TOYOSU FISH MARKET TOKYO

 TOYOSU FISH MARKET

TOKYO JAPAN

Planning & Getting There

NEW TRANSIT YURIKOMOME LINE

To get to the Toyosu Fish Market take the Yurikome Line train from Shimbashi Station and ext at Shijo-mae (U15) and the marjket is right at the station.You will enjoythe trip on the elevated driverless train over the  Rainbow Bridge. Shimbashi is on the Yamanote Line and two stops from Tolyo; use your Suica card for easy ticketing.The trains operates from 6;00 am and there is a bus service  that starts around 5:00am  from Shimbashi Station. Get there early asthere is a line-up.

The market opens from 5;00 am and the tuna auction commences at 5;30 am. There is an elevated viewing platform for visitoes but it is wise to pre-book (on-line) and  get one of the limited spots at the lower level viewing platform which operated from 5:55 am until 6:25 am.. Bookings open 10 days in advance  and there is a lottery system if over-booked so plan well ahead as it is worthwhile. Go to the market website for booking details.

The Matsuno-no-o-roka Corridor-Edo Castle Tokyo

 THE MATSU-NO-O-ROKA CORRIDOR

IMPERIAL PALACE EAST GARDEN TOKYO

Where the 47 Samurai Story started  in 1701

Located in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, you will find a few hundred meters from the ruins of the old Edo Castle, a small stone under a tree that identifies the site where Asano beat up Kira in what was known as the Matsuno-no-oCorridor that linked the Edo Castle with other buildings. The incident started the saga of the 47 Samurai in 1701. Lord Asano Takumino-Kami Naganori attached and wounded  Lord  Kira Kozuke-no-Suka Yoshinaka resulting in Asano committing seppuku and his 47 Samurai became Ronin or leaderless soldiers.They ultimately took revenge on Kira, chopped off his head and then all 47 committed seppuku, as you would expect. The 47 and Asano are buried in the Sengakuji Temple some six km away near Shinagawa.

CHIDORIGAFUCHI PARK-CHERRY BLOSSOM TIME

 CHIDORIGAGAFUCHI PARK

CHERRY BLOSSOM TIME

The Chidorigafuchi Park along the Imperial Palace Moat is a great place to experienc cherry blossum between mid March and early April. The moat is only a five minute walk from Hansomen Station or Kudanshita Station and also not far from Tokyo Station

DAIENJI TEMPLE MEGURO--FIRE OF GYONINZAKA IN 1722

 DAIENJI TEMPLE

FIRE OF GYONINZAKA IN 1722

MEGURO-TOKYO JAPAN

Just down the hill towards the Meguro River from the Meguro Station you will find ina  tiny street the Daienji temple with ist 500 small Buddha statues. There are good street maps in Tokyo and the temple and street are marked clearly.

The temple was founderd in 1657 and apparently in 1722 there was a fire that swept through Tokyo believed to have started in the Daienji Temple. The twmple is quite small and withing it area yoy will find a small pond  and a wall adorned with 500 statues of the dicsciples of Buddha intended as a meomry of the victims of the fire.

The Meguro River

A good place to stay in meguro is

SHERATON MIYAKO HOTEL TOKYO

Courtesy of Sheraton Hotel

It is just down the road and they offer a free shuttle to  Meguro Station 

A SUICA CARD--ESSENTIAL FOR TRAVEL IN JAPAN

SUICA CARD

MAKES TRAVEL IN JAPAN EASIER

 Travel in Japan is now far easier than it once was, with good web sites in English, and most instructions at train stations and bus terminals in English; but not always.Getting around Japan by train or bus , using the Suica Card is so much easier that trying to work out the correct fare and pay cash.Sometimes it is not clear if in fact you can understand the often complex fare and line guide.

Suica Web Site

 A Simple Guide For Foreigners

The Suica Card is a pre-paid smart card for use on public transport (metro, trains, buses and monorail).The card is debited for every trip when you touch the card reader at the entrance to the station or track or on the bus. It does not work on express trains, Shinkansen , longer distance buses or the Airport Shuttle so check  before use.

It comes loaded with Yen 2,000 and there is a Yen 500 deposit, refundable at anyJR East Station in Tokyo, You can top up at ticket machines , which have an English capability but note it is CASH ONLY unless you have a JR Credit Card which is unlikey. (There are still some odd rules and situations that are not explainable).  The card is not registered in your name so anyone can use the card. You can check the credit on the card reader or at the ticket machine.

If you mess up, go to the nearest attendant and they will do their very best to assist. So too any Japanese person, but you need to ask.