[Nov. 2023] In Kameido, Tokyo, there is a famous shrine called Kameido Tenjin.
This shrine is said to be dedicated to Michizane Sugawara, and is said to be in high demand among students taking entrance exams as this god is for learning.
We are completely out of that age group, but it’s a famous place so we decided to go.
There was a beauty salon along the street we passed before getting there, and the sign said “Kimono dressing set: 12,000 yen for 3-year-olds, 7,000 yen for 5-year-olds, 18,000 yen for 7-year-olds.”
That’s right, this day is Shichi-Go-San.
I’ve lived overseas for a long time, so I have completely forgotten about this traditional Japanese event, celebrating the children’s growth at their stages of their life.
The reason five-year-olds are cheaper on that sign in the beauty salon is because boys celebrate at five-year-old.
3 year old and 7 year old are for girls.
However, when my friend asked the old man who was directing traffic when we entered the shrine, he said, “Nowadays, they do not care about the gender, because parents are not properly passing on traditions to their children.”
As expected, there were many dressed up children and their parents inside the shrine.
The children wearing kimono were so cute.
Children had a bag of Chitose candy that comes with Shichi-Go-San.
Kameido Tenjin was also holding a chrysanthemum festival, and the flowers were livening up the atmosphere of Shichi-Go-San.
However, this shrine is also said to be a famous spot for wisteria.
A single kingfisher was flying around near the wisteria trellis.
If I can go back to Japan during the wisteria season, I would definitely like to go there again.
In Kameido, we also happened to stumble upon a tortoise shell shop.
My friend wanted to enter the shop, but I was the one who bought one.
It’s only a 3,000 yen ear pick, though.
We learned that the lighter coloured tortoiseshell is rarer and more expensive.
Then, we went to an apparently famous Kuzumochi shop called Funabashiya.
It was crowded and we had to wait for a while, so it must be a popular restaurant.
We shared a plate of 9 pieces between 3 people and drank coffee, but the coffee was completely tasteless.
The tea that was served for free was much better.
Kuzumochi is delicious with its sweet syrup.
