7 Hidden Gems Along The Toronto-Manila-Tokyo Route
7 Hidden Gems Along The Toronto-Manila-Tokyo Route - Hikan Inari Shrine - A Tiny Treasure in Asakusa
Despite its small size, Hikan Inari Shrine offers a unique glimpse into the spiritual traditions that have long shaped the fabric of Tokyo.
Hikan Inari Shrine was established in 1854 by a local fireman named Shinmon Tatsugoro, who prayed at Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto for his wife's recovery from illness, and she made a full recovery.
The shrine measures a mere 5 x 4 meters in size, making it one of the smallest Shinto shrines in Tokyo.
The shrine is a subordinate shrine of the nearby Asakusa Shrine, a major Shinto shrine that enshrines the god of the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa and hosts the famous Sanja Matsuri festival.
Visitors to Hikan Inari Shrine can purchase a fortune picture called Fuku-e for 500 yen and receive a shuin, a stamp or seal, for 200 yen at the shrine or temple office.
Asakusa, the neighborhood surrounding the shrine, is known for its rich heritage dating back to the Edo period, offering a glimpse into Tokyo's cultural history.
What else is in this post?
- 7 Hidden Gems Along The Toronto-Manila-Tokyo Route - Hikan Inari Shrine - A Tiny Treasure in Asakusa
- 7 Hidden Gems Along The Toronto-Manila-Tokyo Route - Nakameguro's Hidden Charms - Onibus Coffee and the Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Museum
- 7 Hidden Gems Along The Toronto-Manila-Tokyo Route - Yanaka - Preserving Tokyo's Historic Charm
- 7 Hidden Gems Along The Toronto-Manila-Tokyo Route - Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street - Old-World Tokyo Shopping Experience
- 7 Hidden Gems Along The Toronto-Manila-Tokyo Route - Fuglen Tokyo - A Norwegian-Designed Coffee Haven
- 7 Hidden Gems Along The Toronto-Manila-Tokyo Route - Shiro-Hige Cream Puff Factory - Adopt Your Own Mini Totoro
- 7 Hidden Gems Along The Toronto-Manila-Tokyo Route - Nezu Shrine - Tranquil Torii Gates Away from the Crowds
7 Hidden Gems Along The Toronto-Manila-Tokyo Route - Nakameguro's Hidden Charms - Onibus Coffee and the Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Museum
Nakameguro's scenic Meguro River is a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing, with the riverbanks lined with over 800 cherry trees that bloom in the spring, creating a picturesque landscape.
Onibus Coffee's espresso is crafted using a specialized pressure-controlled espresso machine, which helps to extract a rich and complex flavor profile from the carefully roasted beans.
The Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Architectural Museum features a replica of a Meiji-era train station, allowing visitors to experience the sights and sounds of early 20th-century railway transportation in Japan.
Onibus Coffee's baristas are highly trained, with many having completed extensive coffee education programs and competitions, ensuring a consistently exceptional coffee experience.
The Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Architectural Museum's collection includes a traditional Japanese wooden theater, offering visitors a glimpse into the historic performance arts of the Edo period.
7 Hidden Gems Along The Toronto-Manila-Tokyo Route - Yanaka - Preserving Tokyo's Historic Charm
Visitors can explore the area's traditional markets, indie cafes, and senbei rice cracker shops, all while marveling at the preserved architecture and serene atmosphere.
Yanaka is one of the few remaining neighborhoods in central Tokyo that has retained its pre-World War II architectural character, with many buildings dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The area is home to over 70 small, family-owned businesses, including traditional craft shops, artisanal food producers, and antique dealers, many of which have been operating in the same location for generations.
Yanaka Cemetery, one of the largest cemeteries in Tokyo, is known for its picturesque landscape featuring centuries-old gravestones and towering Japanese cedar trees.
The Yanaka Ginza shopping street is uniquely designed with a slight incline, a feature that was intentionally incorporated to slow the pace of pedestrian traffic and encourage leisurely browsing.
Yanaka is home to the Tennoji Temple, a historic Buddhist temple that dates back to the 7th century and houses a collection of important cultural artifacts, including a rare set of 8th-century wooden sculptures.
Yanaka is one of the few neighborhoods in Tokyo where you can still find traditional artisanal workshops producing items such as handmade paper, wooden clogs, and delicate porcelain figurines.
The Yanaka Ginza shopping street features a unique architectural style known as "shitamachi," which is characterized by low-rise buildings and narrow alleyways, creating a cozy and intimate atmosphere for visitors.
7 Hidden Gems Along The Toronto-Manila-Tokyo Route - Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street - Old-World Tokyo Shopping Experience
Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street offers a unique and nostalgic shopping experience in Tokyo, transporting visitors to an old-world atmosphere.
This historic shopping street, in operation since 1892, features a mix of traditional Japanese goods, clothing, snacks, and souvenirs, as well as charming cafes and hidden gems.
The area is known for its well-preserved architecture and low-key, residential vibe, providing a glimpse into Tokyo's cultural heritage.
Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street has been in operation since 1892, making it one of the oldest shopping streets in Tokyo.
This historic significance provides visitors with a unique glimpse into the city's past.
The street's traditional atmosphere is enhanced by the preservation of many buildings dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, offering a rare opportunity to experience the architectural heritage of old-world Tokyo.
The neighborhood of Yanaka, where the shopping street is located, is home to over 70 small, family-owned businesses, many of which have been operating in the same location for generations, preserving the area's rich commercial history.
Yanaka Cemetery, a short distance from the shopping street, is known for its picturesque landscape featuring centuries-old gravestones and towering Japanese cedar trees, providing a serene and contemplative atmosphere for visitors.
The Tennoji Temple, a historic Buddhist temple dating back to the 7th century, is located in Yanaka and houses a collection of important cultural artifacts, including a rare set of 8th-century wooden sculptures.
Yanaka is one of the few neighborhoods in Tokyo where visitors can still find traditional artisanal workshops producing items such as handmade paper, wooden clogs, and delicate porcelain figurines, offering a unique opportunity to witness these time-honored crafts.
The Yanaka Ginza shopping street features a unique architectural style known as "shitamachi," characterized by low-rise buildings and narrow alleyways, creating a cozy and intimate atmosphere that transports visitors to a bygone era.
During the cherry blossom season, the nearby Yanaka Cemetery becomes a popular hanami (cherry blossom viewing) spot, drawing in locals and visitors alike to witness the stunning natural display.
7 Hidden Gems Along The Toronto-Manila-Tokyo Route - Fuglen Tokyo - A Norwegian-Designed Coffee Haven
Fuglen Tokyo is a Norwegian-designed coffee haven located in the heart of Tokyo's Tomigaya neighborhood.
The cafe, which opened in 2012, offers a variety of Norwegian specialties, including light-roasted coffee, baked goods, and Norwegian brown cheese, as well as cocktails and hosts events.
With its relaxed and cozy Scandinavian-inspired atmosphere, Fuglen Tokyo has earned a reputation for serving some of the best coffee in the city.
Fuglen Tokyo is the first international outpost of the iconic Oslo-based Fuglen Coffee Roasters, which was established in 1963, making it one of the oldest coffee companies in Norway.
The café's vintage Scandinavian interior design, featuring retro furniture and a round red bird logo, was meticulously curated by the Norwegian design team behind the original Fuglen in Oslo.
Fuglen Tokyo serves a selection of rare and specialty coffee beans imported directly from Norway, roasted in Oslo and flown to Tokyo to ensure the freshest possible flavor profile.
The café's baristas undergo extensive training and have won numerous national and international coffee competitions, solidifying Fuglen's reputation for exceptional coffee craftsmanship.
In addition to its acclaimed coffee menu, Fuglen Tokyo also offers a unique selection of Norwegian delicacies, including the iconic brunost (brown cheese) and traditional baked goods.
The café transforms into a cozy cocktail bar in the evenings, serving a carefully curated selection of Scandinavian-inspired cocktails made with premium spirits and house-made ingredients.
Fuglen Tokyo hosts a variety of design-focused events and exhibitions throughout the year, showcasing the work of both Norwegian and Japanese artists and designers.
The café's unique round bird logo, inspired by the Norwegian word "fuglen" meaning "the bird," is a nod to the brand's migratory nature, having expanded from its Oslo roots to Tokyo.
Fuglen Tokyo's location in the trendy Tomigaya neighborhood, known for its high concentration of independent cafes and boutiques, allows the café to cater to both local residents and curious tourists.
The café's commitment to sustainability is evident in its use of energy-efficient equipment and its partnership with local suppliers to minimize its environmental impact.
7 Hidden Gems Along The Toronto-Manila-Tokyo Route - Shiro-Hige Cream Puff Factory - Adopt Your Own Mini Totoro
Shiro-Hige Cream Puff Factory in Tokyo is an official Studio Ghibli-themed bakery, offering delightful Totoro-shaped cream puffs in various flavors.
The handmade cream puffs feature a light and airy texture with velvety fillings, making it a must-visit destination for Ghibli fans and cream puff enthusiasts alike.
Visitors can even "adopt" their own mini Totoro figurine, adding to the unique experience at this hidden gem.
The owner of Shiro-Hige Cream Puff Factory is a relative of legendary Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki, giving the bakery an official connection to the beloved animation studio.
The bakery's cream puffs are handmade and feature a light, airy texture with velvety smooth fillings in various flavors inspired by Studio Ghibli characters and themes.
Shiro-Hige Cream Puff Factory uses a specialized pressure-controlled espresso machine to craft its coffee, which helps extract a rich and complex flavor profile from the carefully roasted beans.
The bakery's Totoro-themed desserts, cookies, and cakes are made using traditional Japanese baking techniques, blending classic flavors with whimsical Ghibli-inspired designs.
Shiro-Hige Cream Puff Factory has two branch locations in the Tokyo neighborhoods of Kichijoji and Daita, each with slightly different operating hours to accommodate visitors.
The bakery's Totoro-shaped cream puffs are so popular that they frequently sell out, prompting the recommendation to arrive early or call ahead before visiting.
The bakery's cream puffs are made using a unique baking technique that results in a delicate, crispy outer shell and a soft, custard-like interior, providing a delightful textural contrast.
Shiro-Hige Cream Puff Factory's owner has meticulously curated the bakery's vintage-inspired Scandinavian-Japanese interior design, drawing inspiration from the aesthetic of classic Studio Ghibli films.
The bakery sources its premium coffee beans directly from Norway, ensuring the freshest and most flavorful espresso-based drinks to complement its Totoro-themed desserts.
Shiro-Hige Cream Puff Factory's baristas are highly trained, with many having completed extensive coffee education programs and competitions, ensuring a consistently exceptional coffee experience for visitors.
7 Hidden Gems Along The Toronto-Manila-Tokyo Route - Nezu Shrine - Tranquil Torii Gates Away from the Crowds
The shrine's rich history, intricate structures, and beautiful natural surroundings make it a must-visit destination for those exploring the city's lesser-known attractions.
Nezu Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Tokyo, with a history dating back to 1705, making it a true testament to the city's rich cultural heritage.
The shrine's architecture features a unique blend of traditional Japanese and Chinese influences, with the vermilion torii gates and pagoda-style roofs creating a visually striking and harmonious ensemble.
The shrine's "Torii Tunnel," a path lined with over 1,000 vermilion torii gates, is considered one of the most iconic and photogenic spots in the entire shrine complex.
Nezu Shrine is situated on a hillside, offering visitors panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the nearby Ueno Park and the distant Tokyo skyline.
The shrine's main deity is Susano-o-no-Mikoto, the Shinto god of the sea and storms, who is believed to have a strong connection to the shrine's history and cultural significance.
The shrine's main torii gate, which stands at the north entrance, is an impressive structure measuring over 12 meters in height and featuring intricate carvings and ornate details.
Nezu Shrine is home to several buildings that have been designated as Important Cultural Properties by the Japanese government, including the main shrine building and the Otome Inari Shrine.
Nezu Shrine is located in the Bunkyō ward of Tokyo, which is known for its high concentration of universities and academic institutions, giving the area a unique intellectual and scholarly vibe.
The shrine's proximity to Ueno Park and other popular tourist destinations in the area make it an ideal stopover for visitors looking to explore the hidden gems of Tokyo's rich cultural landscape.