Ern in Tokyo: A Walk around Atagoyama & Surroundings (Part 1) / 愛宕山とその周辺の散歩（パート１）

Sunday, April 17, 2011

A Walk around Atagoyama & Surroundings (Part 1) / 愛宕山とその周辺の散歩（パート１）

As I've mentioned before, one of my biggest fans and most avid reader of my blog is my father, who often shares my posts with my mother. My mother really enjoys the posts about the different neighborhoods I walk around and will sometimes suggest a place to check out as well. Today's walk was at the suggestion of my mother. She had watched a television program on NHK that featured Atagoyama and the shrine that is built on top of it. It was such a beautiful day this afternoon I decided I would check it out today. Atago is located in Minato Ward near the Tokyo Tower. I went to Atago by way of Toranomon on the Ginza subway line.

前にも言ってましたが、僕のブログの読者で多分一番のファンは自分のお父さん。もちろんうちの父はお母さんにもいろんなブログネタを読んであげてるみたい。お母さんが気に入りのネタはやっぱり僕がどっかの場所で散歩するネタです。たまにはお母さんも何処か探索してみたらの提案もあります。今日の散歩場所はお母さんがなんかの番組で愛宕山が紹介されて、そこをもっと詳しく見たいと言われました。今日の天気も凄い良かったし、いずれではなく、今日愛宕山散歩実行しようとおもいました。愛宕は港区にあって、東京タワーにも近い。地下鉄銀座線で虎ノ門まで行って、虎ノ門駅から徒歩で５分位で愛宕神社参道のサインを発見。

Entrance path to Atago Shrine / 愛宕神社参道

This statue was built behind an apartment near Atago Shrine. I tried reading the sign explaining it's significance but it was too difficult for me to read.

この像はアパートに裏に建てらてますが、サインの説明が読めなくて、説明が出来ません。

Road leading to Atago Shrine / 愛宕神社参道

The road continues / 参道が続く

Reaching the top of Atagoyama where the shrine is located / 愛宕山の山頂で愛宕神社に到着

As I reached the top of the mountain, I noticed that I had come from the backside to the shrine. Most people climb up a set of stairs called the Shusse no Ishidan which is said to be bring you success if you walk up it. There is legend that explains why which I will relate a little later.

愛宕山の山頂に着いたら気付きました。自分がメインの入り口じゃなく、裏の方から登ったみたい。普段は「出世の石段」。名前の由来はある侍の行動からです。それはあとで説明します。

The Shusse no Ishidan, a symbol for success in life / 出世の石段

Yes, I walked down the steps and then back up again as it didn't seem right to walk up the road from the back.

はい、一回降りてまたこの階段を上りました。裏から神社に行ったのは自分に納得出来なかったもんで。

This sign gives a brief history of the shrine. Established in the year 1603 by Ieyasu Tokugawa, Japan's first Shogun. The last paragraph explains the legend of the steps. Since the print looks rather small and difficult to read I will rewrite here :

On the front side of Atago Jinja (OTOKOZAKA) the steps are long and steep. They are famous for success in life and for the legend of the junior samurai MAGAKI HEIKURO who dared to ride his horse up the steps and succeeded in delivering a plum gift to his lord. The Shogun praised him as a great rider in Japan. Everybody knows these steps are a symbol for success in life. They are called Shusse no Ishidan.