Yasukuni Shrine & Spacious Cafe

We walked towards a new area for us; Kudanshita. Kudanshita means the 9-steps-bottom. Actually it's on the bottom of the hill and there was the 9 levels hill in Edo period. 

There is Yasukuni Shrine. It is dedicated to the spirits of the soldiers and others (including war criminals) who died in the wars. It's a very controversial shrine, because the Japanese prime minister and Diet cabinet members visit to the shrine. Because I am pacifist, I consider that their visit is to remind us NOT to forget about the past error and pray for peace.

It was the first visit to Yasukuni Shrine. I was surprised that there is a massive metal Torii gate. The Shrine was originally built in 1869. I thought the shrine has an air of dignity, courtesy and respect, I felt that it was not friendly very much. But it was nice to visit.

We moved to Ochanomizu area to have a lunch. Ocha-no-mizu literally means 'tea water, after the nearby Kanda River from which water was extracted to make the shogun's tea during the Edo period. The other day, we came to in front of this cafe, but the big mouse got called to the office on Sunday... It was a nice cafe. We like it very much.

• http://www.cafe1045.com/