I took a few hours off from the Olympics today to head out to Komagome as part of the 29 stops on the JR Yamanote Line series. Not knowing what to expect i did a little research before i left.

I found out there was some gardens out there and that along with ramen for lunch and i knew i’d be able to spend a few hours wandering around the place.

It was another first, prior to today i had never even heard of Komagome let alone had the need or desire to get out there. Still, it’s all part of the journey and the reason behind doing all the stops on the line anyway.

Let’s go for a look around the sights and scenery near Komagome station.

Not unlike many stations there’s no a whole lot too see outside the station.

The station in itself gives you an indication of what the place is like though,  A lot quieter than many of the more well known stations with the facilities being a little older and more sparse, still i was here now so i set off to see what it had too offer.

Not a massive amount of traffic about the place but it is Sunday so i’ll cut them some slack.

Remnants of last nights summer festival, a lot less action here now that there was last night i’m sure.

I didn’t go to any of the summer festivals last night, i opted for a night on the couch watching the Olympics, but i digress.

Lots of greenery around the place.

A library if you’re that way inclined.

I didn’t buy one but this looks like some sort of jelly substance in the vending machine.

Seems the “No Parking” isn’t enforced too well in these parts.

Once again, you’re never far from the cultural side of Japan when you take a walk through the streets.

A small roadside garden, complete with gardening tools hanging from the tree.

Multi level bike parking.

There were some tasty smells floating around but i was holding out for Ramen.

Create a line, and they ill join it.

In their dozens mind you.

A couple of scruffy looking laundromats were working overtime.

Yes, i love beer too.

It wouldn’t be a tour of Japan without a picture of a pachinko parlour.

Indo restaurant. As tempting as it was to get in there, if only to use a much over due line i’ve wanted to use, “Kore wa nan desu ka?” while pointing to the nan bread …. i resisted.

I won’t bother with explaining the joke, anyone with a little Japanese will get it … i hope.

A Bridgestone trike doing the promotion for a local … legitimate, massage parlour.

Once again, a spot of Japanese culture nestled in amongst the buldings.

Good to see the Colonel looking over things in Komagome.

Hmmm, is this a drink or actual Kit Kat’s? It turned out to be Kit Kats, which i will eat tonight.

Into Rikugien Garedens i went, well i hoped, it turns out the gates were a further 370 m up the road.

Nothing but blue clothes in this shop.

Still hadn’t reached the gardens and walked past a bottle shop …. making it tough for me to push on but i did.

OK, at the Rikugien Gardens just as it started to drizzle. Not much explanation needed for the next set of photos. A very relaxing walk that can take between 30 mins and 1 hour depending on the tracks you take.

My first sighting of a turtle in Japan.

I had my video camera with me and caught a little bit of footage for Vimeo.


Rikugien Gardens from Neil Duckett on Vimeo.

I didn’t realise how in an abundance the Turtles were until i got round the other side and saw heaps more in the water …. that an Turtle soup for 500 yen per bowl.

It’s a bit late seeing the map on the way out but it was there nonetheless.

All that walking and it was time for some Ramen, a beer then to return home.

Similar Posts:

• JR Yamanote Line – Hamamatsucho
• JR Yamanote Line – Ikebukuro
• JR Yamanote Line – Ebisu
• JR Yamanote Line – Meguro
• JR Yamanote Line – Kanda

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Tagged as: beer, drink, festival, Japan, japanese, park, ramen, yamanote