If you have ever seen that car commercial where the light changes and everyone is crossing the street and then all of a sudden a car pulls out and everyone stops to look at it. Well, that was filmed in Shibuya (in the Western part of Tokyo). I was there at that intersection and it's just as crazy as you see it on TV. There are literally that many people crossing the street at one time.
Sometimes when you are walking along the streets of Japan you will see vendors selling an array of different foods (especially when there is a festival) such as takoyaki (fried octopus balls), yakitori (fried chicken), ika (squid), etc. While Mike and I were in Tokyo, we were able to sample some different foods.
Japan's two major religions are Buddhism and Shinto. Shinto shrines are always characterized by large torri gates. These gates mark the entrance to a shrine. Meiji Jingu (imperial shrine) is the most important Shinto shrine in Tokyo. During the Meiji Era (1868-1912), Emperor Meiji ruled Japan. He was regarded as being a great Emperor and was respected by the Japanese people. Thus, when he died Meiji Shrine was built in his honor. Of course it got destroyed during WWII, so it was rebuilt in 1958.
The Otorii Gate. This gate is built from 1,500 year-old Japanese cypress logs on Mount Tandai in Taiwan. Once you pass under this gate, this walkway will take you to the shrine.
Here a women is praying in front of the Meiji Shrine. To pray you usually throw coins into the Offering Box (directly in front of her), bow twice, clap your hands twice, and then bow once more.
Shinjuku, shin meaning new, is very different than Northern Tokyo. Shinjuku is the place where all things are new and modern. Skyscrapers, neon lights, and nightclubs dominate this area. It's also where some of the most expensive land and businesses are located.
In the Asakusa district of Northern Tokyo, lays Senso-ji Temple. This is one of the most sacred and popular temples in Tokyo. It's always packed with people! One of the more interesting sites is a large incense burner that is always surrounded by people. They waft the smoke over them because they believe it keeps them healthy. There is also a ton of people inside the temple praying. Since it is so crowded, people put up food stands near the temple gate and make a lot of money.
I am standing in front of Kaminarimon Gate. Behind me is Nakamise-dori, a street famous for Japanese souvenirs. It is also a walkway that leads up to Senso-ji Temple.
On our first night in Tokyo, Mike and I stayed at Riverside Capsule Hotel. Capsule hotels are basically boxes that you sleep in. Each capsule is equipped with a TV, radio, alarm clock, and light. Most capsule hotels only allow men so when I found one that accepts women I had to see what it was all about. The one we stayed at in Tokyo was actually pretty nice. You were given a locker for your stuff and could bathe in a traditional Japanese style bath. Plus, there was no curfew (ryokans and some youth hostels have curfews). They also provided you with shampoo, conditioner, face wash, a towel, bathrobe, hairdryer, and toothbrush. Capsule hotels are also fairly inexpensive at about $30.00 a night. This is why most business men that miss the last train home stay in them.
One of the first things we did when we got to Tokyo was go to Ueno Zoo. I hadn't been to a zoo in a long time and I really wanted to see what a zoo in Japan was like. Ueno Zoo was smaller than most of the zoos I have been to in the States, but it was still fun to see the different animals especially the babies.
A group of Elementary School students took a field trip to the zoo. They're cute too! This is typical of Elementary students in that they wear matching hats and backpacks.
To see some of Japan's countryside, Mike and I traveled to Koya-san located in Wakayama prefecture. Koya-san is quite isolated from the hustle and bustle of Japan's city life. In fact, you have to take a cable car to pull you up the mountain just to get there. Koya-san is also the sacred center of Shingon Buddhism. There are numerous temples and those who are studying to be monks live here. Countless number of pilgrimages are made to Koya-san each year.
Mike and I stayed the night in a temple and ate the vegetarian cuisine that is known throughout Koya-san. We also got up at 5:00 AM to partake in an early Buddhist prayer with a monk. With it being November and us being so far up in the mountains, it was also very cold! I could see my breath as I walked around inside the temple that we slept at. The scenery, however, was beautiful especially since it was Fall and the leaves were changing colors. The whole trip was a very peaceful and tranquil experience.
Mike standing in the cable car happy to have his warm can of coffee that he bought from the vending machine.
Kongobuji Temple is the headquarters of Koyasan Shingon-shu Buddhism. This temple was first built in 1593 and was later rebuilt in 1869. Kongobuji was originally meant to refer to all of Mt. Koya and its surrounding subtemples.
Banryutei Rock Garden. This is the largest rock garden in Japan and is located in the courtyard of Kongobuji Temple. The design is a pair of dragons emerging from a sea of clouds to guard the Okuden.
Since Mount Koya is the most honored Shingon Buddhist site, numerous temples are found throughout this mountain. Mike and I got to see our fair share of temples and all the history that went with them. It's just amazing to me to see temples that are over hundreds of years old and are still standing.
I don't think I was allowed to take pictures inside a temple, but no one was looking so I took a few. People come in, take off their shoes, kneel on the tatami mats, and then pray.
I wouldn't want to be the one to wake up at 4 in the morning to ring it...would you? Plus, I have already rang a bell in Japan. ;)
I didn't understand why, but everyone was trying to find a two pointed needle from this pine tree. One Japanese man found one and gave it to me. I kept it, but accidently vacuumed it up when I was cleaning my apartment...opps.
As the sun was setting, Mike and I walked through a cemetery to Okuno-in (inner sanctum) where Kukai's mausoleum is held. Kukai is a saint who brought Shingon Buddhism to Japan in 806. In 816, he established the first monastic complex in Mt. Koya. In front of Kukai's mausoleum is the Toro-do (Lantern Hall). Inside 11,000 lanterns burn. I wasn't allowed to take pictures, but trust me there were a lot of lanterns. The pictures I could take, however, can't even show how awesome the walkway up to the mausoleum was. Since it was getting darker out, there was an eerie glow in the forest as we were walking through with thousands of tombstones surrounding us. Plus, everything was so old and covered with moss that it looked like it was straight out of a movie. I wish I had better pictures to capture that moment.
While I was in Hiroshima, I went to a couple of museums. One of them being a contemporary art museum. I'm not a big art museum fan, but this one was really cool. They had tons of different and interesting exhibits on display. For instance, from afar this one picture looked like any type of picture you would see in an art museum. It was a painting of a young girl. However, when you went up close to it you discover that the painting is actually all made out of thumb prints. Another exhibit I liked was there were a bunch of different countries flags on display. As you looked at it more closely you saw that the flags were actually made from colored sand. On top of that, you discover that it was actually an ant farm with real ants crawling through the different flags. One of the stranger exhibits they had was a giant green teddy bear. You could then feed the bear bombs and they would blow up in its stomach. I wasn't quite sure what that exhibit was all about, but I did feed the teddy bear.
About a block from Hiroshima Castle is Shukkeien Garden. It's a typical Japanese garden with koi (carp), arched bridges, and low shrubs. There were even bamboo trees. While Mike, Ellie, and I were there a married couple was getting their picture taken in the park. I asked if I could take a picture of them as well and all the photographers just stopped what they were doing just so I could take the picture. I felt bad, but they didn't seem to mind at all.
I'm a recent graduate from the University of Michigan.
