Near Myogadani station with many universities
Myogadani station
I used Myogadani station a few times when the lights in the Marunouchi Line cars were turned off and on, but it was so long ago that I can hardly remember what the station looked like. The cars and the station have been completely cleaned up.
Although the station itself is called Myogadani, it is located on a hill at an elevation of less than 30 meters above sea level, and the valley seems to start from here in a southeasterly direction. The Marunouchi Line runs through the valley in the direction of Korakuen, so we would end up on the ground.
We will continue northeast toward the Sengoku 3-chome intersection on Loop Route 4, which is our starting point for today.
Invitation to Mythical Space
I remember seeing this park object somewhere. It is titled “Invitation to Mythic Space.”
University of Tsukuba, Open University of Japan, Kyoiku no Mori Park
Found signs for the University of Tsukuba, the Open University of Japan, and the Forest Park of Education!
Does the Open University’s radio signal come from here? No antennas were visible.
Kyoiku no Mori Park was built on the former campus of Tokyo University of Education.
Come to think of it, there are many universities in this area. Takushoku University, Ochanomizu University, and Atomi University of Women’s Studies are located nearby. There may have been many daimyo’s mansions to secure land.
Gate of the former Isono Family Residence
Along Tsukuba University, Kubomachi East Park is located, and across the road at the bottom of the cliff is the former Isono family residence.
It is not the house of Sazae-san, but the residence of Isono Kei, the king of the mountain forest. The gate of Sazae-san’s house does not have a door, but unfortunately this gate was closed and I could not enter, let alone look inside.
I could only take pictures of the intersection, Shinobazu-dori.
Sengoku 3-chome intersection
Turn left at the Sengoku 3-chome intersection onto Loop Road No. 4 (Shinobazu-dori).
Turn right at Nishi-Nippori Station and go straight to Otsuka Station.
Shinobazu Avenue
The lanes are wide and traffic is light, probably because it is Sunday. The road surface is clean and easy to drive on.
Otsuka 3-chome intersection
It intersects Kasuga-dori Street at the intersection of Otsuka 3-chome.
Up to this Kasuga-dori Street, it is uphill, and after crossing Kasuga-dori Street, it is downhill. Today’s walk is full of ups and downs, and you will strongly feel the difference in elevation.
Gokokuji-mae intersection
I came to the intersection in front of Gokokuji Temple.
I had visited the temple last October, so I excused myself to pay my respects this time.
There is no pedestrian crossing in the straight direction. It seems that you have to go through an underground passage. This was quite deep, about three stories underground.
Gokokuji West Crossing
The intersection at Gokokuji West is quite complicated.
If you were to come here by car, it seems that you would not be able to go in the direction you want to go. It’s a functional beauty for a stroll, though.
Pedestrian bridge in front of Gokokuji Temple No.3
Have you ever seen a pedestrian bridge like this? I’m not talking about the dirt, I’m talking about the rounded bottom shape, like a fish cake. Is it gain in strength? It is a design you don’t see very often.
By the way, it was called the Daisan-Gokokuji-mae Pedestrian Bridge.
Kioto Hill
From the Gokokuji-Nishi intersection to the intersection of Mejirodai 2-chome, there is a Seido slope. Where is the slope? It is such a gentle and long slope. It is said that the road the Shogun took to Nakakiyoto (present-day Kiyose City), his hawking ground, was called Kiyoto-do (present-day Mejiro Street), and that the name “Kiyoto slope” came about because of the slope leading up to it.
Mejirodai 2-chome intersection
This is the Mejirodai 2-chome intersection where it intersects with Mejiro-dori.
I entered Mejiro-dori thinking that the angle is a little steep. Later I realized that Mejiro-dori is not the 4th Ring Road.
Mejiro Street, where there were many sights to see despite the wrong turn
Main gate of Japan Women’s University
Immediately you will come to the main gate of Japan Women’s University. The Center Examination is in progress now. Please do your best.
Naruse Memorial Auditorium
The Naruse Memorial Auditorium, designated as a tangible cultural property by Bunkyo Ward, was visible. It seems to be a Western-style auditorium with stained glass windows. If I have a chance, I would like to visit the inside.
Gate of Wakei Juku
Wakei Jyuku is a student dormitory for male students. A friend of mine was a student here when I was in college. So this was the place. I miss it so much.
I thought I could visit the former residence of the Marquis Hosokawa on the site, but I could not enter it because there was a sign that said it was forbidden to enter only to those who were related to the residence.
Shouuen Gate
There was an information board for Shouuen on Mejiro Street, so I came here, but this was also private property and off-limits. It is a pity that today we were literally turned away at the door. Incidentally, Shoewen is said to be the residence of the Meiji-era politician Tanaka Mitsuaki.
Gate of Chinzan-so
This is the gate of Chinzan-so. I have often heard its name, but this was the first time I passed by it.
Tokyo Cathedral St. Mary’s Cathedral
Across the street from Chinzan-so is a building that emits a metallic sheen of divinity!
It is the Tokyo Cathedral of St. Mary of the Cathedral, designed by Tange Kenzo. It is a majestic building.
Tange designed the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and the Yoyogi Daiichi Gymnasium. I did not know that he is a Catholic.
King Records (company)
When I reached the King Record on Mejiro Shinzaka, I realized I had taken a wrong turn.
It is a little over 1 km to Mejirodai 2-chome, the point where I made the mistake. Chico said to me, “Don’t just walk around aimlessly! I am about to be scolded. I was a little disappointed, so I decided to go home from Edogawabashi station. But because I took a wrong turn, I was able to see various architectural structures on Mejiro-dori. All is well that ends well. I decided to return anyway.
We found the Fourth Ring Road under construction!
Kobuse-zaka
Once again, I looked for the continuation of the Loop Route 4 at the intersection of Mejirodai 2-chome, but could not find any road for cars to pass. The only road that looked like it was Kobuse-zaka, which this person walked through.
But look a little, beyond this block wall on the left is a park.
Mejirodai 1-chome Playground
Entering that park (Mejirodai 1-chome Playground) and looking south, the park grounds extend all the way to the bottom of the cliff. There are plants that look like azaleas, but the use of the land is somewhat unnatural for a park.
It struck me that the land was being used for the construction of the Fourth Ring Road.
No Trespassing sign
Planned construction sites where evictions have been completed
As you walk down the hill by the park, the evictions are completed one after another. It is obvious that the evictions have been completed.
Kannjo Route 4 bridge over the Kanda River
A new bridge was built over the Kanda River.
Loop Route 4 under construction as seen from Shin-Mejiro Street
The road under construction leads to the intersection of New Mejiro Street. This is a photo from that intersection.
I think once the asphalt is laid, it will take a lot of work to remove it, but I guess the benefits outweigh that.
Intersection at the end where the 4th Ring Road under construction connects
Here is a photo taken from that intersection looking in the opposite direction. From here, it is uphill. The 4th Ring Road has quite a lot of ups and downs.
Found a monument to Horibe Yasube in the Waseda area!
Monument of Horibe Yasube
Just after climbing the hill, on your right, there are stairs leading up to the Mizuinari Shrine, and up there you will find a monument to Horibe Yasube! The official name of the monument is Horibe Takeyoshi Kakou Ruins Monument (Horibe Takeyoshi Kakou Iseki no Hi). Horibe Yasube was one of the Ako Ronin and is known for the legend of the Takadanobaba duel.
The Tengaku(title) was written by Saionji Koumou, and the supporters are said to include such famous persons as Inukai Tsuyoshi and Okuma Shigenobu.
Kansenen Park
Near the Horibe Yasube monument, there was an entrance to Kansenen Park, so I went in. It is a quaint park. It is reminiscent of Kenrokuen Garden with its snow hanging. The garden is a circular garden, and it is picturesque no matter where you look. It is free and not crowded, so it is a good place for a date or just thinking about something.
Nishiwaseda Intersection
At the Nishiwaseda intersection, you will hit Waseda Dori, so turn left.
Ana Hachimangu shrine
Ana Hachimangu Shrine is located at the Babashita-cho intersection.
I had heard that it is famous for yabusame ( archery on horseback ), but I wondered, “Can they really do yabusame on horseback on these steep steps?” I have always had this question.
The origin of this event is said to be that Tokugawa Yoshimune dedicated horses for horseback archery to Ana Hachimangu Shrine in order to pray for the recovery of pemphigus. After a temporary suspension due to the war, it was revived in the precincts of Mizuinari Shrine until 1979, so the horseback archery was probably performed in front of the Horibe Yasube monument at that time.
When I climbed the stairs to pay my respects, I found many stalls and it was like a festival. The precincts of the shrine were so crowded with worshippers that I could hardly move, and many people bowed at the torii gate, indicating that the shrine is deeply revered.
Subway Waseda Station intersection
Turn right at the intersection in front of Waseda Subway Station. There are many people, probably because it is a student town.
Soseki Natsume birthplace
As soon as you start walking up the hill, you will see the birthplace of Natsume Soseki on your left! So this was the place.
My high school teacher had mentioned something about the ruins of Natsume Soseki’s house in Takadanobaba, so every time I came near it, I looked around for it, and finally found it.
Probably the beginning of the unopened portion near here
It will be another unopened portion of the street, just past Wakamatsu Kawada Station on Yasukuni Street.
Nukebenten intersection
Today’s walk on Loop Route 4 was limited to the Nukebenten intersection.
Higashi Shinjuku Station
I was just wandering along Yasukuni Street when I found the entrance to Higashi-Shinjuku Station!
Combined with the East Side Square building behind it, it looks like an entrance to another dimension.
Shinjuku Station
Arrival at Shinjuku Station.
I have been to Shinjuku many times, but this is probably the first time I have taken pictures.
Walking data
Course: Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Myogadani Station -> Loop Route 4 (Sengoku 3-chome to Nukebenten) -> JR Yamanote Line Shinjuku Station
Distance: 12.9 km (including wrong way)
Time: 3h30m
