Tokyo part 3

Published on: Mar 22, 2008

On my third day in Tokyo, Jesse and I met Haruko at the train station again and headed off to the Hama Detached Palace Garden, where a few plum trees were in bloom. Here's Jesse near a grove of them.

We also saw a 300 hundred-year-old pine tree spread out and supported by heavy beams.

Next we boarded a ferry for a cruise on the Sumida River, passing under 13 bridges, each one a unique design and painted a different color. Many of the bridges are lit up at night with colored lights.

The ferry took us to Asakusa, one of the most visited shrine areas in Japan. Jesse had to leave for work by then, so Haruko and I visited the Senso-ji Temple and looked at items for sale by the many vendors lining the path to the temple.

Before one enters shrines or temples, you cleanse yourself by pouring water on your hands, using bamboo dippers from a nearby fountain. Then you waft incense smoke over your body, in the same way that Native Americans cleanse themselves with smoke from burning sage. When you approach the shrine, there is a huge rope with a bell at the top, which you tug on, to "wake" the deities that you are praying to. You can also clap your hands three times for the same effect. Then you bow your head and make your request, and finally, throw a coin into a box. I enjoyed this simple ritual.

One thing you might notice in some of the photos is that many Japanese are wearing face masks. This is a common sight, especially in Tokyo. They do this to prevent the spread of colds and other illnesses, but also because many Japanese are very allergic to the pollen from cedar trees that is prevalent in the spring. I saw quite a variety of these masks, usually white, except for one woman who had a pink one on!

After the shrine, we went out for lunch, had a cappuccino at another "Pronto" cafe, and then it was time for me to ride the train ALONE back to Jesse's flat, which I hoped to do before rush hour. The Japanese work long days, from 9 am - 7 pm, so rush hour often lasts from 6-10 pm! Haruko and I made plans to meet again in Italy next fall and said our goodbyes to each other. I did end up riding in one of the crowded subways, but it was only for 5 minutes, and I made it back to the flat without any trouble.

The next day was also spent in Tokyo, visiting various areas of town with Jesse, who had taken a week's vacation to travel with me. First we went to Akihabara, the electronics district, exploring a 7-story store filled with the latest technological gizmos. We looked at computers, cameras and televisions...some very impressive and expensive items!

Next we visited three fabulous garden areas. Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is one of Tokyo's best traditional stroll gardens. The covering on the pines is to protect them from heavy snow. It is common to find many older Japanese people in these gardens, sketching, painting or photographing the scenery.

I loved coming upon this rock, where someone had placed flowers atop it.

The Meiji Shrine (most important Shinto shrine in Tokyo) included a huge Otorii (gate) made of 1,500-year-old logs from a Japanese cypress tree.

We also visited Yoyogi Park, former site of the 1964 Olympics. It was more of a park to hang out in, and we ate our lunch near a University student practicing a comedy skit for his friends and another group of teenagers playing a game.
To end the day, we went to the 48-story Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices and viewed the city from the observatory on the top floor as the sun was setting.

On a clear day, you can see Mount Fuji from this building, but it was hazy, preventing us from seeing anything except the city laid out in every direction, as far as the eye could see.

Last of all, here's one of the interesting signs that we came across that day.

Next, we leave Tokyo and head for Hakone, famous for its hot springs.