citylikeyou — Kiyomasa’s Well — Tokyo by Mariko Sakaguchi

Tokyo / Attraction

This well in Meiji jingu is called “the power spots” from people recently. It was made by the military commander Kiyomasa Kato. It is not been dry from the Edo Period till today. So it is said that the well has good luck. People set up the photo of the well on their screen saver. Of course also me.

Address
Kiyomasa’s Well, Tokyo, Japan

Photographer

Current city: Tokyo

marikosakaguchi.com

Mariko Sakaguchi is a Tokyo based art photographer who studied at the Hongik University of Art Korea, and at the department of Moving Image and Performing Arts at Tama Art University, Tokyo. Artist Statement: “I am making art works by using photography. I am trying to cross the sense of private and public, and also now and past by taking bath in old style Japanese bathtub and stepping into photography by myself, You can see I take bath anywhere, It means the place you are seeing my works and also the place you are at now are not off-site. The place where you are has possibilities to be the scene of my works. You are not spectator, but party of my work, art. I want to be a part of art with you all.”

More Places in Tokyo 61

Tokyo / Bookstore

Citylight Book at Yoyogi-uehara is the type of independent bookstore where I would wish to hang every week. It opens in the afternoon and runs through late night as a bookstore, as well as a meet-up place, a bar for book lovers. Founded by Kaminaga-san, a veteran who had worked with publishing industry for many years before creating his own version of bookstore, this is a cool place to browse for new titles of books and magazines of a wide range of genres/topics. The second floor works as a nice study room too. CABO, the mix place where the bookstore is located also offers other original selection of snack bar and fine dining. You can easily drift in and out, encountering interesting souls in the hood. I had a book launch and talk event here in May, 2024. It's been such a wonderful experience, good crowd and good vibes only!

Tokyo / Architecture

The Tokyo Tower is a symbol of Tokyo, and also it's sending electromagnetic waves such as television waves. In other words, if it wasn't for this tower Japan wouldn't be enlightened with important news and truth from the outside world. At 332.5 metres, it is the second tallest artificial structure in Japan.

Tokyo / Place

These are the Icicles of Misotsuchi in Oku-chichibu. They are built up very slowly by water dripping down. The best time to see these icicles is during the coldest part of the year, from about the middle of January to the middle of February. They're located in the in the Arakawa headwaters.

Tokyo / Cafe

A small cafe / restaurant in the heart of Aoyama. Does a really good homemade lemonade.

Tokyo / Bakery

Another good found in the Nihonbashi area where I usually stay in Tokyo. The sourdough based toast simply stole my heart and inspired me how to enjoy sourdough as a healthier base of nutritious and simple breakfast. It was impressive how popular he bakery place is - long line started soon after the opening time in the morning. Apparently they are one of the local favorites who is well known to the foreign visitors too like me:-) Fortunately they manage it properly to maintain a quality experience. Located right beside a community playground, Parklet also has a lovely grocery inside where you can find their selection of artisanal food and drinks. Will come back next trip!