I wanted to do on our first day in Tokyo. After walking around Ueno Park, we went all the way to Tokyo Skytree only to find out that it was closed due to strong winds. That was a bummer. 

Next we went to Akihabara but only had time to wander inside Yodobashi, a giant discount electronic store. I was frustrated that I couldn't find the maid cafes and anime exhibitions that makes this area so popular. I kept looking up to see if I could recognize the buildings from the photos I've seen. I wish I had known that they were on the other side (west side) of Akihabara Station. 

It was getting late and our feet were aching from walking all day. We decided to look for a place to eat  before heading back to our hotel. We passed several restaurants that had photos of their specialty items on the windows. Nothing seemed to catch our fancy.

Here's our little table at the restaurant. I guess the hangers on the walls are for your coats.

As we turned into an alley, we found an interesting restaurant. The menu was in Japanese but they did have a picture version. The staff also spoke little English so the few Japanese phrases I learned came in handy. I told Alan we could go somewhere else but he replied, "No, this is fine. It's an adventure!"

We pointed out our menu selections to our waitress. I guess we ended up ordering fresh tomato salad, chicken skewers, and... peacock barbecue!

Our fresh tomato salad.

These chicken skewers may not look as appetizing but they're better tasting than the peacock barbecue.

And this is peacock. The barbecue glaze was tasty but I found the meat to be rather chewy.

Continued from Rain, Rain, Gone Away. Stay tuned for more adventures about Japan.

Rain, Rain, Gone Away

Ueno Park
October 6, 2014


And just like that, the rain stopped. Looking around, you wouldn't think that it had been raining all morning. We didn't skip a beat and headed for our first sightseeing destination: Ueno Park.

At the train station, we asked the security officer how to buy tickets for our first subway ride. It was easy to get the hang of it once we learned how to use the ticket machines. Without trouble, we found our way to the famous park.

The busy street in front of where we accessed Ueno Park.
You couldn't tell that it had been raining all morning.

We entered the park from the southeast corner. The first thing we saw was the Kiyomizu Kannon Temple. Its rich red and gold colors make it hard to miss. From what I've read, it was established in 1631 and dedicated to the goddess of childbearing. This is why this temple is often visited by couples who are trying to conceive.

Kiyomizu Kannon Temple

You must wash your hands before entering a shrine. There is a ladle intended for scooping the water to rinse your hands. There is a proper way to wash your hands and you should never drink the water. I'm glad I read about shrine etiquette before this visit. Learn more here.

Washing my hands before entering the temple.

Pull the rope to sound the gong. Bow twice, clap twice, and then make a final bow.

There were no crowds by the Kiyomizu Kannon Temple when we were there.

Alan stood in front of the monuments dedicated to Wani, the scholar.

He was so happy he found the ballpark!

After all the morning's downpour, it turned hot and humid. We were sweating and Alan, though he was wearing jeans, was attacked with mosquito bites. But the park was so vast with so many attractions that we were easily distracted from all the discomfort.

There's so much to see here like this old-fashioned train,
a D51 steam locomotive found in front of the Museum of Western Art.

Or this huge blue whale scultpure (almost 100 feet long)
in front of the National Museum of Nature & Science.

The lovely Grand Fountain fronting the Tokyo National Museum.

As we explored more and more, I asked, "Where's everybody? How is it that there's hardly anyone here?" I soon realized why. All the museums in the park were closed because it was a Monday. Arrgh! How could I have missed that in my research?! Ueno Park is home to the most museums in Japan!

Later I was thankful that we visited when it wasn't so busy with tourists. When we went to other popular tourist sites, they were so crowded that we practically had to elbow our way just to get a good picture.

Behind me is Kuromon or the impressive Black Gate.

I found my buddy, the lion!

They have phone booths with green phones. "Moshi-moshi!"

I had no idea about the scale of this park. There are museums, temples, shrines, pagodas, a large pond, and a zoo. We couldn't have possibly toured the entire place in a day. It is not only the oldest and largest park in Tokyo, but one of the most beautiful. It is filled with Japanese history, culture, and charm.

Hanazono Inari Jinja

Statue of Prince Komatsu Akihito, commander-in-chief of the 1868 Toba/Fushimi war.

To better appreciate this park, it helps to understand a bit of Japanese history. The Ueno area was where the Battle of Ueno took place. It was one of the largest battles of the Boshin War between the Meiji Emperor and the Tokugawa Shogun. Read more about it here.

Here is the Grand Stone Torii gate leading to the famous Toshogu Shrine.

The many stone lanterns that you will see as you approach the Toshogu Shrine.

Several large stone lanterns lined up the path as we approached the stunning Toshogu Shrine. I was able to take a photo through the bars of the gate since it was closed to the public that day. Standing next to us was a lone gentleman who was fervently reciting his prayer. He didn't let the gate stop him from completing his pilgrimage.

A glimpse of the five-story pagoda which is now inside the Ueno zoo.

Gate of the Toshogu Shrine

The gold gilded Toshogu Shrine. 

For me, the most memorable was chancing upon the Bentendo Temple which enshrines Benzaiten, the goddess of fortune. Alan and I had been walking around in search of the boat pond indicated on the map of the park. We were about to give up when I caught a glimpse of a striking temple in the distance.

I later discovered that Bentendo Temple is located on a man-made island in the middle of Shinobazu Pond. This large pond is divided into three sections. On the right side of the temple was one section named Lotus Pond. It was jam-packed with giant lotus plants that you couldn't even see the water.

We had to take photos in front of these gigantic lotus plants. 

Inside the Buddhist temple, Bentendo.

This temple enshrines Benzaiten, the goddess of fortune. 

Inside, the temple was even more astonishing. I took my shoes off so I could walk on the tatami mats and get a closer look. My curious nature nudged me to look around and most importantly, to look up. I'm so glad I did. The Kinryu or golden dragon painting on the ceiling was the most breathtaking to behold.

Like I mentioned at the start of this travel series, we came here to celebrate my birthday. I was born in the year of the dragon. After seeing this on the first day of my Japan trip, I was certain that this was a sign of great things to come.

The Kinryu or golden dragon on the ceiling of Bentendo Temple.

Check out this short slideshow to see more of the many interesting attractions we found inside the massive park.

This story was continued from Hey, It's Choco Cro and Tip Not, My Dear Sir.