Rakanji River （羅漢寺川）March 25, 2025
White magnolias in bloom near the gentle flow of the Rakanji River, beside Meguro Fudoson (a temple dedicated to Fudō Myōō, the Buddhist deity of protection).
The white magnolia is one of the early signs of spring in Japan.
Before they open, the buds are wrapped in soft, fuzzy coats.
Where I Walked
This was my first time tracing an ankyo specifically for the blog.
Since I had the chance, I thought I’d visit one nearby that I’d never explored before.
When I opened the map, I noticed a few hidden waterways around Meguro Fudoson — places I had passed by, but never really seen.
The presence of a car barrier is often a sign that you're walking on an ankyo.
The sunlight is soft, and the weather is just right for walking. I can see Meguro Fudoson up ahead.
The temple fair at Meguro Fudoson is held on the 28th of each month, with food stalls set up in the temple grounds.
It’s been nine years since I last came here with my kids.
In the back, among the trees, there’s a small waterfall — it seems to be part of the river’s source.
A few cherry blossoms have started to open.
I changed course to follow the Iriya River, which joins the Rakanji River, and began heading upstream.
Manholes dotting the path are a familiar sign of an ankyo below.
I love the feeling of these narrow, winding paths.
I suddenly heard the sound of running water.
Looking closer, I noticed a pipe sticking out from the side of the slope, with water flowing out and into a drain covered by a metal grate.
It’s probably groundwater, slowly seeping from the hillside and finding its way out.
Bollards line the path one after another.
I made my way back to the Rakanji River.
The river runs gently alongside the cemetery at Meguro Fudoson, where soft sunlight touches the grass and everything feels calm and quietly beautiful.
The river continues flowing alongside Rinshinomori Park.
I was starting to feel a little tired, so I took a break in Rinshinomori Park.
Near the stream that flows from the pond, tall metasequoia trees stand quietly.
I wonder if this area might be one of the sources of the river, too.
All kinds of flowers are blooming along the river.
Spring is definitely here.
This is where two ankyo meet — the Rokuse River（六畝川） coming in from the right, and the Rakanji River from the left.
Next to the fire extinguisher, there’s a small sign with information.
Meguro Ave. ← Rokuse River promenade →Rinshinomori Park
Is the character on the sign… an eel?
A river meandering through a quiet residential neighborhood.
Near the uppermost reaches of the river stands an apartment building called Shimizu-sō.
Shimizu means “pure water” — the kind that springs up clear and fresh from the ground or between rocks.
You can’t see any trace of it now.
I returned to the confluence and started heading upstream along the Rakanji River.
I reached the uppermost part of the river.
The ground here slopes gently toward the stream.
Although it’s not an ankyo, I meant to visit the former site of the old Meguro Racetrack, which used to be located in the upper reaches of the Iriya River — but I forgot.
Next time, I’ll make sure to stop by.
(If you look at the map, you can still spot a road that follows the curve of the old racetrack.)