One of the largest temples in eastern Japan, Soji-ji is a major temple belonging to the Soto-sect of Zen Buddhism. It was established in 1321 in Noto Province by Jokin Keizan (1268-1325), but after a disastrous fire, it was relocated to Tsurumi in 1911. Both the statue of Miroku Bosatsu, which dates to 1276, and the bell (cast in 1269) have been named important cultural properties. Along with Eihei-ji (in Fukui prefecture) in 1615, Soji-ji was named a major Zen center by the Tokugawa government. The public is welcome to participate in meditation sessions at this very active Zen temple.
Minato Mirai 21 Yokohama Pavilion was originally constructed for the 1989 Yokohama Exotic Showcase or YES Expo, which unveiled the details for the Minato Mirai 21 project. An estimated 13 million people visited the pavilion during 1989 YES Expo. The central feature was Gulliver Land, a model of what Minato Mirai 21 and the Yokohama Waterfront will look like in the 21st century. Gulliver Land contains scale models of over 3,500 buildings with 20,000 people walking through this futuristic vision. The lighting in Gulliver Land changes to simulate day and night. And, of course, the models illuminate in the darkness to create an image of a magnificent "City of Light". Admission is absolutely free.
Kirin Yokohama Beer Village is a complex that includes a Kirin Beer Factory, a beer hall and a restaurant. Japanese people love museums, and it seems that almost anything can serve as an excuse to create a museum. That includes food and drink. Take for example the Shin Yokohama Ramen Museum, basically a museum honoring ramen noodles, and the McDonalds Hamburger Museum, honoring McDonalds hamburgers. Well, Kirin Yokohama Beer Village can be added to the list. Kirin Yokohama Beer Village features the Kirin beer museum, including a tour of the Kirin Beer factory at work. There is also some free sampling of the brew. And knowing that touring the Kirin Beer factory is likely to create make folks thirsty, Kirin has thoughtfully provided a beer hall and restaurant where you explore the Kirin experience in depth. The restaurant is open from 10a to 7.30p daily, closed on Mondays. Kirin Yokohama Beer Village is a ten-minute walk from Namamugi Station on the JR Keihin Kyuko Line. Admission to Kirin Yokohama Beer Village is free.
The Osanbashi Pier stands at the entrance to the Port of Yokohama from the greater Tokyo Bay. Osanbashi means "Big Wharf," and big it was. What we know today as the Osanbashi Pier was completed in 1894 and was known in its day as the Yokohama Harbor Pier. At the time it was biggest wharf in entire Japan. The Osanbashi Pier became the center of the booming port, and all the large ships were docked here. Consequently, it became the entrance to Yokohama for many visiting foreigners. Today the Pier still stands at the entrance to the Port of Yokohama and greets ships of all kinds from around the world.
Amid the urban din of southern Yokohama lies a serene, picturesque sanctum. Based on an ingenious design conceptualized by Tomito Hara, this traditional, Japanese-style garden is riddled with trickling rivers and winding trails. Tomitaro Hara began by acquiring several buildings including tea houses, a farmer's house, a pagoda and various villas, and then placed them on his property amidst ponds, wooded slopes and landscaped gardens; these were later opened to the public in 1906. The picturesque, undulating landscape of the park is dotted with a troupe of iconic buildings which are as striking to look at as they are historically significant. Sankei-en also features lovely tea houses which further augment its allure. Although there are sixteen separate buildings, the Rinshukaku villa, with paintings by Kano-school masters, is particularly noteworthy. In addition, the famed pagoda, Tenzui-ji Juto, Gekka-den, Tenju-in, Choshu-kaku, Shunso-ro, Tokei-ji, the Yanohara House and the main hall of Tomyo-ji have been designated significant cultural properties, too.
Als eine Widmung an den Gott des Krieges, den Beschützer der Familie Minamoto, ist dieser im Jahre 1063 errichtete Schrein vor allem aufgrund seines auffälligen zinnoberrot lackierten Torii-Torbogens bekannt und mit den üblichen für Kamakura typischen Zen-Tempeln kaum zu vergleichen. Der Legende nach war es einst nur den Shogun möglich, über die erstmals 1182 erbaute Trommelbrücke (Taikobashi) zu gehen. Reizvoll sind außerdem der uralte Ginkgo-Baum nahe der Tanzbühne und die mit Lotusblüten überwachsenen Teiche, die über ehemaligen Reisfeldern liegen.
Eintritt: Frei
At Tokyo Great Cycling Tour, you can choose from three kinds of tours: kayaking, running, or cycling. If you can't speak Japanese, no problem. Most staff can speak English, so you will be able to have a good time with them. If you wish to learn more about tours, please go to their website. Have you ever joined such a unique tour? If not, this is a good opportunity.
One of the largest temples in eastern Japan, Soji-ji is a major temple belonging to the Soto-sect of Zen Buddhism. It was established in 1321 in Noto Province by Jokin Keizan (1268-1325), but after a disastrous fire, it was relocated to Tsurumi in 1911. Both the statue of Miroku Bosatsu, which dates to 1276, and the bell (cast in 1269) have been named important cultural properties. Along with Eihei-ji (in Fukui prefecture) in 1615, Soji-ji was named a major Zen center by the Tokugawa government. The public is welcome to participate in meditation sessions at this very active Zen temple.
What is the Gozabune? It is the gorgeous ship which Japanese feudal lords used when they sailed. Atekemaru is a revival ship of Gozabune. There are two routes. One is from Hinode to Aomi and back, another is from Aomi to Tokyo Big Sight and back. Also, you can choose the cruise from Hinode to Tokyo Big Sight. Fares are different depending on distance, so please check the website. Children from ages 1 to 5 can get on board for free, with up to 1 child per adult traveling free of charge. The cruise service also serves some exquisite Japanese food on-board to please your palate as you bask in the view of the picturesque surrounding vistas.
The regent, Tokimune Hojo, established Engaku-ji Temple in 1282. It is Kamakura's largest temple and is famous for its "Great Bell" which dates back to 1301. The bell has been designated a national treasure. The oldest extant Zen temple hall, with its distinctive cypress roof, is also found here. Known as the Shari-den, it is believed the hall was relocated from a nearby nunnery during the Muromachi Era (1333-1573). Do not miss the statue of monk Mugaku, the temple's first abbot. The public is permitted to participate in meditations here.
Minato Mirai 21 Yokohama Pavilion was originally constructed for the 1989 Yokohama Exotic Showcase or YES Expo, which unveiled the details for the Minato Mirai 21 project. An estimated 13 million people visited the pavilion during 1989 YES Expo. The central feature was Gulliver Land, a model of what Minato Mirai 21 and the Yokohama Waterfront will look like in the 21st century. Gulliver Land contains scale models of over 3,500 buildings with 20,000 people walking through this futuristic vision. The lighting in Gulliver Land changes to simulate day and night. And, of course, the models illuminate in the darkness to create an image of a magnificent "City of Light". Admission is absolutely free.
The name really does say it all - the Photographers' Gallery is a collective of thirteen photographers, all of whom exhibit on the premises. They also exhibit the works of non-members throughout the year, as well as hold lectures and other events. The founders strive to keep photography a wide and varied medium, without subjecting it to any artistic - or other - limitations.