Happo-en

Tokyo @ Shinagawa - This was a beautiful manicure garden within the compound of an event location.  The owners took great care to protect and preserve the tranquility of this garden at the same time market event rooms for companies and weddings.  It is a perfect location and there were many couples taking their wedding photos when I was walking around.  This garden is 50,000 sqm in area.

So beautiful and tranquil

Bonsai garden

Tea house

I spent about an hour resting in this tea house overlooking the tranquility of the beautiful pond with Japanese Koi swimming around.

Japanese Koi

Koi in Japanese pond

Daigo Shrine

Besides this shrine there is also a Christian chapel within it's compound to host weddings and other Christian ceremonies.

Manicure path

It was a good long walk to Happo-en and worth the time....

Meiji Gakuin University

Tokyo @ Shinagawa - I was cross a bridge and this University caught my attention because of the very English architecture.

This is a Christian University founded by 1863.  I would not believe that these are University campus buildings.

Sengakuji Temple

Tokyo @ Shinagawa - Further down the road about 30 minutes there is a Sengakuji Temple.  This temple is known as the burial ground of the Forty-Seven Ronin (in feudal Japan he is a wandering samurai who had no lord or master).   You can read about the true heroes of 47 samurai that took revenge for Asano.   This was made famous by the 2013 movie 47 Ronin acted by Keanu Reeves.

Sengakuji Temple entrance

Bronze statue of Oishi Kuranosuke

Main Hall of the Temple

Bonsho and Shoro

Constructed in 1913 under the 41st Abbot.  The bell sounds every morning Zazen and in the evening when the gate is closed.

One row of the 47 Ronin

2nd graves row of the 47 Ronin

One of the famous Samurai warriors

There are a few tourist mostly Europeans placing joss sticks on each of the tomb stone.

Grave of the Samurai Warrior

Takanawa's Japanese Garden

Tokyo @ Shinagawa - It was a 30 minutes walk to this beautiful Japanese Garden which is located between Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa and The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo.  The weather was sunny but cool so it makes the walk not so sweaty.

Takanawa’s Japanese garden, which covers about 20,000 m², was designed by the late Kusuoka Teiji, who also worked on the new Imperial Palace.

Dotted around the garden, there are 16 kinds of flowers; as well as about 230 cherry trees of 20 varieties, a pond with carp, , a temple dedicated to Kannon, and a bell tower.

2 hotels with a beautiful Japanese Garden

Entrance to the Tea House

Cobble steps

Beautiful laid cobble stones around the garden and steps.  Just need to be careful as it gets slippery when it rain.

newly planted Sakura for the New Yeaer 2017

Scenic pond in the middle of the garden

Japanese Koi

Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa

Cherry Blossom

Sakurabashi bridge across the stream

It is sunny and spring is near so the beautiful flowers are in full bloom....

Cherry Blooms is full view

A perfect Sushi dinner with Terry and Yasu

Tokyo @ Shinagawa -   I was brought to this quaint sushi restaurant is near Shinagawa station and down a small alley.   Sitting at the sushi counter has the advantages of seeing the master sushi chef owner in action and he spoke English too.

sushi restaurant

Sashimi set

This delicious sashimi set includes fresh squid, shrimp, tuna, red seabird, razor clam and cuttlefish

Hot Sake with Dried Puffer Fish Fins (Hire-Sake)

Hire-Sake is heated sake with a blowfish fin added to it. They take these fins, grill it, and then add them to piping hot sake that is served in a cup with a lid. Heating is the key, because the fin itself needs to really steep in the sake. Thus the lid, which you should leave on for two or three minutes after you have been served. The result is a super savory flavor that is extremely addictive.

grilled cod

Tamagoyaki

Grilled Young Bamboo shoots

Grilled Razor Clam

After finishing my glass of beer and the cup of hot Sake, another cup of similar Sake was poured.  The sushi continues....

Sea Bream Sushi

Fresh Squid and Tuna Sushi

Anago (salt water Eel) Sushi

More and more sushi

succulent sushi

pickled sushi

Miso soup

After another round of Sake this Miso clamps soup was badly needed to stop my tipsy.  It was a very good and delicious dinner.

Tonkatsu Lunch

Tokyo @ Toyocho - Terry read my mind when she said Tonkatsu for lunch....yummy.

Lean Pork Cutlet

This small restaurant was crowded during lunch time but waiting time was short.   My order was the usual lean port cutlet and it was served succulent to the pork core...yummy.