Bicycle ride to Arakawa

One thing I am trying to do this summer is go for significant bicycle rides at least once a week.  What I usually do is hop on my bicycle and head out in a direction.  As I bicycle I'll turn left or right depending on what I feel like doing.  Generally I aim for about 30+ km, especially if I leave mid-morning as the temperatures are in the mid 30's or so.
If I head east I end up at the Arakawa at some point, if I continue that direction.  It has beautiful bicycle paths on either side of the river.  I haven't arrived at the same point of the Arakawa any time I have been there.  This time also brought me through some tall grass and some paths that probably were not fully designed for bicycle riding.  I took a couple pictures along the way to share with you.  Enjoy the view.

I did stop to purchase a couple of bottles of water.  I'm glad there are vending machines all over Japan.

It was a good ride, but I admit, it was quite warm on the way back and I was not so speedy.  I am glad for the beauty I was able to view from my bicycle seat.  I am grateful for the country that I live in currently and enjoy these opportunities to explore. 

Kagurazaka

I have a friend at church, Junko.  Junko also works at Christian Academy in Japan.  A few times a year, we arrange to go on what I call a field trip.  Junko knows Tokyo and has been able to take me to some of the interesting parts of the city.  This past Sunday, August 5 we went to the Kagurazaka area near the Iidabashi station.  During the Edo period this was an area where geishas, teahouses and much entertainment happened.  There is also a French influence now.
When we arrived, we did some walking down the street and popping into a few shops.  We found some authentic Japanese shops that piqued my interest.  We did arrive around lunchtime and I chose an Italian restaurant, Pagliaccio Margherita.
Lunch was delicious with fettuccine and pizza as main dishes.  Our side dishes were cold pea soup and salad.

This was the pizza oven in the restaurant.  

This is where the cold pea soup was.  It was really good especially on a warm day. 

Partially eaten salad

The rest of the afternoon we sauntered up and down the street as well as wandering down some of the side streets.

French restaurant

Main street away from Iidabashi station

Looking towards Iidabashi Station

Further down towards Iidabashi Station

Entrance to a place where geishas would entertain.

The upper part of the geisha entertainment place.

 One of the stores we went into, they sold some traditional Japanese accessories such as umbrellas, wallets and bags.  I was intrigued by the bags and ended up purchasing a black leather bag.  The shopkeeper assured me that they made the bag right there and it has the stores label inside the bag.  I love it.

 We ended up having a coffee after walking up and down the streets.  It certainly was an interesting area.  I enjoyed seeing some of the still Edo period buildings, but there are some new modern buildings seemingly replacing some of the old buildings.  I am glad I was able to enjoy this little part of Tokyo.