Innocents Abroad

Owakudani

is a geothermal area near Mt. Fuji. We were fortunate that the clouds from the day before lifted and allowed us views of the mountain. Owakudani is famous for eggs boiled in the hot spring water, which turns them black!

Hakone

Hikari's family took us on a weekend trip. Our first destination was Hakone, but on the way we stopped at

Odowara castle

This castle belonged to a local lord, but was besieged and then captured by Tokugawa. This ended the period of warring states, and began the shogunate.

We journeyed on to the resort of

Hakone

which is on the shores of lake Ashi, and has many thermal springs in the area. We started at the Hakone shrine, which is favored for prayers for fortune, and childbearing. It's a gorgeous spot, with old mossy cypress trees.

We stayed the evening at a municipal hotel, with lovely food and a relaxing thermal bath.

Tokyo museums

the Tokyo-Edo museum

tells the history of the city. Sometimes in a big way, as in the life-sized reconstruction of a kabuki theater entrance. Sometimes in a small way, as in the minutely detailed dioramas of the life of the city.

Greater Tokyo is one of the few places in Japan with a large amount of livable (reasonably flat) space. Its growth spurt started when Tokugawa established the shogunate, and moved the capital from Kyoto to Edo, which became Tokyo. Shoguns kept the lords (daimyo) out of trouble by requiring them to visit Edo yearly, on foot.

There were many exhibits on the life and dress of common people.

We particularly enjoyed the kabuki costumes.

We said good-bye to Hikari for the day (she had classes at university), then ate lunch in the museum restaurant overlooking the city.

the Tokyo National museum

keeps many cultural treasures of the nation. We first visited a collection of Buddhist temple treasures, then went on to the main collection of calligraphy, watercolors, swords, armor, pottery, and many other things.

On the way to the metro station we walked through a shrine. We then took the metro and walked home to Hikari's house.

sights in Tokyo

Sensoji temple

Incense was burning, and people were scurrying about. The legend says that two fishermen pulled a statue of a goddess from the river, and established the temple. Nearby was a shopping district, selling a little bit of everything, each shop with its distinctive wares.

The owl shrine

A small elevator in a small high-rise leads to this unusual shrine, where there are a variety of owls that you can photograph, pet, and set flying in the small room.

River cruise

We took a 40 minute cruise along the Sumida river. All the bridges were differently colored. We landed at Hamarikyu Gardens, the site of a Shogun's villa. Amid all the bustle of Tokyo, it was clear that this peaceful green space was a valued oasis.

Godzilla (and friends)

We were on a mission: find Godzilla. We have a friend back home who's very attached to this patron monster of Tokyo. On the way we passed King Kong, but finally ended our quest at a big cinema.