Japan Invitational

Day 5

Last full day in Tokyo.  The team had a day to do a bit of sight seeing.  Deron and Mouna met with a friend.  The rest of the team joined Grant to see Tokyo.  First order of business was to visit Bic Camera.  Now, if you have never been to Tokyo before you would not now what a store like this is.  Imagine eight floors of every item of electronics and other high-end items you can imagine all housed under one roof.  If you want it, it is likely here. 

Cameras and other Christmas gifts were purchased.  Jewels bought her first digital camera, a welcome upgrade from her disposable cameras.  Brett purchase memory cards and tape stock.  Kevin and Glen were in awe of the 100-inch LCD HD TV.  Of course, it is a lovely purchase if you can manage the $50,000.00 price tag.  Oh not to mention that the prices are good on most items, some 30% less than in the US. 

Once the worship of capitalist culture and retail therapy was complete, the goal was to see some sights.  The Emperor’s Palace is only a few blocks away.  The team made their way to the area where there are parks and many sights.  The only parts of the palace you can see are the gates and motes that protect it.  The palace is only open two times a year, December 23 and January 2.  The grounds are beautiful.  The team came across traditionally dress Japanese walking to the palace in their kimonos.  Perhaps they had an audience with the emperor. 

Next stop the largest Buddhist temple in Tokyo.  The cool thing about Tokyo is that it is extremely easy to get around in, if you can mange to figure out the subway and train system.  Once you get used to it, it is easy and quick to get anywhere you would like to go.  A quick twenty-minute subway ride found the team at Senso Ji.  The temple is the most well known and biggest in Tokyo. 

The walkup from the outer gate to the inner gate is lined with shopping paradise.  Every imaginable item and keepsake is there, along with food and specialty shops.  This shopping area is not just for tourists.  It is a colorful experience with fans and chopstick stores mixed in with food venders and theater supply stores. 

The temple itself is at the end of the long shopping area.  The inner gate was being renovated.  So, its full glory could not be seen.  The temple is the heart of the Buddhist religion.  The temple and the surrounding area are full of discovery.  There is an area for finding your fortune, another for washing your hands, a giant incense burning pot where the smoke of the incense is supposed to bring good health.  As the sun set, the temples were a blaze in light.  Time approached for the return trip to the hotel to meet with the television producer for the show to go out to dinner.  Masamura san and Marcus took the team out for a good-bye dinner.  We were to dine on Shabu shabu, traditional Japanese meal where the meat is served raw and is cooked in boiling water. 

The evening went well into the morning with many toasts and karaoke into the morning hours.