The first place we will be going to today isTokyo
Tower, a taller and more orange version of the Eiffel Tower; but a must see destination for tourists. Even
though we never went to the tower, as anime lovers, we are well aware of what
it looks like. Because of its clear association
with the city, it’s usually used as a visual landmark, and also as a convenient
place for anime characters to muse about their life. Some anime examples that
we have spotted this tower in:
Gantz: The characters are trapped in an apartment
in Tokyo, but the view from the window gives a perfect view of the tower
Sailor Moon: Since the series is based near the area, the tower is seen in almost every episode
Sailor Moon: Since the series is based near the area, the tower is seen in almost every episode
Card Captor Sakura: The final battle where Sakura
is saving the world, is located right beside the majestic tower
Mr. Brain: a 2009 Japanese drama with the tower
seen in the opening sequence
( It's also seen in films such as Godzilla)
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| Tokyo Tower view from: Sailor Moon, Card Captor Sakura Dr. Brain. Last picture is the original tower |
This youtuber talks about the references with anime and films with the tower, as well as giving some extra information for a tourist!
After Tokyo Tower, our next
stop is Asakusa which is Tokyo’s most traditional district; and we'll get there by taking the Churo line from Shinjuku Station. Taking the Churo line, it's a 10 minute trip to Kanda Station. From Kanda Station, we will transfer to Ginza Subway line for Asakusa, taking another 10 minutes. Once in Asakusa, we'll make our way to Kaminari Gate, which a
very famous place to take pictures. It’s
notable for its two traditional guardians and a big red lantern in the middle,
and it’s famous for me due to its appearance in many Japanese dramas such as Hana
Kimi. In Hana Kimi, when the main character's USA-based parents came to
visit her, she made it a point to tour them around Tokyo. One such tourist spot
they visited was Kaminari Gate and with it Sensoji Temple (also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple).
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| Hana Kimi scene at Kaminari Gate |
When
visiting a Temple or Shrine, there a couple acts we must perform. At Shinto Shrines, we will first go to the
Temizuya (purification fountain) where we will prefom the water
purification. We then enter the temple
through the Torii Gates to ring the small bell, and make a wish. At Sensoji, we will take part in the Senko
which means incense in Japanese. At
Sensoji Temple, there is a pedestal with sand, and this is where we burn our
senko sticks, and then wave the purifying smoke towards our bodies with our
hand. In Shinto shrines, we can also buy
small envelopes that contain a strip of paper with our fortunes written on it
(Omikuji Fortune Papers). Once we read
it, we have to tie/attach it to a tree branch.
If you get a lucky paper, you will have good luck when you attach it:
but if you but an unlucky fortune, attaching it toa branch will cancel the bad
luck effect.
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| Top: Kaminari Gate, Sensoji Temple Bottom: Water Purification, Senko purification |
After some
time at the temple, we’ll spend some
time in the shopping area near Kaminari Gate, which is full of souvenir shops. When we finish, we'll go to back Shinjuku to
roam around the Shopping District. The Shinjuku shopping district is full of neon lights, and department shops filled with anything from
clothes to electronics. While shopping,
we’ll stop by Tokyo’s Love Sculpture featured in many Jdoramas.
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| Shinjuku Love sculpture in 1998 jdorama: Great Teacher Onizuka |
9:40 PM |
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