 |
| On Saint Paddy’s Day the Irish flag is flown with the Japanese flag above a busy street’s boulevard |
Tokyo, March 16-20, 2024
The Meiji Shrine
On the first full day in Japan, our hero and his fair companion visited the Meiji Shrine. It was a longish walk from the Ritz but it gave our two travellers a good feel for the neighbourhood. They started their trek in Hinokicho Park, wandered through some narrow streets adjacent to Aoyama Cemetery and eventually found themselves in the 170-acre woodland surrounding the shrine. This mature forest in the Shibuya neighbourhood is where Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken, had been known to visit, when they were alive. Today, the woodland and the shrine in its center, are dedicated to the deified royal couple. It is a very popular place to visit for Japanese and tourists alike.
Having never been to a Shinto shrine before, Gym did not know the proper way to offer a prayer. He however led his dear wife through a half-correct ritual and got it done. Fortunately, there was no samurai there to take his head off for purifying his hands incorrectly and failing to bow and clap in the paper way (since that first Shinto visit, our adventurers have learned the proper etiquette).
Shinto is a religion endemic to Japan and about 70% of the Japanese practice it. Interestingly, the same people will also practice Buddhism and for instance, they might get married in a Shinto shrine, while planning for a funeral in a Buddhist temple. Furthermore, many Japanese will build on this tradition of practising two religions, by having both a Shinto alter and a Buddhist one in different rooms of their home.
More on shrines and Emperor Meiji later!
The Imperial Palace
On the second day in Japan, our intrepid travellers walked to the Imperial Palace. It is about 3.5 kilometers to the outer moat and they hiked by all the government buildings on the way there. When they passed the Department of Finance, they strolled past a phalanx of federal financial types, all spiffy in identical dark suits. They were scurrying back to their offices from a meeting somewhere. Gym learned later that they had increased the prime lending rate that day, so the frenzied activity may have been related to that rare bit of financial news.
The Imperial Palace grounds are expansive, encompassing 280 acres. The private estate of the Emperor and his family cover about 2/3 of the total enclosed area and this estate is closed to the public except for two special days each year. The public area is referred to as the East Gardens and visitors can enter this part for free. Included in the East Gardens are two further lines of concentric defensive works, a museum of imperial collections and some very beautiful gardens. Gym and his dear bride did a counter-clockwise reconnoiter of the entire area and paid 2000 yen to see the Imperial Collections.
As Gym was tuckered out, hailing a taxi seemed like a good idea for the return trip to the Ritz. An elderly taxi driver that spoke not a word of English was engaged and the two travellers had fun communicating with him using their combined ten words of Japanese and some animated hand gestures. Eventually, the cabbie understood where exactly his clients wanted to go. When they were dropped off 20 minutes later, the driver was coming around the taxi to open the passenger door when the wind picked up and ripped two 1,000-yen notes from his hands. The cash started flying down the street. Like an Olympic sprinter, the cabbie took off like a shot and to Gym's great surprise, the driver pursued his hard-earned fare down the sidewalk. Amazingly, driver and all the yen were soon reunited. Gym wanted to tip him for the ride and the amazing feat of athleticism but alas, tips are not accepted anywhere in Japan.
The Shibuya Crossing
On the last day in Tokyo, our travellers strolled out to the Shibuya Crossing. It is the Tokyo equivalent of Times Square in New York City. However, they are very different. No one in Tokyo jaywalks as the Japanese people follow the rules. In addition, there is no trash on the streets of Tokyo, nobody litters. Furthermore, there are very few hucksters wandering around Shibuya dressed like Godzilla or Lady Liberty, as there always is in Times Square. That sort of spectacle just doesn't happen in Japan. Mrs. Gym likes this orderly and clean country.
The Ritz Carlton
Sure, it's a little pricey but our hero thinks it's worth every penny. Reception for the hotel is on the 45th floor and Gym and Mrs. Gym had a very nice room on the 47th floor. They had a gorgeous view to the west. They woke on three out of four mornings, to see Mount Fuji set above the skyline of the city. The other day, it was raining and the mountain was obscured. The views from the room and all three restaurants were simply intoxicating. The service provided by the well-trained staff was outstanding. The bonus is that the hotel is built over the Mid-Town Mall where there is a huge food court and several independent restaurants. If you wanted to get take-out or simply eat outside of the hotel, you didn't have to go outside. And of course, there are so many things to see that are an easy walk from the hotel.
Stay tuned!
Pictures added April 6, 2024
Imperial Palace
No comments:
Post a Comment