[Tokyo] A Lesser-Known Spot to Capture Both Skytree and an Ancient Shrine in One Frame

Like Fukuoka Tenmangu Shrine, Tokyo's Kameido Tenjin Shrine is one of the few shrines in Japan dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, and it is a place to pray for academic progress and career success.

Kameido Tenjin Shrine holds a plum blossom festival from February to mid-March; its wisteria festival from mid-April to early May is the most beautiful season of the year, with clusters of wisteria hanging over Kame Pond and the red bridge creating a photogenic scene.

Kameido Tenjin Shrine is also a lesser-known spot where you can capture both the Tokyo Skytree and the ancient shrine in one frame; the blend of modern and classical architecture offers a strong visual impact.

Since the beginning of last year, hotel prices in Tokyo have skyrocketed, with many hotels costing two to three times more than before. Speaking of the Skytree, let me recommend a hotel I recently stayed at that offers convenient transportation and a per-person price of only 500 yen with a Skytree view.

Kinshicho is one of the most bustling areas in Sumida Ward, Tokyo. The JR Sobu Line, JR Chuo-Sobu Line, and the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line pass through here, making transportation very convenient. Hotel prices here are also reasonable, making it a very cost-effective area for hotels in Tokyo.

The Tobu Hotel Levant in Kinshicho is just a few minutes' walk from the station. This hotel is also one of the friendly hotels for Tokyo Disney, offering a free shuttle bus between the hotel and the park. It is convenient to reach major commercial areas such as Shinjuku, Akihabara, and Ginza.

The per-person price for a Skytree-view room at the hotel is less than 500 yen, allowing you to see the Skytree up close both day and night.

Actually, compared to buying snacks at Don Quijote, I prefer shopping for food and daily necessities at large supermarkets. Before every trip back home, I go to a nearby supermarket to stock up, then pack and return the next day. A 10-minute bus ride from Kinshicho takes you to Ito Yokado Ario Kitasuna (get off at "Kitasuna 3-chome" for the closest stop). It belongs to the same "Seven & i Holdings" group as Japan's largest convenience store chain, 7-Eleven, so you can buy many SEVEN PREMIUM products at Ito Yokado.

I always enjoy browsing the deli section at large supermarkets. The sushi and sashimi here are very fresh and cheaper than at convenience stores, with a wide selection. Sometimes when I get back late and don't feel like going out for dinner, I grab a box of sushi, some fruit, and dessert from the deli section to eat at the hotel.

There is a dedicated shelf for Japanese sake, with a wide variety of sake, shochu, and whiskey (you must be at least 20 years old to buy alcohol in Japan). The selection is extensive and the prices are reasonable—after all, it's a large supermarket.

The instant soup section in the prepared food area is perfect for a lazy person like me. Every time I come to a Japanese supermarket, I buy some to take back...

There is also a section dedicated to snacks from various regions of Japan, with prices lower than at department stores. You can find many traditional wagashi here, making them great souvenirs—much more special than buying generic snacks at the airport!

The drugstore area on the first floor is particularly large, and there is a special section in collaboration with Japan's "Poison Tongue Magazine," a magazine that provides objective beauty product reviews. Shopping according to its recommendations rarely leads to disappointment.

The drugstore here has a wider selection and more complete inventory, and it's less prone to stockouts. Some items that are often out of stock elsewhere are generally available here.

GALLORIA is Ito Yokado's own apparel brand. The fabrics are quite good and the prices are reasonable. Last winter, I bought a cotton-padded jacket that was lightweight and not bulky, yet very warm.

Recently, it has gotten cold, so I bought some long-sleeved thermal tops (BODY HEATER®) and extra-thick leggings for autumn and winter. I happened to catch a limited-time discount, so it was a great deal~

The Kitasuna store is quite large. After shopping, you can go to the first floor to handle tax-free procedures all at once.

Feeling satisfied, I returned to the hotel. After this one-stop shopping for food and daily necessities, packing was very convenient, and the next day I returned home fully loaded, haha...