Takanawa Walk

April 3, 2010
5 Comments
4 Min Read
Looking down past Isaragozaka towards Tamachi.
Looking down past Isaragozaka towards Tamachi.

The Takanawa area in Minato-ku is a great place for a walk to see old style buildings and temples. The area lies between Meguro/Gotanda and Shinagawa and has a rich history intertwined with the Tokaido Road. I took this walk at New Years, but had lost the photos on a damaged disk. Now I have them back, I am posting, although the New Years decorations look a little out of place ^_^.

One of the signboards explaining some of the history of the Takanawa area.
One of the signboards explaining some of the history of the Takanawa area.
There are many temples in the Takanawa, Shinagawa area.
There are many temples in the Takanawa, Shinagawa area.
One of the older buildings in the hotel grounds, it is now used as a restaurant.
One of the older buildings in the hotel grounds, it is now used as a restaurant.
Even the Police cars get dressed up at New Year.
Even the Police cars get dressed up at New Year.
At this crossing there is a Police Station and Fire Station on opposite corners. A busy place indeed.
At this crossing there is a Police Station and Fire Station on opposite corners. A busy place indeed.
The Fire Station has been in this location for many years. Back when it was first built, the tower lookout was used to survey the area. Now the view is obscured and it is left as a historical piece.
The Fire Station has been in this location for many years. Back when it was first built, the tower lookout was used to survey the area. Now the view is obscured and it is left as a historical piece.
Closeup of the Tower on top of the Fire Station.
Closeup of the Tower on top of the Fire Station.
Looks like a public bath house or onsen tower here.
Looks like a public bath house or onsen tower here.
Another small temple and its house.
Another small temple and its house.
A blend of the old with the new.
A blend of the old with the new.
This map shows the old water/land line of Shinagawa before much of the landfill projects commenced. The shape was quite different back then.
This map shows the old water/land line of Shinagawa before much of the landfill projects commenced. The shape was quite different back then.
Watch out for kids running into the street here.
Watch out for kids running into the street here.
Decorative ornaments for New Year. (kadomatsu)
Decorative ornaments for New Year. (kadomatsu)
There are many well known hills in Tokyo, Akasaka, Miyamasuzaka, Dogenzaka, Nogizaka etc. Seems everywhere you go a place named after a hill exists. Here is the well known Isaragozaka area.
There are many well known hills in Tokyo, Akasaka, Miyamasuzaka, Dogenzaka, Nogizaka etc. Seems everywhere you go a place named after a hill exists. Here is the well known Isaragozaka area.
Automatic lift parking like this is very popular when space is tight.
Automatic lift parking like this is very popular when space is tight.
You can often find police boxes (koban) on the first floor of apartment buildings, if there is an embassy close by.
You can often find police boxes (koban) on the first floor of apartment buildings, if there is an embassy close by.
Koguku no Kagaku society. Nice building. I think their society is centered around the science of laughter !
Koguku no Kagaku society. Nice building. I think their society is centered around the science of laughter !
One of the shops at the entrance to the temple.
One of the shops at the entrance to the temple.
Sengakuji, a very well known temple in the area.
Sengakuji, a very well known temple in the area where the 47 Ronin are said to be buried.

From wikipedia, the account of the 47 Ronin:

[bs-quote quote=”The story tells of a group of samurai who were left leaderless (becoming ronin) after their daimyo (feudal lord) was forced to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) for assaulting a court official named Kira Yoshinaka, whose title was Kōzukeno suke. The ronin avenged their master\’s honor after patiently waiting and planning for over a year to kill Kira. In turn, the ronin were themselves forced to commit seppuku for committing the crime of murder” style=”style-16″ align=”center” author_name=”Wikipedia”][/bs-quote]
Entrance to the temple.
Entrance to the temple.
The main temple at Sengakuji
The main temple at Sengakuji
Incense burning allowing us to cleanse ourselves with the smoke ^^.
Incense burning allowing us to cleanse ourselves with the smoke ^^.
Some lanterns from a restaurant nearby Sengakuji.
Some lanterns from a restaurant nearby Sengakuji.
Outside the toilets at the local station,
Outside the toilets at the local station, the names of the 47 Ronin.
Careful not to rush into the train here.
Careful not to rush into the train here.
Train approaching the station here at Sengakuji.
Train approaching the station here at Sengakuji.
Takanawa Kanji  

  • 高
    Taka
  • 輪
    nawa

 

  • た
    Ta
  • か
    ka
  • な
    na
  • わ
    wa

 

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Shibuya246

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  • That is a nice area. I especially like the fire station, the lookout tower is an entertaining feature.
    Sengakuji and the story of the 47 ronin is also very impressive.

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  • Strange place to put the names of the 47Ronin. Doesn’t seem to respectful to me.
    by:whipcracker

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  • Takanawa Walk, Japan Tokyo Photo Walk http://bit.ly/cnYVQM A facinating story of the 47 Ronin. Almost forgot that these photos were taken in Janurary. Because I was going to say it still looked like everyone was still wearing the heavier jackets and such. But it’s good to know that you were able to recover the photos and the other info that was on the hard disk.

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