Tokyo Photo News October 2024

The “Fiscal 2024 Tokyo Honorary Citizen Award Ceremony and Tokyo Person of Merit Award Ceremony” was held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office.

The citizens of Tokyo being honored were Mr. Sawai Shin, weaver (Tama-ori style weaving) and traditional craftsman, Mr. Nakadai Tatsuya, actor and the chairperson of the theater company Mumeijuku, and Mr. Ryogawa Senyu, puppeteer who is also the chairperson of the Edo Ito (thread) Ayatsuri Ningyo (puppet) Group Yukiza, and an Edo copyist.

Governor Koike said in her speech at the ceremony, “You have shown through your actions that a better future can be opened up when each and every one of you shines, shares your wisdom, and works together. Your extensive knowledge and experience are essential to pass on a sustainable Tokyo to future generations. I kindly ask for your continued support in this important endeavor.”

e-Para-Sports is a TMG initiative designed to provide people with disabilities the opportunity to experience “UDe-Sports”—accessible e-sports tailored for easy play at welfare facilities using self-operated controllers. An exchange event for this initiative was held at “AEON MALL Hinode” in Hinode Town, Nishitama District. The event featured interactive corners where participants from various welfare facilities and guests could engage in online gaming and explore welfare equipment firsthand.

Participants pressed a button-type switch called “Touch-Piko” to play a game in the exchange meeting.

Participants experienced games while watching the monitor in the exchange meeting.

The climate crisis action movement “TIME TO ACT FORUM 2024: Cities Calling for World Climate Action” (hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government) was held to accelerate effective actions toward decarbonization.

In the panel discussion, Governor Koike urged panelists from participating cities to take decisive action, saying, “It is imperative for countries worldwide to strengthen both their goals and their efforts. Now is the time to accelerate action. Let's work together launching full scale efforts to confront the crisis we face.”

In the panel discussion, Governor Koike urged panelists from participating cities to take decisive action, saying, “It is imperative for countries worldwide to strengthen both their goals and their efforts. Now is the time to accelerate action. Let's work together launching full scale efforts to confront the crisis we face.”

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government holds the “Tokyo Cultural Properties Week” every autumn, offering residents an opportunity to connect more closely with the city’s cultural heritage. We showcase below some of the many invaluable cultural properties highlighted during the event, accompanied with photos. There are also projects that are open to the public all year round, so please feel welcome to visit them. The photo shows the performance of Sato Kagura, a Shinto ritual ceremonial folk dance, (with Sagami-ryu Hagiwara Yoshio troupe) commemorating the designation as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government held on November 3.

Hagiwara Yoshio explained the masks to the audience after the performance.

Hamarikyu Gardens is a special scenic spot and a special historical site of the country. Shioirinoike (seawater pond), Tsubame-no-Ochaya (swallow teahouse), and Otsutaibashi Bridge in the Gardens. (Open to the public all year round. The nearest station is Shiodome Station.)

Hamarikyu Gardens is a special scenic spot and a special historical site of the country. 300-year-old pine trees in the Gardens. (Open to the public all year round. The nearest station is Shiodome Station.)

Ome Fusegi no Waraji (straw sandal to ward off epidemics) in Iwakura District, Tokyo. Tokyo Metropolitan Intangible Folk Cultural Property (manners and customs)

Located on the second floor of the Western-style building of the Maeda family former main residence, this study is part of the national important cultural property (building). (Guided tours, conducted by volunteers, are regularly available of the former main residence of the Maeda family Western-style building.) (Open to the public all year round. The nearest station is Komaba Todaimae Station.)

Exterior of the Maeda family former main residence Japanese-style building. National important cultural property (building)

National Historic Site Shimonoya Ruins, a restored Jomon-era pit-house. (Open to the public all year round. The nearest station is Higashifushimi Station.)

Special Exhibition of the Nishitokyo City Folklore Library, Pottery of the mid-Jomon era excavated from the Shimonoya Ruins. (Open to the public all year round. Local materials are open to the public in 5 exhibition rooms. The nearest station is Tanashi Station.)

The white brick koji (malt) room in the former Brewing Laboratory No. 1 Factory (red brick sake brewing factory), a national important cultural property. (Open to the public all year round. The nearest station is Oji Station.)

The Nagai family former residence is an old private house from the Edo period in Yakushiike Park, a scenic spot designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. National important cultural property (building). (Open to the public all year round. The nearest bus stops: Get on at Machida Station and get off at “Yakushiike”)

Nozda Yakushido is located in Yakushiike Park, a scenic spot designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Special opening during the Cultural Heritage Week (October 26 to November 4)

The interior of a restored Jomon- and Yayoi-era pit-house at the Honmachida Site, a historic site designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. (Open to the public all year round. The nearest bus stops: Get on at Machida Station and get off at “Shiritsu Hakubutsukan”)

Former Library (National Astronomical Observatory of Japan Mitaka). Nationally registered tangible cultural property (building). (Open to the public all year round. The nearest bus stops: Get on at Musashisakai Station and get off at “Tenmondaimae”)

Meridian instrument (13.5 cm), made in Germany in 1880 (NAOJ Mitaka). National important cultural property (historical materials). (Open to the public all year round. The nearest bus stops: Get on at Musashisakai Station and get off at “Tenmondaimae”)