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Japan

Tokyo, Japan is the capital of Japan. It is one of 47 Prefectures within Japan. The greater Tokyo area is the most populas metropolitan area in the world with 13.6 million people. It is the seat of the emperor of Japan and the Japanese Government.

Tokyo is a major commuter City. That means many of th epeople in the city at any one time don't actually live in the city itself. They commute in each day for work. It is estimated 2.4 million people commute into the Tokyo area daily. Here we see some of the routes used in the central part of the city.

Tokyo Metro Bureau of Transportation also known as the Toli is one of 2 rapid systems which make up the Tokyo Subway System. The other being the Tokyo Metro. See the different colors of the system.

Toli Subway is made up of 4 lines operating on 67 miles of route. Rose Line 1 Asakusa Line; Blue Line 6 Mita Line,; Leaf Green Line 10 Shinjuku Line,; and Ruby Line 12 Oedo Line.

All trains are clean and on time.

The famous intersection outside of Shibuya Station is a must visit when in Tokyo. When lights turn red at this busy intersection they all turn red at the same time in every direction. Traffic stops completely and pedestrians surge into the intersection from all sides like marbles spilling out of a box. It becomes organized chaos.

People flying in every direction when traffic is stopped

You have to see it to believe it

After experiencing the "scramble" follow the crowds into Shibuya 109, a big shiny mall with more than 100 boutiques, for a look at the latest fashions.

Or duck back into the Shibuya Station and down to the bustling Tokyu Food Show for an array of eats and an education in local eats: grilled eel, fried pork, tiny fish salad, octopus on a stick, seafood and rice wraps and much more.

The name says it all

Great shopping in Tokyo in the Shibuya district

Everyone is very serious while riding the trains

Tokyo is a very clean city. It is very apparent as one travels around the city.

The currency in Japan is the Yen

Tokyo stores bring the goods of the world home to the domestic markets. At fashionable markets of the Ginza, Harajuku, Aoyama and Shimbuya discerning Tokyoites buy the clothing of the best designers from around the world.

Where ever one shops and whatever one shops for one thing is universal throughout Tokyo and Japan; high quality attentive service from Japanese merchants.

The polite and helpful proprietor of the smallest shop is in no way outdone by even the most expensive boutique in the Ginza or larger department stores.

Kabuki-za Theater in the Ginza is the principal theater in Tokyo for the traditional Kabuki drama form. Kabuki is made from several acts. The Single Act ticket is recommended for those who would like to view just one act. These are only day tickets and sold only at the box office at the main entrance on the day of the performance.

The central aim of primary and secondary education in Japan is to win entry into the countriy's most exclusive universities. Entrance exams are tough, and about 2 million prospective students sit for exams each year in Tokyo between January and March.

Tokyo boasts the worlds highest concentration of Institutions of higher learning with over 100 universities and colleges, about one quarter of Japans total.

Medical insurance in Japan is two types. Private insurance is usually held through an employer or labor union. Public insurance is available to everyone through the governments National Health Insurance.

Friends Kazuo Yamaguchi with his son Ray and daughter Sarah in Hamarikyu Gardens surrounded with wild mustard. The park is a haven of peace in the middle of Tokyo.

The first Cherry blossoms of the season.

Hamarikyu Gardens, formerly Imperial Gardens

The park is surrounded by a seawater moat filled by Tokyo Bay

Former Tokyo TV tower in the distance

The park was built as the Tokyo residence for feudal families in the 17th century intended originally for leisure purposes

The promonent gold and black buildings is the Headquarters of Asahi Beer. This intriguing architectural wonder features 2 main buildings. The tallest resembles a giant beer jug complete with foam shaped white roof. The shorter building , known as the Super Dry Hall, is a black glass building in the shape of a beer glass, with an enormous golden flame shaped object perched on top. Tokyo Skytree building is the tall tower to the left.

Tourist boat on the Sumida River in front of the Asahi Headquarters.

Local train crossing the Sumida River

College students make extra money working with the Rickshaws

All over Japan and especially Tokyo are small walk up food eateries

Restaurants display their menus in windows with plastic food that looks like the real thing.

This red pavement is a designation in Tokyo for a dangerous intersection approaching

Out gate to the Senso-ji and the Asakusa Temple

The street leading from the Thunder Gate to the Temple itself is lined with small shops selling souvenirs. These shops themselves are part a living tradition of selling to Pilgrims who walked to Senso-ji.

Dominating the entrance to the temple is "the Kaminerimon" or Thunder Gate. This imposing Bhuddist structure features a massive paper lantern to suggest thunderclouds and lightning.

Senso-ji is an ancient Buddhist Temple located in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan It is Tokyo's oldest temple.

Lighting Incense burns away qualities within oneself in order to reveal a pure self within..

Area in front of the Senso-ji

The alter of the Senso-ji

Inside ceiling of the Senso-ji Temple.

Temple of Asakusa. Within the temple itself, there are o-mikuji stalls. For a suggested donation of 100 yen, less than a dollar, visitors may consult the orade and devine answers to their questions. You shake labled sticks from an enclosed metal container and when the stick falls from the container you read the corresponding answers than retrieve from 1 of 100 possible drawers and read your fortune..

One of the many food stalls

Walking the street of the from the entrance to the Thunder Gate

The Tokyo Skytree is a television broadcasting tower and landmark of Tokyo. It is 1,902 feet , 634 meters high. It is the tallest structure in Japan and second tallest in the world. At the base is a large shopping complex with an aquarium.

A visit to Skytree starts on the 4th floor where tickets are sold to the 350 meter level $22.45. A fast smooth elevator ride takes visitors to the top floor of the first observation deck where tickets for the second observation deck can be purchased for $11.23.

The First observation deck at 1,050 feet, 350 meters, Tembo Deck the lower of the 2 decks spans 3 levels with great views from all its floors. See it from this level at sunset over Tokyo.

The top floor of the 350 level features tall, broad windows that offer 360 degree panoramic views of the city. Middle floor has a souvenir shop and The Musashi Sky Restaurant. The lower of the 3 floors features a cafe.

A second set of elevators connects the Tembo Deck to the 450 meter, 1,350 feet high, Tembo Gallery - Dubbed "The Worlds highest Skywalk". It consists of a sloping spiral ramp that gains height as it circles the tower.

The construction of the steel glass allows visitors to look down from the dizzying height of the towers and out to spectacular distances

The lower floor 350 level also has a glass sidewalk whereby you can look straight down all he way to the base of the building.

Night fall across the city.

Maximum sell out per day at Tokyo Sky Tree is 10,000 Visitors

Numbers are in meters of the height of the floors

Looking straight down through the glass sky walk bridge to the bottom of the lighting of Tokyo Skywalk

The night lights of Tokyo on the buildings

The city at night

Now that is a different name

The underground transportation

There is no trash, no graffiti, clean every where in Japan. People are very courteous and helpful

An unusual sign in the area of the trains

Trukiki outer market is made up of narrow streets packed with stalls selling fresh seafood, vegetables, fruits, knives, and where you will find specialty items such as real wasabi.

Fresh strawberries

Market is filled daily with locals as well as tourists

I wonder what it is like on a busy day

Octapus

Giant Crab Legs

Fresh seafood stalls for the hungry

Fresh seafood stalls for the hungry

Weighing it out for sale

The menu is above at the top of photo for cooked dishes to go

Tsukiji the worlds largest and busiest fish market has long been a favorite destination for tourists and buyers of seafood locally caught and sold in predawn hours.

The amazing varieties of fresh fish

Fresh fruits

Some filleted and some smoked ready for sale

Always well presented and displayed on ice to maintain freshness

Fresh Wasabi

One of the widest streets in the walking are of the Market

Friends buying a pocket knife in the street market

OK I think I know exactly where I am now.. Lost!

Crowds waiting to cross the street to go to the market

Set up on the street a block away fro the market entrance

Waiting for trains in the underground

Train approaching

Inside train car

Hakone Princess Hotel - a traditional Japanese hotel with tatami mats to sleep on the floor. Hotel had separate Men's and Women's hot bath inside and outside in the cold air. It felt good. You enter the water nude after washing wetting ones body..

We dressed for dinner in a Japanese robe provided in the room for each of us.

Sleeping on the floor on a tatami mat

Lake Ashinoko which can be toured by Hakone Sightseeing and Izuhakone Sightseeing operating Pirate shaped boats on a 30 minute cruise from one end of the lake Ashinoko to the other.

Departing Hakone dock

View of a Pirate Ship on Lake Ashinoko

Cable car asending from Owaku-dani Valley

Natural sulfur coming from the ground in Owaku-dani Valley at the top of the mountain area

The air was strong with Sulfur. so much that we could not take the tram back down the mountain.

It started snowing for us. What a nice surprise

We had a nice surprise a welcoming committee at the hotel in Hakone from our Friends in Fuji City, Japan.

Entering Fuji City, Japan

Good friend Tetsuo Ide and myself.

Having a delicious Sushi dinner with friends from Fuji City

We were very fortunate to have several days of viewing Mount Fuji in its entirety.

Arriving at Hiromi Park in Fuji City, Our delegation from Oceanside is in Fuji City to celebrate the 25th Anniversayr of our two cities, Oceanside, California and Fuji City, Japan.

Greeting at Hiromi Park in Fuji City with dignataries

View of Hiromi park, Mt. Fuji in the background, with many locals selling locally made items for the 25th Celebrations ceremonies

Local residents taking in the park celebrations and items for sale

Ladies displaying the items they have made by hand. Beautiful

Mayor Yoshimasa Konagai, of Fuji City, to the left with the Oceanside Delegation and local Fuji City Dignitaries at the opening ceremonies celebrating 25 years Sister Cities together.

Receiving a remembrance gift from local children

Acknowledging our gifts and thanking everyone for their hospitality

Fuji City in 1992 created an area dedicated to their Sister City Oceanside. Ironically I was present in 1992 when the first tree was planted by our dignitaries that traveled to Fuji for the signing ceremonies.

The Mayor of Fuji City Yoshimasa Konagai, Fuji City dignitaries from Fuji City, and Councilman Jerry Kern, and David Nydegger from Oceanside plant the 25 year ceremonial tree for the Oceanside Forrest.

Second group adding dirt to the new tree

Jim Schroder and councilman Jerry Kern checking out the tree from the 1992 planting ceremony.

Mayor Konagai and myself sharing tea in a quiet time for a few minutes

Fuji City volunteers who organized the days events for the 25th Anniversary day in the park

Two Fuji Council persons and the Oceanside Delegation in Hiromi Park

Mt. Fuji and Princess Kaguya Museum within the Hiromi Park

Princess Kaguya display within the museum. A local folklore.

Museum pieces on display

Photos of Mt. Fuji in the museum

Sumptuous Sushi luncheon with dignitaries

Opening ceremonies for the 25th Anniversary celebration with traditional Japanese instruments

Friends from the original signing 25 years ago

Many friends from Fuji City came to the celebration

Friends that have visited Oceanside

Music with bells played by local youths

Tyco Drummers. I have had the pleasure to play these drums in the past

Each of us performed on stage with the awesome Tyco Drumming

Concluding the formal ceremonies of Oceanside, California and Fuji City, Japan 25 years Sister Cities

More friends from Fuji that have visited Oceanside in recent years.

Final formal dinner with Mayor Konagai and friends

Visiting Green farm and production facility with the owner Yamadason - Chara Green Tea Farm

Green tea growing

Yamadason Charo Tea Farm

Party at Yamadason's home - preparing Japanese food

Japanese shrine in the Yamada home

Marta Hall left and Leslee Gaul center model the wedding dress of Shimizu Sanami right that she brought to share with the ladies inside the home of Yamadason.

Everyone having fun trying to trap the rice noodles cascading down the bamboo pole, cut in half, with water running with chop sticks. After stopping the noodles you place them in a hot broth and eat it. Lots of fun.

Typical Japanese party with a variety of dishes.

Councilman Kern presenting a bottle of Beach House wine, from Oceanside, to Yamadason for his hospitality to all of us.

Exterior of the Yamada home which is over 100 years old. Typical Japanese older home.

All good things have to come to an end. We are saying Sayonara, goodbye, to our friends.

Museum of Art, Fuji City

We had the pleasure of a Harpeit concert

The art collection of one artist is owned privately

Meeting with the Directors of the Fuji Chamber of Commerce

Meeting with a long time friend Toshisa Nakamura and Leslee Gaul from Oceanside - Visit Oceanside

Conclusion of the meeting between the Fuji Chamber of Commerce and the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce

Council Chambers Fuji City

Aerial view of Fuji City

Final meeting with Mayor Konagai and city representatives

Exchange of gifts with Jerry Kern left and Mayor Konagai right

Final photo of everyone in the Mayors Board Room

Last Goodbye with friends from Fuji City at the bullet train station An incredible celebration for 25 years Sister Cities

Japan's high speed bullet train Shinkansen Train.

The trains are more than 25 cars long..

The Shinkansen Train travels at speeds reaching 200 MPH/320Km per hour.

Inside the train seats have high seat backs. Inside the cars there is relatively no sound at all. The countryside flashes by in an instant. If you try to take a photo in a station as a train approaches and goes directly through the station it is almost impossible to get any photo at all. It approaches and by the time you snap the photo the train is almost out of sight. The train car inside looks empty but really the majority of all seats are booked with passengers. The train literally floats as it travels especially on curves. Incredible engineering.

These are the grounds of the Sanjusangen-do Temple located in the town of Kyoto.

In the background you can see the Myoho-in Temple

Cherry Blossoms in full bloom. A real treat in the spring.

Close up of the Cherry blossoms.

Great photo area with the trees in bloom

More plants in bloom

Sanjusangen-do is a Buddhist Temple - Hall of the Lotus King. Iti belongs to and is run by the Myojo-in Temple.

Inside the temple contains 1,000 life size statues of the thousand Armed Kannan which stand in 10 rows and 50 columns. The guards stand on both sides of the 11 foot tall Seryre Kannon, the main statue of the Temple.

The temple grounds are beautiful.

Thousands of tourists and Pilgrims daily flock to the family Kiyomiizu-dera temple. A magnificent large wooden temple supported by pillars off the slope of a mountain.

Many school graduates flock to the Temple to have their photos taken

Our group on the steps of the Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Beautiful location for photos with the cherry blossoms in full bloom. The trees bloom only a few short weeks in the spring

The back of the Kimono the young ladies are wearing is called an Obie.

View of the city of Kyoto. Kyoto was formerly the Imperial Capital of Japan for more than one thousand years. The Imperial Capital was moved to Tokyo in 1868 after devastating fires a few years before. Today Kyoto has a population of over 1.5 million.

Although ravaged by wars, fires, and earthquakes during its eleven centuries as the Imperial Capital Kyoto was spared much of the devastation of World War ll. With 2,000 religious places - 1,600 Buddhist Temples and 400 Shinto Shrines, as well as palaces, gardens and architecture intact - Kyoto is one of the best preserves cities in Japan.

A small view of one of the many facets of the Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Beautiful tranquility in a busy city for meditation. The main building temple was covered for renovation from 2017 to 2020. In previous trips to Kyoto and the temple I was able to enjoy its beauty.

Visitors on a Pilgrimage to Kiyomizu-dera

Kyoto

The only part for photography during this visit due to renovation

Narrow streets walking only to Kiyomizu-dera for many blocks and all up hill too.

The history of Yasaka Shrine -- The Shrine is famous a God named Susanoo-no-miko, a great God in Japanese history (a large serpent with 8 heads, a symbol of many disasters, produced the great-discemment on earth... Saving everyone. A Legend known through all of Japan today.

Lines of people praying

Street in front of the main gate of Yasaka Shrine

Main gate of Yasaka Shrine

Kiinkakuji Temple - (Golden Pavilion) The building is 3 stories on the grounds of the Roukun-ji Temple complex. The top two stories are covered with pure gold leaf.

The Golden Pavilion is one of the most popular buildings in Japan attracting large numbers of visitors annually. It is designated a National Historic site and a National Special Landscape.

This is the rear view of the Pavilion. The Golden Pavilion is set in a magnificent Japanese strolling garden. The pond contains 10 smaller islands.

This is the front of a Japanese restaurant on our last night in the Kyoto area. Amazing how life like each statue is.

Inside of the restaurant. Only Tofu was served as each course. It was excellent.

View from the street of the statues with the sun setting on them.

Lots of people out strolling around.It was located closer to a body of water.

Notice the taxi cab driver in the forground. Each driver wears white gloves driving and a coat and tie. The seats have lace over the covers in many instances. The insides are impeccably clean. Lots of people walking in town in the early evening hours.

Now this is a candy store.

This was first for me. Hello Kitty stairs.

I love green tea ice cream. My last time eating some until the next trip.

In the Train terminal for the Shinkansen leaving Kyoto.

The train terminals are crowded day and night.

Great bicycle parking in all of Japan. We could take lessons from the Japanese on bicycle commuting. This has been an incredible trip. Had the opportunity to meet with many old friends from previous trips and made lots of new friends. Japan is a country that prides itself on the cleanliness of all parts of the country. The people are very hospitable, the food excellent, transportation by Bullet Train incredible. I look forward to my return again soon to Japan. Sayonara.

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© 2025 Jim Schroder