On Thursday, we travelled to Yokohama by train (less than 30 minutes from Tokyo). We walked from Yokohama Station, all the way to China Town (one of the largest in the world). After we'd had enough of dim-sum, we strolled across to Motomachi (where the cool people drink coffee), and then down to the bay, across to the Red Brick Warehouses, and then to Minato Mirai, Yokohama's futuristic new city centre. After many hours of walking, we were happy to relax on the train ride back to Kaminoge.
On Friday, we went for a walk to the nearest hip neighbourhood, Jiyugaoka (about a 20 minute stroll from our place). On the way, we discovered Joshinji (Kuhonbutsu), a Jodo temple. The name Kuhonbutsu refers to the nine grades of Amida Buddhas in the Pure Land. This temple complex consists of three halls, each with three Amida statues. It was very peaceful to stroll through the grounds on a slightly overcast autumn day, with the leaves just beginning to change from green to yellow and orange...
On Saturday, we went on a big adventure to Odaiba. Odaiba is an area made up of man-made islands which were originally constructed over 100 years ago to protect Tokyo against attacks from the sea. In the 'bubble' era (the 80s), the islands were starting to be re-developed as a business district, but when the bubble burst, everything stopped. In the past 10 years, the area has been reborn yet again as a futuristic shopping and entertainment area, with a scattering of museums and businesses. We were fortunate to visit during a famous dance festival - 'Yosakoi Matsuri'. At least one hundred different groups of adults and kids performed dances to festival music while holding Japanese clappers. It really was great to see many people working together and having fun! We also enjoyed viewing the gorgeous Tokyo Bay, and the copy 'Statue of Liberty' - Tokyo also has its own Eiffel Tower... but there isn't a Leaning Tower of Pisa... yet!
On Sunday, we rested...
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