Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Shogun
Yoshinobu's Grave
The last shogun,
Tokugawa Yoshinobu
(1837-1913), is interred
here. Entrance to the
grounds of his tomb
(below)
is forbidden,
but it is possible to peer
over the iron railings
that protect it.
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Train Spotting
As Japan Rail trains zip past the steep banks of
Nippori station, one can get a great view from the
edge of the cemetery
(above)
. Several lines, including
the tracks of the bullet train, run in parallel here.
&
Resting Place
of a Murderess
The grave of Oden
Takahashi, murderess
of many men, lies at
the very edge of the
cemetery, as if the
authorities were not
quite sure whether to
include her here or not.
Great Buddha
of Yanaka
There may be larger
statues in Japan, but
Tokyoites have a special
affection for their very
own Great Buddha of
Yanaka. The 16-ft (5-m)
statue belongs to Tenno-
ji Temple, a sanctuary
that was damaged
during the Battle of Ueno
(1868). The fact that the
statue survived added
to its mystic appeal and
authority. Cast in bronze
in 1690, this Chinese-
style figure has finely
carved facial features,
representing the Shaka-
nyorai Buddha. It stands
in a tranquil corner of the
temple precincts, among
lush surroundings.
*
Five-Tiered Tombs
(
Two Women
Writers
Two women novelists,
Ichiyo Higuchi (1872-96),
whose face appears on
the ¥5,000 note, and
Fumiko Enchi (1905-86),
who wrote novels about
female psychology, are
buried here.
Christian headstones
stand beside Shinto-style
tombs, but the largest
number of gravestones
are Buddhist.
Gorin-to
are distinctive five-tiered
stones, the layers repre-
senting earth, water, fire,
wind, and heaven.
)
Cherry Blossom
Viewing
During spring, the main
road through the grave-
yard turns into a tunnel
of pink blossom
(left)
.
Picnickers forego the
karaoke sets that blight
other blossom-viewing
parties. However, plenty
of good-natured, tipsy
revelers can be expected.
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