More About Tokyo ("Eastern Capital")

Roppongi
Brian and I arranged for a babysitter to stay with Sydney at the New Sanno (the military hotel in Tokyo) and had a Saturday night out in Roppongi, a Tokyo district known for its nightlife. Since Tokyo is known as the world's most populous metropolitan area, we were expecting to see obvious clubs and a street hopping full of people all dressed up to hit the town. But surprisingly, it was not at all crowded. We walked up and down the streets and as we walked we could see Tokyo Tower in the distance with its "2007" lights. We enjoyed dessert at the famous Almond cafe at a well-known intersection of Roppongi before heading back to the New Sanno.

The Imperial Palace
After enjoying the New Sanno's Champagne Brunch, Sunday we attempted to get a good look at Emperor Akihito by visiting the Imperial Palace. But alas, they keep him locked up...even though the Japanese constitution doesn't give the Emperor any real political power. But he is a symbol of the state and the unity of its people, and as such no one is allowed to see him! No, just kidding...visitors are allowed in the main Palace twice a year--on his birthday December 23rd and on January 2. Here we are standing at the point closest to the Imperial Palace. (It's not even that building in the distance behind us.)

Other days of the year, tourists are relegated to the East Garden. Here I am at the entrance to the royal garden, at which point I exclaimed, "Finally, I am home!" Here's the logic: the Chrysanthemum Throne is the name given to the Imperial throne of Japan. In other words, the chrysanthemum crest signifies royalty. Fittingly, the chrysanthemum happens to be the flower of my birth month! Therefore, I am as good as royalty. Or should be treated as such. (Yes, I used similar logic for "proofs" in calculus!)

Brian particularly enjoyed the garden this time of year. Here he was photographed while saying, "Why don't you take my picture among these beautiful dead leaves?" It was at this point that we decided my career as a travel agent was about as dead as these leaves. But hey, at least we go places and I live to tell about them on my blog!