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Published: July 13th 2006
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There's No Mistake...He'll Be Back!
We met up with our friend Jen, and after lunch in Ginza she was determined to find the Godzilla statue. We all had a "little" giggle when we did come across it. The plaque on the front said be not mistaken...he will return! Tokyo, consider yourself warned! Tokyo...impossible to describe in one word! Exciting, bustling, bright, loud, serene, traditional...12.2 million people! It is described as city that everyone must see once in their lifetime. I agree!
Those of you who know me well, generally know that I'm not a big fan of large cities. I find them intimidating and overwhelming, an assault on your senses and peace of mind. However, I had a fair idea of what I was in for before I visited Tokyo. When I first arrived in Japan last August, I spent three days in one of the busiest areas of Tokyo, Shinjuku, in a fancy hotel, attending seminars for my new job of teaching English as a Foreign Language to high school students. Really, the only glimpses of the city I saw were when I went out for dinner and once, when with a few other bewildered Canadians I ventured out on the subway system one evening to reach the Canadian Embassy. At the time, I was incredibly tired and nervous, and wasn't "ready" for Tokyo. I had hoped to come back. This time when I visited Tokyo I was ready for anything the city had to throw at me...I considered it to
be coming full circle for my year in Japan.
Alexis and I flew out of Hiroshima on Friday night, and prepared for a bright and early morning, as we wanted to go to the Tsukiji Fish Market. This fish market is listed in many guidebooks as a must see. Sure, it's an odd choice for a tourist destination in Tokyo, but this is a fish market...
in Tokyo! Over 400 different kinds of fish are sold here, and this is where many Tokyo area restauranteurs buy their fresh fish for the day. Auctions in the back of the market, closed to the public, and starting as early as 5 a.m. see tuna being sold for as much as 1 million yen! Highlights of the market included seeing chunks of dry ice steaming on enormous tuna, and dodging the many workers zooming around on the motorized delivery carts. Also, we had fresh sushi for breakfast and green tea...a "real Japan" experience!
Despite the day being rather hot and humid, we took advantage of our early start, and got lots of sightseeing in. We walked the grounds of the Imperial Palace, in the centre of Tokyo, which is mainly closed off
...We Saw Tokyo As Far As The Eye Could See!
I think Godzilla has his work cut out for him! to the public, and visited Yasukuni Shrine, Japan's most controversial shrine. This is the shrine where Japanese war dead are honoured, and here the ashes of some war criminals have been laid to rest. Things get really hairy when Japanese politicians visit to pay their respects to the veterans every year in August. We stopped in Ginza for lunch, a famous shopping area of Tokyo, and headed to Shinjuku for the rest of the day.
In Shinjuku, we faced Tokyo's busiest train station (at rush hour nonetheless...perfect timing!) and caught a panoramic view of Tokyo from the 46th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government offices. On a really clear day you can see Mount Fuji from here, but unfortunately this is not the case during the haze of summer.
The next day we again got off to an early start and took a 2-hour train ride north of Tokyo to the temple town of Nikko. Nikko provided a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city, and was picturesque as the temples are in a forest setting, and the day was drizzling rain and overcast, making the surrounding mountains misty and scenic. The most well-known shrine
Early Morning at the Tsukiji Fish Market
Who has time to sleep in, when there's big fish to sell and buy?! I was fascinated by the large tuna for sale at the market...I tried to look as "non-touristy" as possible, which is rather difficult when taking pictures of fish! in Nikko is Toshogu Shrine, which features elaborate and colourful gates, and intricate carvings of the "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" monkeys, which it is famous for throughout Japan. Our day ended with a blast back into Tokyo, in the bustling foreigner area of Roppongi, where I had a meal at T.G.I. Friday's for the first time! Alexis couldn't understand my excitement about eating at an American chain, but the food hit the "I miss the occasional really big meal" spot...the chocolate milkshake was to die for!
Our last day in Tokyo, we went to the area of Harajuku, which I think might have just been my favourite area in Tokyo. One of my goals was to do some serious people watching while in the city, and Harajuku provided the perfect opportunity for this. On one side of the station is Meiji jingu, which is described to be one of Japan's premier shrines. The grounds of the shrine are expansive, and it provided a retreat in the heart of the city.
From the other side of the station we were led to the funky Takeshita dori, where many teenagers shop for the latest trendy
(?) and bizarre looking fashions. We also strolled up and down Omotesando, a boulevard described to be the "Paris of Tokyo," complete with designer names. It gave way to a perfect early afternoon of people watching and window shopping.
Shortly after, it was time to catch a train to go to the airport, to return to humble, little Hiroshima. As I arrived at the airport in Hiroshima I remembered a year ago, cowering in the baggage claim area, getting ready to be picked up by my supervisor and Dob, who I hadn't met yet. This trip was truly about coming full circle for me. What a difference a year can make!
I apologize for the multitude of pictures I've included, but there are even more I wanted to share! Hopefully I'll be able to share them at a later date...
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Steven
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I heart tokyo too!
Great pictures stacey! And I doubt that sailor pic was because you didn't want a front shot! I think you wanted their bums! :-)