Our first day here in Tokyo has been a busy one. There is so much to see and tell about Japan that it is impossible to get any thing but a glance. Our first visit in the capital city of Tokyo was to see the grounds that surround the Imperial Palace.

These grounds are located on the former site of the Edo Castle which is now a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo. It is the residence of the Imperial Family and not open to the public except for January 2nd which is Japan’s New Year’s Greeting day as well as December 23rd which is the Emperor’s birthday. The rest of the year, guided tours of the palace are offered in Japanese, with an English pamphlet and audio guide provided.

From the Koyo Gaien, the large plaza in front of the Imperial Palace, visitors can view the two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds. The stone bride in front is called Meganebashi or Eyeglass Bridge because of its looks. The bridge in the back was formerly wooden with two levels but has been rebuilt.

This Imperial Palace of the Emperor and family formerly was the Edo Castle. From the looks of the moat surrounding the grounds the Japanese took security very seriously. These grounds are massively guarded by the stone walls and water. This is truly a beautiful and awe inspiring residence. The white swan lives here and can be seen daily if you are lucky.

Sensoji Temple

The Sensoji temple otherwise known as Asakusa Kannon Temple is located in the central part of old downtown Tokyo. The legend of two brothers fishing a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida river is the foundation of this temples history. The legend is that the two brothers fearing Kannon’s displeasure returned the statue to the river but it kept returning to them. As a consequence the Sensoji temple was build to honor the goddess of Kannon. This temple was completed in 645, making it Tokyo’s oldest temple.

The Emperor Meiji was the first emperor of modern Japan. He was born in 1852 and ascended to the throne in 1868 at the peak of the Meiji restoration when the power was stwitched from the feudal Showgun government to the emperor. During the Meiji period, Japan modernized and westernized herself. By the time that emperor Meiji died in 1912 Japan had joined the world’s major powers. The Meiji shrine was completed in 1920, and rebuilt after beding destroyed in World War Two.

Shopping in Toyko

What would a visit to Japan’s capitol city be if we did not spend a few moments shopping around for a few goodies. We found most of Japan to be wonderful to foreigners even if there was not one who spoke a lick of English. I think that it is part of their nationalism that they refuse to learn other languages. Maybe that is going too far but for the most part in Japan there is NO English anywhere except the 5 star hotels that cater to people from the West. Shopping was fun regardless of the language difficulties. We had our guide Meharu to help with the transactions. No bartering took place really. This is not China.

More goodies for the folks back home.

After today we deserve a rest. No such luck. Check back again tomorrow for the next episode of David and Jennifer in Japan.