Hanazono Shrine is located in the busy Shinjuku area. The shrine’s vivid red color looked striking in the sunlight, and as someone seeing it for the first time, it made a strong visual impression. The fallen ginkgo leaves in autumn added even more depth to the scene.
I came this time for the open-air market held every Sunday morning. It isn’t a large market, but it has a nice mix of Showa-era vintage items and everyday goods. There were quite a few Western visitors here as well. It’s a good spot for anyone who enjoys slowly hunting for finds in a relaxed atmosphere.
Hanazono Shrine | Review by Holly
Other Reviews by Holly
-
Kyoto Tourist Information Center “Kyo-navi”
A tourist information center located at JR Kyoto station, the gateway to Kyoto. It provides a wide range of information such as guidance of sightseeing, accommodations, and public transport tickets, and tickets for events.
The Kyoto Tourist Information Center is a great place to pick up materials and get ideas for your itinerary. I came here specifically because I was staying in Kyoto for a longer period and wanted to see if there were any attractions or activities with less information available in Chinese, to use as references for the rest of my trip.
There really are a lot of materials available, not just for Kyoto City but also for other areas of Kyoto Prefecture. It's very useful for anyone looking to plan a more in-depth itinerary. Besides picking up maps and brochures, you can also purchase some Kyoto transportation and sightseeing passes. However, I had already prepared most things in advance, so this time I mainly focused on collecting information.
It's located inside Kyoto Station, making it convenient to stop by while transferring or right after arriving in Kyoto. Just note that it's only open until 7:00 p.m. I specifically returned to Kyoto earlier so I could get there in time to pick up materials. -
-
Kyoto Gyoen
The premises has the Kyoto Imperial Palace at the center in which Meiji Emperor lived until he moved to Edo, surrounded by the town where the homes of aristocrats lined up. In Meiji Period, the premises were turned into the Kyoto Gyoen Park. Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace are still used by the imperial families.
Kyoto Imperial Palace no longer requires advance reservations and admission is free. If you want to join an official guided tour, you just need to gather at the visitors' lounge at the designated time. Bags are inspected before entry, and overall security is quite strict.
The palace itself is actually not as ornate as you might imagine. If you're expecting a lavish palace, Nijo Castle may be closer to what you have in mind. What really matters about Kyoto Imperial Palace is its buildings, such as the Shishinden and Seiryoden, and its history as the longtime residence of the emperor and a venue for important ceremonies. Inside the Shishinden are the Takamikura throne used for enthronement ceremonies and the Michodai throne for the empress. In front of the hall are the iconic Sakon cherry tree and Ukon tachibana tree, though visitors are kept at a distance and can only view them from outside.
What I found most interesting about Kyoto Imperial Palace was the layout of the space itself and its sense of history. Some of the sliding doors and wall paintings are also very intricate. However, if you're simply comparing architectural details or gardens, Kyoto has quite a few places with more to see. For gardens, I would recommend Katsura Imperial Villa more.
If you want to experience buildings related to the imperial family up close, I would actually highly recommend Daikakuji Temple near Arashiyama. It was formerly the Saga Imperial Palace and also has buildings relocated from Kyoto Imperial Palace, and you can view them from much closer than at Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Overall, what makes Kyoto Imperial Palace special is its historical significance rather than its splendor. If you're already interested in Japan's imperial family, court system, or traditional architecture, it's still worth a visit. -
-
Art Aquarium Museum GINZA
A modern artistic reinterpretation of the goldfish appreciation culture that originated in the Edo period, this unique museum presents the enchanting world of Art Aquarium in the historic heart of Ginza.
The Art Aquarium Museum GINZA is somewhere I'd wanted to visit for a long time. When I actually walked in, my first impression was that it was very lavish, with a touch of the splendor and allure of an oiran procession. The lighting, music, tanks, and decorations all blend together, but what I think was done especially well is that the lighting doesn't overshadow the goldfish themselves. Instead, it acts like stage lighting for them, ensuring that the goldfish remain the true stars of the exhibition.
I especially liked the area where you can view the goldfish from above. Goldfish originated in China, and when they were first kept in containers such as bowls and jars, they were generally viewed from above. This top-viewing style later spread to Japan and also influenced the appreciation of goldfish in terms of their back patterns, body shapes, and the way their tail fins spread out. Today, we're mostly used to viewing fish from the side through glass, so in everyday life there are very few opportunities to appreciate them from this traditional perspective. Being able to experience this ancient way of appreciating the beauty of goldfish here felt quite special.
Another area uses a large number of Japanese lanterns to create the atmosphere, and at first glance it reminded me of the densely arranged lanterns at Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara. The other areas make extensive use of light and shadow, reflections on the water, flowers, and traditional Japanese elements to create different moods. Some of the decorations clearly use artificial flowers, but with the lighting and colors of the water, they don't look cheap. Instead, they give the whole space a feeling somewhere between a stage and a dream.
They also offer different seasonal themes, with the flowers, lighting, and some of the exhibits changing accordingly. As a result, the scenery may look completely different depending on when you visit. This time, I happened to catch the end of the winter exhibition. I'm really looking forward to summer, since summer is the season for goldfish, and I hope I'll have a chance to come back and see it. -
