Girl's Day

Dolls lined out for Girl's Day at this shrine

It happened to be girl’s day and since it was my day off and I had to return some CD’s to the library, I set off to Suitengumae. I originally visited this area to see a Nagauta performance with the women musicians from Tuon. I really like this area.

Huge line for the taiyaki as seen in the reflection of this shop's window

It has a distinct Japanese feel to it which Setagaya lacks. I wanted to return and visit the shamisen shop and see if any second hand shamisens had arrived. I had no luck, but I did have a brief chat and ask for permission to take a photo of the master craftsman. Next door to the shamisen shop is a basket shop where the craftsman sits for all to see while he works upon his trade. The taiyaki shop across the street has a huge line in front of it once again. I would love to try the taiyaki, but with such a huge line, I am really surprised that people will wait so patiently. I am not that patient.

I make a visit to Suitengumae Shrine. It has a bit time fertility association and people go to pray for if they are hoping to have children. Many people go there with their young children for blessings as well. It is a busy day and it is quite a famous temple. They have a wall full of old pictures of the Shrine and I took a few, but the reflection overshadows the pic.

I make my way around the neighbourhood and come across some funny notes on the map, like “head of a famous Buddhist saint statue is here”. I can’t resist and go off looking for this famous head. I come across a small shrine tucked away from the street. It looks intriguing. I think this is where the head is supposed to be, but like so many other famous artifacts, it is probably buried away somewhere safe from prying eyes.

There are many quaint little shops selling all kinds of foods and teas with plenty of samples. People seem quite friendly here, for Tokyo. I love the way people place plants all around them to create greenery. Even if there is a lack of space and greenery, people adapt and make the best of the concrete jungle.