Tokyo Tourists Spots

South San Francisco author shares photos on her Japan tour to her friends:

A prayer and thanks to the creator first, then a full breakfast at Manhattan’s Table buffet style , 25th floor in my hotel; so many dishes to try, so little time.

Our AAA/Trafalgar cost saver tour , composed of 32 tourists from different countries , started with a view of the skyline on the 45th floor of Tokyo’s government building ; I saw signs where you get your driving license. Green legends on the window sill identified the buildings.

The tallest tower in the world is the Tokyo Skytree at 634 meters.

Next stop is Shinto Temple inside a forest surrounded by Cypress streets with elegant gates and tall arched decorations, on the way we saw different signs and ancient wine barrels. The Divine Energy hanged between two trees ; you drop coins, make a wish or intention. You can go and look inside the Shinto Temple but you are prohibited to take video or photos. A station is where I wrote my wishes and intentions in a paper and placed on an envelope; you can buy wood to hang your wishes in the area. All new car buyers need to purify their cars to be blessed by a Shinto priest to prevent accidents and protect other drivers.
We went to the park to eat lunch where there were performances to celebrate cherry blossoms. Geishas were seen walking in colorful costumes.

Next our tour stopped at the National Museum where you can see ancient pottery like pots, vases; paintings, calligraphy scripts, tea ceremony rituals.
Clay masks, figures of Emperors and Buddhas, Shoguns, samurai swords were on display. A staff was on the spot to prevent folks from taking photos of a special samurai sword decorated with red designs. Must be a special sword. Time is limited, I don’t have the time to read what time period, they belong to.

Next stop was market where I smelled fish , food being cooked. Since it was Pedestrian Paradise day, I can hardly move in the crowd in the market. Japanese are out in flocks to shop, eat outside, and enjoy outdoor events. Food is cheaper in the market than in hotels and restaurants.

The last stop for the day tour is Ginza shopping center where you see designer stores such as Prada, Gucci, Armani, Dior, Ferragamo,etc. The discount mart is the Don Quijote(open 24/7) , with a Penguin logo. It’s hard to shop and look around with thick crowds during Pedestrian Paradise day.

The bus passed by the financial area. The mountainous area which was once Shogun Garden is now all filled with buildings. It seemed every space in Tokyo is occupied by buildings and surroundings are clean . Space is expensive in Tokyo.

One needs to be physically fit to endure the walking around the spots to see. Food is medicine but in touring you learn movement is medicine.

As I grow older, I noticed I cannot walk as fast to catch up with the group. I’m glad I practiced classical stretch essentrics, and cognitive movement where you exercise your brain and eyes. Otherwise, I could not walk around with the pace of tour. I thought I was the worst physically unfit in the group but there are a few folks with worse physical problems; I admire their courage, fierce endurance , enthusiasm despite being legally blind and deaf, with macular degeneration or have heart trouble, they don’t fear going with a group tour to enjoy what new adventures have to offer.