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Tokyo Art, Temple, Shrine, Museum & Garden Lovers

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About us

Join the Tokyo Art, Temple, Shrine, Museum & Garden Lovers Group on Meetup.com! We are a diverse group of girls and guys who enjoy exploring Tokyo's vibrant art scene, historic temples and shrines, fascinating museums, and beautiful gardens. Our activities include walking and biking tours, camping trips, hand craft productions, discussions on Japanese literature and culture, social networking events, and delicious Japanese food outings.

Make new international friends, join us for nature walks and outings, and enjoy culture and social gatherings while practicing Japanese and English language skills. Don't miss out on the fun!

Volunteers are welcome, and we're eager to hear your suggestions for future meetups.
Domo Arigatou!
~ Kerry D.☺
P.S. We need volunteers especially Japanese-English and English-Japanese translators!
Volunteers may help in planning future events, assist the organizers on Meetup days, will get FREE admission to special events, and may enjoy other nice benefits too numerous to mention here..

#festivals #shintoshrines #omatsuri #eventsintokyo #buddhisttemples #japanesefestivals #japanesegardens #traditionaljapan #tokyofestivals #tokyo #japaneseculture #funinjapan #japanesehistory #parksandgardens #japaneseart #chiba #chibatourism #Japanesefood #Japanesetemples #chiba

Upcoming events

3

Japanese Sword Exhibit⛩️Konno Hachiman Festival🍡& Secrets of Ebisu Tour!
Sun, Sep 20 · 10:00 AM JST
Ebisu Station, 1 Chome-5 Ebisuminami, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0022, Japan, Shibuya, JP
On Sunday, September 20th, let's explore quiet & peaceful backstreets to see some curious historical artifacts, temples & shrines between Ebisu & Shibuya, such as a few: "Out Of Place Artifacts" I've discovered by my research.
😁
Our destination is beautiful KONNO HACHMAN Shrine, where the annual festival will be taking place, featuring music, food, & wondeful ancient KAGURA ceremonial dances, performed to entertain the KAMI, or gods of the shrine. Around 2:30 we'll walk to central Shibuya where dozens of MIKOSHI hand-carried portable Shinto shrines will assemble around 3pm!
https://www.konno-hachimangu.jp/index_en.html
⛩️
(PLEASE wear comfortable shoes & bring a lunch or snacks!)
🍣
Before walking to Konno Hachiman Shrine, we'll take an "al-fresco" picnic lunch break before exploring lovely Shibuya Hikawa-jinja, which was one of the big 3 sacred shrines hosting Sumo tournaments during the Edo-Period!
**NEXT: A groundbreaking exhibition at the Kokogakuin University Museum: https://museum.kokugakuin.ac.jp/en/**
😊
"Centenary of Sugihara Shōzō’s Passing Introduction to Japanese Sword Studies".

"The Japanese sword, a product of artisanry that is representative of Japan, is believed to have originated around the 10th century in the middle of the Heian period (794-1185). Research into the origins and evolution of Japanese swords encompasses an accumulation of knowledge dating to the Kamakura period (1185–1333), with treatises on swords recording the lineages, ranks & styles of swordsmiths. Further, during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573 - 1600), there arose a custom of appreciating fine swords as “celebrated objects”, perhaps under the influence of the connoisseurship surrounding tea utensils. Gift exchanges of such famous swords would play a role in shaping the order of samurai society. Since modern times, as they have ceased to function as weapons due to the Haitōrei (Sword Abolishment Edict), swords have been reclassified as works of art & sword research incorporating empirical historical methodology has thrived. Furthermore, from the perspectives of archaeology and cultural heritage, interdisciplinary research is being conducted in order to clarify the origins of Japanese swords and the reality of the techniques used to produce them."

THIS IS A SUPERB MUSEUM & THE EXHIBITION IS FREE!
🔆
(Kokogakuin University is one of the most important schools in the nation, especially in promoting and preserving the ancient traditions of Shinto, and has a special connection with Japan's venerable Imperial Family.)
⛩️
Before & after viewing the exhibitions, to maximize our joy of living in Japan, we'll be stopping by a number of temples, shrines, monuments, "Power Spots" & a couple of unique museums in the Ebisu-Shibuya Area, including one located near where SHIBUYA CASTLE once stood, above the river!
🏯
🔆🔆🔆
Places we might visit include:
- Ebisu-jinja Shinto Shrine
- Koshin Hashikuyo Monument
- Amida-Sekkanbutsu
- Shitsusen-ji Temple
- Hokiichi Hanawa Historical Museum
- Yakuoin Hosen-ji Temple
- Shibuya Hikawa-jinja
- Kokugakuin University Museum
- Konno Hachiman Shrine
This will be a great chance to stretch our legs & socialize while discovering some of the superb artistic, cultural, historical & natural treasures of this, "off-the-beaten-path" area that most people never get a chance to see!
🌞
There are lovely neighborhood temples & shrines with superb gardens & a green park by the jinja where we can eat our picnic lunches, so bring what you need & maybe something to share. Please wear comfortable shoes, as we'll be walking for a while with rest-stops.
🙏🏻
There's no set Meetup fee, but we work VERY hard to plan interesting events & to guide you to the best places, so please give generously...
😘
Suggested donation: Student or unemployed:￥1000,
others, from: ￥2000 to ￥4000.
🙏
It's your choice!
🚭
KIDS are WELCOME & FREE to join with a parent!
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Your Meetup organizer, Kerry Drew
🌞🎌😃
P.S. THIS WILL BE FUN, SO LET'S ALL GO!
😎

![img](https://maps-googleapis.meetup.com/maps/api/staticmap?center=35.647358%2C+139.70947&zoom=15&size=620x160&format=png&scale=1&key=AIzaSyBhcQiQISkjMBwLAugJj8V78nMPfitnr44&markers=color%3A0xF65858%7C35.647358%2C+139.70947)
1 attendee
Enjoy Kiyosumi Gardens🦆Fukagawa Temples & Attend O-EDO Mikoshi🎉Contest 神輿!
Sun, Oct 11 · 7:00 AM JST
Kiyosumi-shirakawa Sta., 1-chōme-6-13 Shirakawa, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0021, Japan, Koto City, JP
JAPANESE TEMPLE, GARDEN & ART LOVERS, THIS IS FOR YOU!
😀
It's the 24th Annual O-Edo Mikoshi Competition Matsuri / Festival!
🎉
12 Mikoshi carry teams & finely decorated portable shrines from around the Kanto area will be joining this contest. Competing teams will show their strength & skill in handling gorgeous shrines in which Shinto gods or "Kami" are carried during Omatsuri (Shinto festivals) throughout Japan!
⛩️
The Mikoshi Matsuri will also feature singing, local celebrities, food stalls & much more!
💪💪
This may be like the GRAND PRIX, or OLYMPICS of MIKOSHI contests!
😀
Before attending the great Oedo Mikoshi Festival, let's get acquainted while taking a refreshing stroll through Kiyosumi Gardents & along the paths of historic Fukagawa!
🐢🪿🦋
In Tokyo's TOP traditional, Edo-Period garden, KIYOSUMI TEIEN, the beauty of the trees & stones, koi, ducks & other wildlife may inspire and delight you!
(Admission for adults is just 150-en!
https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/kiyosumi/
🐞🐛🐌
Also, at the awesome Tokyo Museum of Contemporary Arts:
🎉
TADA MINAMI'S, "STILL SHIMMERING"
**https://www.mot-art-museum.jp/en/exhibitions/Tada-Minami/**
"The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo is pleased to present a major solo exhibition of TADA Minami (1924–2014), a leading abstract artist whose work spans sculpture, design, and architecture in postwar Japan."
(IT'S NOT A PART OF MEETUP, BUT YOU'RE WELCOME TO ATTEND SINCE IT'S NEAR THE MIKOSHI EVENT.)
🎉
We may enjoy exploring the public (unpaid) areas of this amazing museum during some Mikoshi event breaks!
😊
Combining outdoor adventures & indoor fun, this event is an opportunity to meet new friends & improve your language skills in a friendly, relaxed & enjoyable environment!
😀
The Kiba-Kiyosumi area isn't well known to outsiders, (more peaceful than bustling Tokyo) yet it's rich in historical sites, with numerous parks, gardens, temples, museums and vintage neighborhood shops of all kinds!
👘💍🪭
KIBA PARK is a big, gorgeous, green space in Koto Ward, which is also home to "MOCA", the superb, modernistic Tokyo Museum of Contemporary Art!
😊
We'll visit the Historical Landmark & grave of renowned JapaneseExplorer Rinzo Mamiya, & stroll through lovely Fukutomi-gawa Park on our way to the Mikoshi Festival.
⚓
O-Edo Mikoshi Competition organizer: Japan Mikoshi Association
Participating mikoshi groups:
Omiya Hyoyukai, Lion's Club, Gifu Mutsumi,
Yoshikawa Yasaka Matsuri Seinenkai, Chiba Higashi Mutsumi, Edo Mikoshi Kiteru Rengo, Itabashi Mutsumi, Edo Mikoshi Kiteru Rengo, Itabashi Group, Matsuri Mamoru Rengo, Sakura Rengo Mikoshi Koukoukai, Kanto Nakakomikai, Chiba Prefecture Mikoshi Preservation League, Chiba Prefecture Mikoshi Preservation Federation, and the Seven Mikoshi Fellowship!
🎉
The contest schedule:
11:00 Opening Ceremony
11:20-12:20 Oedo Mikoshi Contest (12 portable shrines)
12:20-15:20 Various entertainment & song shows (entertainment stage)
14:30-15:30 United parade of portable shrines
15:30-15:55 Oedo Mikoshi Contest Awards
16:00 End of event
Edo traditional culture exhibition booths are open from 11:00 to 16:00.
🎉
The event will be cancelled in case of seriously RAINY weather.
(NOTE: (Our Meetup will end at 3:30pm, but you're welcome to stay until the very end)
WHERE AND WHEN?
Meet us outside at the ->A3 exit of Kiyosumi-Shirakawa station* at 9:30AM!*
(Accessible by both Tokyo Metro Hanzomon & Tokyo Metro Oedo Lines.)
🚃
The Oedo Mikoshi Contest: FREE ADMISSION
Admission to Kiyosumi Gardens, Adults: ￥150, Seniors: ￥70
😊
We work hard to plan interesting events & to guide you to the best places, so please give generously!
🙏
We suggest: Students, Seniors, Underemployed:￥500-1000, others please pay:￥2000-￥3000, if you can!
🚭
This is an all-ages Meetup, so kids are FREE, but babes-in arms are discouraged due to possible noise & other factors. (Sorry!)
👩‍👧‍👦
YOU MAY BRING A GUEST OR TWO, but we'd prefer to have your friends join our group as regular members!
😊
THIS MEETUP WILL BE FUN, SO LET'S ALL GO!!
Thanks, KERRY D. 😎JAPANESE FESTIVAL, GARDEN & ART LOVERS, THIS WILL BE GREAT!

It's the 24th Annual O-Edo Mikoshi Competition Matsuri / Festival!
🎉
12 Mikoshi carry teams & finely decorated portable shrines from around the Kanto area will be joining this contest. Competing teams will show their strength & skill in handling gorgeous shrines in which Shinto gods or "Kami" are carried during Omatsuri (Shinto festivals) throughout Japan!
The Mikoshi Matsuri will also feature singing, local celebrities, food stalls & much more!
💪💪
This may be like the GRAND PRIX, or OLYMPICS of MIKOSHI contests!
😀
Before attending the great Oedo Mikoshi Festival, let's get acquainted while taking a refreshing stroll through Kiyosumi Gardents & along the paths of historic Fukagawa!
🐢🪿🦋
In Tokyo's TOP traditional, Edo-Period garden, KIYOSUMI TEIEN, the beauty of the trees & stones, koi, ducks & other wildlife may inspire and delight you!
(Admission for adults is just 150-en!
https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/kiyosumi/
🐞🐛🐌
Also, at the awesome Tokyo Museum of Contemporary Arts:
🎉
TADA MINAMI'S, "STILL SHIMMERING"
**https://www.mot-art-museum.jp/en/exhibitions/Tada-Minami/**
"The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo is pleased to present a major solo exhibition of TADA Minami (1924–2014), a leading abstract artist whose work spans sculpture, design, and architecture in postwar Japan."
IT'S NOT A PART OF THE MEETUP, BUT YOU'RE WELCOME TO ATTEND THIS EXHIBIT SINCE IT'S NEAR THE MIKOSHI EVENT.
🎉
(We may enjoy exploring the public (unpaid) areas of this amazing museum during some Mikoshi event breaks!)
Combining outdoor adventures & indoor fun, this event is a great opportunity to meet new friends & improve your language skills in a friendly, relaxed & enjoyable environment!
😀
The Kiba-Kiyosumi area isn't well known to many outsiders, (more peaceful than bustling Tokyo) yet it's rich in historical sites, with numerous parks, gardens, temples, museums and vintage neighborhood shops of all kinds!
👘💍🪭
KIBA PARK is a big, gorgeous, green space in Koto Ward, which is also home to "MOCA", the superb, modernistic Tokyo Museum of Contemporary Art!
😊
We'll visit the Historical Landmark & grave of renowned JapaneseExplorer Rinzo Mamiya, & stroll through lovely Fukutomi-gawa Park on our way to the Mikoshi Festival.
⚓
O-Edo Mikoshi Competition organizer: Japan Mikoshi Association
Participating mikoshi groups:
Omiya Hyoyukai, Lion's Club, Gifu Mutsumi,
Yoshikawa Yasaka Matsuri Seinenkai, Chiba Higashi Mutsumi, Edo Mikoshi Kiteru Rengo, Itabashi Mutsumi, Edo Mikoshi Kiteru Rengo, Itabashi Group, Matsuri Mamoru Rengo, Sakura Rengo Mikoshi Koukoukai, Kanto Nakakomikai, Chiba Prefecture Mikoshi Preservation League, Chiba Prefecture Mikoshi Preservation Federation, and the Seven Mikoshi Fellowship!
🎉
The contest schedule:
11:00 Opening Ceremony
11:20-12:20 Oedo Mikoshi Contest (12 portable shrines)
12:20-15:20 Various entertainment & song shows (entertainment stage)
14:30-15:30 United parade of portable shrines
15:30-15:55 Oedo Mikoshi Contest Awards
16:00 End of event
Edo traditional culture exhibition booths are open from 11:00 to 16:00.
🎉
The event will be cancelled in case of seriously RAINY weather.
(NOTE: (Our Meetup will end at 3:30pm, but you're welcome to stay until the very end)
WHERE AND WHEN?
Meet us outside at the ->A3 exit of Kiyosumi-Shirakawa station* at 9:30AM!*
(Accessible by both Tokyo Metro Hanzomon & Tokyo Metro Oedo Lines.)
🚃
The Oedo Mikoshi Contest: FREE ADMISSION
Admission to Kiyosumi Gardens, Adults: ￥150, Seniors: ￥70
😊
We work hard to plan interesting events & to guide you to the best places, so please give generously!
🙏
We suggest: Students, Seniors, Underemployed:￥500-1000, others please pay:￥2000-￥3000, if you can!
🚭
This is an all-ages Meetup, so kids are FREE, but babes-in arms are discouraged due to possible noise & other factors. (Sorry!)
👩‍👧‍👦
YOU MAY BRING A GUEST OR TWO, but we'd prefer to have your friends join our group as regular members!
😊
THIS MEETUP WILL BE FUN, SO LET'S ALL GO!!
Thanks, KERRY D. 😎
1 attendee
Explore amazing Ofuna Kannon🌟& Josen-ji Temple plus:💫the Taya Caves!
Sun, Oct 18 · 11:00 AM JST
Ōfuna Station, 8, Kanagawa, Japan, 8, JP
The Ofuna Kannon Temple: (大船観音寺, Ōfuna Kannonji) is a Buddhist temple of the Soto sect in Kamakura, Japan. The beautiful temple-statue stands 25 meters, or 82 feet tall & weighs nearly 2,000 tons!
🙏🏻💞🙏🏻
On October 18th, a special festival will be held at Ofuna Kannon-ji Temple, which will add to the festivity and sublime beauty of this unique place!
🎉✨🎵
This Asian bodhisattva (a being that forgoes nirvana to remain on Earth & help people) called Guanyin, (in China) or Kannon, is known as a Goddess of mercy & compassion.
🔆
The Byukue (White-robed) Kannon, one of 33 forms of the deity, is said to prevent natural disasters, cure the sick & help women in childbirth.
🚉
Visitors going to Kamakura often see the tall Kannon-ji once their train approaches Ōfuna Station. Construction of the Temple began in 1929 & the rough statue was complete by 1934 but work halted due to the Pacific War. The Ofuna Kannon Society resumed construction in 1954, completing the temple in 1960.
🔆
The statue is made of of poured concrete cast entirely by hand, no concrete pumping trucks were used! The statue itself contains a small museum and shrine, both of which are open for viewing.
🔶
The red stone jewel on her forehead is called “byakugo” (白毫). It is meant to give light to each and every place in the world.
🔆
The Kannon incorporates stones from Hiroshima & Nagasaki in memory of those who died from the atomic bombings. A fire originating from the atomic fires of Hiroshima burns in a mushroom-formed statue in the area of monuments below the statue, near the museum.
🙏🏻
Surrounded by many trees, flowering plants & a green lawn, it's a lovely spot to sit & meditate, or enjoy a snack after visiting the temple in the rear of the statue.
🌿🌺💐
MYSTERIOUS TAYA CAVES of JOSEN-JI TEMPLE:
Not far from the Ofuna Kannon, a wonderful mixture of history, religion & dark, eerie caverns, are the Taya Caves!
😃
Located at Mount Taya, the caves form part of Josen-ji Temple, which belongs to Shingon-shu, an “esoteric” sect of Buddhism.
🔆
This mysterious underground cavern is said to date back almost 1000 years, to the 12th Century. Legends say that a local family began excavating Mount Taya to make a hiding place for their treasures.
🌟
The caves were developed further over mre than 500 years by Shingon Buddhist monks, to create a concealed site for religious practices. Centuries of hard work produced a network of passageways & rooms spanning 1.5km over three different levels!
⛏⚒
There are 17 chambers of varying sizes containing beautiful Buddhist carvings & Sanskrit characters!
🎇
To enter the caves, we pay 400 Yen at Josen-ji Temple. In return, we’ll get a pamphlet & a small candle. Making our way towards the cave entrance, we'll step into the shadows & light our candles inside the doorway. The atmosphere is damp with glistening walls & a dripping ceiling. The temperature is mild & still, so it’s comfortable to explore anytime.
💫
As you slowly make your way along, you’ll notice candles & offerings placed in wall recesses as well as wondrously ornate carvings in the meditation chambers. It’s wonderful to explore by candlelight, but don’t worry; there is backup lighting along the path & the air is fresh & good!
✨
Try to imagine the tremendous effort that went into building this place, and the deep meditations that became possible in this quiet underground sanctuary.
🎇
PAYING RESPECTS TO JIZO:
Once we’re ready, we can make our way back out to the temple grounds. Before leaving, make sure to stop by the large collection of Jizo statues & pay respects to Jizo who protects the souls of unborn, stillborn, aborted & miscarried children.
🧙🏻‍♂️
It’s common for locals to clothe Jizo statues as part of their prayer process. The statues at Josen-ji Temple are dressed in hats, coats & other accessories to keep them warm in the afterlife.
🔆
I explored these places 5 years ago & our group had an AMAZING experience, so let's all go and enjoy them together!
(There is also a glassblowing studio not far from Taya-san and an Onsen or Sento public bath which we may be able to visit as we head back towards the Ofuna Kannon.)
👉🏻
WHERE AND WHEN?
Please meet us outside the SOUTH Gate of JR Ofuna Station, in front of LUMINE between 11:00 and 11:15pm. Once gathered, we'll take a leisurely walk to Taya. After visiting Josen-ji & Taya caves, we'll explore before going to Kannon-ji.
🚶🏻‍♂️🚶🏻‍♀️
The temple may have some food booths, but please pack a lunch or snacks to eat along the way. Afterwards we can go for food, drink & chatting near Ofuna station.
This will be an unusual & enjoyable tour, so let's all go!
😊
We work hard to plan interesting events & to guide you to the best places, so please give generously!
🙏
We suggest: Students, Seniors, Underemployed: ￥1000. Others, please pay￥2000 or ￥3000, if you can!
👨‍👩‍👦‍👦
Children over 5 years come FREE with a parent!
🚭
Bring comfortable shoes, a beverage & your smile!
🌞
🙏🏻💖🙏🏻
Thanks, your Meetup organizer ~ KERRY D. 😎
Meet us outside the SOUTH ticket Gate of JR Ofuna Station, in front of the LUMINE mall between 11:00 and 1:15pm. If you have any questions about the event, please ask before the event day & do not cancel on short notice! 🙏🏻😁🙏🏻 Please bring your lunch & LOOK for the MEETUP SIGN!
1 attendee

Past events

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Members

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