Asahi Beer Tower and Asahi beer Hall

In the previous post of the Tokyo Sky Tree, I failed to mention the very distinctive buildings framing the new tower. Since completion on 1989, the Asahi Beer Tower and the Asahi Super Dry Beer Hall became one of the most distinctive landmarks on the Asakusa area.


The Asahi Beer Tower resembling a gigantic mug of foamy beer, and the Asahi super dry beer hall representing a torch with a golden flame on top, most of the people associate the flame with a very different image though. The beer hall was designed by the ultra famous French designer Philippe Starck (his only architectural design as far as I know), the golden flame on top of the hall is also one of his trademarks motifs.

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Tokyo Sky Tree, the new Tokyo tower

A new tower of communication is being constructed in the sumida ward area to cover the new digital television broadcasting that Tokyo tower is not able to cover.


Construction of the new tower called Tokyo Sky Tree is in advanced stages, currently standing at 281m (Tokyo Tower is 333m), and is expected to be completed by December of 2011 reaching 634m of height.

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Kanda Myojin

The Kanda Myojin shrine in Chiyoda, Tokyo, is a very colorful shrine dedicated to Daikoku sama, Ebisu sama (of the seven gods of fortune), and Taira-no-masakado-sama a samurai enshrined there.


The shrine is a short walk from Akihabara, and due to the gods of fortune enshrined there, businessman of the area come to pray for prosperity. The famous Kanda festival is held at this temple in the middle of may.


The Shrine first build in 730 AD has been rebuild many times, the last one in 1934, after being destroyed by the Great Kanto earthquake in 1923, unlike many historical building, this shrine allows restorations, and thus it always looks brand new.


In this season there is a huge nawa or rope circle, where worshipers pass through several times to purify themselves.


Official site

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Nicholai-do Ortodox Cathedral

The Holy Resurrection Cathedral or Nicholai-do is the main Cathedral of the Orthodox Church in Japan, located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, next to the Ochanomizu station.


This beautiful church designed by the father of Japanese architecture Josiah Condier , based on the original design of Michael A. Schurupov. Completed in 1891, the church was damaged by the great kanto earthquake of 1923 and rebuild with a smaller dome.


There is a small chapel next to the cathedral decorated with gorgeous Iconography.


Unfortunately is not permitted to take pictures inside the cathedral, but the stunning interiors were one of the highlights of the visit.

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New Year temple visit at Meiji Jingu

Meiji Jingu with 3 million visiting on the first days of the New Year (Hatsumode), is the most visited temple in Japan.


Hatsumode is the Japanese tradition to visit the temple the first week of the year. Brave souls visit the temple at the first hours of the New Year. I visited a few days later, when it wasn’t so crowded.


Meiji Jingu is located in the Shibuya area, next to the Yoyogi park, main entrance is next to harajuku station, which has an access gate for these dates only.


After a short walk through the Meiji jingo forest, which may take a couple of hours on New Year day, visitors purify themselves at the temizuya next to the front gate. The front gate is a magnificent structure at the entrance to the main yard.


After passing the front gate, visitors can access the main hall, on New Year day, there is a large crowd in front of the hall, and police controls the access to the offertory “box”.


The crowds are so large that a huge plastic mat is spread in front of the hall as an offering box, visitors throw coins as offerings.


After leaving the main hall, there is amulet office where amulets and lucky charms can be purchased.


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New Year preparation on Hachimangu

New Year visit to the temple (Hatsumode) is one of busiest time for temples in Japan.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura is one of the most popular destinations in Japan with over two million visitors.


The temple is normally full of visitors on weekends, but it was incredibly not busy in the eve of the New Year.


The temple is normally accessed by the Dankazura approach, the path is lined with cherry trees that can be fully enjoyed in spring.


The approach before the main shrine is lined with vendors that sell food and souvenirs to temple visitors.


The Main shrine is on top of a terrace accessed by a wide stairway. The shrine is considered an important cultural property by the Japanese government.

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