Today we toured the city of Tokyo! We visited Kaminati-mon Gate, walked along Nakamise Dori shopping walkway and experienced both Senso-ji temple and Akasuka shrine in the area of Asakusa. Our guide was very knowledgable and I took a lot of notes. It was also Shichi-go san holiday, 7-5-3 holiday, where they take boys and girls of these ages to be blessed at the temple.
There is a strong influence of both Shintoism as well as their Buddhist religion. I would like to learn more about that now that I’ve started to see the pagodas and shrines.
We also drove through the Ueno district where a large park and museum are located that I hope to visit when I return from Fukuoka.
We had a tempura lunch while sitting on Tatami mats in a very cute restaurant before heading off to the Diet building. The Diet building is their government building. It was very ornate and set up just like our government with a House of Representatives and a House of Councillors. We got to see the Central Entrance and Hall, then the Chamber of the House of Representatives. I found it unique that The Emperor still presents an address on behalf of both houses.
In the evening we saw both a kyogen and a kabuki performance which are forms of theatre arts. I videotaped some clips to bring back and share!
I'm totally mesmerized by how intricate this culture is!
1 comment:
Dear Karen, Your blog is so professional and well done. This is really great and what a wonderful way to share a trip. I can't wait to see and learn more as I follow your days in Japan. Ann
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