Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

Hello. It's Hanes, a new correspondent!
Suddenly, do you know what day March 12 is?
It seems that there is a "purse day" in the word matching, but one other thing that should not be forgotten is "Sweets Day".
I like cream puff the most among cream-based sweets, so I like it.
This time, I compared some cream puffs that can be bought in the city.

■Schukry (Sucre-rie)
As the senior correspondent rosemary sea and Mukuru introduced, we have introduced you.
There is a very popular cream puff that is "must line" and "sold out" here.
The location is near Nihonbashi Elementary School (part of the site of the Saigo Takamori mansion).



At the time of the visit, Christmas was near, so there were about 20 people lined up before the store opened.
The cream puff is served multiple times a day.
The number is limited, such as 70 or 100 each time.
For that reason, I was asked for the order number of cream puffs while I was in line.

I heard rumors that sesame is the point of this cream puff.
I'm looking forward to it even though it's unusual, and here I was able to purchase it safely for a while!
Elegant sesame condition is preserved, but not too sesame sesame seeds.



As you can imagine from the appearance, it has a crispy fabric.
And what is your concern?...



Smooth cream is packed with less sweet taste.
I felt a stronger impression of vanilla than custard.
Surprisingly, the uniqueness of sesame is not bothered, so it can be recommended as a souvenir of Nihonbashi.

Address: 1-5-5, Nihonbashi Ningyocho 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo St. Haym Ningyocho Gen 1F
Business hours Monday to Saturday from 9:30 to 19:00
Regular holidays: Sunday
Official website: http://sucre-rie.favy.jp/

■Meijiya Kyobashi Store
Next, it was advertised in Kyobashi as "Recommended for souvenirs".
Delibake cream puff from Meijiya Kyobashi store!



This is different from Mr. Schurley's cream puff.
The fabric is soft and fluffy.
And what I would like to emphasize personally is a cute look like flowers.



I've seen a lot of cream puffs so far.
It's the first time that this is the first time!
Because of the unevenness, it can be eaten relatively elegantly by tearing it by hand without sticking it.
It may be a nice point for women.

The cream doesn't have a strong custard egg feeling.
Without strong feeling of vanilla, it makes it easy for anyone to eat.
In addition, it's smooth and creamy, so you can eat many of them.
The shop is directly connected to the station, so it is highly evaluated that you can easily drop in.

Address: 2-2-8, Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Business hours and regular holidays: 10：00～21：00
Official website: http://meidi-ya-store.com/store_all/kyobashi_store/

■Kohji Corner Ginza 1-chome Main Store
This time, cream puff that can be bought in Ginza, a little south of Kyobashi!
The Kohji corner is now being rolled out nationwide, but the main store is located in Ginza.
There are plenty of delicious sweets that are affordable.
I think there are many people who have been there once.



The jumbo cream puff series at the Kohji corner is a 35th anniversary long seller.
Why do you introduce this time even though it can be purchased outside the Ginza main store?...
This is because it was renewed on February 22, 2019 and upgraded its level.



Custard cream is made to increase the flavor of vanilla and further enhance the richness of eggs.
Whip & custard not only increased cream but also increased cream.
It seems that the richness has been added with the addition of anglaze sauce.
It's just called "jumbo", a size that doesn't disappoint expectations!
This Shoo fabric is also fluffy, and it's crisp.
Isn't it easy for small children to eat?

Address: Ikedaen Building, 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Business hours 10:00-21:00 (Inquiry required during the year-end and New Year holidays and during the event period)
Official website: https://www.cozycorner.co.jp/

■Ta Hanatani-do
This time, it is a cream puff that can be purchased at Tsukiji.
This shop is known for its "cream that can be lined up"...



You can buy crisp, creamy cream puffs featured on TV shows.



The sharpness of the cream is far from others.
It is no exaggeration to say that there is no cavities.



The rich custard cream with vanilla beans generously is impressive!
If you like cream puffers who are particular about cream, I would like you to eat it once.

Address: 1F, Phoenix Higashiginza 2-14-4 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Business hours 10：00～19：00
Regular holidays: Irregular holidays
Official website: https://takatanidou.gorp.jp/

■Ginza Midori Hanado
I don't go to Tsukiji, but there's a lot of cream around Ginza as well.
If you want to eat crispy cream puff, go to this shop.



The cream puff here is also the favorite of Kabuki actor Matsuya Onoe.
It seems that there is no need to worry about the shape loss when carrying it because the fabric is bulky.
Also, I'm particular about making it.
You can enjoy a high-quality texture that leaves a slight warmth.
In addition, he was able to win the first place in the No. 1 cream puff game.
It is also a hot topic cream puff that you will want to check when you come to Kabukiza.



Address: 4-10-1, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 1F
Business hours 12: 00-22: 00 (* Friday, Saturday, 22: 30)
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginza_rockado/

By the way, I introduced 5 kinds of cream puffs, was there anything you care about?
Even if you don't usually eat sweets, you can enjoy sweets in Chuo-ku on March 12.
There should be a lot of sweets that will make you smile just by looking at it.

Hello. This is a new correspondent, Hanes.
This time, we will take up Shintomiza in the last episode of "Chuo-ku Seen by Sidmore".
It is Shintomiza, which has no right now, but in the era before Kabukiza was established.
What kind of impression did you have from people from overseas?
In the first place, was Shintomiza known to such people?...
Such a thing can be read from the records left by Sidmore.

■The Great Theater in Tokyo, Shintomiza and its surroundings
Surprisingly, the continuation of "Speaking of a Great Theater in Tokyo" is the continuation of "Speaking of a Great Theater in Tokyo"
It is "Shintomiza [Kyobashi (center)-ku Shintomicho]"
So, what was the appearance of Shintomi-za and its surroundings, which can be said to be the "Great Theater in Tokyo" from overseas?

It is a gabled building with a long frontage, with actor paintings lined up at the top of the entrance. The street is lined with teahouses and restaurants, suggesting that it is not a short play where spectators go out after dinner and finish in about two hours. Organize the viewing team carefully in advance and immerse yourself in the theater for a whole day. The play usually starts at one o'clock in the morning and ends at eight or nine o'clock in the evening. After a short-term face-to-face performance, if you know the appearance of the thousand actors and the schedule of the magnificent stage equipment, the spectators will specify the viewing time as appropriate. For high-ranking Japanese people, it is quite bad to go to the entrance of the theater by themselves and pay a viewing fee, so such audience will use it at least one day before at the teahouse near the theater to arrange tickets for the day, and secure seats through mediation. In other words, the teahouse is a duff shop that is paired with the ticket office! At an appropriate time, the delegation will gather at the teahouse, order lunch and dinner on the day, and then the head of the teahouse will guide the guests to the bleachers. There are several tea services a day, and you will come to order during the break, saying "Do you have anything you want?" At dinner, a large lacquered box with plenty of dishes is carried, and the patron sits comfortably and eats. Each seat is equipped with a cone-shaped cigarette tray, where everyone ignites the kisel, smokes cigarettes, and at the same time puts out the butts. Sometimes this sound becomes Oai chanting according to the stage performance! ?

From here, the theater at that time was a one-day entertainment.
There are teahouses and restaurants in the surrounding area, indicating that we were able to have lunch and dinner.

And as you can see from Kunimasa Utagawa's "Shintomiza Honfuji Completed First Enclosure Growing of Visitors"
It depicts customers who are eating and hearings.
It is the same as in the past that Kabuki and delicious food cannot be separated.

■Inside Shintomiza
From the above, it was clear how the area around Shintomiza was lively and how the food was procured.
So, what was the inside of Shintomiza?

The theater building is a light and thin wooden building, with mats and tatami mats everywhere, all of which are similar. There are square seats, sloping floors, simple low corridors, and stages throughout the hall. A low cross tree divides the floor space into a square shape and serves as a connecting bridge for customers to enter and exit. The audience always sits on the floor of the basin seat and watches each seat is 6 feet [1.8 meters] square and is designed for all four people. If you look at the corridor, there is a row of Masu seats on one side and a few Masu seats toward the stage. There is an enclosure of the guests behind those seats, and you pay about one or two copper coins per act. The enclosure on the opposite side is called "Tsubojiki [Makumi Seat]", but the noisy of this guest is so loud that even hearing-impaired people will want to block their ears. Passengers who enter the theater put a tag on their footwear. The shelves are full of hanging clogs, making it look like a decoration in the entrance lobby. Inside the building, there are shops selling fruits, tea, confectionery, tobacco, toys, hairpins, star photos, and booth items, so customers in the Masu seat do not have to go outdoors for any shopping. Moreover, it is a bright and well-ventilated open playhouse, so in winter the gaps are bare!

(Source: Mitsuyuki Segawa, "Nihon no Scenic Spots" (History Publishing, 1900))

While the inside was so lively that it was said, "It's a noisy thing."
It seems that it was a comfortable space where you could shop indoors.
However, from the ironically unique expression, "Because it is a bright and well-ventilated open playhouse, the gaps are passing through in winter!"
During the reconstruction in 1878, chair seats and gas lamps were introduced, and foreigners from Tokyo were invited to the opening ceremony.
Even at Shintomiza, which is a representative atmosphere of Civilization and enlightenment, where footlights were also installed.
It can be seen that there were still many challenges in architecture.

■Evaluations from Foreigners in Tokyo
As mentioned above, not only Japanese but also foreigners had the opportunity to experience Kabuki.
What kind of impression did they have about Shintomiza and Kabuki?
And how much did you accept it?

According to the column "Meiji-Taisho in Photos-From the Photo Book of the National Diet Library-"
Even Thomas McLatch, a servant of U.K., who was transferred to Japan, was worried that "a ronin has a long sword, and if you look at a foreigner, you will cut it immediately."
He was delighted to be able to see a beautiful play in a beautiful theater at the opening ceremony after the reconstruction, and wrote in detail to his mother and friend in his home country.

In July of the same year, we welcomed former President of the United States of America.
The costumes of the geisha who decorate the national flags of both countries on the stage and dance in the finale, as shown in the entrance and on the front, are the costumes of the geisha who dance in the finale.
"In a red-white horizontal kimono, under which a white star was dyed on an indigo ground, a dress called a dress of undergarments dyed with red and white stars.
It seems that he planned a gorgeous production that can be said to be a bit strange, simulating a star flag. "
Apparently, unlike the traditional kabuki that we imagine today, we see.
It seems that the production was surprisingly flexible.

Also, Kabuki actors are from foreign families who lived in foreign settlements.
Sidmore wrote that he was sometimes invited to a tea party.
A few days later, it appeared on a large scale in a domestic English newspaper, claiming to be a British daily newspaper.
There was also a list of attendees like a mountain.
It can be seen by foreigners at that time that Kabuki was accepted as entertainment and feasts.

In this way, we can look at Japan at the time from the perspective of overseas people.
I think there are new discoveries and learnings.
It is expected that the number of tourists visiting Japan will increase further toward the Tokyo 2020 Games.
"If I were in their position,"...It is also important to review Japanese culture and customs from the perspective of ""!
In addition to Sidmore, there are many overseas who recorded the state of Chuo-ku in Meiji period.
When you have time, why don't you pick up their books and discover "new Chuo-ku"?

[References and Website]
Eliza R. Sidmore (author) / Katsuhisa Tonosaki (translation) "Sidmore Japan Journey" (Kodansha, 2002)
9 Meiji period Theater and Theatre (1) Shintomiza/Kanya Morita's Cellular Heat:
Japan Arts and Culture Promotion Association "Culture Digital Library - Shintomiza"
Japan Arts and Culture Promotion Association "Cultural Digital Library-Shintomiza Honkan Inaugurated Night Theater Guardian crowd map"

[Related Articles]
"Chuo-ku (1) eel seen by Sidmore crosses the times and borders."
"What is the unexpected excavations unrelated to changes in the times of Chuo-ku (2) as seen by Sidmore?"

Hello. This is a new correspondent, Hanes.
At the end of the year, I went to such a place to digest the remaining holidays!



A night view with dense skyscrapers, a warehouse used for new applications after renovation.
Artistic cup of coffee, a relaxing waterfront...
Yes, here's New York, including Manhattan and Brooklyn!
...Rather, I went around New York-like places in Chuo-ku.

■Introduction
First of all, I wondered, "What is New York-like?"
I focused on the topography and geography of New York.
I've never been to the United States yet, but I remember seeing a video of accessing the Statue of Liberty by ferry.
I thought that the waterfront was substantial like Chuo-ku.

When it comes to waterfront in Chuo-ku, Tsukuda, Tsukishima, Kachidoki, Harumi areas!
So I compared some of them with Manhattan Island in New York....
Isn't the shape and geographical conditions of the island somewhat similar?


(* Please note that the scale is not uniform.)

This common point is that the cat on the hill, a senior correspondent, was also written.
I thought the impression I had was not a mistake.

■Night view
When it comes to the night view of Manhattan, it's a skyscraper.
The dense skyscrapers just reaching the heavens would be a highlight if you saw them live.
Then, if you say the skyscraper in Chuo-ku...
Isn't it a group of tower apartments in Tsukuda?


(Shooted from Eitai Bridge with a toy camera-like setting that has recently been hooked.)

Compared to the home, the shape and density of the building are slightly different, but it is ◎!
This scenery is also called "Little Manhattan".
Eitai Bridge is currently under construction, as Satsuki's carp streamer wrote, but it is still under construction.
When the construction is completed, I would like to go to shoot this "Little Manhattan" through the illuminated bridge.

■Renovation of warehouse
In New York, we have built a large-scale renovation of warehouses in recent years.
There is a district that has been reborn fashionable with an industrial atmosphere.
That is the DUMBO (Dumbo)
There are galleries, boutiques, cafes, etc., which are attracting attention both in Japan and overseas.

Although the exterior is different, the warehouse has been renovated like DUMBO in Chuo-ku and the warehouse has been renovated.
Efforts to use new products have come to be seen for a while.
In Toyomi, warehouses are studios, and in Tsukishima, galleries and restaurants are located.
I feel like I'm going to buy a lot to create a new bustle for the Tokyo 2020 Games.


(Warehouse in Tsukishima)

■Special coffee
Japanese coffee includes American coffee chains such as Starbucks and other American coffee chains.
Like "Third Wave Coffee" which was often heard a while ago.
It is no exaggeration to say that it is greatly influenced by the United States.

Therefore, I would like to recommend this time on the second floor of Harumi Island Triton Square.
Brooklyn Roasting Company (Brooklyn Low Sting Company)
It opened in Brooklyn in 2010 to provide eco-friendly coffee.
This shop is highly regarded by Newyorker.

The flagship of such a coffee shop is located in Kitahama, Osaka.
It operates mainly in Osaka, but the only store in Tokyo is located in Harumi.


(Shooted on the terrace seat of the flagship Kitahama store)

You can enjoy the waterside scenery that you enjoyed in Kitahama even in Harumi.
This time, I received M of drip coffee (Ethiopian Natural).
It's elegant with blueberry scent.
If you drink while you care about it, unlike the coffee you have drunk so far, you can drink it.
There was no habit, it was easy to drink, and I think it was an elegant taste.



In addition to coffee, you can also enjoy American baked goods and bagels from nearby shops.



We also sell coffee beans, drip coffee, and merchandise from this shop.
I purchased a blend of drip coffee that I was interested in for work.
It's not as flashy as Brooklyn's street art, but the package has a high design and the tension rises!



In addition, there is a happy card (lower left of the photo) that makes the 11th cup free if you purchase 10 cups.
If you like coffee, please try it.
Free Wi-Fi is available and it is open from 8:00 in the morning, so it is also friendly to nearby workers.
If you commute to work with a Brooklyn-born cup in one hand, you will feel a little Newyorker feeling.

■Waterfront
As you can see from the geography introduced at the beginning, there is also a view of the waterfront.
I think it's one of New York's uniqueness.
That's why I came here to Harumi Passenger Ship Terminal, which was ranked in the top 20 in TripAdvisor's "Popular Date Spots" ranking.
The scenery and night view at dusk are recommended, but you can enjoy it in the daytime.


(It's not Chuo-ku, but you can see the Rainbow Bridge.)

The public art reflected upside down on the surface of the water is also worth a look.
By the time you come here, you can also see the construction site of the Olympic athlete village.
Why don't you stop by while seeing the scenery that can only be seen now?


(The feathers of the white bird in the foreground are charming.)

If you are familiar with it, you will know that it is the scenery from the Harumi Passenger Terminal.
For those who have seen it for the first time, I think, "Oh, it's a bit like New York!"

■Yeah
It is a place like New York in Chuo-ku.
Beginning with topography and geographical comparisons, Tsukuda Tower Condominiums, Tsukishima Warehouses, etc.
We have introduced the Brooklyn Roasting Company and Harumi Passenger Ship Terminal.
Of course, it's not true, but when you want to enjoy the New York style easily, it's not the case.
I guess there is such a way of enjoying it.