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Summer in Tokyo

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Asia » Japan » Tokyo » Ikebukuro
July 22nd 2018
Published: July 22nd 2018
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Dear All Greetings from Tokyo! And Japan, country number 77! I still can’t actually believe I’m here, it is one of those places which you know exists because you have seen it on TV and in films, but you don’t imagine you’ll ever set foot there, or if it really exists at all. I had a similar feeling when I first went to New York. This is Tokyo – actually the world’s largest urban conur... Read Full Entry



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Alexander Waring
alex waring
alex waring
Hello there! Thanks for reading my blog. I started it in 2010 to keep a record of my travels, to let people know how I'm going, and also to keep me sane at times while I'm on the road! I have written up my 28 most recent journeys so far, and have no plans at all to stop travelling just yet. 93 countries down, 102 more to go - watch this space! Alex... full info
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Shibuya CrossingShibuya Crossing
Shibuya Crossing
Tokyo
Mario-Karting around Tokyo!Mario-Karting around Tokyo!
Mario-Karting around Tokyo!
Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo
Lovely Japanese Lady in a KimonoLovely Japanese Lady in a Kimono
Lovely Japanese Lady in a Kimono
She was so pleased when I asked if I could take a photo of her :)
Tokyo National MuseumTokyo National Museum
Tokyo National Museum
Tokyo
Japanese Art, Tokyo National MuseumJapanese Art, Tokyo National Museum
Japanese Art, Tokyo National Museum
I recall this story from somewhere, not sure where. The painting illustrates the short poem written on the left, which goes something like this:- A geisha has just finished having a bath, proud of her beauty - she then sees a rooster and a hen together, and feels jealous because she is single.
KimonoKimono
Kimono
Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo
Scary Mask, Tokyo National MuseumScary Mask, Tokyo National Museum
Scary Mask, Tokyo National Museum
An actor would wear this when he wanted to portray an evil character
A Philosophical Essay - Part OneA Philosophical Essay - Part One
A Philosophical Essay - Part One
Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo
A Philosophical Essay - Part TwoA Philosophical Essay - Part Two
A Philosophical Essay - Part Two
Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo
Folding Screen, Tokyo National MuseumFolding Screen, Tokyo National Museum
Folding Screen, Tokyo National Museum
The story depicts a fateful love story between a Chinese ruler and his consort
Tokyo National Museum, TokyoTokyo National Museum, Tokyo
Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo
A Shogun (Japanese military leader) would wear this, depending on the occasion
Samurai ArmourSamurai Armour
Samurai Armour
Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo
Tokyo National Museum, TokyoTokyo National Museum, Tokyo
Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo
A part of a series of paintings depicting "The Tale of Genji", a classic Japanese story written around 1000AD, and said to be the world's first novel
Tokyo National Museum, TokyoTokyo National Museum, Tokyo
Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo
A pre-Buddhist ancient Japanese tomb marker, from the Jomon period (8000BC - 300BC)
Tokyo National Museum, TokyoTokyo National Museum, Tokyo
Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo
Possibly my favourite piece in the museum, simply because it seems so un-Japanese. It predates Buddhism in Japan, and again is from the Jomon period (8000BC - 300BC)
Tokyo National Museum, TokyoTokyo National Museum, Tokyo
Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo
A modern piece called "Cat Without His Smile"
Tokyo National Museum, TokyoTokyo National Museum, Tokyo
Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo
Portrait of Commodore Matthew Perry, US army representative who is remembered as bringing an end to Japan's isolationist period and ushering in the remarkable transformations in the country during the "Meiji Restoration" of 1868
Tokyo National Museum, TokyoTokyo National Museum, Tokyo
Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo
Portrait of Empress Shoken, wife of Emperor Meiji
Buddha StatueBuddha Statue
Buddha Statue
Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo
Tokyo National Museum, TokyoTokyo National Museum, Tokyo
Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo
Samurai sword, called a "katakana", once belonging to famous 16th century warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Tokyo National Museum, TokyoTokyo National Museum, Tokyo
Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo
Contemporary artwork, depicting Mt Fuji rising above the clouds



22nd July 2018

A Small Swede in the Big World
Per-Olof Persson

Enjoyable First Few Days!
I'm happy that you've enjoyed your first few days in the country that stole my heart in a way I never expected any place could do. Learning Japanese before you went was a good thing, it will be much appreciated. Shintoism is a wonderful religion, I expect you'll enjoy your time with the Shinto Priest. :)
23rd July 2018

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Japan
Thank you my friend. I'm beginning to understand why Japan stole your heart. It may have gotten a bit of a hold on mine too. Just arrived at the house of the Shinto priest, so indeed I'm hoping to learn a bit about the religion here.
22nd July 2018
Shinto Priestess

A Small Swede in the Big World
Per-Olof Persson

It is indeed.
They are called miko. :)
23rd July 2018
Shinto Priestess

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Thank you!
Oh fantastic, thank you! I shall remove the question mark!
22nd July 2018

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

The boundless freedom of travel
You said it well... it revitalizes you! Glad your Japanese study paid off. You must be very good with languages. We often have to eat in nicer restaurants rather than indulge in street food as I get food poisoning very easy. I'd love to be one of those people who can eat anything. Your fast food noodles sound good. I would love to see the tea ceremony in person. You are doing all those wonderful things. I don't know anyone who hasn't loved Japan. Eager to hear more. MJ
23rd July 2018

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Thank you :)
Thank you MJ. Indeed, I'm beginning to understand why so many people love Japan! I believe am already one of them! I also have to be careful where I eat, I have a sensitive stomach too. But "street food" here really isn't street food, it seems of comparably good quality to restaurant food.
22nd July 2018
Lovely Japanese Lady in a Kimono

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Ah Japan
Beautiful
23rd July 2018
Lovely Japanese Lady in a Kimono

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Japan
The lady was just so nice, and really happy that I wanted to take her photo :)
22nd July 2018
Akihabara

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Alex does Tokyo and more
Looks like you are having a great time.
23rd July 2018
Akihabara

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Akihabara
Indeed, Akihabara was right up my street! I must have an inner "otaku" within me!
24th July 2018
Japanese English

Siewch
Siewch

Pocari Sweat!
My favorite drink in Japan. I down this by the gallon, especially if I am visiting in the summer. Their summers are brutal, aren’t they?
24th July 2018
Japanese English

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Pocari Sweat!
Ah, glad you like it too! I found it very refreshing after my first onsen experience. Gosh, you're right, the summer here indeed is brutal! Thank goodness for air conditioning!
24th July 2018
Kabukicho

Siewch
Siewch

You didn’t visit Robot Restaurant?
You went to Kabukicho and didn’t visit Robot Restaurant or the Godzilla statue at Hotel Gracery? It’s actually pretty safe to wander there at night, despite what your guidebook says.
24th July 2018
Kabukicho

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Inspiration
No, I'm sorry Siewch, I'm afraid nightlife and the Robot Restaurant are not for me, I like peaceful places and early nights. Your travel blog entry on having a coffee overlooking the Shibuya Crossing did inspire me to go there though - thank you for that :D I completely forgot about the Godzilla statue unfortunately, that I would have wanted to see...
26th July 2018

cabochick
Andrea

Congrats on your 77th!!
I've always wanted to jump into Tokyo feet first, but I cringe at the busy busy madness it seems to be. Your blog has made me want to go and see. How long would you recommend in Tokyo then? Would a week suffice? I've heard of their recent heat warnings, I hope you continue to fair well Alex. Enjoy Mt. Fuji!
26th July 2018

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Thank you!
Yay, thank you Andrea! 77 must be a good number, as I'm really enjoying Japan :D Indeed, Tokyo is busy busy busy, but not unmanageable. It is really efficient and very easy to get around. I spent 4 nights there, which for me was enough and I got to see everything I wanted to see, but I'm sure a week would be better to really see things. Mt Fuji was also excellent, currently in Kyoto. Indeed, very hot, but if you can do India heat, I think you can do the Japanese heatwave :D
9th August 2018

bvchef
Brendan Vermillion

I'm a little late to the trip
But happy to be here starting to read about your adventure. Loving what you have done and seen so far and looking forward to more.
9th August 2018

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Welcome to the trip!
No worries at all Brendan, and welcome on board :D I love the way TravelBlog enables you to feel like you're travelling with the writer. I'm glad you could join me on my journey! It's been amazing so far. Just arrived in South Korea, which feels very different from Japan. Looking forward to exploring a new country :)

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