Kudan Sakami means "Mid-Autumn Festival, people appreciate the bright moon".
This year's Mid-Autumn Festival has a full moon on September 12. Japan has long had the habit of admiring the moon since ancient times. There have been many literary works based on the bright moon, such as "The Tale of Bamboo", which is known as Japan's oldest story, and Matsuo Basho's haiku. Why is the season for viewing the moon in autumn? Is this because it is in the northern hemisphere? The best angle to look up at the bright moon during this period is "Kudanzaka" in Chiyoda Ward, which is a well-known moon viewing spot in Tokyo. It has been known as a place to wait for the moon to rise for a long time. "Night stay" location.
Kudanzaka refers to the gentle uphill slope that extends from the Kudan subway station along Uchibori Street to the Budokan on the left toward the Yasukuni Shrine. Iida-zaka" and "Iida-machi-zaka". There are many theories about the origin of "Kyudan". Some say that during the Hoei period, a nine-dan longhouse was built along this slope, and the caretaker of the Edo Castle Garden was placed here. ; Some say that there are nine steep slopes.
In the past, the top of the slope was suitable for overlooking, and you could see Kanda, Nihonbashi, Asakusa, Honjo, and even Mount Tsukuba and Fushu. On the top of the slope, which is suitable for distant views, the tall lantern (standing light tower) built opposite Yasukuni Shrine has become a symbol of ships passing by on Shinagawa Bay.
With the unchanging longing for the bright moon that has lasted from the Edo period to the present day, let us wait for the rising of the bright moon on the top of the slope during this Mid-Autumn Festival!