Japan: part III

Japan Diary 12 - 21 MAY 2010
The land of sunrise

17 MAY 2010 - around Tokyo

After finish working, today is a free time. We travel around Tokyo. First, we go to Sensoji temple at Asakusa. It is Tokyo's oldest temple, and one of its most significant. Dominating the entrance to the temple is the Kaminarimon or "Thunder Gate". This imposing Buddhist structure features a massive paper lantern dramatically painted in vivid red-and-black tones to suggest thunderclouds and lightning. Next, we walk to Kappabashi Dogugai street, along the west side of Asakusa's main entertainment district. One can find almost every kind of restaurant equipment at the street. We have a lunch at Mitsukoshi Ginza department store. A set of sushi, 500 yen, is my lunch.

Then, we go to Shibuya by subway. Meiji Shrine is the Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife. It is located in a forest that covers an area of 700,000 square-meters. This area is covered by an evergreen forest that consists of 120,000 trees of 365 different species, The Japanese tradition for any person may visit a shrine and one need not be Shinto to do this. Doing so is called Omairi: Temizu Basin.

Next, we go to Harajuku. It is known as a center of Japanese youth culture and fashion. Shopping and dining options include many small, youth oriented, independent boutiques and cafes, but the neighborhood also attracts many larger international chain stores with high-end luxury merchandisers extensively represented along Omotesando. We buy a colorful crepe to eat here. In the evening, we go to Tokyo metropolitan government building at Shijuku. It is often visited by tourists for its free observation decks which provide good panoramic views of Tokyo and beyond. The 243 meter tall building has two towers, and each houses an observatory at a height of 202 meters. It had been the tallest building in Tokyo until 2007. We come back to Shibuya and have a dinner of Unadon (rice with grill eel), 500 yen. Finally, we come back hotel.

to be continued ...