Japanese Icons

Today we visited the locations of three Japanese Icons.

First, we visited an antiquity, the Imperial Palace, which dates back to the early 1600’s, when it was known as the Edo Castle.  This ancient property, surrounded by moats in the heart of Tokyo, is the residence of the current Emperor and his family.  The well preserved ancient gardens and structures within are a great contrast to the modern city which encircle them.

From there we went to the home of the city’s most notorious and newest citizens.

Godzilla!!!

He was a little busy, so we didn’t stick around.

The location of our last stop is also well-known for its immensity.  The modern backdrop of Hachiko Square is a bustling, commercial intersection of sights and sounds.  One of the remarkable impacts that Tokyo has made in the few days we’ve been here, is the quietness.   For a city so vast, with millions of people carrying on the activities of their daily lives, the level of volume is an audible murmur.  Hachiko Square, however, is like being at an Extreme Dance Party.  It’s as if all the sound for the entire city (and maybe all of Japan) is channeled to this spot.

Our iconic day ended with a return to the quiet confines of our apartment for dinner.