Tokyo

One of the more picturesque stops on the tour was Asakusa and teh shrine there. At the edge of the complex there was a neat pagoda-style shrine.

The main shrine was pretty big. Inside was an area for prayer and small vendors selling the accouterments used to pray. It was very pretty but too dark for photos.

The outside of the shrine was highly decorated. I am drawn to high-contrast geometric paterns and this was a visual feast.

Standing just inside the shrine two pictures above and looking out the main door. I like this photo perhaps best of all.

The doors to the shrine were decorated with gold (?) designs and intricately carved. You'll have to expand the photo by clicking on (as usual) to see the detail.

The shrine was situated in a beautiful garden. It was lush with plants of all varieties and had pretty sculptures, bridges, streams, and paths. It was not designed as a maze but it was easy to lose yourself in here.

Here's an example of an interesting sculpture. I think it started out as a large natural stone. But the outside has been intricately carved with Japanese characters.

Leaving the shrine, next stop was the Imperial Palace. We were informed royalty was in residence so we could not enter. These pictures were taken outside the main walls surrounding the Palace.

What happens when you let a bonsai tree grow out of control.

Ultra-manicured lawns.

Tokyo city covers something like 2,500 square kilometers. From the observation level of the Tokyo Tower, it is impossible to see to the edge of the city. In this respect, it resembles Mexico City. Most of the building are not that tall (probably 5 stories on average).

But occasionally, there was an island of very tall buildings sticking up above the rest. As an aside, I felt very tall in Tokyo and walking through a crowd, I must have stuck up above the rest in a similar way, but I digress. In the center of the photo (you'll have to expand it to see it very well) is the newest shrine in Tokyo. It is the slope-roofed structure in the center.

Looking directly down from the Tokyo Tower, here's a neighborhood surrounding a small cemetary.