Japan Day 2
Culture
Day 2 was our culture day. Gardens, temples, museums. We got started pretty early (since we both woke up around 3am and the only thing on tv was CNN World. Now I know how my parents felt when they were on a six week cruise and the only news station on the ship was Fox).
They love their shrines.
We saw alot of contradictions over their. One of the biggies were these fountains. People in public still wear breathing masks. Understandable until they pull the mask down to take a drink of water out of a cup that has been used by a million other people. Just dip it in and slurp it out. Don't forget to pull your mask up again.
They even had a shrine to kegs of gunpowder. I guess it's for the Fireworks that the Chinese are known for. Wait, aren't we in Japan. In that case, I don't know what these things are.
This large metal gate was first built in the mid 1800',. Then they needed the metal so they tore it down. It was put back up in the early 1900's then torn down again for the metal in the early 1940's (guess what for). They were put back up in the 1960's and here they are today. If they tear it down again, I think we should get nervous.
There was a group of Japanese tourists that asked us to take their picture. We thought "what the hell" and asked them to take our picture. Then we spent the next 5 minutes bowing to each other our thanks. They really do bow alot over there.
Don't know who this is but he must have done something big.
The Cherry Blossoms were just opening up and the sights were beautiful.
Jen had the camera at this point. Did I mention that she takes alot of pics of everything and anything that catches her fancy.
She's still got the camera.
You guessed it.
Jen still had the camera and unfortunately, I had just charged it up.
I may be dating myself but I remember the rock group Cheap Trick had a very popular album called "Live at Budokan". I didn't really know what a Budokan was. Well now I know. Because we walked right by it. It's in the northern section of the Emperor's Gardens. I'm sure that was bugging you as much as it was bugging me.
Another look at the Budokan Theater.
I've really got to get that camera away from Jen.
I'd grab for it but she would snatch it away before I could get it.
Jen, Again.
Jen wanted to take this home. I guess we could have made an authentic Japanese meal with it (it's a cat).
I got an idea to build a mote around our house. This will be the blueprint I'll use.
Big Assed Door
Jen, again. But I was really impressed with this pic.
Jen took this picture, also. Man, she just can't get enough of those nature pics.
Looks like snow.
The Emperors podium. Those Japanese like to do things big.
Big Rocks.
The obligatory self shot from on top of the Emperors Podium.
We never did get why these old Japanese people were dressed like sperm. Even the females. Very Strange.
Rice paddies floating in a pond. Never thought of doing that.
A big Bonsai tree.
Outside the Emperors Palace Gate.
The Emperor's Mailbox (or it could have been a fountain. Not sure but it really looked like a mailbox to me).
A pretty neat fountain.
You've heard the saying "Good Fences make Good Neighbors". Well, these guys take it up a notch. "Good Motes make Good Neighbors".
More Mote.
Even More Motes.
The Double Bridge (Look behind the front one). The Emperor was in that day so we couldn't go onto it.
These guys have Cherry trees everywhere but I don't remember ever having a Japanese Cherry.
In a Tea Garden.
More Culture. We went into a grave yard. I don't think they appreciated us taking pictures. It's not like they think the spirits hang out there or anything. Oops, maybe they do.
A Prius with the right hand drive. We/I just thought it was neat.
A friend of mine from work is really into Jazz. Her fiancé owns a couple of Jazz Radio stations. They go on Jazz Cruises. I think they like Jazz. Anyway, she heard that I was going to Tokyo and she wanted me to get some memorabilia/coasters/show flyers/anything from The Blue Note. After we got all cultured out, we went back to the hotel. Yes, you guesses it. Jen laid down "only for a minute". 4 minutes later, I heard the snores. Out for the night. So I looked up this place (gotta love that internet thing). It turns out that it was only a couple of miles away on, what was, basically the same road we were on. Basically turned out to be a very loose term. I also didn't realize that a good portion of the walk was thru a cemetery. The spirits that we messed with earlier messed with me a bit but I made it. She's a good friend but I'm not sure if she is that good a friend.
Here is the lobby. Very nice place. I told the guy about my friend and asked if I could look around a bit. He said no problem. He even gave me a few coasters and a box of matches. After having a beer at the bar (to steel my nerves for the return walk) I went down to the show floor, grabbed some flyers and picked up a coffee mug. It was all pretty cool. I would have stayed for the show but they wanted 6800 yen (about $65) and I'm not that big a fan of jazz.
Oh Thank Heaven for 7/11.
Not the typical menu you would see.
I ended up at a Japanese Deli. That is the best explanation I can give you. They had stuff in a deli type counter, with other meals available, pre-made, and all you need are chop sticks. I got a couple of meals with some extra pot stickers for Jen. I ate when I got to the hotel but I could not roust Jen so she ate it in the morning (yes, we were awake at 3 am so that is when she ate).
My Japanese Daughter.