Yamanote Line

Photo: Gaijin Camera
Yamanote Line
Hamamatsucho Station
July 21, 2013

Hamamatsucho Station浜松町駅・はままつちょうえき (Pine Beach Town Station) has 4 JR プラットフォームplatforms in one building and the terminus of the 東京モノレールとうきょうものれーる・Tokyo Monorail in a separate elevated platform. Being in the center of Tokyo, it has no beaches or pine trees, but if you’re looking for nature, look no further than the Hamarikyu Gardens浜離宮恩賜庭園・はまりきゅう おんし ていえん or the Kyu Shiba Rikyu Gardens旧芝離宮恩賜庭園・きゅうしばりきゅうていえん.

The 浜離宮恩賜庭園はまりきゅう おんし ていえん・Hamarikyu Gardens are a 800 meter walk to the northeast of Hamamatsuchō Station at the mouth of the 隅田川すみだがわ・Sumida River. They are a remodeled former Tokugawa Shogunate徳川幕府・とくがわばくふ Villa built around a saltwater pond. The Nakashima Tea House on the island in the middle of the pond offers visitors the chance to enjoy an authentic Japanese tea ceremony, consisting of a cup of 抹茶まっちゃ・matcha tea and a seasonal Japanese sweet, served by a kimono clad 芸者げいしゃ・geisha.

A short walk to the east of, 浜松町駅はままつちょうえき・Hamamatsuchō Station is the 旧芝離宮恩賜庭園きゅうしばりきゅうていえん・Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden, a former Imperial villa built on land reclaimed from Tokyo Bay in the 17th century! The gardens are centered around a large central pond with 4 interconnected islands. As with the Hamarikyu Gardens, there are enough different varieties of はな・flowers to keep Kyu Shiba Rikyu colorful in every season, but unlike Hamarikyu there is no tea house. However, the landscaping of this gardenていえん・teien is so scenic that it has been called the most beautifully designed garden in 東京ときょう・Tokyo.

Anime fans will be happy to know that the ポケモンセンターPokémon Center, the largest official Pokémon store in the world is just across the street from the main entrance.

Want good sushi? The world famous 築地市場つきじいちば・Tsukiji Fish Market is just a 15-minute walk to the north east of Hamamatsuchō. Get there early to sample the fresh fish coming to market.

With a little bit of everything, 浜松町駅はままつちょうえき・Hamamatsuchō Station is a great place to get off and start an adventure.

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