Are we really in Japan?

We started out with a wet, rainy day today. Glad we packed the umbrellas.

After signing up for a tour of Tokyo, was struck out on foot to explore a little bit. We had over two hours to kill before the bus came to get us.

We came upon the beautiful park, complete with ducks, trees, water and waterfalls.




We were not sure, but we almost thought we had found Papa over here in Japan. Not sure what he's fishing for, but I don't think he much cares. He's about like Papa, out there fishin' in the rain.







Gentleman fishing in public park near hotel.

















We'd had enough of waking in the rain so we opted for a cab ride. Emma had never ridden in a cab so she thought it to be quite amusing. What's up with the one white glove? I was beginning to wonder if OJ Simpson had made it to Tokyo!!










Our Cab Driver


We've discovered that there are many types of toilets over here. After walking in the first toilet at the Narita airport, Emma was quite taken by the "squatters" found in many bathrooms around Toyko. This prompts a visit to the restroom at most places we stop. There are also "musical" toilets. They play a little background noise such as a flushing sound or sound of a babbling brook while you are sitting on it. Reminds me of our sound machine we sleep by at night.




We figured out quickly you can never have enough Yen. The girls thought we were awfully rich seeing bills of 5000 denominations.









This beautiful young girl took us to the 40th floor of the World Trade Center. Emma said, "Mama, can I get one of those dresses like the elevator lady?"

















And here she is from the front.















This is the entrance to one of the Temples in one of the oldest areas of Tokyo.


You may wonder how we got our picture taken under this lantern. Well, after this guy offered to take our picture, I had to pay him 300Y.








Ellie, Emma, and Cecil B. DeMille
















The street from the front gate to the temple is lined with merchants selling their wares. Here's a guy making cakes filled with sweet cream and chocolate. We bought four for 150Y - about a dollar and a half.

Emma didn't like them, Woody didn't want them so Ellie and I split them. We immediately walked back and paid 150Y for four more!!








I asked our tour guide what in the world these people were doing. She said that they are burning incense. Evidently they waft the smoke into their hair and on their face. The smoke on the head makes you smart and rubbing it on your face makes you beautiful.

Hmmm.... all it did for me was give me a headache!!!













Rich man's fortune cookie. At the back of the temple there are these file drawers. You pay 100Y - a little less than $1.00 - and pull out a stick from a cylinder. You match the number on the stick to the drawer. They are numbered 1-100. Open the drawer and take out a piece of paper. It will either be a "good" fortune or a "bad" fortune. There are about 50 identical pieces of paper in each drawer. The secret looks to be watch the person in front of you. If they don't like what they got, don't pick their number!!!







Watchtower for the Imperial Palace. We left the temple and went over to the Palace. It is closed on Mondays so we will go back over there tomorrow. Notice the stone wall. It is designed is such a way so as to withstand the earthquakes.











Toyko Tower. It was rather foggy today so we did not get a good view/picture of the tower. Japan is going to digital cable next year so they are building a new tower to handle the signal.















Wendy's in Tokyo.



Wonder how you translate, "What flavor drink do you want" in Japanese?