Todoroki's Japanese Garden and Yazawa River

Since my last visit to Todoroki Valley was in autumn, I decided to walk through the Japanese Garden again. This time it was spring so the views would be different. 

The garden is mostly on slopes of the gorge so there are more steps through the pleasant greenery. 

This time I really enjoyed walking through the tall bamboo. Different from walking under tall pine trees, but just as nice. The sounds of the wind through the bamboo was wonderful.

Besides being a very nice strolling garden, the Todoroki Japanese Garden is a working garden with orange trees and other fruit and vegetables. It was originally designed in 1973. 

Since I wrote about this garden and the shrine to Buddhist Priest Kobo Daishi before, I will just share a photo of the chobubashi with camellias floating in it. 

Back out onto the walkway along the Yazawa River. 

At times, I felt like I was the only one here. Having the gorge all to myself, the feeling was of timelessness. To have all this space with the river and greenery, it was amazing.

The view from under the Tamazawa Bridge. 

The work on the promenades and riverbank protection was done between 1933 and 1936.

The use of river rock does make the walkways feel integrated with the valley and river. 

Golf Bridge is in sight. 

One last look before heading out of the gorge. 

Tranquility in Todoroki

At the bottom of the steps from Todoroki Fudosan Temple that lead into Todoroki gorge, there lies a tranquil pond. 

Where colorful and large koi swim. 

Since I wrote about Fudo-no-Taki waterfalls in another post, I will just share a few photos from my March visit. More about this is here http://blukats.blogspot.com/2020/01/seeing-shrines-in-todoroki-valley.html

Fudo Myo-o was still perched about the waterfalls.

The Inari Daimiyojin Shrine still stands.

 Along with Riken no Hashi, one of the bridges over the Yazawa River.

There is a timeless feeling here. 

Timeless, tranquil and very few people. 

Seeing Shrines in Todoroki Valley

Near the end of 等々力渓谷, Todoroki Valley, a small shrine comes into view.

On the other side of the Yazawa River is 稲荷大明神, Inari Daimiyojin Shrine. It is part of the 等々力不動尊, Todoroki Fudosan Temple grounds. There are other shrines in the area.

From across the river I could see there was a bit more over there. 

Including a stream of water coming out of the mouth of a dragon. 

Crossing the bridge, I could see there were two dragon spouts streaming water onto stepping stones below. This is where one would stand for ascetic training. 

And true to the name of the temple, a statue of 不動明王, Fudo Myo-o, stands between the two dragons.  

Fudo Myo-o name means unmovable, which is a reference to his faith. Perched at a rather impossible location, one hopes his statue is also unmovable. It is also quite a feat that they were able to position the dragon spouts to direct the spring water of 不動滝, Fudo Falls.

Next to the waterfall is the Inari Daimiyojin Shrine

Along with 雪月花, Setsugekka, a tea house.

A few of the items they serve there. I thought about trying something, but it was getting late in the day and I still needed to walk back to the train station. 

Next to the tea house was a stream and pond with a couple more dragon spouts. 

In the pond were lovely koi. It was a really pleasant place to sit and relax.

Steep stairs led up to Todoroki Fudoson Temple. One day I will have to come back to see that. 

For this trip, I wanted to continue walking in the valley. Because there was one more place to see.

In the Ravine

It would be hard to top my day at the beautiful Kyu-Furukawa Gardens, but I found a place the next day that was just as amazing. To do that, I took a train to Todoroki Station in Setagaya.

I walked a little ways through the nice neighborhood there. I might share photos from that later. For now, I was following signs and more to the place I wanted to see. Like this paver featuring the "Gorufu" Golf Bridge. 

 And here is the top of that bridge with lots of luxurious trees.

There was a map of the area and a temperature gauge. For the temperature up there, and down below. 

So was was down below? I had to go down these stone stairs. 

And what was down there was amazing. 

A blue green waterway surrounded by lush greenery. 

While there was stonework and other paving materials for the path, unlike a lot of the rivers in Tokyo, the Yazawa River is allowed breathing space while it flows through the Todoroki Valley. 

There were little waterfalls and over 30 springs feed water into the river. 

So many trees overhead. This place felt a little like a land lost in time. 

The serenity of the valley is not like anything I've experienced in Tokyo. It's a world away from the concrete and crowds. Yet it is not far from all that. 

There were bridges to cross when needed. 

And bridges for roads above to cross the valley. 

The stonework varied along the river. Perhaps changing due to the era each was placed there? 

There were various styles of bridges also. 

Some led to interesting places. I'll share that in another post or two. 

The valley finally tapers off into a neighborhood. 

But since the train station was at the other end, I walked back through the valley. 

 Did I mention ducks were also enjoying this beautiful place?

Back to where I started. But not without a few detours along the way. And a trip afterwards for dinner and more sightseeing. Which I will share in a couple more posts. For now, I can say that the Todoroki Valley is now one of my favorite places in Tokyo. I hope I can return again one day.