Tokyo Japan December 2005 - 54 photos - 1174 views

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden (小石川後楽園) is the oldest surviving Diayamo garden in Tokyo and is typical of the stroll gardens of the Edo Period. This 17.5 acre garden was originally a 65 acre garden and can be divided into the central pond, western highlands, northern flower gardens and the south east inner garden. The central pond has a large island that is reflected beautifully from vantage points on the southern path. The garden is attractive during all seasons of the year, but particularly so in November, when the trees turn colors, during the plum festival in late February and when the beautiful weeping cherry tree near the garden's entrance is in full bloom.  
 
Meiji Shrine (明治神宮) is a shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Emperor Meiji was the first emperor of modern Japan. The Meiji Shrine was completed in 1920, and rebuilt after being destroyed in World War Two. It is located in a wooded park area next to Yoyogi Park in Tokyo. Various events and festivals are celebrated at the shrine throughout the year. You could easily spend half a day there going through the shrine, the gardens and the museum. If you are lucky you will get to see Shinto wedding parties parading through the inner ground of the shrine. This is an amazing sight to see with the bride in the traditional Japanese wedding kimono (Uchikake), shrine maidens, Shinto priests and the wedding party with the women wearing gorgeous kimono. Indeed on my last visit to Meiji Jingu Shrine I was lucky enough to see two wedding parties.  
 
Sensoji (浅草寺), also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple, is a Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, the center of the shitamachi. The temple was completed in 645, making it Tokyo's oldest temple. We first enter through the Kaminarimon (雷門), or commonly called Thunder Gate, there is a shopping street of over 200 meters, called Nakamise (仲見世), leads to the temple's second gate, the Hozomon. Besides typical Japanese souvenirs such as yukata and folding fans, various traditional local snacks from the Asakusa area are sold along the Nakamise. The shopping street has a history of several centuries.  
 
Among the attractions of Odaiba are several shopping and entertainment centers, theme parks, museums and the futuristic architecture and city planning. There is the Statue of Liberty which was erected in 1998 to commemorate the "Year of France in Japan", it has become a symbol of Odaiba. Make sure you also visit the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation which includes exhibits about environmental issues, robots, information technology, biology and space exploration.