Tokyo Stroll Supplement: Tsukiji

This page indexes, contains corrections and has additions to the Tsukiji chapter of Tokyo Stroll.

For information on Tokyo Stroll and this web supplement see Tokyo Stroll Supplement home page

For users of the Organic Maps, Maps.Me and Google Maps apps the items below have bookmarks you can import into those apps to make navigation easier.
Instructions and links are on the Viewing Locations in Organic Maps, Maps.Me, Google Maps, or Google Earth page.

Some entries on this page may include a note that says "Description to be added soon ." These entries are for items I felt should be listed even if the description is not ready to assist those who wish to plan a trip. When possible I included a link to an official web page, I suggest also doing web searchs for more information.

Akatsuki Park (あかつき公園)
[Slightly northeast of the area in the Tsukiji Area map and west of St Luke's Garden]

This park has a grove of Metasequoia, or dawn redwood, it also has a bust of Philipp Franz von Seibold near the fountain. Seibold helped spread Western medical knowledge to Japan during the rule of the shoguns. The bust was a gift of the Stichting Isaac Alfred Ailion, a foundation of Leiden University to Chūō-ku with assistance from the Asahi Shimbun newspaper. His Japan born daughter Ine would later go to medical school, play a role in spreading Western knowledge, and practice medicine for several years. Next to the park is Saint Luke's Hospital, one of the first Western hospitals in Japan.

Asahi Shimbun Head Office: Tokyo Stroll, Tsukiji Chapter, page 399

Hamarikyū Gardens / Hamarikyū Onshi Teien: Tokyo Stroll, Tsukiji Chapter, page 399

Kachidoki Bridge Museum / Kachidokibashi no Shiryōkan: Tokyo Stroll, Tsukiji Chapter, page 398

Kachidokibashi: Tokyo Stroll, Tsukiji Chapter, page 397–398

Namiyoke Inari Jinja: Tokyo Stroll, Tsukiji Chapter, page 398

St Luke's Garden
[Next to the Sumidagawa northeast of the area in the Tsukiji Area map]

Built in 1994 these buildings are part of the St. Luke's Life Science Centre, which also includes the nearby St. Luke's Hospital. There are two towers, avoid the shorter one as it is residences, the taller is mainly offices with some shops and restaurants. There is also a great view from the observation deck. To access the deck take the elevators to the 46th floor and after that take the stairs that are marked to access the 47th floor and enjoy a great view over the Sumidagawa.
WEB: http://www.sltowers.co.jp

Sui Jinja (水神社)
[Just south of the Tsukiji Outer Market (#4) on the Tsukiji Area map]

This small Shinto shrine is for Suijin a kami associated with water, the term Suijin is not really an individual name and can be applied to any of several water associated deities. The shrine is also known as Suijin-sama and Uogashisui Shrine This particular shrine is actually a branch of a larger one at Kanda Myōjin. Rather than being a neighborhood shrine it is the shrine for the fish market itself. On the 5th of every month priests from Kanda Myōjin come here to perform rituals. The shrine festival, Uogashi Suijin-sai, has a mikoshi parade that is very energetic. At one time the kami took control of the mikoshi and headed towards the Ginza only to be stopped by the police who confiscated the carrying poles for the rest of the day to prevent further traffic violations. Once every generation they hold a major festival, the last three were in 1920, 1955, and 1990. Nothing seems to stop this festival as the 1990 one had been held during a typhoon.
NOTE: I need to do further verification regarding the shrine. It is visible in recent satelite views, but some web site claim it was moved to the new Toyosu Fish Market. There is no reason for there to not be two shrines.

Tsukiji Honganji (築地本願寺)
[On the block just northeast of the Tsukiji Outer Market (#4) on the Tsukiji Area map]

Founded in 1617 near Asakusa as a branch of the Nishi Hoganji in Kyoto. When that temple was destroyed in the Meireki Fire in 1657 it was moved to present site. The relocation was carried out with a great deal of assistance from the fishermen of Tsukudajima who's families had and still maintain close ties with the temple. After the Great Kantō Earthquake in 1923 and fire a decision was made to build it out of stone. The present building was completed in 1934 and designed by Chūta Itō who was also influential on preserving old temples and shrines. The exterior of the design is heavily influenced by Indian temples and made of granite. The interior is more Japanese with the modern inclusion of Western style seating and a pipe organ. Visitors are welcome to wander about inside, if you do so be quiet and not use a flash, or even take pictures, as this is a place of worship. However don't be nervous as the temple is actually welcoming to outsiders.
This temple was recognized as a tangible cultural asset of Japan in 2011. The main entrance is to the North-West.
Daily services are at 7 am and 4 pm, the English service is the 4th Saturday of the month at 5:30 pm. There is a lunchtime pipe organ concert on the last Friday of the month at 12:20 pm. On the Sunday closest to April 8 there is a fair in the spacious compound.
WEB: http://www.tsukijihongwanji.jp/eng/

Tsukiji Outer Market / Tsukiji Jōgai Ichiba: Tokyo Stroll, Tsukiji Chapter, page 399