I hope you enjoyed my trip on Toden Arakawa line from Minowa to Arakawa Yuuenchi. You can stop by at any station that attracts you and each station has a lot to see. Yes, the Toden is the perfect train for photo walk! Now, let's start the latter half of the trip from Arakawa Syako Mae to Waseda. (photo/text by Akio Inden)
Distance from each station is so close that you feel like it's better to walk. But, in the summer, you can take a good break inside the air-conditioned car. When you shoot in this season, I recommend you to take breaks and maintain a good pace for yourself.
At Arakawa Syako Mae, you can watch a variety of streetcars such as the new type that appeared in 200 and the "retro" type that has an appearance of Meiji to early Showa period. And, next to the station, there's Toden Omoide Hiroba (memorial park) (closed on weekdays). It has old cars and you can go inside. Also, the depot is open on the "street car day" in June and on "Arakawa line day" in October. In the two days, you can go inside the depot, so plan yourself ahead if you're interested.
In this station, you can watch streetcars very close and you'll feel close to the Toden. There're many kinds of cars inside the depot.
The next station is Kajiwara. If you walk for a few minutes from the station, you can find Oku Soosyajo (switchyard). There's a long bridge across over many railways, and through the window, you can watch the Tokyo Skytree, too. I think this spot will be popular because we can shoot the railway scene and lighted Skytree together. (When you shoot through the wired glass window, shoot wide open or stop down by just one f-stop so that the lens won't capture wires. Also, firmly attach the lens on the glass surface so that your camera won't be reflected on it.)
I got off at the 21st station "Kooshinzuka" and I walked Sugamo Jizoo Shopping Center, or Gramma's Harajuku. Many shops are located along the road from Kooshinzuka to Sugamo for about 800m (in the middle, there's Koganji Temple - Sugamo Togenuki Jizo-son). As you expect from the nickname, Gramma's Harajuku, many shops deal with accessories, clothes, shoes, and hats. But, their style and colors are not of Harajuku... I'd say, they're unique.
Just by looking at it, I was empowered by this signboard. This red underwear is to cerebrate a person turning 60 years old. Don't you think it's cute for grand parents when they wear something like this?
Inside the alley, there're quiet residential areas. Even a cat can take a good nap in the middle of the road. What a slow life!
It's been said that Kooganji Temple pulls out a thorn of body and soul, and that's why it's called "Toge (thorn) Nuki (pulling out) Jizoo." You cannot see the Principal Image because it's kept hidden from view. What you can see is the Sho Kanzeon Bosatsu (the Sacred Avalokitesvara), or so-called "Arai Kannon" (washing kannon). They say that your illness will be cured if you wash and purify the body of the kannon. On this day, there were many people waiting in line even though it was a weekday.
I was a little overwhelmed by the power of "Harajuku," so I decided to take a break at "Ippukutei" which means a cup of tea, or a whiff of tobacco... what a perfect name! This place is located at the platform of Kooshinzuka station and they have a delicious handmade Ohagi (pounded rice covered with bean paste). While watching the cars and passengers getting on and off, I had the "special set of coffee and handmade Ohagi." The sweet Ohagi and the coffee seemed to be a mysterious combination of Japanese and Western styles, but the bitter taste of coffee and the gently sweet taste of Japanese desert matched perfectly. (Ippukutei 2-32 Nishi Sugamo, Toshima-ku, Tokyo. Phone: 03-3949-4574)
After crossing Arakawa, there will be only two stations left to the last stop Waseda. The fresh green roadside trees were easy on the eyes, so I got off at Omokagebashi to walk along the trees as my last walking. The tree is Someiyoshino (cherry tree), so it must be truly beautiful in the cherry blossom season as well.
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How was the trip by the Toden Arakawa line for 30 stations from Minowa? It was a bit brief trip with the one-day pass, yet I could visit interesting towns that I had wanted to go. I couldn't get "exposed" to each town taking time, but every town looked sweet from the Toden's window. Next time, I want to walk around the town that I had only been passing, and try to loveable scenes and shops.
