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This was a lazy day of exploring. First in Shinjuku we wandered past the Cocoon Building
on our way to the Golden Gai (the Golden District). This area is known for its nightlife. It consists of several blocks packed with tiny, slightly ramshackle but buzzing bars. We chose to wander through in the morning – a completely different scene yet quite interesting.
We took this shady, tree-lined path back to the train station where we headed for Hamamatsucho.
As we walked from this train station to the lunch spot we were headed for yesterday we passed by these riverboats waiting patiently to start their day.
A great lunch at Munch’s Burgers
with great beer selection
then a wander over to the Tokyo Tower
which happened to be right behind the Zojohi Temple. A very odd site since every temple we’ve seen so far is surrounded by beautiful grounds or is high atop a mountain.
To the right of the above photo is a memorial of stone figures of unborn children.
Then back on the monorail to Haneda Airport and home to Iwakuni. All in all, a very fun and interesting Tokyo experience.
Life in Japan and Beyond 
Lovely. Everything is perfect. As I commented a couple of days ago, the Japan you display is like a wonderland, astonishingly beautiful. I have a bit of feeling that it is almost show-business in it jewel like perfection. More the NY or Paris of Los Vegas rather than the real thing. But I am not complaining. I am admiring. American cities and countryside are more chaotic. More dirty. There is more waste and debris between the perfect spots. The gardens are well tended, the buildings gleam. It is a paradise. If this were a movie produced in Hollywood–or a Twilight Zone episode– showing this in the opening scenes the audience would be tricked into thinking this was utopia as this scene were set. And then there would start to be glimmers of hazard. Your photos and text make me want to visit Japan soon.
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Well, Peter, I’ve been on the look out for trash for you but I’m not finding much. Not in the cities or on back roads or in the countryside. It’s not in parks or fields or gutters. I think part of it is because Japanese people don’t acquire trash to begin with, like to-go food is often “on a stick.” And, come to think of it, they don’t generally get food to go. They stop and eat at the little ramen shop and then go back to work. People bring their own bags to the grocery store so there’s not a lot of plastic bags blowing around.
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As always, your photos are just great, Gwen, and it feels like I’m right there seeing it all with you. I’m also impressed by the ability of you and Chris to find great beer! So glad that you’re back in Japan and having fun.
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Thanks Mary. It’s hard not to take great photos here in Japan. The hard part is limiting the ones I post. Finding great beer spots has taken us on some interesting adventures away from the touristy stuff which has been really fun.
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