Yanaka Ginza (Taito City) Tokyo Drive – JAPAN 4K ASMR – Tokyo's Old Downtown 谷中銀座（東京都台東区）下町ドライブ

Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1zDZMe15vCSPXn9CWrzJz7-MOoDSsWHg4&usp=sharing

If you have already subscribed to our channel, thanks a lot! If you haven’t done it yet, please consider doing so. We’ve been uploading new videos almost everyday. Don’t miss out! Hit the bell to get notifications. Thank you!
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TOKYOSMITH

Having miraculously avoided major damage during world wars and natural disasters, Yanaka and Nezu—two of the neighborhoods that make up shitamachi, Tokyo’s old downtown—retain their last-century charm. You’ll find historical sites such as Yanaka Cemetery and Nezu Shrine tucked away among shitamachi’s narrow back alleys, traditional wooden houses, izakaya pubs, atmospheric coffee shops and retro stores selling old-style sweets and snacks.

Yanaka Ginza—a taste of downtown Tokyo
The retro shopping street of Yanaka Ginza has around 70 shops occupying a lantern-lined 170-meter stretch. This area largely survived the war and earthquakes, so strolling through it is akin to traveling back to the Showa period (1926-89).
Step into the small shops selling traditional Japanese snacks, sweets and handicrafts, and pick up some street food to eat while you stroll—piping-hot sweet potatoes, juicy pork cutlets, sweet chestnuts and grilled squid are just a few of the traditional treats on offer. If you’re in the area around sunset, head to the staircase known as Yuyake dandan—Sunset Steps—to see the area bathed in a warm glow.
https://www.gotokyo.org/en/destinations/northern-tokyo/yanaka-and-nezu/index.html

Surrounded by small temples and inhabited by local kitties, the pathways through Yanaka Cemetery make for a great spot to stroll. While rambling around you can find the grave of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shogun of the Edo period (1603-1867), as well as the elaborately decorated tombs of famous painters, authors, actors, and politicians of the Meiji era from 1868 to 1912. Keep an eye out for the ruins of Tennoji Temple’s five-story pagoda and serene bronze Buddha statue too.

The street running through the center of the cemetery is called Sakura Dori, or Cherry Blossom Street. It is lined by cherry trees which burst with frothy pink and white blossoms during the spring, a must-see for visitors exploring the Yanaka area. Extend your walk to the nearby YanakaGinza shopping street or even Nezu-jinja Shrine to get the full experience of this traditional neighborhood.
https://www.gotokyo.org/en/spot/677/index.html

Yanaka Kiku Matsuri – Chrysanthemum Festival
“Kiku-ningyo” are dolls made from chrysanthemums. In the Edo period (1603-1868) and the Meiji period (1868-1912), “kiku-ningyo” were made in Dangozaka. In 1984, this tradition was revived as the Yanaka Chrysanthemum Festival. You can see chrysanthemum dolls and flowers on display and also buy some at the chrysanthemum flower market at Daien-ji Temple.
https://authentic-tokyo.com/event/detail?event_id=1000067

A chrysanthemum exhibition (菊花展覧会 Kikatenrankai) is a flower show that takes place in various parts of Japan every autumn from October to November. Other terms used are also “Chrysanthemum Festival” or “Chrysanthemum Competition”.

Chrysanthemums first arrived in Japan by way of China in the 5th century. By the Heian Period, the flower was cultivated throughout Japan. It represented the noble class and the season of autumn, and the Japanese even had a Chrysanthemum festival. When the flower was adopted for the Imperial Seal of Japan some families also cultivated it to signal their support and good relationship with the Imperial family.

These flowers are much esteemed by the Japanese, who pay more attention to size and brilliancy of colour than to perfume.

Exhibitions show works by individuals or groups. They tend to feature:

Large chrysanthemums

Single chrysanthemum grown from one seedling

Three-tailoring – a technique of pinching one seedling and branching it into three. The flowers are supported by wheels

Seven-tailoring – a technique to pinch one seedling and branch it into seven. The flowers are supported by a raised centre wheel and surrounding six lower wheels.

Chrysanthemum bonsai techniques

Diorama scenes using stones, figurines, etc.

Suspended cliff tailoring – a technique in which a trunk hangs down a cliff and expresses the appearance of a growing tree

Front cascade small cliff – a method of tailoring a cliff tail to the front, pinching a single seedling and branching a lot

Front cascade large cliff – a technique to make more branches and branches

Chrysanthemum dolls (kiku ningyo) – a representation of a person or animal as a motif

Chrysanthemum flower beds
(Wikipedia)

Camera: GoPro HERO8 Black

Filming Date: October 2, 2020

#tokyo #japan #drive

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Drive with me! Japan travel guide 2020
Road trip across Japan in a kei car – Japan scenery 4k by Tokyo Smith

– Scenic drive
– No music
– No talking