Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

10/15 We have participated in a salon "Japanese confectionery making" hosted by the Chuo-ku International Cultural Exchange Promotion Association as volunteer support.

　

Every year, we receive the cooperation of "Eitarou Sohonho" in Nihonbashi.

20 foreigners living and working in the ward, from Europe, the United States, the Middle East, China, and Korea participated.

It was a very valuable experience to experience making traditional Japanese sweets.

(From the kneading, I made two Japanese sweets per person.)

　

Everyone, we, the Japanese themselves, are deeply involved in making Japanese products, dexterity, etc.

It was a day to experience traditional culture.

　

 

 

The other day, I saw a foreign customer who was lost near Kachidokibashi Bridge and near Tsukiji, so I spoke.

Both of them were trying to walk to Odaiba.　　As expected, I recommended the use of trains and buses because I thought it was far away, and wrote it on paper to guide me, but young couples wanted to walk to a place where I could walk, so I just crossed Kachidokibashi and proceeded straight.

Both groups were kind and polite and thanked, but I was surprised that the way of measuring the distance from them was too different.　　　

Of course, it will vary from country to country, and there will be individual differences, but from now on, I decided to guide you in consideration of the other person's appearance and atmosphere.　

　

　

As I was walking near Kachidoki bride and Tsukiji area, two groups of foreign guests were having trouble finding their way so I volunteered to help.

Surprisingly, both groups were trying to visit Odaiba by walking. 　　　Since it is a long distance to Odaiba, I have recommended them to use subways and buses and wrote down the information for guidance but a young couple wanted to walk until they feel tired and give up so they crossed the bridge and proceeded. 　　　Both groups were polite and appreciated very much but I was amazed to find out that the distance sense of foreign guests does not equal with us Japanese. 　

Perhaps the way people feel differs between countries and individuals, but I kept in my mind that considering guests' outfits and moods is necessary for proper guidance.

　

 

 

October 10 is the day of the public bath.

　

It was also the day when the Tokyo Olympics were held in 1964.
It seems to be derived from the relationship with bathing after sweating in sports.
By the way, the day of physical education has been changed from 2000 to the second Monday of October.

　

On this day, lavender hot water will be held at public baths in Tokyo.
There are 9 public baths in Chuo-ku, but the recommended one is Jushiyu.

<Jushiyu Entrance>

<Sento Day Poster>

　
　"Jushiyu" is located in a public facility called Jushi Square.
Jushi Square was originally Jushi Elementary School, but it has been used effectively because it has been closed down.

　

Since it is a new public bath that was newly opened in 2014, the elasticity of karan and the momentum of water are firm and comfortable.

　
　
The interior is made of Hiroshige Utagawa's "Edo Famous Japan Bashi" as a tile painting.
It is a hearty production as a public bath in the city.

<Hiroshige-Eto Famous Japan Bashi>

Why don't you enjoy the hot water while watching the Nishiki-e for a while?

　
Please check the business hours and equipment in advance.
◆Central Bathroom Association Official Website
　　　

◆National Diet Library Digital Collection
　　　

 

 

On September 29, we heard about the food culture depicted in Ukiyo-e as the first Chuo-ku Cultural Lecture "Edo Food Seen in Ukiyo-e".

The lecturer was Shigeru Shindo, Executive Director of the International Ukiyo-e Society.　

Beginning with Hiroshige's "Snow Brick Meashi", he explained the pictures depicting sushi, soba, eel, and tempura in an easy-to-understand manner.

Next time, on October 6th, "Japanese food is in Nihonbashi." I'm looking forward to it.

　

The second was the talk of four teachers on September 30 at the Nomura Building in Nihonbashi Muromachi as a commemorative lecture for the 4th autumn of the NPO Fermentation Culture Promotion Organization.

・The first one is Dr. Takeo Koizumi, "Mystery and Health Functions."

I've been making miso, dried plums, kimchi all the time, so I wanted to see you.

・The second one is "Sinki lactic acid bacteria" Dr. Hisako Yasui.

I learned about the wonderfulness of Kiso's pickled sinki.

・The third one is "About Fermentation of tempe and tempe bacteria" by Dr. Hiroshi Konno.

I was able to learn that the tempe has a better point than natto.

I've made it before, but it smelled out and failed.

・The fourth is "About the issuance of fire thighs and fermentation bacteria" Dr. Yutaka Waku.

Kinka Ham, which is manufactured in only five places in China.

During the talk of the tempe, raw tempe tasting was also performed, and it was delicious and eaten a lot.

　

I was able to listen to the live stories of wonderful teachers for both days.

I thought Chuo-ku was amazing.

　

 

 

From the viewpoint that it should be a little useful when volunteering, I wanted to learn how to use AED. I have a chance to receive normal lifesaving I at the fire department, so I will report it.

　

The cost was 1400 yen for the course, 82 yen for the postage stamp of the certificate, and the time was about 3 hours. There are two instructors from the Disaster Prevention Association. Participants are men and women (7+8) in their 40s and 70s.

　

For the first time after taking the course, I realized that it was not enough to just know how to use AED. Before attending the course, the AED had a voice guide and thought that it would be nice to do it, but I realized that that alone was not enough.

　Certificate received at a later date

　

In order to understand the content, it is best to take a course, but a part is described below.

　

１. Importance of First Aid If a bystander (person present) gives first aid in the event of an injured person, the life-saving effect will be improved and the progress of treatment will have a positive effect.

2.Bystanders play two important roles, the most important role of rescue,: (1) early reporting of cardiopulmonary arrest to the fire department and (2) primary lifesaving treatment (early cardiopulmonary resuscitation and AED treatment).

3.Life-saving measures are three treatments: cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillation using AED, and airway foreign body removal, which are performed to save the lives of the victim.

　

Points

①Safety of the surroundings: The victim and myself.

②Ask the people around you for help loudly, call 119 and request the AED to be transported.

③Chest compressions are strong and fast and constant. Treatment with AED.

I understand it.

　

Lecturers were told that there were many people who work in buildings where many people gather, such as department stores. If you are interested, why don't you take this course? Training using dolls was also a good experience.

 

 

<The trigger is ...>

The other day, a veteran guide, Mr. S, guided us to the Hamarikyu Onshi Garden, and heard about the story of elephants who came from Vietnam far during the age of the 8th Shogun Yoshimune.　Yoshimune was very interested in the white elephant, which is said to have been carrying Fugen Bodhisattva.　The elephant traveled from Vietnam to Nagasaki, stayed in Nagasaki for one year to adapt to the climate of Japan, and then walked to Edo for 70 days.

　

Fortunately, I had an opportunity to walk around Hamarikyu Garden with a very experienced guide, S-san. Then I learned that there used to be an elephant kept in the garden during the 8th Shogun, Yoshimune's regime. It is told that Yoshimune was very much interested in white elephant, which was told to be ridden by Fugen Bosatsu (Buddhist saint). The real elephant came from Vietnam, stopping over in Nagasaki an year for weather adjustment, and came to Edo by walking. It took 70 days to arrive. 　

●So, I also like elephants, so I decided to go around Chuo-ku with elephants as a keyword.

I myself am also an elephant lover! So, I decided to walk around the city looking for elephants.

　

　

<Elephant at Shinkawa Echizenbori Children's Park>

When you go to Echizenbori Children's Park in Shinkawa, you can meet parent and child elephants.　In summer, water erupts like a fountain from the parent elephant's nose, enlivening children's play in the water.　　A simple child elephant is very adorable for a real mother elephant.　　The park is located on the site of the residence of Echizen Fukui feudal lord and Matsudaira Echizen Mamoru.

　

If you visit Echizenbori Park, you can encounter an elephant family. During the summer, water spurts from parent elephant's nose like a fountain and excites children. Unlike realitically made parent, a child elephant is built so simple but it is adorable. The park is made on the ground where use to be the house site of Echizen Matsudaira clan.

　

　

<Elephant of Nihonbashi Takashimaya>　

It's too famous, but it's an employee elevator room on the roof of Nihonbashi Takashimaya.　　It is made in the image of an elephant with a remnant of raising the elephant Takako on the roof in the past.　　　Since the shooting date is under roof construction, it is partially hidden, but the silhouette of the elephant was confirmed.

　

Very popular spot ! An elevator facility room on the roof of Nihonbashi Takashimaya department store. Takashimaya used to keep an elephant named "Takako" on the roof, and as a memory, this elevator room was designed with an image of an elephant. Unfortunately, the roof was under construction on the date photo was taken but still, one can identify the elephant silhouette.

　　

　

<Elephant of Ginza Delilium Cafe>　

The signboard of the pink elephant on the delirium cafe in Ginza is also cute.　　This is a cafe where you can drink many kinds of Belgian beer. I'm having lunch too. (Ginza Miharakoji corner)

　

Signboard of Cafe in Ginza is also sweet. A pink elephant! This cafe offers varieties of Belgium and nice meal during lunch time.

　

　

<Elephant of Ginza Dober Street Market>　

And the elephant space on the first floor of Dover Street Market in Ginza 6-chome.　　This is a fashion building, but for some reason there is an elephant space that decorates elephants with brands every season.　　It's fashionable, but it's a little surprised because it appears as you walk.

　

Do you know there is a spot so called "Elepaht Space" in Ginza? It is on the first floor of Dover Street Market Ginza. This whole facility is exclusively stylish and Elephant Space decoration changes seasonally. Below are the pictures taken in early July.

　

It was like this when I came before.

It was like this in spring.

　

　

<An elephant of Marronnier Gate>

Finally, there was such a cute display in front of the restaurant at Marronnier Gate. 　I think there are still many elephant spots, but for the time being, this is the end.

　

I believe there are many other wonderful displays and facilities, but this is it for this time. Cute yellow elephant was displayed at the restaurant floor of Marronnier Gate in Ginza.

　

　

Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Mr. S and Mr. O who accompanied me for explaining very interestingly and carefully at the Hamarikyu Onshi Garden.

　

Lastly, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to S-san, who shared her valuable knowledge with me at Hamarikyu Garden, and O-san, who joined our tour.