Nishi Nippori

Nishi Nippori is just a short ride from Tabata, but I was hoping that it was going to prove a bit more inspiring than the last stop, though looking on the map I realised that in fact I couldn't wander too far afield since it was very close indeed to the next stop, Nippori.

On exiting the station under the bridge I bore left and left again up the hill to the Doganyama area, with its elevated views and the rather dull Nishi-Nippori Park. Various plaques in the area written in both Japanese and English tell you that two or three centuries ago, the area was a popular spot for cherry-blossom viewing and taking in the general panorama over Edo.

There is also this statue which is a monument to poet and sculptor Kotaro Takamura, though since I'm not familiar with his work, I'm not quite sure about the relevance of the owl.

The Suwa Shrine is fairly large and is located next door to a temple, and a sign tells us that the area used to be a prime spot for growing ginger, though sadly that doesn't seem to be the case now.

Rather than taking in the vista of Tokyo or cherry-blossom viewing, Dokanyama now seems better suited to trainspotters, as you get a perfect view over Nishi Nippori Station.

From there I wandered down Fujimizaka (Mt Fuji View Slope), though it was too hazy that day to make out the peak through the built up skyline.

A delivery bike outside a liquor shop uses an old whiskey box as a basket.

I then wandered back to the station and through to the other side of the tracks.

The walkway leading to the new Nippori-Toneri Liner station.

Finding Mr Goodbar

A fading poster of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who resigned in 2006.

Heading back once again to the other side of the station I went past Dokanyama towards Sendagi and wandered down Yomise-dori, lined on either side with lots of local shops.

This small coffee shop reflects a trend seen in many older coffee shops in the Tokyo area in that it's named after a place in the States.

Which came first, the pub or Obama's speech?

Had it not been completely empty, I would have been tempted to pop in to see just how coarse or obscene it was.

At this point I turned back towards the station as I realised I was moving into Yanaka and edging ever closer to Nippori, so any further delights in this area will be saved for the next stop.