Two Weeks In Tokyo, Dec 2004 - Jan 2005
I arrived in Tokyo a few days before New Years Day to spend two weeks with Fumiko and her family. From there, I flew back to LAX in Los Angeles, met up with Isabelle and Joern, and the three of us toured southern California. The pictures below document the two weeks I spent in Tokyo. It was the first time I was out of the country for more than 24 hours.
Togoshi Ginza is the longest shopping district in Tokyo.
Here's another segment of Togoshi Ginza in the snow. Although many areas in downtown Tokyo were dominated by large department stores, residential areas had plenty of access to small markets such as these.
The train approaches the Togoshi Ginza station.
About to board a train on the way to downtown Tokyo at the Togoshi Ginza Station.
The Yamanote line loops around the city and is the most popular train in Tokyo. People in the city rely on it so much, that by the end of my stay, I had developed a sense of affection toward it.
Looking out at the skyscrapers in the Shinjuku prefecture from an observation tower in Roppongi Hills.
It is rare to see Mt. Fuji so clearly from Tokyo, but here it is rising above the clouds.
Sunset over Tokyo from the observation tower.
In the observation tower, looking out over the Tokyo Tower, hours away from being among the first in the world to celebrate New Years Day.
An impressive sunset from the observation tower.
Night time in Tokyo from the observation tower.
Like many places in Tokyo, this street in Shinjuku prefecture is dominated by large corporate logos.
I got a chance to see the "girlfriend lap pillow" on display at a 6-10 story toy store in Ginza, Tokyo. Unfortunately, I didn't have room in my suitcase to bring it home.
The Great Buddha (Daibutsu) of Kamakura, first constructed in 1243.
Some fish on the grounds of a Buddhist temple in Kamakura, Japan.
Fumiko, on the site of a Buddhist temple, overlooking Kamakura and the Pacific Ocean.
A typical street in Tokyo.
While in Tokyo, I wanted to see the controversial Yasukuni Shrine. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has visited the shrine many times over the past couple of years, causing protest from Japan's neighbors. Here is the beginning of a long walkway leading up to it.
Behold the shrine, where millions of Japanese military dead are enshrined, including several convicted war criminals from World War II. I was told that it is typically visited by proponents of the far right wing in Japan, but for New Years Holidays, the general population make a visit.
I donated 100 yen ($1) for a fortune. By attaching it to the wall, that fortune is supposed to come true. After leaving the shrine, I partially regretted my decision to donate money to such a controversial place.
The strange weather and color of the sky made the experience slightly eerie.
Some intersections in Tokyo made Times Square in New York City look rather dull. This one is in the Shibuya prefecture.
My last night there, we went to a very nice sushi place. Here is part of my meal, after eating about a third of it. Mmmm....
Togoshi Ginza is the longest shopping district in Tokyo.
Here's another segment of Togoshi Ginza in the snow. Although many areas in downtown Tokyo were dominated by large department stores, residential areas had plenty of access to small markets such as these.
The train approaches the Togoshi Ginza station.
About to board a train on the way to downtown Tokyo at the Togoshi Ginza Station.
The Yamanote line loops around the city and is the most popular train in Tokyo. People in the city rely on it so much, that by the end of my stay, I had developed a sense of affection toward it.
Looking out at the skyscrapers in the Shinjuku prefecture from an observation tower in Roppongi Hills.
It is rare to see Mt. Fuji so clearly from Tokyo, but here it is rising above the clouds.
Sunset over Tokyo from the observation tower.
In the observation tower, looking out over the Tokyo Tower, hours away from being among the first in the world to celebrate New Years Day.
An impressive sunset from the observation tower.
Night time in Tokyo from the observation tower.
Like many places in Tokyo, this street in Shinjuku prefecture is dominated by large corporate logos.
I got a chance to see the "girlfriend lap pillow" on display at a 6-10 story toy store in Ginza, Tokyo. Unfortunately, I didn't have room in my suitcase to bring it home.
The Great Buddha (Daibutsu) of Kamakura, first constructed in 1243.
Some fish on the grounds of a Buddhist temple in Kamakura, Japan.
Fumiko, on the site of a Buddhist temple, overlooking Kamakura and the Pacific Ocean.
A typical street in Tokyo.
While in Tokyo, I wanted to see the controversial Yasukuni Shrine. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has visited the shrine many times over the past couple of years, causing protest from Japan's neighbors. Here is the beginning of a long walkway leading up to it.
Behold the shrine, where millions of Japanese military dead are enshrined, including several convicted war criminals from World War II. I was told that it is typically visited by proponents of the far right wing in Japan, but for New Years Holidays, the general population make a visit.
I donated 100 yen ($1) for a fortune. By attaching it to the wall, that fortune is supposed to come true. After leaving the shrine, I partially regretted my decision to donate money to such a controversial place.
The strange weather and color of the sky made the experience slightly eerie.
Some intersections in Tokyo made Times Square in New York City look rather dull. This one is in the Shibuya prefecture.
My last night there, we went to a very nice sushi place. Here is part of my meal, after eating about a third of it. Mmmm....
posted by xRockyRaccoon at 2:30 PM
1 Comments:
Gorgeous...thanks for posting them!
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