blog | Connect Japan and the world through Japanese spirituality｜ Japan Cross Bridge｜Tokyo

2021-03-282021-03-28

Cherry blossoms viewing cycling spots in Tokyo – Part 2

Cherry blossoms viewing cycling spots in Tokyo, Part 2.

We would like to give you some more ideas for Cherry blossoms viewing cycling spots.

First Tamagawa river.

Tamagawa river is a wide river, runs between Tokyo and Kanagawa.

Alongside this river, there are nice jogging & cycling roads both sides all the way.

You can enjoy cycling as well as walking.

Second, Aoyama cemetery in Minato-ku.

Aoyama cemetery is located between Aoyama and Roppongi.

Very sacred area with lots of cherry trees.

Thrid, Sakura-Zaka street, near Tamagawa river.

This is not long, but gorgeous cherry blossoms, like the name shows.

Fourth, Rinshi-no-mori park, in Shinagawa ku.

This park is quite big, has lots of nature, not just cherry trees.

You can enjoy cycling or walking inside this park.

We will show you more Sakura viewing cycling spots in Part 3, next time!

2021-03-272021-03-27

The reason why cherry trees were planted

Japanese painting art Sakura cherry blossoms

The reason why cherry trees were planted.

Have you ever thought about the reason why cherry trees were planted?

In Japan, we can see so many cherry trees in everywhere.

Many of them are really old, few hundred years old.

An interesting point is, many cherry trees are planted by rivers.

This has a reasonable reason.

Ancient Japanese people planted cherry trees by rivers, so that many people would come and see the beautiful cherry blossoms.

They knew that many people visiting and walking there, would help make the soil harden, and help make the solid river bank.

So cherry trees were planted as a flood control measures.

Another interesting point is, that many cherry trees are in shrines and temples as well.

Shrines are Shintoism, and originally have deep relations with pine trees, but not with cherry trees.

However, people thought cherry blossoms’ gracefulness symbolizes the samurai spirit, and many shrines preferred to plant cherry trees as well.

Temples are Buddhism which has the deep relations with flowers.

They admired cherry blossoms as well as plum blossoms.

We cannot talk about Japanese history without the relations with temples.

Muromachi era, Sengoku era, around 13C to 16C, many temples already had cherry trees.

Famous Samurai and shogun enjoyed Sakura viewing “Ohanami” since then.

In Japan, people enjoy Sakura viewing “Ohanami” since ancient time, and this is a Japanese culture.

Many famous Sakura spots in Kyoto and Nara are in temples and shrines.

In Tokyo too, many famous Sakura spots are in temples and shrines, as well as by rivers, or near the water.

Ueno park, where many people visit for Sakura viewing, was once a temple.

Imperial palace is surrounded with moat.

Meguro river, Kanda river, Sumida river, Tamagawa river, Arakawa river, are all famous Sakura spots.

Our Japanese painting art Sakura cherry blossoms series

Our Sakura cherry blossoms jewelry series

2021-03-252021-03-28

Cherry blossoms viewing cycling spots in Tokyo Part 1

Tokyo cherry blossoms spots for cycling Part 1

It’s a cherry blossoms season!

The popular Sakura, “Somei-Yoshino” cherry blossoms are almost in full bloom in Tokyo.

There are many well known spots such as, Ueno park or Imperial palace, but we would like to give you some good spots for cycling as well.

The cherry blossom cycling spots we recommend are all close to the central Tokyo area, such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shinagawa. If you are in the central Tokyo area, please check out!

First, Meguro river.

Meguro river is getting really famous for cherry blossoms recently.

Meguro river runs all the way from Tokyo bay area Tennozu-Isle to Nakameguro and even further.

Many cherry trees are on both sides of this Meguro river.

You can enjoy cycling all the way alongside the river.

Second is Yoyogi park.

Yoyogi park is located just behind JR Harajuku station and is well known, yet very big with lots of nature.

There are cycling roads in this park, and you can enjoy cycling as well.

Third is Kamuro zaka Dori street.

This is near Fudo-mae station, Tokyo Meguro line.

From the bottom of this street, you can enjoy the tunnel of cherry blossoms as you go up the street.

After passing Somei Yoshino Sakura trees, dark pink Sakura “Kawazu Zakura” cherry blossoms appear.

Fourth is “Tachiaigawa Green Way” in Nishi- Koyama area.

Tachiaigawa Greenway street cherry blossoms

This street is not far from Kamuro Zaka Dori street.

It’s located near Nishi Koyama station, Tokyu Meguro line.

We will share more cherry blossoms cycling spots in the next blog, Part 2!

2021-03-052021-03-28

Bamboo forests in Tokyo – hidden bamboo forest spots

Tokyo bamboo forest Travel guide hidden spots

Finding small Kyoto in Tokyo – hidden Bamboo forest in Tokyo

Bamboo trees symbolize Japanese ZEN culture.

When you are in Bamboo forest, you feel very calm and helps you meditate.

Many bamboo forests are in Kyoto, or secluded area.

But you can find bamboo forests in central Tokyo too.

We would like to share some hidden bamboo forests in Tokyo.

If you are living in Tokyo, or if you visit Tokyo, you can experience small Kyoto in these small bamboo forest.

It is a good cycling day trip as well.

First bamboo forest is “Suzume-no-Yado Ryokuchi park” in Himonya, Meguro ward.

Tokyo bamboo forest travel guide Suzume-no-yado Ryokuchi park

Tokyo Bamboo forest travel guide Suzume-no-yado Rhokuchi park

This park has many tall bamboo trees and traditional Japanese style house.

The traditional Japanese style house is open from 9:30 to 15:30.

But bamboo trees area is open for 24 hours.

Second bamboo forest is “Roka Koshun-en Gardens” in Setagaya ward.

Tokyo Bamboo forest guide Roka Koshu-en gardens

Tokyo Bamboo forest travel guide Roka Koshu-en Gardens

It is located near “Roka-Koen station” of Keio line.

It is about 40-50 minutes cycling from central Tokyo.

This park is free, but open hour is 9:00-16:30.

There are lots of tall bamboo trees, cherry trees and a memorial house of a famous Japanese writer, “Roka Tokutomi”.

You can go inside this memorial house, which has Japanese old style, and very interesting.

Third bamboo forest is “Senzoku Ike” in Ota ward.

Tokyo Bamboo forest travel guide Senzokuike Myofuku ji temple — Tokyo Bamboo forest travel guide Senzokuike Myofukuji temple

It is located beside “Senzokuike station” of Tokyu Ikegami line.

There is a big pond with Koi fish, cherry trees and a shrine.

Beside this park, there is a temple called “Myofuku ji”.

This temple has small but beautiful bamboo trees.

Lastly, we want to talk about “Todoroki Keikoku” in Setagaya ward.

Tokyo Bamboo forest travel guide Todoroki Keikoku

This “Todoroki Keikoku” park is about 30-40 minutes bicycle ride from central Tokyo.

Or you can go there by train using “Oimachi line” to “Todoroki station”.

In there, you can enjoy nature here, with walking beside the river.

“Keikoku” means valley, and this is a unique small valley that you can experience in Tokyo.

This place has a temple and a Japanese garden area.

In the Japanese garden, there are some bamboo trees, plum blossoms and cherry blossoms.

Those places are bamboo forest spots that we discovered in Tokyo.

We hope you will add these spots to your “Tokyo explore list”!

Photos below are our Bamboo items.

Extra large landscape bamboo forest Japanese painting art wall decoration

Extra large crystal glass 3D miniature bamboo forest necklace

Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor bamboo

Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor Koi fish and bamboo — Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor Koi fish and Sakura

Kakejiku style Japanese bamboo painting small wall decoration

Japanese calligraphy art bamboo hanging scroll

Please visit our Etsy shop for those items and more.

Etsy.com- JapanCrossBridge

2021-03-042021-03-28

Tokyo Sakura – hidden cherry blossom spots

Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom travel guide

Cherry blossom season has come!

It’s a little early for popular kind Sakura “Somei Yoshino”(It’s March 4^thtoday), but different kind of Sakura called “Kawazu Zakura” is already blooming in Tokyo.

There are lots of famous spots for Sakura viewing in Tokyo, but we would like to share some not-so-noticed Sakura spots in Tokyo.

These spots are in central Tokyo, so if you are living in Tokyo, or if you are staying in Tokyo, they must be easy places to visit.

Cycling to these places are fun day trips as well!

Today, we would like to share some places where you can enjoy early kind Sakura “Kawazu Zakura”.

Best time to visit for this Sakura is in February, from mid-February to late February.

First place is famous park in Shibuya, Tokyo, called “Yoyogi Park”.

This park is well known as popular “Somei Yoshino” Sakura, but there are some “Kawazu Sakura” too. If you visit there in February, you can enjoy these early Sakura.

Second Sakura spot is “Ebara shrine”, which is located beside Meguro river, near “Shimbamba station” (Keikyu line).

Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom spot travel guide Ebara shrine

Sakura here is another different kind called “Kanzakura”, and is the earliest Sakura in Tokyo.

You can see this Sakura starts blooming in early February!

Third spot is “Rinshi-no-mori park” in Shinagawa ward.

Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom spot travel guide Rinshi-no-mori park

This is a huge park, and just walking/cycling inside this park is also fun.

“Kawazu Zakura” trees in this park are big and very gorgeous!

You can enjoy having picnic under the cherry blossoms.

Next Sakura spot is “Happo-en” in Minato ward.

“Happo-en” is a luxury event hall for weddings and parties.

Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom spot travel guide Happo-en

This has a big and gorgeous Japanese garden.

You can go inside to see this garden for free.

This Japanese garden is worth visiting, having a big Koi pond and many precious Bonzai(Bonsai) trees.

There are so many “Nishiki goi” Koi fish swimming in the koi pond!

You can enjoy this garden in any season.

Lastly, we would like to tell you about “Todoroki Keikoku” in Setagaya ward.

Tokyo Sakura cherry blossom place travel guide Todoroki keikoku

This “Todoroki Keikoku” park is about 30 minutes bicycle ride from central Tokyo (Meguro).

Or you can go there by train using “Oimachi line” to “Todoroki station”.

In there, you can enjoy nature here, with walking beside the river.

“Keikoku” means valley, and this is a unique small valley that you can experience in Tokyo.

This place has a temple and a Japanese garden area.

In the Japanese garden, there are some bamboo trees, plum blossoms and cherry blossoms.

We hope you will add these spots to your “Tokyo explore list”, if you are planning to come visit Tokyo sometime in the future.

We will share not-so-noticed spots for “Somei Yoshino” Sakura in Tokyo soon!

Photos below are our Sakura jewelry.

You can enjoy your own cherry blossom in accessories.

Please visit our shop on Etsy, JapanCrossBridge!

Sakura cherry blossom jewelry on Etsy shop

Sakura cherry blossom ornament Etsy shop

2021-03-022021-03-28

Kakejiku style wall decoration – Fukuro obi belt

Fukuro obi Kakejiku style Japanese painting art Crane bird, Sakura, Koi fish

Fukuro obi Kakejiku style wall decor Mt.FUji Sakura Koi

Fukuro obi Kakejiku style wall decor blue koi and nishiki goi with Sakura

Fukuro Obi belts are precious obi belts for Japanese Kimono.

They are usually made with silk, having Japanese patterns.

Shiny silk threads create beautiful and gorgeous looks.

These obi belts can become gorgeous decorations by themselves.

Kakejiku style wall decorations using these Fukuro obi are made to enjoy their own beauty.

Small Japanese paintings are not the main stars here.

Gorgeous Fukuro obi belts are the main stars.

This Kakejiku style wall decorations have their uniqueness- with the combination of Fukuro obi and Japanese painting.

Fukuro obi belt Kakejiku style wall decor Koi fish and pine tree

Fukuro obi belt Kakejiku style wall decor Sakura and Koi

Fukuro obi belt Kakejiku style wall decor Koi Sakura bamboo

Fukuro obi belt Kakejiku style wall decor YOZAKURA sakura in full moon night

Fukuro obi belt Kakejiku style wall decor Mt.Fuji, crane bird, pine tree

2021-02-042021-03-28

Japanese Kakejiku – good luck item

Unique tiger & bamboo Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll

“Japanese Kakejiku (Kakemono)“ -good luck item

“Japanese Kakejiku (Kakemono)” is a hanging scroll used to display and exhibit paintings and calligraphy art.

Traditional Japanese rooms usually have a “Tokonoma”- a special space (alcove) to display “Kakejiku”.

Most traditional houses used to have at least one Kakejiku to hang in Tokonoma.

Kakejiku has been a well-known cultural item in Japan for long time.

There are a lot of themes for Kakejiku.

Especially paintings have good luck meanings are popular.

“Sunsui ga” – Nature/ Japanese scenery of mountains, river, water fall, trees, rocks

These nature items have important meanings based on ZEN, giving us a relaxing ideal ZEN world.

“Seasonal flowers/plants” – To enjoy four seasons even inside the house, we choose seasonal flowers/plants.

“Tiger” – Tiger is believed to protect against misfortune and brings a good luck. Tiger’s eyes with glares are toward evil.

“Dragon Ryujin” – Dragon is called “Ryujin” and is a god in Japan. It is a symbol of promotion, and Dragon Ryujin going up to the sky has the positive and good luck power.

Mt. Fuji – the highest symbolic mountain in Japan, and being registered as a world heritage.

Mt. Fuji is well known as a sacred mountain. Especially red color Mt. Fuji in the red sunrise is believed to have the strong good luck power.

There are more themes for Kakejiku, and all have special meanings.

By hanging these good luck Kakejiku, the house and the people living there are protected against evil.

Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor

Unique Dragon Ryujin Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll

Japanese painting Tiger and bamboo ink art kakejiku

Extra long Drago Ryujin calligraphy art kakejiku hanging scroll

Red Mt. Fuji with crane birds calligraphy art

2021-01-242021-03-28

Japanese cultural icon Mt. Fuji

Japanese painting hanging scroll Mt. Fuji Kakejiku art

Japanese cultural icon – Mt. Fuji

If you have an interest in Japan, you must have heard this name “Mt. Fuji”.

Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan.

It’s 3,776.24m (12,389ft), located on Honshu.

Mt. Fuji is an active volcano, last erupted over 300 years ago.

The reason Mt. Fuji is very famous as cultural icon is because of its beautiful shape as well.

It stands on the flat wide area “Kanto plain” with symmetrical cone, and snow-capped on its top with the contrast of white and blue.

Because of its unique shape and height, it is very easy to be seen from even far away.

On a clear day in winter time, Mt. Fuji can be seen from greater Tokyo.

Even a glance of Mt. Fuji makes many Japanese people very happy.

I think that is because Mt. Fuji has been believed to be a symbol of god from its serene appearance.

Looking at Mt. Fuji is a very lucky thing.

Since long time ago, Japanese people loved Mt. Fuji, and Mt. Fuji has been depicted in art and photography.

We find Mt. Fuji in many Japanese paintings, Kakejiku hanging scrolls, ink paintings ”Sumie”, etc.

I love to paint Mt. Fuji as well.

Mt. Fuji has different attractions in different seasons and time.

This simple, yet perfect cone-shaped mountain never stops attracting many people.

Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor -landscape Mt. Fuji, crane birds, Sakura

Japanese painting ZEN Mt. Fuji in full moon and Sakura hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decoration

Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor crane bird, Mt. Fuji, Sakura

Gorgeous Kimono silk obi belt Japanese painting Mt.Fuji, Sakura cherry blossoms & crane birds hanging scroll

Extra-large Mt.Fuji and Japanese Pine tree hanging scroll, Impressive landscape ZEN style wall decor

Precious Kimono silk obi belt Japanese painting Mt.Fuji & crane birds in full moon Sakura night hanging scroll

2020-10-232021-03-28

Japanese precious Kimono Obi belt

Kimono is Japanese traditional fashion and culture.

All Japanese people used to wear Kimono every day long time ago, and Kimono was our clothes.

But we wear Kimono only occasionally now, especially on special occasions such as weddings, new years, come of age day cerebration, or tea ceremony.

And Kimono we wear on those special occasions are really gorgeous.

Depends on the seasons, Kimono fabric can be silk, cotton, or wool.

Kimono Obi Belt is inevitable to wear Kimono.

Obi belts are quite wide and stands out in the center of our body, so it is very important.

There are different kinds of Obi belts, called Nagoya-Obi, Fukuro-Obi, Han Haba- Obi.

Han-Haba Obi is used for daily Kimono or Yukata (summer cotton Kimono), and casual.

Nagoya-Obi also can be used for daily Kimono, or Japanese cultural practice such as tea ceremony or flower arrangement.

Fukuro-Obi is the most gorgeous belt and is for weddings or cerebrations.

When you look at Fukuro-Obi, you will see how gorgeous, shiny it is and the pattern is an amazing art.

When you touch Fukuro-Obi, you can feel that Fukuro-Obi is really precious.

Fukuro-Obi can cost a fortune, sometimes over one million yen.

Fukuro Obi is woven with shiny gold, silver thread, silk thread by artisans.

This is totally Japanese amazing culture.

When this precious Kimono Obi belt turns into hanging scroll, it starts another new life.

We are honored to be able to make gorgeous hanging scrolls with them.

Gorgeous Kimono Obi belt Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll Koi fish and Sakura

Gorgeous Kimono Obi belt Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll Koi fish and pine tree

Gorgeous Kimono Obi belt Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll Koi fish and Bamboo

Gorgeous Kimono Obi belt Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll

Gorgeous Kimono Obi belt Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll Mt. Fuji and Sakura cherry blossom

Gorgeous Kimono Obi belt Japanese painting Kakejiku hanging scroll Koi fish and Sakura cherry blossoms

2020-10-072021-03-28

Sakura cherry blossom – Japanese beauty and sensitivity

Sakura cherry blossoms painting art Kimono silk kakejiku

Japanese painting calligraphy art hanging scroll Kakejiku wall decor landscape Sakura cherry tree

I am obsessed with Sakura cherry blossoms.

Sakura is Japanese symbol.

We admire Sakura cherry blossoms in many ways.

Sakura is connected to our Japanese culture deeply.

Since ancient time, Japanese people enjoyed watching Sakura, called “Ohanami” (meaning “watch flowers”)

Spring time, under Sakura trees were full of people, sitting and having picnic.

This “Ohanami” habit is still very popular in Japan.

We see “Sakura forecast” (when cherry blossom start to bloom) on the TV news.

When Sakura starts to bloom, people start going out to have picnic under the Sakura trees.

This is our major Spring event.

We also eat Sakura flowers and leaves.

Pickled Sakura flowers and leaves are used for sweets or tea.

Tea leaf container or other tools are made using Sakura trees.

We have music about Sakura, called “SAKURA”, and all Japanese should know this song.

We have color called “SAKURA color”, which is light sensitive pink.

Sakura is used as Japanese symbol in many situations.

Sakura is very familiar flower for Japanese people.

Sakura cherry blossom time is very short, about one week.

When it starts blooming, it goes very quick to be full bloom, and as soon as it becomes full bloom, leaves start to come out and flowers start falling.

So the short period in full bloom and the beauty of Sakura flowers are often likened to the fragility of human life.

That is why cherry blossoms are symbol of beauty and transience.

I love Sakura, and cherry blossom time makes me excited.

Painting Sakura makes me happy and this is a good meditation for me.

That is why I keep painting Sakura.