Thank you for choosing our tour at Asakusa and Ueno Park on Sep.10th. We welcomed 26 guests from Germany, Newzealand, Australia, UK, USA, Italy, Ehiopia, and Rumania. I hope all of you enjoyed and shared interesting conversations with us during the tour. As promised, group
photos and snapshots are attached to remember the fun times we had.
In Japanese folklore, everyday objects may come to life after 100 years as tsukumogami—playful spirits that remind us to treat our belongings with respect.
At Sensō-ji Temple in Asakusa, you can actually find monuments that echo this tradition. One of the most charming is the Desk Mound of Santō Kyōden, a famous Edo-period writer and satirist. When Kyōden was just a boy entering a terakoya (a temple school), his father bought him a desk. Amazingly, he used that very same desk for over fifty years—throughout his life as a student, a writer, and even as a celebrated publisher. After he passed away, his younger brother built a stone mound to honor the desk. It’s as if the desk itself had become a beloved companion, almost a tsukumogami.
Not far away stands another curious monument: the Nail Memorial Mound (Kugi Kuyōzuka). In old times, even bent or broken nails weren’t simply thrown away. Instead, people held memorial services to thank them for their service. This reflects a uniquely Japanese sense of respect—where even the humblest tool is treated as if it carries a spirit.
So, in Asakusa, spirituality isn’t just about gods and Buddhas. It’s also about the souls of desks, nails, and countless everyday objects that faithfully served human lives. It’s unique, touching, and very Japanese.
We always strive to give high-quality tours. Your feedback is very important and useful
to us. If you have a moment, please consider posting comments about the tour on our
TripAdvisor /Facebook etc. Your remarks will certainly help us improve and continue
developing our tours. Also, please tell your family and friends about us. Next time
you’re in Tokyo, please come to another one of our tours. Once again thank you very
much. （Post by Sakamoto）