This was our second escorted Gate 1 tour. The 9 day tour included 3 nights in Tokyo, 2 nights in Osaka with a side trip to Hiroshima and Miyajma Island, and 2 nights in Kyoto. We experienced the people, culture, food, beautiful fall colors on the Japanese maples and Gingko trees, and the bullet trains. It was a wonderful trip and we were talking about returning before the tour was over.
After the 12 hour flight to Tokyo, we arrived at our hotel just in time for the orientation and welcome dinner.
The view of the Tokyo Tower and hotel gardens from the dining room.
I woke up early the next morning and decided to explore the area. The Zojo-ji Temple was located next to our hotel. This Buddhist Temple has the Mausoleum of Tokugawa Shoguns. Six of the 15 Tokugawa shoguns are buried here. In one particular garden at the cemetery, rows of stone statues of children represent unborn children, including miscarried, aborted, and stillborn children. It was an interesting walk around the Temple before heading back to the hotel for breakfast.
Meiji Shrine
This Shinto shrine in Shibuya, Tokyo is nestled in a beautiful forested area that honors Emperor Meiji, the first Emperor of Imperial Japan, and his Empress.
A torii is a traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine, where it symbolically marks the transition from the mundane to the sacred, and a spot where kami are welcomed and thought to travel through.
The Imperial Palace
This is the residence of Japan's Imperial family, a precious jewel of nature within the city center. We viewed the famous stone arched Nijubashi bridge, that leads to the main entrance to the Imperial Palace.
In the gardens across from the Imperial Palace stands a bronze statue of a warrior mounted on a spirited steed. He is Kusunoki Masashige, a samurai who lived toward the end of the Kamakura period (early 14th century) and is celebrated for his unswerving loyalty to the emperor. Overlooking Nijubashi Bridge, a sightseeing spot, this is one of the most famous statues in Japan.
A quick break for some snacks from the many vending machines or cafes in the area. The matcha ice cream sandwich was a real treat.
