Hamarikyu Gardens

On the way to the Hamarikyu gardens, Joe and I walked through this area of Tokyo that is really just a corporate park, but looks very neat. All the buildings are connected by a walkway a few floors up, and underground by an elaborate system of hallways. I only mention this, because the buildings against the sky made for some beautiful pictures. Hamarikyu garden was just ok. Then the sun came out, and the garden was beautiful. I think the dramatic change in beauty had as much to do with Joe and my temperature comfort level, as it did with the increase in color and life of the garden. The garden, like the Emperor’s palace area, juxtaposes the greenery with the skyscrapers that surround it. Although only a few flowering trees were in bloom, there was a beautiful field of yellow flowers that Joe and I saw on our way out that was quite beautiful. Probably the most memorable part of Hamarikyu was a woman we encountered as we were sauntering through the park. This little Japanese woman, somewhat late in years, saw us and sprinted from her path, across a grass field, over to where we were walking. If this had happened in the US, we would have run away for fear that she was going to pull out a glock and rob us. In Japan, we just stayed put to see what all the commotion was about. The commotion, it seems, was mostly inside this woman’s head. Turns out she had been to American a few times, to Vegas, New York, and San Francisco and was just thrilled to see some Americans. This is one of the biggest gardens in Tokyo, visited often by Americans, so I find it hard to believe our stroll through the park could elicit her extraordinary response… but it did. According to her, she lives on the top of one of the very tall buildings that overlook the garden. After discussing nothing of import and reaffirming that this woman was off her rocker, Joe and I finally got on our way. We, however, did not get far before she ran back over and made sure we both knew just how happy she was that we were in Tokyo. We assured here, we were happy too, and we moved on. This was the kind of experience, where you look around thinking you are on some candid camera show, or where you triple check all of your valuables, because the woman was surely a diversion for some devious plot, but again, there were no cameras and we had all our valuables – it was just one of those crazy moments.

Odaiba

After Hamrikyu, Joe and I went to Odaiba. It was still cold and we were hungry so as soon as we got across the river, we sought food. I knew there were a number of restaurants in the Venus Forte Mall, so that was our starting point. Not surprisingly, we decided on an Italian place that served the plainest pizza we could find. The pizza was simple and delicious. Joe ordered a four dollar coke and got a four dollar ginger ale instead. This was a language error that pleased Joe. After the food, we look around the rest of the mall, seeing some “Green” streets and some swank stores. We then went to a massive Toyota showroom, where we rode a little electric car, and we went to famous arcade where Angela rode her pig. This time Joe and I saddled up and rode a panda. And no, sorry mom, but I am not bringing the panda back to the states… I can only imagine how much the charge for it (as if it’s for sale to begin with). The panda ride was awesome (in a, I’ll never do this again, so why not, kind of way). Funny story – when Joe was on the panda, there were some Japanese teenagers who walked by Joe and started taking pictures of him on the panda. Who knew a six foot tall white dude riding a mechanical panda and posing with a Coca Cola as if he were in a commercial, would be such an attraction? After the arcade Joe and I decided that we had been up since 6 and it was time for a nap, so we got back to Gotanda and passed out.

Mori / Roppongi

After our well deserved respite, we headed to aksaka and the roppongi area. First, we went to the brand new Mori tower in Roppongi hills. Mori is an architect who designs buildings that are wildly popular. The law firm Joe is working for this summer has an office in Tokyo in the “old” Mori building. One of the partners noted that the firm secured their present location at the top floor of that building, when the former tenant left for the new Mori tower in Roppongi hills. From the top of Mori Tower we saw pretty much all of Tokyo. It was too cloudy to clearly make out Fujisan to the west, but its outline was visible. Also at the top of Mori Tower is a modern art exhibit. Neither Joe nor I are fans of modern art, but our ticket to get to the observatory included admission into the museum so we went. WOW, it was odd. For example, some of the unique and in our opinion ridiculous items were a video of a guy untying his shoe laces with a string, a video of a guy who held a paint brush still at the top of an escalator handrail until the white paint line made it all the way around, a display with cigarettes connected to the body parts most negative affected by smoking, about 100 buckets on the floor where they naturally came to rest after being dropped from the ceiling, and everyday objects like a hammer or a shoe that were put on white plates.

Diet then Dinner

After we escaped the “gallery,” we looked for a place to get dinner. As a thank you for housing him for two weeks, Joe was kind enough to offer me dinner, and I was happy to oblige. We decided on either Hardrock or Wolfgang puck, but wanted to see the Diet (national legislature of Japan, like our capital building) before eating. We walked to Akaska , where the Diet is, and walked around the building, taking loads of pictures. We then made the trek back to Roppongi. We decided on Wolfgang Pucks because their were more Japanese than foreigners, the seats overlooked the main drag in Roppongi, and it seemed like a more laid back atmosphere. We had a delicious meal (thanks again Joe), went to Shinjuku to get some coffee and to see the lights and then retired for the evening.

Emperor's palace

After getting back from Kamakura, Joe and I took it easy. We woke up mid morning and went to the Emperor’s palace area by Tokyo station in Tokyo. Joe did suggest that the actual palace, elusive to Angela and me, was adjacent to the main grounds. Although there were no signs to this effect, there were a number of guards outside a long driveway, two things apparently associated with palaces. Since, I have no other idea where the palace is, I will join Joe’s reasoning. This park area, as Joe noted when we were there, is very reminiscent of central park in that it is surrounded by high-rise buildings, but the inside of park is very calm and green. It was still cold when we walked around the area, so the flowers and trees were not yet in bloom. Apparently when the flowers come out, a deluge of people descend on the parks. Also, because there is no prohibition against open containers (alcohol), people take packs of beer and lay out under the flowers till the sun goes down – quite a sight I am sure.

I wanted to take a moment and comment on the my uncanny ability to elicit “no photo” comments from Japanese people. On numerous occasions, I will see a Japanese man with a huge expensive digital camera taking dozens of pictures of temples, alters, flowers, etc. Agreeing that the surroundings are photo-worthy, I too pull out my tiny digital camera to take a couple pictures… and BAM there’s the little Japanese park attendant, or café employee, telling me not to take pictures. In classic Kaskel fashion, I try to reason with the person, explaining (in English) that other people were taking pictures too. The purpose and effect of this line of reasoning are the same as in the US. I feel better, and the person I’m trying to convince, has no idea what I’m talking about. Generally, I assume they are just making a suggestion, and I take a picture anyway – now, however, I rarely take a picture without a quick look around to see if I’m being watched.

Not kyoto yet... soon

Kyoto stories and pictures are en route, but first there’s kamakura, aksaka, the emperors palace, and Tsukiji. Joe and I went to kamakura and our day of temples ensued. One of the aspects to sightseeing that I can not stress enough and that I always underestimate is the amount of walking required. Basically, you get up early and go to bed late, and sit down little if ever along the way. If you have seen any pictures that appear they were taken on or near the ground, this angle was not a matter of art or perspective – it is a result of a very tired photographer/sightseer.

Kamakura was neat, the long day of temples, as was the case when Angela and I visited them, was capped off by the huge Buddha. My last set of kamakura pics and text can be found here http://kaskeljapan.blogspot.com/2007/03/ang-day-4.html

For me, the most memorable thing about Joe and my trip to kamakura was what we thought was a hidden passage to a well, which eluded me when I was last at kamakura with Angela. This mystical well was supposed to be a main attraction at one of the main temples, but like the emperor’s palace, still remains hidden. The passage Joe and I saw was basically a hole, about 6 feet high at its opening, with a narrowing width and height as you continued into the cave. After about 12 feet in, Joe and I decided that the lack of light and lack of English signs outside were enough to turn us around. Not to let an adventure slip away, I took a picture of the cave and the Japanese sign outside. I then showed this picture on my camera’s lcd screen to the ticket taker at the beginning of the temple. Far from sayingn that the cave was off-limits, she quickly handed us two flashlights. Feeling more comfortable, Joe and I returned to the cave, this time following it to its end. Sadly, there was no well. In fact, there was not much of anything. We figure it was a tomb, and we were basically walking over the graves of people buried long ago. On a side-note, as we left the cave, I made the mistake of directing my flashlight toward the ceiling. On the ceiling was a spider. The spider was about 5 inches and freaked the heck outa me. I quickly pushed Joe out of the cave and shook out every article of clothing I had on. Yuck.
Also Joe was kind enough to take a wrong turn as he was leading us back to the train station. The turn led us to a beautiful beach.

kyoto

Joe and I are going to Kyoto. We'll be there till tuesday morning (US time).