17 Japan DAY 9 – OTARU, HOKKAIDO, JAPAN (2 May, 2014)

Seriously I’m not bothered with writing about the morning routine anymore; my hands only weary down. Then again, it is not necessary as most of you by now if you have actually bothered reading would know that our normal waking hour is around 4 am and we usually leave the hotel by 6 or 6.30 in the morning. Maybe that’s what differentiates Sapporo to the other cities we visited. In Sapporo, we usually leave the hotel at 8 or 8.30 am; thanks to the close location of our hotel Ana Sapporo to the bus terminal where we had to meet our guide. Yes, we were visiting Otaru, a port city with beautiful Bay views at the west coast of Hokkaido, Japan. It was just 30 min bus travel from Sapporo.

Ana Hotel Sapporo room, Sapporo, Japan. May 2, 2014

We boarded the Chuo Bus at 9 am. An Indian family from Calcutta was also joined the tour. They were visiting Japan for the second time. First time, one year ago, they visited South part of Japan and as they liked Japan very much, this time they were touring the North part. Our bus left the Sapporo terminal at 9.15 am. On the way to Otaru, we enjoyed the sceneries, especially the hill ranges; yes, Japan is really beautiful!

A view of hill ranges on the way to Otaru, Japan. 

May 2, 2014

Our first stop was Otaru Bine, a wine shop for tasting wine and shopping. At least that’s what the headphone I was wearing said in English as our guide could not speak in English. The wine was a fine visit for those who love wine, but I was bored, so I just wandered around gazing at some of the glassware they had on display. Nevertheless the first stop was a disappointment for me.

At Otaru Bine (Wine shop), Otaru, Japan. May 2, 2014

We then drove to Otaru Canal Terminal. This place was the one which I appreciated with many artists trying to sell their beautiful portraits of the scenery provided in different seasons. 

Otaru Canal, Otaru, Japan. May 2, 2014

The canal was satiable to the eyes with an oddly western look to it according to me atleast. With old buildings to the right and a pathway filled with people and lined with flowers and elegant lamps completely made me forget the first disappointment. What highlighted the scene was the snow capped mountains visible from the canal.

Otaru Canal. A view of snow capped mountain, 

Otaru, Japan. May 2, 2014

Lunch, according to my parents, was enjoyable with all kinds of food laid for the pick in the buffet held by the five star hotel, Grand Park Otaru. The dining hall had beautiful Marina and Ishikari Bay views. Every section, starting from bread, salad, soup, drinks, noodles, rice, seafood, chicken, snacks, fruits was filled with many many items. Actually, I don’t like pizza. But I would have to agree that I especially loved the pizza there which was odd size. Maybe it tasted good because there was more cheese?

Grand Park Otaru hotel, Otaru, Japan. May 2, 2014

Lunch at Grand Park Otaru hotel, Otaru, Japan. 

May 2, 2014

Anyway moving on, our bus next stopped at a Sake Brewery. There, we were taken for a guided tour about how sake is prepared. Since the guide spoke only Japanese we could not understand anything and instead just looked at the machines which were at work. After the mini tour, we came to a counter on which were placed several bottles of what I had assumed as sake and on a small tray several cups. The guide helped anyone who wanted to give a try a cup filled with their choice of sake. I got curious as some people seemed to enjoy it and I was too tempted as well. It was disgusting, my tongue almost burned and I quickly returned the cup still filled to the brim back to the lady. Since it was sake, I thought it would taste different; but it tasted the same as wine which for your information I’ll confirm that I actually did taste wine once thinking it was grape juice. Ah the face of my younger’s self, I remember, became contorted in disgust. Now that I think about it, it’s actually funny.

At Sake Brewery, Otaru, Japan. May 2, 2014

I was met with disappointed yet again in the next stop at Kitaichi Glass and Otaru Music Box Museum. We could not find this museum and wandered around for a while until we came to a small glass shop where glass was being made and this was apparently enough for my father. So we decided to walk around the shops, took pictures of beautiful Sakura trees along the street and however, finally found the Kitaichi Glass and music box museum. 

Sakura trees, near Kitaichi Glass museum, 

Otaru, Japan. May 2, 2014

Now let’s get a fact straight that I love history meaning I love antiques and music boxes to my knowledge were of European antique origin. This will also explain my craze for pocket watches. So I wanted to buy a music box. But got dissuaded by my mother, what did she say, I don’t remember. However, I did end up buying a pocket watch!

Kitaichi Glass museum, Otaru, Japan. May 2, 2014

We then left for our last stop of the day the Tenguyama Ropeway. Aboard the gondola, our guide told us the story of tengu which a manifestation of evil according to Buddhists. They have long noses, big heads and an ugly smile. The guide also said that some people thought that the Europeans were the tengu due to their long noses. Weird was all I could think!

Mt. Tengu, Otaru, Japan. May 2, 2014

At the top of the Mount Tengu, my parents had a blast with the snow, taking pictures in places they thought convenient. I stood there with my mobile in my hand irritated until I got interested by the sun which looked like a single bright spot in the sky. After that I also joined in on the photo spree.

Later on we went inside the building (the ropeway station) and I and my father visited a small museum of tengu artefacts called, Ski museum, while my mother waited. It was boring even for a history lover like me as we couldn't read anything what with everything being written in Japanese; we soon lost interest.

Mt. Tengu, Otaru, Japan. May 2, 2014

On making our way outside, we went to the souvenir shop nearby. And here we had a chance to talk to the Indian family who were also part of our tour and the boy, who is also a lover of anime, gave me information about the radeo shop in Akihabara (Tokyo), the anime capital which is said to have the figurines of many anime characters. I was excited and wanted to visit the shop in no time!

As Mt. Tengu was our last stop, the bus started returning to Sapporo. Along the way we were shown the historically significant clock tower. Soon after, we arrived at the Sapporo bus terminal. By then the time was almost 6.30 pm.

But since we still had a great deal of the day left, we planned to shop; yes, just window shopping! But at the end, I believe, that was my mother’s greatest regret, after all she was the one who brought up the idea of shopping. The first store we entered was a convenience store which had a separate floor for electronics. And there I saw one of my greatest addictions, yes, I have an addiction with headphones the same way I have on with notebooks and pencils. So I wandered around shouting to my mother in delight and my father suddenly said that he too wanted a headphone, especially from the company Bose. We soon found it; the sound quality was splendour unlike any other. We loved it. The only dissuading factor was the price. In the end, I somehow forced my mother and bought it along with my father.

Next, we went to the shops that my mother was interested which were mainly footwear shops. I and my father waited while she was on that spree. My mother decided to buy an intricately designed black flat. Since we were foreigners, we were not included in their tax system, and we had to show them our passport to have a tax-free special bill, at least this was what I understood.

Bose headphone and the flat shoe, 

Sapporo, Japan. May 2, 2014

I learned something during these shopping that hard work was inspiring seeing the sale assistants ran around to satisfy us, wherein shops in some of the countries wouldn’t have bothered, made me really happy. I don’t think I will ever forget those people there and their efforts are well received and appreciated.

           

           By the time we returned to the hotel after buying something for dinner, the time was 9.30 pm and we were tired but satisfied!

16 Japan DAY 8 – LAKE TOYA AND MOUNT USU VOLCANO, HOKKAIDO, JAPAN (1 May, 2014)

This day was planned specifically for Lake Toya, ‘a volcanic caldera lake in Shikotsu-Toya National Park’ according to Wikipedia. I didn’t know much about this place. I have heard it for the first time, on the previous day from my father. So I was mostly uninterested; who wouldn't be, when all they can see in their mind is a lake named Toya. That was the only image I got, BUT, completely different from how it actually looked like!

Near Ana Hotel Sapporo, Sapporo, Japan. May 1, 2014

   The Sapporo railway station was very near to our hotel, nearly 7 minutes walk away. Our train, Hokuto 84 was at 7.30 am. It took 2 hours to Toya. 

Ana Hotel Sapporo, Sapporo, Japan. May 1, 2014

   Everything was fine until we reached the Toya station where we came across our first problem. We did not know, how to go to the lake from the station. Seeing the map yielded no results as the distance was too much to merely cover by walking. So while my father looking around frustrated, I waited relaxed with the situation and just looked around my surroundings. 

Train ticket for Hokuto 84 from Sapporo to Toya. 

Hokkaido, Japan. May 1, 2014

   The place was cold and misty outside the station, but it was indulgent to my eyes then again Japan itself was like that. I got bored soon enough and looked at a board, where I noticed was posted a time table of a bus schedule. After I figured out the table, I pointed it out to my mother who quickly called my father. After that things went pretty smoothly, for me.

   The bus was called Donan, probably the company name and was painted in pear green with forest green stripes. The bus took us at least 20 minutes to reach the Toyaku Onsen which is a hot spring. From this particular station the lake was visible. And I was impressed, it was beautiful. In the middle of the lake there was an island or more appropriately islands. When we neared the lake a harbour with an odd looking ship greeted our sight. Espoir was the name of the cruise boat, shaped like a medieval European castle.

Lake Toya cruise boat. Toya, Hokkaido, 

Japan. May 1, 2014

   We boarded it after getting the tickets. The boat would take us to the big island in the middle. The view from the boat was again a delight for me and I was able to take many pictures. The scene was just like mountains sprawling across the terrain with clouds rolling in huge masses made the scene look mysterious and ancient. I was also able to get a few pictures of some seagull flying. They were fearless settling on the bows and staring down at me defiantly when I was trying to get a good shot, that failed not because of the bird but because the bow was in the way.

Four islands of Lake Toya. Toya, Hokkaido, 

Japan. May 1, 2014

   There were four islands, Nakajima, Bentenjima, Kannonjima and manjujima at the center of the Lake Toya. When we reached the big island (Nakajima), we were given 30 minutes to wander around. The island had a museum; so we took a walk around.

Lake Toya cruising. All the 4 islands are seen. 

Toya, Hokkaido, Japan. May 1, 2014

   From the small museum, we gleaned a little more information about the island; it had a diversity of birds it seemed. And deers, shouldn’t forget them, after all we did see some deer behind a fenced area. I was peacefully watching and trying to get nearer to the doe without frightening it, until my father barged in and it ran away.

Lake Toya cruising. Toya, Hokkaido, Japan. May 1, 2014

   By the time we had done everything our time was up and we returned to the mini harbour where another boat arrived to pick us up. Settling down cosily in the boating with a heating system, I was even without the expression, happy, after all I loved nature, seeing it made me so happy.

   Landing on land we decided to have lunch. This might has been the second obstacle, all the restaurants had pork in it and since our family did not eat pork we left. But that was finally solved when we came across a modern looking restaurant, Sendoan (for Japanese food) with our personal favourite chicken curry rice!

Chicken curry rice at Sendoan restaurant, Lake Toya. 

Hokkaido, Japan. May 1, 2014

   We were seated comfortably in the restaurant, viewing the lake. The quantity of rice that was given and the chicken was…too much. My parents were struggling to finish it. Somehow I was able to eat it all up not wanting to waste it, but my parents failed and they both had leftovers even my father the one who usually says things like ‘wasting food is not good!’ At the end of our lunch, however my parents declared that they would never eat curry rice again for a long time, though it was a lie. Other than the quantity, it was delicious..!

   Our second but last destination of the day was Usuzan rope way. For which we had to take another bus. This was tiring admittedly as the bus took a long time to come, fortunately I had my phone to play games with, so I was distracted. Flow is awesome.

Mount Usu ropeway gondola. Toya, Hokkaido, 

Japan. May 1, 2014

   By the time we reached the rope way station it was 3.30 pm and it took us another 10 minutes to actually stand in queue for the rope way. After a 6 minutes ride by the rope way gondola, we arrived at the Mt. Usu summit, from where we could get a clear view of the volcanic mountain Usu which had erupted at least four times in the past century. The scenery from the summit of Mt Usu was again beautiful as we could see a view of Lake Toya; but good pictures were hard to take as the place was slightly misty. None the less I took enough pictures to satisfy myself.

Volcano Mount Usu, a view from the summit of the 

Usu mountain, Toya, Hokkaido, Japan. May 1, 2014

   After returning to the ground gondola station, we had a break and I wandered around the souvenir shops until I saw a lucky pick where you have to insert coins and twist the knob, if you are lucky you will get the object you wanted; if not, you just have to live with any other option. Why was I excited? I was excited because the lucky drop had characters from my favourite show ‘One Piece’. I coaxed my mother into giving the money and she relented as it was pretty cheap.

   ‘My luck is so bad’, was what I thought when I stared at the character in my hand it was Trafalgar Law a rival and ally to my favourite character. I was hoping for luffy after all, but after that my mother refused to give me money, so I have to live with it…until now!

   Back to the topic, we left to wait for the bus which would take us back to the Toya station. That practically concluded our day excluding a small mishap in which our train, Hokuto 91 arrived ahead of schedule and we almost missed it along with some other people who were waiting for the same train.

Hokuto 91 from Toya to Sapporo. Hokkaido, 

Japan. May 1, 2014

   Overall, the self-made trip was actually more fun than I would admit without the hurriedness required in guided tours. I was happy throughout the remaining day!

15 Japan DAY 7 – UNDERSEA TRAIN TO SAPPORO, JAPAN (30 April, 2014)

Said Goodbye to the Sheraton Tokyo Bay hotel and started for a longggggggg journey. From Tokyo which is in Japan’s main island, Honshu to Sapporo in northern island, Hokkaido. Nearly 1135 km. Almost a full day travel by train. As Sapporo is in another island we had to cross the sea. Guess what…yes, we were going to cross the sea by undersea tunnel.  

At Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay hotel room balcony, 

Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 30, 2014

   

At Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay hotel lobby, 

Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 30, 2014

At Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay hotel portico, Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 30, 2014

Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay hotel, Tokyo, 

Japan. Apr. 30, 2014

     ‘I should be used to this by now’, was what I was thinking at 9.08 am, as I sat in my designated seat in the bullet train named HAYABUSA 9 to Shin-Aomori. You might have noticed the word, ‘Shin’ appearing along with place names. ‘Shin’ means ‘New’. There are two stations in Aomori, Aomori station and Shin-Aomori station. Our travel would take 3 h and 21 min. I don’t remember much of the occurrence or views we got from the train as again I found myself blinking in and out of consciousness. It was not pleasant.

     

     Our train stopped at major cities such as, Sendai, Morioka, and Hachinohe and arrived at Shin-Aomori at 12.29 pm.  

Bullet train, Hayabusa 9: Tokyo to Shin-Aomori. 

Japan. Apr. 30, 2014

Interior of the Bullet train, Hayabusa 9: Tokyo to 

Shin-Aomori. Japan. Apr. 30, 2014

Having lunch in the Bullet train, Hayabusa 9. 

Japan. Apr. 30, 2014

     

Japan map showing Tokyo, Sendai, Morioka, Aomori, 

Hakodate and Sapporo. Japan. Apr. 30, 2014

     At 12.30 pm, I found myself running behind my parents who feared that they would miss the next train, which I later concluded was unnecessary as the train took up on its course only a good 10 minutes or so after we settled ourselves in it. Our next destination was Hakodate. The Limited Express Super-Hakucho 11 train (Heat 789 series) started at 12.45 pm and would arrive at Hakodate in Hokkaido Island at 14.58 pm (2 h and 13 min).

Limited Express Super-Hakucho 11: Shin-Aomori 

to Hakodate. Japan. Apr. 30, 2014

     My father was particularly jubilant at this specific and kept blubbering about going in the tunnel under the sea, while this would have been interesting for me, I lacked the energy and instead chose to keep quiet and stare at the diagram of the very tunnel my father was going on about. Apparently the ride through the undersea tunnel would last for exactly 27 min, was what I got from my calculation having noted the time the train would enter the tunnel and the time it would get out given in a table below the aforementioned diagram. Having seen this chart I couldn't help but think, ‘Japanese people…..must like time keeping’. A noticeable point in Japan was everything was punctual and everything had a time designated for it. It was an odd but worthwhile practice, and I was impressed.

Passing time schedule in the Seikan tunnel for the 

Limited Express Super-Hakucho 11. Japan. Apr. 30, 2014

     Seikan undersea tunnel connects Honshu and Hokkaido islands. The tunnel is 53.85 km in length, with 23.3 km below the sea. That is, the train is traveling 23.3 km directly under the sea, Tsugaru straight that separates Honshu and Hokkaido islands. The depth of the sea is 140 m and the tunnel is 100 m below the bottom sea bed; that is, the tunnel lies 240 m below from the sea level, making it the deepest rail tunnel in the world.

Seikan undersea Tunnel, linking Honshu and Hokkaido islands. 

Japan. Apr. 30, 2014

     Exactly at 2.58 pm, we have arrived at Hakodate station. Our next train, Limited Express Super-Hokuto 11 was at 3.13 pm which would reach Sapporo at 6.43 pm (3 h and 30 min). The travel time was longer, but was fortunately our last locomotive before we reached Sapporo.

Limited Express Super-Hokuto 11: Hakodate to Sapporo. 

Japan. Apr. 30, 2014

     The three and half hours wait was bearable and much more better for me as I was that time actually awake to see the views flashing by. I loved the country side with all its mountains and multitudes of trees; it was somewhat different from our country. And since the sea was also visible I was able to get good shots from my mobile camera, this lasted until I got bored and ran out interesting things to take.

     At 6.43 pm we reached Sapporo. While Sapporo was not as impressive as Tokyo and Osaka, it was in its own right a sprawling city.

     It was going well for us until that point, but good grace cannot last and we finally found ourselves facing the problem of finding our hotel, which by the way, was the same as the one in Osaka, Ana group, Ana Hotel Sapporo. My father who had seen the hotel sign led the way for some time. I decided, I did not like the way my parents were dawdling with doubt and took over. The station was close to a bus terminal which had a building atop it. The entrance to the building was before the stairwell, near which we were standing. Thinking that maybe if we were to gain height we might be able to see the hotel or atleast its sign, I convinced my parents to climb the stairs.

     Plan one, locate the hotel from a high point, but failed; the reason, the mentioned point wasn’t high enough. I decided to improvise and let fate lead the way after that and we found ourselves at another stairwell, this time leading down, located at the side of the building near a darkened carpark. This was where, an accident took place; my mother fell. Maybe it was because she wasn’t focusing; maybe it was because she was old, who knew. After that I hanged back with my mother while my father walked ahead in search of the hotel. I did not see what he was doing but came to the conclusion he asked someone as soon enough we found our hotel.

     Not that we stayed long, and against my wishes I was pulled along to shop for dinner. Having had a glimpse of the places earlier we found ourselves at a cafeteria like place, a ground below the electric store we had entered. The shop was easy to find as it was near the second stairwell. Our shopping did not last long as most of the store clerks were closing their shops and after buying rice with some kind of a sauce over it, my mother had bought the same though the sauce was different from ours.

Dinner at Ana Hotel Sapporo room, Sapporo, Japan. Apr. 30, 2014

     The time was nearing 11.30 pm when we finished dinner and we decided to sleep as we had another trip on the following day!

14 Japan DAY 6 – PANORAMIC TOKYO, JAPAN (29 April, 2014)

As we know, Tokyo is a huge city, with many Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples, castles, shopping malls and so on; one cannot cover all the areas in one day. So we chose to visit only the important landmarks. First we visited the Meiji Jingu Shinto shrine. Next on the list was, the Imperial Palace East Garden.

     On the way, we have seen Ginkgo plants on both sides of the road. Our guide said, these plants are very hard to catch fire. They even survived Hiroshima bombing. And in summer, the leaves are green which turn into yellow in autumn (in October).

Ginkgo plant. Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

     Our guide was saying that the Tokyo University and the Parliament of Japan are on the way to the Palace; but we haven’t stopped for a visit (because of security reasons? Oh, I don’t know!).  

Imperial Palace, Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

     The palace and the large garden area were surrounded by moats and earthquake-proof walls. I was not excited as my interest in plants was close to nil with a few exceptions. My mother, she was happy as she loved flowers. Anyway, we weren’t disappointed as there were many types of flowers in so many colours. I was impressed as well, but my interest was still lacking. All I could think about was the distance between us and the guide whose identity prop, a pink pompom was bobbing up and down as she quickly hurried along.

Imperial Palace moat, Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

     The Imperial Palace garden however let my imagination wander. It wasn’t hard to imagine the Emperors walking by silently and it gave me a nice word play to ponder on. The history also enticed me after the garden and the palace had survived the world wars.

Imperial Palace garden, Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

     I also heard that the Emperor lived there and his family would come to the garden every Monday and Fridays on which the garden would be closed to the public.

Tokyo Railway station. Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

     After this, we proceeded to Sensoji Buddhist temple at Asakusa. On the way, we have seen the Tokyo Main Railway Station building from the bus. Our guide was describing about the designer of this building and how he designed. I am lucky to have a chance to visit inside and see outside of this building, I would say, it’s spellbound!

     The Sensoji Buddhist temple is the most significant and oldest in Tokyo, having a history of 1300 years. Impressive was all I could, not of the temple but of its history. The temple did have a nice feeling to it, though the feeling of a long worn history!

Sensoji Buddhist temple, Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

     But even the history couldn't wake me from the bored slump I was in, even my parents weren’t interested. As a result, we found ourselves near the bus sooner than the appointed time, and seeing this, my parents started taking pictures. But fortune shone on me and the guide came soon after.

     We had lunch at Pastel tei - Panoramic Tokyo view restaurant which was at the top of Seaside Hotel Shiba Yayoi. We enjoyed the delicious western style food, watching the panoramic view of Tokyo.

Lunch at Pastel tei - Panoramic Tokyo view restaurant, 

Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

     Following this, we went to the harbour for a Tokyo Bay cruise (the hotel we stayed was on the other side of the Tokyo Bay). The Symphony Classica was a beautiful ship with a restaurant. 

Tokyo Bay cruise. Rainbow bridge at the backdrop. 

Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

     Never knew I could enjoy a city cruise; but, since I got good photos it would explain my happiness. But even without my camera I feel that I would have still enjoyed it especially the beauty of the city. Most of the buildings were tall and the city itself in some way resembled New York, what made it different was the Rainbow Bridge, which seemed to arch over the building tops framing it.

A Panoramic view of Tokyo Bay, Tokyo, Japan. 

Apr. 29, 2014

     The last stop of the day was Aqua City at Odaiba. Odaiba is a manmade island, with shopping malls, cinemas etc. One can see the complete panoramic view of Tokyo Bay from Odaiba. There was a miniature version of the Statue of Liberty of New York.

A miniature version of the Statue of Liberty of New York
at Aqua City, Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

     The guide, when we reached Odaiba told us that whoever wanted to remain there could and that she would leave us. Much to my misery, my mom decided that she wanted to stay so that she could shop and that was what we did after informing the guide.

     Odaiba turned out to be an important place to me, but that I realized only later. You see, in 2013, there was an exhibition where the Thousand Sunny a real life ship model from ‘One Piece’ was displayed. Thus this place was important to me until I realized. Alas, I was completely disappointed after I discovered that the ‘One Piece’ exhibition had moved; it seemed that the exhibition was only for a temporary period.

Aqua City, Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

     After spending more than 1 hour, my mother ended up buying a pair of chappals for remembering Tokyo, she said!

     And the final factor which wore me down was the travel to the hotel all the way from Odaiba to Maihama. A warning to choose a hotel within the city as ours was far away so it always took us long to reach the Maihama station and then again by monorail to our hotel.

Aqua City, Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

     Wiped out would be the word to describe me in the hotel that night. Well, at least I was able to sleep well..!

13 Japan DAY 6 – MEIJI JINGU SHINTO SHRINE, TOKYO, JAPAN (29 April, 2014)

My parents got up early, and enjoying the amazing views of sea from our hotel room and taking pictures. The Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay hotel had a beautiful garden with artificial rocky ponds, caves and waterfalls. We had a quick breakfast in the room itself and spent sometime in the garden for taking pictures.

Tokyo bay view from Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay 

hotel room, Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

At the garden of Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay hotel, 

Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

After visiting DisneySea, Mt Fuji and Hakone, on the third day in Tokyo, we planned to go around the Tokyo city. We arranged Panoramic Tokyo tour through Sunrise Tours. The meeting place for the tour bus was in Hamamatsucho the same place as the previous day and again the time set to leave was 9 AM.

At the garden of Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay hotel, 

Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

In train, on the way to Tokyo main station, 

Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014.  

We were seated comfortably in the Hato tour bus on time. Our tour guide spoke very good American English as she was brought up in California for a few years. She was very professional in her job. She explained the places we were going to visit with the help of a beautifully labelled map. Our first destination was Meiji Jingu Shinto Shrine.

In Sunrise Tour Hato Bus. Guide briefs about tour programme. 

Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

This is what I learnt from our guide about Shinto. Shinto is one of the religions of Japan. Buddhism has temples whereas, Shinto has shrines (I have already covered some of these information in one of my previous posts). Shinto was started in Japan nearly 3000 years ago and never introduced to other countries. Shinto religion has no founder, no holy book, no specific teaching. Shinto is something like living in harmony with nature. Shinto religion has 8 million gods, for example, god of the mountain, god of the ocean, god of the tree, god of the flower, god of the sun and so on; simply believing that god is everywhere in this world. This religion is concerning only about this life that we are living and nothing about after the death.

Buddhism started in India and came through the Asian countries China and Korea and finally arrived to Japan in the middle of 6^th century. Buddhism speaks about life after death also and it was a very new idea for Japanese people. So it took nearly 100 years for Japanese to get familiarize with Buddhism and slowly started following it. But still they kept Shinto as a traditional religion which they thought need for the blessings of the present life while Buddhism would help them in life after death (spirit life). So simply, both the religions have been coexisting to this day in Japan.

As I mentioned above, the worshipping places for Shinto and Buddhism are called Shinto shrine and Buddhism temple, respectively. May be the outside looks similar, but the inside altars are very different. The Buddhist altar has lot of golden decorations and statues, give a rich looking, whereas the Shinto altar is very simple and empty. Ninety percent of the Japanese are Shintoists, 80% are Buddhists and 1.5% are Christians and followers of other religions. See the total, it is more than 100% and doesn’t make sense, right? Ok, this means that most of the Japanese follow Shinto and Buddhism, a kind of mixed.      

Tokyo tower, Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

    

On the way to Meiji Jingu shrine, we have seen the Tokyo Tower built in 1958. From Guide’s words, the Tokyo Tower looks little bit like Eiffel Tower of Paris (France). The Tokyo Tower was built after nearly 50 years of Eiffel Tower. Our Guide said, “the Tokyo Tower might be inspired from Eiffel Tower. You know, we Japanese people are pretty good at copying things and sometimes making better than the original”. The Tokyo Tower is bit taller than Eiffel Tower with 1000 ft, but not beautiful as Eiffel tower may be because of the international orange colour painting, because of city aviation law.

Sake barrels at the entrance of Meiji Jingu Shinto shrine. 

Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

To our delight, cherry blossoms were lining up on the sides of the pathway which led to the entrance of the Meiji Jingu shrine. It offered a great opportunity to take pictures. At the entrance of the Meiji Jingu shrine, on the rightern side there were lot of Japanese sake barrels. Sake is a Japanese alcohol made from rice. Sake has been considered as a sacred drink and these empty sake barrels were kept by companies for advertisement. On the leftern side, there were French wine barrels. 

Torii Gate at the entrance of Meiji Jingu Shinto shrine. 

Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

Near the Torii Gate, there was a place to pay respect to Shinto god through a series of actions (these actions are independent of religious beliefs).

Rinsing hands and mouth to pay respect to Shinto god 

at Meiji Jingu Shinto shrine. Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

   1.  Rinse your left hand, rinse your  right hand.

   2.   Pour water into your left hand and   rinse your mouth  

   3.  Rinse your left hand and rinse the dipper

 At the main shrine building, near the altar,

      1. You may put some coins into the  offertory box

      2. Bow twice

      3.  Clap your hands twice

      4.      Bow once again  

Meiji Jingu Shinto shrine. Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

Meiji Jingu Shinto shrine. Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

Meiji Jingu Shinto shrine. Tokyo, Japan. Apr. 29, 2014

The shrine was lively, with all the preparations going on for what seemed like a special occasion; it could be for a marriage function. We just got a peek of the proceedings. In the short time I saw the marriage, what caught my eyes was the clothes worn by the bride and groom. It was the traditional Yukata and I had only seen it in pictures. I was happy that I got a glimpse of it; it was regal to look at.