Shinobazu-no-ike Benten-do Temple, now connected to the land, was crowded with worshippers

There is a theory that Shinobazu Pond in Ueno came to be called Shinobazu Pond because it is located on the shore of Shinobugaoka. Shinobugaoka is an old name of the Ueno plateau. It refers to the area that is now Ueno Park. But that doesn't explain why the character "不", meaning "negative", is used in the name. I wonder if the pond was named Shinobazu-no-ike because it can be reached without climbing Shinobugaoka.

In the middle of Shinobazu Pond is Benten Island, built by Tenkai, the founder of Kanei-ji Temple, where the Benten Hall stands; until a bridge was built in 1672, Benten Island was literally an island and could only be visited by boat. Nowadays, there is a straight path from Zoo Street to the Benten Hall, making it easy to visit the temple without having to take a boat.

However, I still think that it is better to go by boat. Even now, it would have been more interesting to go there only by boat. Like Enoshima and Mont Saint-Michel in the past, the sense of accomplishment when you can go to these places must be exceptional if you can only go when the tide is low, or if the sea is rough. As I walked to the temple, I did not feel any special satisfaction, and it was no different from visiting a nearby temple. I think I felt more special when I walked along the narrow path lined with torii gates of Gojotenjinsha Shrine in Ueno Park.

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