Bunkyo ward (文京区 Bunkyō-ku) together with Hongo and Koishikawa was made into a special ward and into one of the 23wards in Tokyo in 1947. This is the ward I live in now. I did some internet searching on this area and found out that this place is actually quite hilly compared to other wards. Out of the 433 hills in Tokyo, 133 of them are located in Bunkyo-ku. No wonder my legs are getting stronger every day after several months of living in Bunkyo-ku.
This ward is the capital of culture since the Edo period. In fact, the name of this ward, Bunkyo (文京), say it all - Culture-ward. This is the home to Tokyo's most prestigious academic institution, Tokyo University (the Hongo campus), or fondly abbreviated as 'Todai' by the local.
Apart from 'Todai', it is great to know that this area has been home to many great writers and scholars such as Ichiyo Higuchi, Japan′s first prominent woman writer of modern times and who has her portrait on the current 5,000yen note. Around where I live, there's a number of galleries, printing and publishing companies which reflects the flourishing intellectual scene in this ward.
As I will delve deeper into the Bunkyo-ward's place of interest, I found quite an abundance of aristocratic villas, beautiful parks, stunning botanical gardens, temples and shrines and quaint Japanese ryokans. Although the area where I stay is largely residential, this place is pretty quiet compared to the vibrant cities of Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and Shibuya or the nearby Tokyo Dome City. I heard that this area has the lowest crime rate in Tokyo. It is definitely one of the safest place you can stay in Tokyo.
I really like Bunkyo-ku for the quiet family atmosphere, but it has a low density of chain stores and supermarkets. Fortunately, the place where I stay has an awesome supermarket which stocks really good ranges of bread, deli meat and cheese. I find that it is kind of hard to find food such as cheese and bread, not to mention that they are expensive if you find them, but you will definitely have no problem finding a bottle of wine in Tokyo. They are also relatively inexpensive and pretty good selection of locally made and imported wine.
Okay, I admit that I am not a true-blood Malaysian. The only taste that still defines me as a Malaysian is spiciness. I crave for sambal belacan, cili padi, cili potong and everything that is spicy. To satisfy my craving, I usually go for Thai food or have a good shake of pepper flakes on my food whenever I can find it. Sometimes, that is not enough, but it will have to do until I get my next supply of sambal belacan from home.
For fresh fruits and vegetables, I usually walk to Komagome station, because there is because a hidden-and-word-of-mouth-only wet market that sells the cheapest fruits and vegetables in the whole of Tokyo! I sometimes go when they have the all-you-can-stuff deals. The deals are cheap and fun!
Okay, I admit that I am not a true-blood Malaysian. The only taste that still defines me as a Malaysian is spiciness. I crave for sambal belacan, cili padi, cili potong and everything that is spicy. To satisfy my craving, I usually go for Thai food or have a good shake of pepper flakes on my food whenever I can find it. Sometimes, that is not enough, but it will have to do until I get my next supply of sambal belacan from home.
For fresh fruits and vegetables, I usually walk to Komagome station, because there is because a hidden-and-word-of-mouth-only wet market that sells the cheapest fruits and vegetables in the whole of Tokyo! I sometimes go when they have the all-you-can-stuff deals. The deals are cheap and fun!
Starting from this year, my life will be treated with seasonal delights. When I first moved in, I can see the cherry blossoms blooming in front of my apartment and in the summer, there are the local festivals where you can join in. I love to take a walk in the green patch of a quiet garden near some office building in front of my apartment. Now, I am enjoying the changing colours of gingko trees on the main street and hopefully, this year, we can have some snow. Coming from a tropical country, snow has always been my fascination. I still remember the feeling of amazement and awe when I first saw the snow falling from the blue sky in Vienna many, many years back. It was such a magical moment for me. I hope to experience it soon here in Tokyo.
This is my favourite haunt near where I stay. Tucked in a corner, this garden, Bunkyo Green Court, is easily overlooked. It is neither famous nor a landmark. It is just a small garden to refresh yourself when you feel overwhelmed by your new life.
How to get here
The nearest station to Bunkyo Green Court is Sengoku station (千石駅, Sengoku-eki) on Mita Line (三田線, Mita-sen). Just exit from exit No. A3 and it is only a 5mins walk.
It is 12mins walk from Sugamo station (巣鴨駅, Sugamo-eki) or alternatively, you can walk 10mins from Komagome station (駒込駅, Komagome-eki). Both stations are serviced by JR Yamanote Line.
You can also walk 10mins from Komagome station (駒込駅, Komagome-eki) serviced by the Metro Namboku Line (南北線, Namboku-sen).
Address and Website
2-28-10 Honkomagome, Bunkyo 113-0021, Bunkyo ward, Tokyo.
〒113-0021 東京都文京区本駒込2-28-10
www.bunkyo-greencourt.com/
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How about the area you live in? Do you have the chance to explore it?
