There was an overview with a map of the points she suggested we hit.
More or less a circular route, all by train & subway, I learned very quickly the art (or lack thereof) of tapping in & out & how to top up my IC card, if I didn’t have enough for the fare to tap out.
First stop Shinjiku Gyoen. I won’t go into the history. Suffice to say, first there were the Samurai and Shoguns (pronounced: show goon). Then the Emperors.
Shinjiku Gyoen is a national garden...I could blather on, but...
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| Shinjiku Gyoen |
We spent a fair amount of time in the Japanese part of the gardens...from here, we hopped aboard train(s) to Harajuku and the Meiju Jingu Shrine. This is a Shinto shrine, which houses the souls of the Emperor Meiji & Empress Shoken. there are Tori gates which separate the spiritual from the...not. So it is customary & respectful to bow before passing through a Tori gate. It is also respectful when leaving, to pass through the gate, turn and bow. Shinto cannot be found outside of Japan, as it is...well...Japan...rocks, trees, sky which is revered.
There is a ritual hand cleansing before approaching the Shrine: Fill the cup, rinse the left hand, right hand, fill the left hand, rinse (& spit) the mouth, rinse the left hand, then raise the cup to drain down the handle.
We were fortunate to see a bridal couple in full traditional dress (along with wedding party). Stunning.
From here, we were off to the Ginza...just to see it. The stores are larger than life. The Seiko building has a clock...complete with Westminster chimes. The post boxes are also modelled after the old Royal Mail boxes & made of lead.
Thankfully, we stopped for lunch. The choices were massive...and confusing. I was trying to avoid what I would’ve called normal/western food. As it turned out, chicken is a traditional dish...with a twist. We stopped in at a spot where fried chicken is their specialty. In english, it is called parent & child. Fried chicken, egg on rice. Yummy. Cold barley tea is served like water, although, in tiny cups. One step up from a demi tasse. And some plain iced tea.
From lunch, a quick pitstop...my fears of encountering squat toilets at every turn were
misguided. Fancy full service (heated & “shower” components) models in the public facilities. I may still encounter the squatters in the rural areas, but for now that joy or terror is on hold.
The Emperor & Empress live in the downtown/financial core (Marunouchi) at the Imperial Palace. The public are permitted to visit the east gardens. Lots of water and moats!
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| Emperor’s garden |
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