Posts Tagged ‘spring

06
Apr
10

LETTERS ABOUT TOKYO #12 : ASAKUSA TEMPLE

Dear Tina and Gabby,

One of my memorable mornings  in Tokyo was spent in ASAKUSA TEMPLE  (heard them pronounced it as Asaksa).

 

From Gotanda, I rode a subway train alone directly to Asakusa; after few minutes of train ride, I’ve explored their so-called “traditionally Japanese atmosphere.” 

I had mixed thoughts on seeing human-powered-transport in the form of RICKSHAWS.  I think I cannot pay Y8,000 (PhP 4,000) for several minutes to an hour of a runner’s agony.  But it was nice to know that these runners have passed a licensure exam to do the job and know how to speak English for the sake of tourism.  

The gates to Asakusa Shrine…

The place isn’t hard to locate once you got off from the subway train.  It’s immediately across the main street guarded by a KOBAN or a Japanese Police Station because understandably, Asakusa is one of Tokyo’s main tourist attractions.

Asakusa has the largest CHOCHIN or a Japanese lantern made of framed bamboo wound in spiral that is located at the central entrance of  the KAMINARIMON (雷門, “Thunder Gate”).  After the Kaminarimon, visitors are greeted by souvenir stalls in parallel on way to the main temple.

This was one of the places where I got your little pasalubong. (read : I’ll have another post letter for pasalubong soon).  If you fancy something else that I failed to buy, at least I have captured them in pics, LOL :D

The souvenir shops along the path to Asakusa Shrine reminds me of the pasalubong stalls in Antipolo Church. :)   I did window shopping first and held myself from impulsive buying; after which, I found myself mesmerized by these Buddhist statues…

I like how this monument depicted motherly love; I remember how much you love Gabby, ‘ney

Then I also like this statue of a monk with one foot dangling.  His posture appears peaceful and sublime.

The place also features a 5-tiered tower and the essentials of a Buddhist temple –incense to purify their being; water to wash their hands and mouth; all done to prepare themselves for veneration.

A few steps more to the main Shrine…

Cherry Blossom began to bloom that day…

Lovely as any Spring…

 

In God’s time, we’ll visit Tokyo together and savor these wonderful places again.

I love you, ‘ney and Gabby!

:D Tatay-doc.

21
Mar
10

LETTERS FROM TOKYO #5 : IMPERIAL PALACE AND GINZA ST. I LOVE!

Dear Tina + Gabby,

How’s your Sunday?  How’s your hosting stint at PICC for your college’s graduation, ‘ney?  I know you did well, of course.  As for me and my Filipino colleagues here in Tokyo, we went to places that I immeidately fell in love with.

After a 3-station-train ride via Yamanote line from Gotanda, the place we’re staying, we got off Shimbashi and found young ladies beautifully dressed in kimono… who would pass a photo op with these graduating students?

 

From the train station, we walked a few blocks to Imperial Palace. The area looks like an upscale Malate-Luneta-Fort Santiago area; I honestly miss home more when I saw the place.

Then after few shots; we went back again to the streets and found these wonderful scenes…

Who would not fell in love with these blooms on the streets?  It’s not even spring yet… Sakura or Cherry blossoms will be experienced on the last week of March; but tulips, roses and other floral arrangements and plants on the pavements were such a feast for the eyes…

I so wished you and Gabby were with me on this bench, lovely isn’t it?

 

From Imperial Palace we walked our way to our lunch buffet which deserves another letter soon. On our way there, more fascinating art installations were impossible not to appreciate…

 

After our lunch, we got a taste of what it feels like walking in the streets of GINZA!

Undoubtedly, Tokyo is the most expensive city in the world; and one of those upscale streets in this capital is Ginza.  It is like Times Square in New York according to my colleagues.  Don’t you think, Tatay-doc is so blessed to have walked in Ginza for free? :)

Ginza Street is closed to cars and other vehicles before 5PM.  Some seats are even provided at the middle  to render comfort amidst stylish fashion shops.

There were a ton of high-end shops of watches and clothes –a true shopping mecca for rich and fabulous…

 

But what’s Tokyo without Hello Kitty and Disney’s Royalties ?

Ginza is hard to resist; but home is still where my heart is. :D

I miss you ‘ney and Gabby.

I love you.

Till my next letter;

:) tatay-doc.




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