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Here’s how one Tokyo neighborhood mixes modern technology and traditional culture to beat the heat

Casey Baseel Jul 25, 2018
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Nihonbashi’s beautiful “minamo fireworks” and tempting goldfish sweets are part of its plan for fun even in record-breaking heat.

Japan is experiencing a historically intense heatwave right now, which is bad news for anyone who’s come all the way from overseas to visit the country for summer vacation. So if you don’t want to spend your entire trip sitting in your hotel room and becoming masterfully skilled at operating its air conditioning controls, you’ll need to find some cool activities to do.

Thankfully, Tokyo’s Nihonbashi neighborhood, not far from Tokyo Station, has a number of elegantly enjoyable ways to beat the heat, collectively called the Eco Edo Nihonbashi Cool Edo, which is taking place between now and September 2. For starters, since the simplest way to deal with the scorching sun is to avoid it entirely, many of the festivities can be enjoyed after the sun goes down, such as the artistic display of lanterns and “minamo fireworks” between the buildings of the Coredo Muromachi entertainment center.

Minamo is the Japanese word for “water’s surface,” and instead of lighting up the night sky, the minamo fireworks are projected onto the walkway, creating a colorful river of light nightly between 6 and 11 p.m.

For more nighttime fun, the nearby free-to-enter Fukutoku Garden hosts its repeating summer festival every weekend night, where visitors can participate in traditional Japanese summertime activities like goldfish-catching and bon dances.

For centuries, Japan has been relying on the gentle ringing of wind chimes to produce a psychologically cooling effect on heat-frayed nerves, and connecting Fukutoku Garden to its Shinto shrine is a relaxing strolling path lined with 190 chimes.

And if looking at those yukata (summer kimono) fashions are also making you feel cooler, on the third floor of Coredo Muromachi’s #3 building yukata dressings and rentals are being offered between August 3 and 26.

Also returning to Coredo Muromachi is the Art Aquarium, in which hundreds of adorable goldfish are displayed in housing far more sophisticated than simple fishbowls. While the doors open at 11 a.m., the exhibition is open until 10:30 p.m. from Sunday to Friday, and 11:30 p.m. on Saturdays, making it a viable nightlife option after a full day of sightseeing or work.

And finally, a number of restaurants and cafes within Coredo Muromachi are offering goldfish-inspired desserts, showing off the skill Japanese confectioners have in making treats that are both delicious and adorable.

Because really, it just wouldn’t be Japan without some seasonally themed sweets, would it?

Related: Eco Edo Nihonbashi Cool Edo website, Coredo Muromachi website
Source: Eco Edo Nihonbashi Cool Edo via Entabe
Top image: Eco Edo Nihonbashi Cool Edo
Insert images: Eco Edo Nihonbashi Cool Edo (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)