Autumn at the University of Tokyo

The University of Tokyo logo is formed by two gingkoes leaves, a yellow one and a light blue one, the gingko leaves has been used as a mark of Tokyo university in many occasions of the university history.


Accordingly, the gingko trees are showing the beautiful yellow color of the autumn around the University.


The University is open to the public, and a large number of visitors are enjoying the autumn colors.




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Yushima Teijin Shrine to the god of learning

Yushima Tenmangu best known as Yushima Tenjin was established in 458 to worship Ameno-tajikaraono-mikoto; in 1355 the spirit of Sugawara Michizane, a virtuoso scholar and poet from the Heian period, was also enshrined here.



These days, students pay reverence to the “kami” of learning at the temple. On examinations periods it’s common to see students and mothers, writing petitions on the wihishing boards “Ema”. Additionally as the shrine is a short walk from Tokyo University, the place gets usually crowded on the days prior the entrance examination day.




After entering the shrine grounds, the most outstanding object is the beautiful building of the main shrine, or honden, the large number of Ema or wish boards comes a close second.



The main hall and the main hall are connected with a stunning bridge, at prayer time you can see the priest in full regalia crossing the bridge.



The shrine is preparing for the chrysanthemums flower festival, when the temple is decorated with this flower and wax figures wearing clothes made of the flower, the festival is celebrated in the first weeks of November.



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Senso-ji temple in Asakusa

Asakusa’s Senso-ji is now fully visible after over one and a half years of renovations.
Senso-ji founded in 645 is the oldest temple in Tokyo, it has been destroyed by disasters several times and reconstructed. The temple was the designated oration place for Tokunaga Ieyasu and subsequent Shoguns. currently with 30 million visitors every year remains one of the most important centers of worship.


The main entrance to the temple is through the famous Kaminarimon gate, with the gigantic lantern guarded by Fujin (wind god) and raijin (thunder god). The lamp is folded only during the sanja festival, and typhoons.


Leading the way between the Kaminarimon and the Hozomon gate the nakamise shops offer souvenirs and snacks to temple visitors.


Lateral streets provide a great view of the sky tree.



After nakamise the Hozomon gate guards the entrance to the main hall. The Hozomon gate is used to store the temple treasures.


To the right of the Hozomon gate stands the five stories pagoda, originally built in 942.



After the Hozomon gate, the main hall is now finally visible. You need to look carefully to notice the renovations as it has been done mostly to some of the exteriors part in the roof area.



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Summer is finally over

After a long and record-breaking hot summer, almost 40º C, we started finally to enjoy tolerable days and cooler nights.


Some rain and cloudy days but we really do not mind as it’s bringing relief after the heat.


Photos of the cloudy sky from the top of the Tokyo metropolitan government building.


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Nishiarai Taishi

Soujiji, best known as Nishiarai Taishi is a Buddhist temple in Adachi ward in Tokyo.The temple was built in the year 826, and the main hall was built in the mid-Edo period. In 1971 it was rebuilt to his present form.


The beautifully carved main gate (sanmon) was completed in the late part of the edo period.


ShioJizou close to the main gate. Worshipers believe that pouring salt on this Jizou cures warts.
Official site (Japanese)

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University of Tokyo

The University of Tokyo, Japan’s premier national university. Founded in 1877 as the first national university in Japan. The university aims to provide its students with a rich and varied academic environment that ensures opportunities for both intellectual development and the acquisition of professional knowledge and skills.


The Main Campus is located in Hongo, Bunkyo Ku, on the Tokyo state of the former major feudal lord Kaga Yashiki. Parts of the seventeenth century landscape have been preserved.


The former Kaga state Akamon or red gate is also preserved and it has been designated an “Important Cultural Property” by the Japanese government.


Arches of the Second Building of Faculty of Law and Letters on campus.

Official Site

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