Bending an ear to the trees of Tokyo. TOKYO TREE TREK Shibuya edition

Vol.01 Lucas B.B.(Creative director and editor)

2022.04.21

PAPERSKY is a travel and lifestyle magazine showcasing stories from nature, culture, and daily life around the world with a fresh perspective. For editor-in-chief Lucas B.B., Shibuya is a place where the city and nature coexist harmoniously. TOKYO TREE TREK is a walking course that runs through his beloved backyard. The trail connects the dots between trees in parks, shrines, andalleys. Beginning in Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park in Minato Ward, it runs from Hiroo into Shibuya Ward andthen onto Shinjuku Gyo-en, which borders Shinjuku Ward. Join Lucas for a Tree Trek walk around Shibuya's many green spots.

Re-discover the charm of Tokyo
with “TOKYO TREE TREK”!

“My favorite place?...that’s a tough one. Let’s have a stroll and see what comes up!”
Where is your favorite point in the Shibuya section? The “TOKYO TREE TREK” kicked off with Lucas wracking his brains over this question. TTT, as people call it, is a walking tour of Tokyo championed by Lucas. The trail covers a hefty 55km, starting from Shinagawa Shrine in Kita-Shinagawa, which flourished on the old Tōkaidō Highway. It then takes in Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Asakusa, before finishing at the Imperial Palace. “Despite being a concrete jungle, Tokyo is actually brimming with nature. Come on a TTT hike and you’ll see the city in a new light!”

The more real the trail. the more real the trail.

PAPERSKY, of which Lucas is the editor-in-chief, published its 62nd issue in 2020, a TOKYO TREE TREK special. This new Tokyo stroll around the city's symbolic trees was originally designed for tourists attending the Tokyo Olympics. While this turned out a little differently than originally planned, the response was rather unexpected.
“I hope our readers in Tokyo enjoyed it. I bet they were surprised to discover such abundant nature in the city limits. I'm pretty sure none of them knew there was such a splendid red pine tree at the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center. The TTT will become a real trail once people start to walk it in droves, so I hope it catches on!”
TTT is divided into six sections, with Section 2 running through Shibuya Ward. The distance between Hiroo and　Shinjuku Gyoen is approx. 9 km. The first red pine tree at the Red Cross Medical Center stands some 15 meters tall. Since 1890, this colossal tree has taciturnly kept watch over the city’s history, like a maven.

In search of trees, like a plant hunter.

“This tree has a most unusual bark. I walk down here every day, but had never noticed it, so it was a real eye-opener. I feel like a proper plant hunter!” Such was the reaction of Lucas upon spotting the tree in front of Shibuya Ward Museum of Folklore and Literature, not far from the splendid zelkova tree at Kokugakuin University's Shibuya campus. The tree that commanded his attention with its scaly mottled pattern is a Shiromatsu (Pinus bungeana/ Lacebark Pine). Rare in Japan, it is characterized by three leaves growing in clumps that jut upwards, akin to hands clasped in prayer.
“All these different trees break up the monotony of the city. In a forest, the stronger trees outnumber the weaker ones, so the variety of trees becomes lopsides - as is often the case in a beech forest. That's precisely why trails in the city may be more enjoyable for genuine tree-lovers."

The close relationship between shrines and trees has preserved the nature of Tokyo.

The TTT runs through Hikawa Shrine (the oldest in Shibuya) and then onto Konno Hachimangu Shrine, where the name of the Shibuya district originates from. In fact, this neighborhood has been Lucas' home and office for over 2 decades.
“Shibuya is steeped in culture and attracts interesting folk. It is the perfect place to work for a magazine, but to live there, you need quiet time and relaxing nature. And that is what I likeabout the area - I think the reason why Tokyo is still rich in greenery is thanks to the shrines and temples. We need to take care of nature, just as the Japanese have since eons ago."
　True to Lucas's words, the TTT meanders around the trees of Meiji Shrine and Hatomori-Hachiman Shrine before finishing at Tokyo's oasis, Shinjuku Gyoen. At the end of this three-hour trail traversing Shibuya Ward, it's time to once again pose the question from the beginning of this article.
“I still can't narrow it down. ......I love the newly sprouted green leaves, but also walking trails in the summer while enjoying it sky and the fall foliage is magnificent as well. Whoever you are, whenever you walk it, you'll encounter something that delights you because that's what the TTT is all about!”

Monmouth Tea is Lucas's favorite spot to take a breather.

List

1	Japanese Red Cross Medical Center 4-1-22 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku ☎︎03-3400-1311 Official Web↗ The resplendent large red pine tree has kept watch over the Japan Red Cross College of Nursing since 1890!
2	Shirane Memorial Shibuya-ku, Provincial Museum, Museum of Literature 4-9-1 Higashi, Shibuya-ku ☎︎03-3486-2791 Official Web↗ Regular exhibitions provide in-depth knowledge of Shibuya. While there, why not check out the stunning large trees and temple at nearby Kokugakuin University.
3	Shibuya Hikawa Shrine 2-5-6 Higashi, Shibuya-ku ☎︎03-3407-7534 Official Web↗ @shibuyahikawa The 13,000 sq. feet temple grounds are designated as a protected forest. The magnificent Platanus and Zelkova trees are the main attractions.
4	Meiji Shrine 1-1 Yoyogi-Kamizonocho, Shibuya-ku ☎︎03-3379-5511 Official Web↗ Don’t miss the exquisitely pruned camphor tree. Meiji Jingu Gaien and Yoyogi Park are also excellent tree spots providing an urban oasis.
5	Monmouth Tea 1-21-3 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku ☎︎03-3478-2357 Official Web↗ @monmouth_tea Delicious light meals include muffins and quiches. Enjoy while marveling at the Ginkgo biloba tree at Hatomori Hachiman Shrine, also known for its Fuji mound in the shape of Mt.Fuji.
6	Shinjuku Gyoen 11 Naito-cho, Shinjuku-ku ☎︎03-3350-0151 Official Web↗ The pond inside the garden marks the boundary between Shibuya and Shinjuku wards. Cercidiphyllum Japonicum and America Catalpa fringe adorn the Shibuya Ward side of the park. And the birds singing are music to the ears.

Profile

Lucas B.B.

Creative director and editor. Raised in San Francisco, he came to Japan in 1993 for his graduation trip from college and has called Tokyo home ever since. Lucas has founded a variety of magazines, starting with the cultural magazine "TOKION," followed by kids' magazine "mammoth," and lifestyle magazine "PLANTED". He is also involved in a wide range of activities from product development to event management.
PAPERSKY, first published in 2002, is currently on sale with its 65th issue featuring "The Iwate of Kenji Miyazawa." He is proprietor of creative agency Knee High Media, with an office located in Higashi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.

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