Sunday, December 18, 2016

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Tokyo

The view of Tokyo looking across the water to Haruni from Odaiba. Most of this land has been reclaimed from the sea over the past 400 years.

Crossing the Rainbow Bridge

The bus to the airport used the express way that went across the Rainbow Bridge. The Rainbow bridge has two deck with the upper deck being a expressway and the lower deck has a railway and roads for local traffic. This is the Shibaura side with Odaiba in the distance. 

Tokyo Tower

Passing Tokyo Tower on the way to the airport

Moat of Chiyoda Castle

This is part of what remains of the outer moat of the Shogun"s castle. The central part of the castle is now the Imperial Palace.

More Christmas Decorations

The heart shaped lights is a photo spot for couples with a stand and timer flash for a phone.

Decorative Wall Ventilation

During the rebuilding after World War 2, concrete blocked became popular as a building material for walls. Because of the humidity, most of these walls have ventilation slots, often decorated with traditional patterns like this wave design.

Hikawa Shrine

Hikawa Shrine in Akasaka, Tokyo. The shrine dates from 1730 and was the personal shrine of Shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune (1684 - 1751).









Site of the former residence of Lord Asano

This place, adjacent to Hakata Shrine, is the site of the residence of Lord Asano, a central character in the story of the 47 Ronin.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Multi story expressway

This multi story expressway is just near the hotel. Fine but a little windy for my last day in Japan.

Crystal Christmas tree

This crystal Christmas tree is at Arc Hills, which along with the hotel I'm staying at, it has a symphonic hall. TV studio, shops and restaurants.

Christmas Tree

This is the Christmas tree in the hotel lobby

My Room Last Night

My room for my last night in Japan.


Monday, December 5, 2016

Hie Shrine

This is another very famous Tokyo Shinto Shrine. One of Tokyo's three major Shinto festivals is held here ever June although the procession is only held in even numbered years.






Prime Minister's Residence

The building with the trees is the residence of the Japanese Prime Minister

National Diet building

The building that looks a bit like Melbourne's Shrine of Rememberence is Japan's parliament building,  the National Diet building. The forested area behind it is the grounds of the Imperial Palace. The building with the green roof in that area I'd the Budokan, a famous hall where sporting events and concerts are performed.

Saruya

Saruya means monkey shop but is actually a toothpick maker. Saruya has been in business making toothpicks for over 300 years.

Inari Shrine

Inari is the Shinto spirit of harvest and is popular with business people and farmers. There are lots of shrines dedicated to Inari across the country. You can tell an Inari shrine by the fox statues 


Mitsukoshi

Mitsukoshi is a department store that is part of the Mitsui group. Mitsukoshi and Mitsui can date their origins to a Kimono store opened in the same area in 1673.



Nihombashi

Nihombashi means "bridge of Japan"  and was the point that all distances used to be measured from.




Premium Kit Kats

There are several speciality kit kat stores in department stores in Tokyo.  this is a dark chocolate kit kat with cranberry and nuts

Tokyo Disney Sea

The entrance to Tokyo Disney Sea.
The main lagoon of DisneySea
Part of one of the evening shows

Panoramic view of DisneySea
Christmas Decorations



The Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
Fireworks from the evening show