Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

When I left Japan for a while and visited Hamarikyu for the first time in a long time, a pleasant early summer breeze was blowing.

Yamaboshikawaba hydrangea mulberry nuts ... Many flowers welcomed me.

 　　　　　　　　

 Yamahoshi (Japanese dogwood)

Japanese dogwood's name was named after showing the small circle of flowers in the center to the monk's head, and the white bracts, which looked like petals, looked like a hood.

"dogwood", which is often seen in street trees, is very similar to Japanese dogwood, so it is also called "America Yamaboshi".

In some regions, there is still a custom of starting rice planting when Japanese dogwood begins to bloom.

In October, the fruit turns red and can be eaten.

I can't eat the fruit of Hana Mizuki. 

　

 Kashiwaba hydrangea (Kashiwaba hydrangea) native to North America

It was named because the leaves resemble Kashiwa-no-ha.

These leaves turn red in autumn.

It is planted in the flower garden.

It's best to see it now. 

　　　　 　Mulberry fruit

Yatsushiro Shogun Yoshimune used the current outdoor table plaza practically and used it as a place for experiments.

Plant sweet potatoes, plant medicinal herbs, make swordsmiths, raise smoke, and make salt ...

We planted mulberry trees, kept silk cloth in a weaving hut, put it in a paulownia box to make it a souvenir for important customers.　

In the remnants of that time, there is still a mulberry tree in the open-air table square.

I tried to put a grain of ripe fruit in my mouth.

Sweet and delicious ... It's a nostalgic taste.

In addition, there are several other trees that have been attached to the fruit of Japan globeflower.

　

 Lilywood

Yurinoki came to the early Meiji era and is often planted as street trees.

The place of origin is North America, with a tree height of 50m to 60m and a diameter of 3m.

In the past, American Indians used to cut out this tree to make canoes.

Because the shape of the flower resembles a tulip, it is also called a "tulip tree".

Because the shape of the leaves resembles "Hanten" worn by craftsmen, it is also called "Hantenboku".

I was able to take only the buds, but it is a large yellow flower.

It blooms in Uchibori Square.

 

　　　　　　　　　　　Hamarikyu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 1-1 Hamarikyu Gardens

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Service Center 03-3541-0200　　　　　　　　

 

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

 

 

 

[Harumi] It is a region that is being developed again.

This image shows Harumi from the Toyomi area, but you can clearly see the skyscrapers of [Harumi Triton Square]. In addition to this, the number of high-rise apartments is increasing.

The wide road that extends to Harumi Wharf seems to represent the longing for the sea by street trees. Behind this is once the “International Trade Fair Venue”, which was attracting attention from all over the country as an experimental space that represents the cutting edge of the times.

 

In the first place, in the Harumi area, pre-war “International Exposition” (World Exposition) was planned. It seems that a specific plan has been completed and some tickets have been sold. In addition, there was a plan to construct a new government building at the Tokyo City Hall (at that time).

The Expo, which was scheduled for 1940 (Showa 15), was canceled as the war approached.

Standing at [Harumi Sanchome Intersection], which seems to have been around the main gate of the Expo venue, imagine the time. Perhaps a central pavilion would have been to be built around the road leading to [Harumi Ohashi]. If the exposition was being held, how did this town develop?

 

The Expo ended in a dream, but at that time [Kachidokibashi], which was planned as a travel route, was completed and is popular as one of the famous scenery of Chuo-ku. I just hope that Chuo-ku will continue to be a land that talks about the dreams of the times.

 

 

Once known as the gorgeous flower district of Tokyo, [Yanagibashi] is now one of the place names in Taito Ward, but it is derived from the name of the edge over Chuo-ku. It's just where the Kanda River pours out into the Sumida River.

It retains a small but elegant form in the downtown atmosphere.

Speaking of the stars in Hanamachi, geisha. geisha Yanagibashi is known throughout the country. I think of the gorgeous appearance that crosses this bridge.

At the foot of the bridge, there is a monument indicating the origin of [Yanagibashi]. In the Edo period, rice breweries called [Asakusa Mikura] lined up, and it was a place where river boats frequently come and go.

Looking at the other side of the bridge, it reminds me of the sight of a former boat coming and going.

For a walk from here, it is recommended that you go from around Bakurocho to Hamacho and Ningyocho. It is a fun walking area with a number of highlights.

 

 

On Saturday, Kabuto-cho is full of traffic and has a quiet atmosphere. On the way from Edobashi to Kabuto-cho, along the bridge facing the Nihonbashi River, Mitsubishi Warehouse, completed in 1930, appears as if it were a large ship moored on the riverbank.

As you walk to the Tokyo Stock Exchange Arrows around Mitsubishi Warehouse, the small shrine that appears on your left is Kabuto Shrine. Standing covered with pillars and bridge girders of the Metropolitan Expressway, this shrine has a tradition that originates from this area called "Kabuto-cho".

In the first place, the lucky charm is said to be the helmet of Taira no Masakado, but during the rebellion of Johei, about 1070 years ago, Hidesato Fujiwara attached a helmet to the neck of Masakado on the way to Kyoto, and at that time it was reported that only the helmet was buried in the soil and a mound was built and memorialized there. And this mound is called Kabutoyama, and it seems to be the oldest tradition that a shrine was built in this place and only the rock remained.

In addition, in the role of the nine years before that happened in the 1050s, Yoshiie Minamotono put a helmet on the rocks of this area on the way to the conquest of Oshu and prayed for victory, and in the Gosannen War in the 1080s Yoshiie Minamotono, who returned to Oshu, buried various helmets there for praying for Toi Zhenjo.

※The Kaede River is a river that once existed. It diverted south near Kabuto-cho on the Nihonbashi River, and was once a canal of about 1.2 km to the confluence of the Kyobashi River and Sakuragawa River, but its appearance disappeared due to the landfill that began in 1960. Was.

After leaving Kabuto Shrine, pass in front of the visitor reception on the west side of the Stock Exchange (Tokyo Stock Exchange Arrows), you will see a building with a retro feeling of the early Showa era at the corner. In the middle of Kabuto-cho, it is a building that reminds us of the old days when the expression is perfect, such as standing unintentionally in the valley of a high-rise building around it.

Actually, this building is "Yamani Shoken", which is still operating properly, and it is a quaint building that looks like a 3-story or 2-story building depending on the direction of viewing. Since it was completed in 1936, it was Historic buildings 75 years ago. The first floor is probably made of granite, and the outer walls of the second and third floors are made of bricks. The round window on the third floor is like a rose window, reminiscent of a church stained glass, and the clay roof tile, which covers the entire building, has a moderate slope and a stunning balance. For a moment, you can enjoy a space as if you were lost in a corner of the old town of Europe.

And next to this Yamani Shoken, there is another building that has a similar retro feeling. This building was also a securities company, and until a while ago, the signboard of "Naruse Shoken" was displayed. The entire building is characterized by a massive and solid structure made of granite stacked. The completion date is 1935, so this is also a 75-year history.

Currently, the company has changed its name to Philip Securities, a securities company affiliated with the conglomerate in Singapore. The front facade is based on symmetrical, and you can feel the beauty and strength of the straight line in a simple design. The front entrance is also equipped with an external light that gives a retro feel, accent to the facade. I happened to have an employee, so I heard the story, but when I asked if the floor was marble, it used to be a wooden floor, but due to the spread of computers, the floor was raised to hide the wiring of the run cable, It is said that it has changed to a modern style carpet. Nevertheless, when I looked inside from the back entrance, the floor was covered with fine tiles, and the wooden pillars and the stairs leading up to the upper floor were able to feel the brilliance of "Ibushi silver" with a history of more than 70 years.

In a big city where old buildings were demolished and turned into modern forms, it was a moment when I was impressed by the fact that the buildings of the early Showa era were still alive, and at the same time felt nostalgia as watching old albums .

 

 

 

"Hana Kaido" on Chuo-dori, which is colored with seasonal flowers. I think there are many people who know it.

From Kyobashi to Nihonbashi and Muromachi, flower beds continue casually near the sidewalk.

This spring, colorful pansies entertain the eyes of those who come and go and relax their hearts.

 

"Hana Kaido" started in December 2002 as a one-year social experiment commemorating the 400th anniversary of the opening of Edo, and began in December 2002.

After that, with the support of the “Nihonbashi Preservation Society” and “Nihonbashi Regional Renaissance 100-Year Planning Committee”, the “Nihonbashi Regional Renaissance 100-Year Planning Committee”.

Co-hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's Tokyo National Highway Office, the NPO "Hana Kaido" is a water magistrate (watering flower beds and cleaning sidewalks by volunteers of town council members along the local road) and a flower magistrate (four times a year, seasonal flowers) It is implemented with the cooperation of people, companies and organizations that provide the cost of blooming, and town associations, shopping associations, and regional revitalization organizations.

Tokiwa Elementary School children also played a role in beautification of Chuo-dori through flower bed planting experience as a local volunteer. Until last year, Chuo-dori was colored with red common sage in summer and French gold flowers in autumn. 

If you look closely at the flowerbed, there are small panels with the names of the companies and organizations that have become flower magistrates and water magistrates, and the town council to which the flowerbed belongs.

　 　 　　

 

On the panel, there is another kanji idiom of "twenty-four season old calendar" such as spring, spring equinox, autumn equinox, summer solstice, and "72 weather" that informs seasonal weather movements and changes in flora and fauna. It is written, and its reading and meaning are written, which is very helpful as a idiom for the season.

I was able to see people from the Edo period living while accepting nature while feeling the season, and stopped and read it unintentionally. If you know this, you may think that it's a good thing.

 Let's take a closer look at the "Hana Kaido" on Chuo-dori, while enjoying the flowers. There may be a new discovery.

 

 

 

 The Ginza Sony Building has been planning an early exhibition of flowers that represent each season, entitled "Ginza Flower Letters" from May 2011, but as the first one, from May 10 to May 15, About 3,000 sunflowers from Nishi-Misaki, Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture appeared at Sony Square <Outdoor Event Space>.

There are also 15 different varieties on display at the entrance hall on the 1st floor, where you can enjoy early summer in Ginza.

In addition, a charity event wishing for a visit to the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and reconstruction will be held.

     　 <Vincent Orange>　　　　 <Vincent tangerine>　　　<Vincent Clear Orange>

        

     　 <Orange of Van Gogh>　　　　　　  <Orange of Monet>　　　　　　　　　<Yaeo Tohoku>

        

 　　　　　<Remonade>　　　　　　　　 <Fresh lemon>　　　　　　　　　<Lemon>

        

    　　　<Chocoflake>　　　　　　　　　 　<pine>　　　　　　　　　　<Lemon Eclair>

         

      　　　　<Orange>　　　　　　　　<Fresh Orange>