Japan day 2

Japan Day 2

Saturday 15th. - Tokyo

 
7am. A complimentary early call. It would have woken us if we weren’t already awake.

A buffet breakfast (this was to be the norm).

Off to the Skytree. The tallest structure in Japan and the tallest tower in the world.

 

Built to be earthquake resistant, it was constructed to take over from Tokyo Tower.

Over time the buildings in Tokyo were built taller and taller.

The old tower just wasn’t tall enough to transmit radio & TV signals,

so a new taller tower was built.

Its sweeping lines are suppose to mimic the graceful sweep of a Samurai sword.

From this height, everything looked like toys!

 

There was a window in the floor where you
could look vertically down to the ants at street level.

This was our first stop and some of us hadn’t got the notion of punctuality, or they got lost.

Or they got held up by the crowds; it was very crowded. Thinking on it, I don’t think we were given enough time to really enjoy being shot 350 metres to the top, take in the view, use the loo and make it down again. Jackie was certainly stressed out about it.

Back on the coach to the Asakusa area and Tokyo’s oldest temple (7th. Century) Sensoji Temple.

I'm interested in keeping a stamp book on my travels of the various locations we visit. A request as to where I may buy one and Akiko darts off at great speed into very busy but picturesque shopping streets around the temple, to a shop she knows...

I follow

It wasn’t until I’m out of sight of Jackie I realise Akiko’s not stopping.

I manage to catch David’s eye before they disappear.

About a hundred yards away(!) there is the shop.

Ah, I have no money.

While waiting for Jackie and all to catch up Akiko volunteers to lend me some… and here’s Jackie. Understandably annoyed. I get told off by three angry people. Don’t let me do that again...

Nakamise shopping street

The book is something I learned about from Joanna Lumley’s show on Japan. At tourist attractions, temples and shrines throughout Japan there are stamps to collect. However, be warned. Keep separate ones for tourist attractions, temples and shrines. Buddhist temples especially as they are record of a pilgrim’s journey as they travel holy routes. Indeed, a monk will examine your book to see where you’ve been and will refuse to add his stamp if he thinks you have dishonoured the book.

I didn’t find this out until much later when I’d ‘polluted’ my book or ‘goshuincho’ (or Book Of Seals) with lowly tourist stamps.

I found out with our guide, so not even she knew.

So with my shiny new book, off to Sensoji Temple.

 A stamp from a temple or shrine is an artistically calligraphic affair, usually created before your very eyes.
Normally they ask for a ¥300 donation.

To get back to the temple we travel back the length of Nakamise shopping street. Think of Soho/Chinatown on a festival day, only more so.

Sights seen from the coach...

Lunch is ‘skewered food’. Alex is happy.

 

Duly stamped and fed, we’re off to visit the Imperial Plaza,

  the main residence of the Emperor...

  

...before we visit Hamarikyu Gardens and its 300 year old pine.

It has a tea garden in it with gardens designed to harmonise with the distant hills (Borrowed landscape).

300 year old pine tree?

(So where is the 'borrowed landscape' pics?)

We round our first full day of touring by dining on a boat as it lazily tours Tokyo Harbour.

Tomorrow we have to take with us an ‘overnight bag’.

Day1
Day2