Culture
Hie Shrine on a Rainy Day
Ekaterina BespyatovaRainy day visit to the popular Hie Shrine in Tokyo's Akasaka neighborhood.
The Hie Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Nagatacho, in the Chiyoda district (Tokyo). Its Sanno Matsuri, which takes place on June 15, is one of the three great Japanese festivals of Edo, the forerunner of Tokyo. The procession consisted of the Edo period 45 floats, was accompanied by singers and dancers and was considered to be one of the best festivals in Tokyo. Nowadays the festival takes place on a smaller scale, but is definitely worth seeing.
The main god of the shrine is Oyamakui-no-kami, the god of Mount Hie in Shiga Prefecture. This deity is also commonly known as Hie-no-kami, from which the Hie shrine gets its name.
The shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa began ruling Japan from Edo Castle. He also became the patron saint of the Hie Shrine and worshiped the deity as the protector of Edo. The citizens of Edo also had a strong trust in the Hie Shrine, where the shogun's patron deity was worshiped.
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1-minute walk from Tameike-Sanno Station (Ginza / Namboku Line)
5-minute walk from Akasaka Mitsuke Station (Ginza / Marunouchi Line)
Rainy day visit to the popular Hie Shrine in Tokyo's Akasaka neighborhood.
Sanno Matsuri is one of the three most famous Tokyo festivals, occurring every 2nd year in mid June. The Grand Parade is the highlight of the festival featuring over 500 participants dressed in traditional costumes carrying drums, decorated floats and three portable shrines. It starts and finishes at Hie Shrine, winding its way through the Imperial Palace, past Tokyo Station, Ginza and Shimbashi.
Oakwood Premier Tokyo comes from a brand of standout luxury hotel & service apartments right at the heart of the Tokyo metropolis. It is located in the business hub of Marunouchi with JR Tokyo Station in close proximity. This will allow guests and travelers to easily access the city's extensive transport network and visit various landmarks such as Imperial Palace, Tsukiji Fish Market, Ginza and Shopping District. Boasting 123 luxurious apartments on the upper floors of a multi-serviced complex, each room offers a magnificent view of the city, not to mention all furnished and a fully-equipped kitchen set which is rarely seen in your everyday service apartment. Without doubt, these spacious tranquil retreats are curated to give you the amenities and services of a luxury hotel and a feeling of home. They are good options for both business executives and leisure travelers from one night of a short-stay to a few weeks/months of mid-to-long-term stay.
NOHGA HOTEL AKIHABARA TOKYO is conveniently located in the midst of the electric town Akihabara, also known as the capital of manga and anime. In addition, this neighborhood has an abundance of tech shops, maid cafes and a variety of restaurants. With just a 6-minute walk away from Akihabara station, it provides easy access to explore other areas nearby such as Ueno and Asakusa. This hotel embodies the rich cultures of music, art and food. Nohga’s concept of music is derived from Akihabara’s local history, starting as a district of radio and wireless component merchants in the late 1920s. The artistic and luxurious space throughout the hotel is achieved by featuring art and amenities designed in collaboration with craftsmen from around Japan. As for the food menu, it’s seasonal fresh ingredients are sourced domestically. The glasses and dinnerware served are collaborations with stores in the surrounding area. All 120 non-smoking guest rooms feature an ensuite bathroom with a rain shower, in-room safety box, mini fridge, USB plugs, free Wi-Fi, a high-quality bluetooth speaker and flatscreen TV with original music and film. The lounge area and a compact 24-hour gym can be found near the reception on the second floor. Services include laundry (from 2,750JPY) and a 24-hour front desk with a check-in time of 3PM and check-out time of 11AM. For sightseeing you can rent a Tokyobike for the day (2,000 JPY/day) to explore the vicinity.
Located right next to Shinjuku Chuo Park, THE KNOT TOKYO Shinjuku is a modern hotel with an exceptional design and easy access to the nearby Shinjuku train station and the Meiji Shrine. The 14-story hotel building was renovated and reopened in August 2018 as THE KNOT TOKYO Shinjuku . The western-style rooms offer a park view on the top floor as well as a newly opened terrace suite. The spacious atrium design offers a relaxed atmosphere and connects the restaurant, bar, lounge and lobby with one another. One of the highlights of THE KNOT is the delicious dishes. There are six areas in which food and drinks are offered. From the grill area to high-quality black tea and fresh bread, everything is on offer.
Mame Shiba Cafe offers a unique experience where you can interact with Shiba dogs while enjoying your favorite drinks. You cannot make reservations in advance through phone or online, so it is best to book early in the morning at a store. The cafe requires customers to make a reservation in-store, present their receipt at the reserved time, and then enter the cafe.
The Pokémon Café in Nihonbashi, which opened in March 2018, is the latest character café in the popular series of games and series in Tokyo. The café and the adjacent Pokémon Center DX store were opened in 1997 on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the first store. The bright café, which is furnished in warm wood tones, offers main courses, desserts and drinks - all of which are arranged with a focus on one or more Pokémon and some are suitable and limited to certain topics or seasons. You can also find exclusive merchandise here - from plush toys in chef jackets to bowls and cutlery with Pokémon motifs. They also sell Pikachu Sweets, special sweets and products with the most popular of all Pokémon as a motif. A visit to the Pokémon Café is only possible with a prior reservation, time slots can be selected from one month in advance and also in English via the website. It is located on the 5th floor of the Nihombashi Takashimaya Shopping Center, which is not far from the Tokyo and Nihonbashi stations.
PIZZERIA & BAR NOHGA is an all day dining restaurant interpreting a fusion of “Spanish Italian” cuisine and has a kitchen to table design. There is a casual bar area and restaurant where you can take a peek inside the open kitchen whilst enjoying your meal. Visit the cafe for a range of coffees and teas along with an offering of tapas snacks and seasonal desserts. The cafe also offers an assorted dessert and all-you-can-drink cafe set. Breakfast takes on the art of sharing, where a range of platters are combined with focaccia and your choice of eggs cooked your way. Coming for lunch? Choose from a selection of pizzas, pastas and salads. Each lunch menu is accompanied with homemade soup, iced tea and focaccia. Dinner time offers a range of exquisite tapas and pizzas that can also be shared. Breakfast: 07:00 - 10:00, Lunch 11:30 - 14:30, Cafe 14:30 - 18:00, Dinner: 18:00 - 23:00 with last order at 10pm.
The National Diet Building was constructed between 1920 and 1936 and is where both houses of the National Diet of Japan meet. The House of Representative sessions take place in the left-wing, while the House of Councillors meets in the right-wing. Interestingly, the Diet Building is constructed out of Japanese-made materials, save for the stained glass, door locks, and pneumatic tube system. Plans for the Diet Building began as early as 1880, however, thanks to design disputes, the fall of the Ito government, and two separate fires (destroying the first building in 1891 and the second in 1925) they were postponed. It wasn’t until 1918 when a public design competition sponsored by the Finance Ministry that the design by Watanabe Fukuzo won and a final image for the building was created. Tour of the House of Representatives Free English tours are available of the National Diet, for non-Japanese visitors. Each session takes about 60 minutes, with slots limited and advance email reservation required. They take place every weekday afternoon (3pm, or 2pm on Mondays). Discover more Tour of the House of Councillors A free 60-minute tour can be joined without prior reservation, during visiting hours. A Diet guard will escort visitors through the House of Councillors, taking in highlights such as the Public Gallery, Emperor's Room and Front Courtyard. Discover more
A hidden treasure in Tokyo is the majestic Akasaka Palace. As one of only two state guest houses of the Japanese government, along with the Kyoto State guest house, the Akasaka Palace was built in 1909 and is now officially a national treasure of Japan. Akasaka is one of Tokyo's more upscale areas, known for its lively nightlife, elegant boutiques and restaurants, and thriving business community. When it is not officially used, the palace and its grounds are open to the public, making it a must see for tourists and residents alike. Its stately western architecture, with Japanese grounds primarily designed to create a more authentic Japanese ambience for state dignitaries, creates an incredibly impressive backdrop, and the interior of the palace offers sheer opulence and pomp. The palace also features a range of Western and Japanese art and furniture, as well as samurai-themed decorations. Audio guides are also available to visitors for ¥ 200 (in various languages).
21_21 Design Sight is a museum in Roppongi in Minato, Tokyo, which opened in 2007. The design museum was designed by architect Tadao Ando and fashion designer Issey Miyake. The building is on the edge of the park area and has 1,700 square meters of floor space, including two galleries and an affiliated café run by chef and restaurateur Takamasa Uetake. The aim of 21_21 Design Sight is to promote understanding and interest in design by involving designers, corporate employees, engineers, craftsmen and the general public. The museum organizes exhibitions on the subject of "everyday life" with multidirectional programs such as lectures and workshops. What is unique is that most of these exhibitions are directed by designers.