Tokyo

I had given up on this blog thinking that few paid any attention to it. That may still be the case, but two things are bringing me back here. First, we are on a 20 day trip to Japan, which began on April 10th. Friends and family have asked for pictures, and this seems the best way to share some prior to our return home. Second, we are traveling once again with our good friends Margaret and Murray (M&M) from Australia. Margaret told Kathie she really missed my blog, so I guess there is at least one person out there who wants to see pictures and what I have to say.

Our trip comprises four days in Tokyo, a cruise around Japan (with one extra stop in Busan, South Korea), and four days in Kyoto before we return to Iowa. I am writing this on the 15th (Happy Birthday, Jessica and Travis!). Today we board the cruise ship, but before that happens, I'd like to share some initial impressions about Japan and a little review of our visit to Tokyo.

Initial impressions:

• Tokyo is big and varied: Tokyo is the largest metropolitan area in the world with roughly 38,000,000 inhabitants. This is a big place, and we have only gotten a taste of what it has to offer.
• Safe and secure: No matter where we go, we feel safe and secure. There have been no places or people regardless of the time of day that have made us uncomfortable.
• Clean and orderly: The city is absolutely amazing in terms of its cleanliness. No graffiti. No litter--none! Streets and sidewalks almost seem washed and swept at all times.
• Polite: Everyone is polite and helpful. We have seen nothing like anger, intolerance, dismissiveness, or rudeness.
• Men in Black: During the work week, the streets and metro trains are filled with working men (mostly men, it seems) dressed in very dark suits, white shirts and ties--few if any exceptions, all with brief cases of some type.
• Phones: On trains especially, but elsewhere too, individuals are glued to their smart phones, listening to music or other things, texting, reading, reviewing photos, or whatever. The level of this is a big notch above what I am used to seeing back home, even in our cities or around a campus.

Getting around Tokyo is relatively easy once you learn to navigate the metro train systems. We have learned to use these systems in Washington, London, and many other cities, but this one is quite involved. Fortunately, a single rail pass system make it easier to use. We will eventually experience a couple of bullet train rides too, but that will happen some days down the road.

M&M were here a few days before us. We arrived quite late on the 11th, so our first rendezvous with them was at breakfast on the 12th. Coffee at Starbucks! Lots of different kinds of coffee shops here--the Japanese seem to like their coffee, though tea is very available as well.

We found a quirky little Kite Museum. Lots of color, styles, sizes (teeny to enormous), technical information, and history.

At noon we found one of several fish markets. Lots of fish and produce is for sale--both cooked and fresh. Many unusual kinds of seafood. Mixed throughout are souvenir shops and places to buy almost anything imaginable.

We enjoyed some great sushi and other seafood for lunch.

That evening, we traveled out to the Shibuya district, which has a sort of Times Square feeling to it. At night is really hopping with lots of lights, bars, clubs, and places to eat. The street are filled with mostly young people. A prominent feature is an intersection of five or more streets. Traffic is stopped from all directions periodically, walk lights come on, and masses of individuals cross all at once in every direction. Many visitors find a shop or cafe where they can get above the fray and watch this sea of humanity traverse this crossing.

One of the attractions this time of year is the emergence of spring color. In parks and green areas, cherry blossoms are out as well as azaleas. We were actually at the tail end of the cherry blossoms but still found some nice ones here and there. As we visit parts of Japan farther north, we expect to see more

In the Asakusa area of Tokyo, we visited the Senso-ji Buddhist temple--the oldest such temple in Tokyo. Nearby is a five story pagoda, which is a Shinto shrine. There is also an adjacent collection of small shops, not unlike those at the fish market, where one can find an unimaginable array of "things" to buy. While there we saw a number of young women mixing through the crowds dressed in kimonos. Turns out they were Chinese tourists who were trying to make the most of their experience in Japan. Definitely added to the color and fun of the visit.

Below are pictures of the temple, the shrine, and some nearby Buddhist statues.

Yesterday, Kathie and I decided to head off separately to visit the Tokyo National Museum, which houses a large collection of art and important artifacts.

These are the museum's mascots.

Inside was an impressive collection of painted screens, calligraphy, painted items, armor, ceremonial swords, masks, statues (Buddhas of all kinds), history, and more.

My new Apple Watch has  been happy with my level of exercise while here. We are daily getting in 10,000 or more steps, numerous flights of stairs, and many miles of walking. That may slow down a bit once aboard ship, though we have tours planned at each port and hope to see many more amazing things.