My original plan was to leave at 8:30AM this Sunday. First, I would visit the Nicolai-do in Chiyoda-ku. Then I would go to the Yasukuni shrine. But, when I awoke Sunday morning it was cloudy and cold. I basically gave up going to Tokyo. I had breakfast, watched some news then took a nap. When I awoke from that nap at 9:30AM, the sun was shining with blue skies aplenty. Perfect weather for a trip to Tokyo.
It was too late to go to the morning service at Nicolai-do. (That is a fantastic service.) Now, my goal was the Shrine. I biked to Okegawa station arriving around 10:45. My route was by train to Omiya to Akabane to Ueno. Then by subway to Ochanomizu and then Kudanshita. I walked from there.
And there it was!... that huge, majestic Torii! I had been here 35 years earlier with Miwako’s grandfather….Awesome! I started by taking photos of the torii, then proceeded to walk inside. There were hardly any visitors. I liked that. I didn’t see any foreigners.
It is a long walk to the temple. There are a variety of things to see, especially commemorative items of wars. I found a restaurant and had lunch. I sat outdoors with a view of the road I had just walked. It was calm, with those blue skies and no wind. I had a margarita pizza. That was the only thing on the menu that did not contain meat.
Next, I visited the Yasukuni Temple. After cleansing my hands (soul?) I paid my respects at the temple after waiting just a few minutes. I then remembered that we weren’t able to buy a Ema this new year as they were all sold out wherever we went back home. This was an opportunity. I purchased a Year of the Snake Ema. It is now displayed proudly in our dining room. Lucky, indeed.
I walked some more. All the surroundings and things associated with the temple are lovely. There are statues and beautiful buildings only two stories high along with many trees and gardens. There is also a Sumo douhyou! At the very back of the grounds is a pond with its tea house. I walked across the rock path there and took more pictures.
Again, there were not many people. I walked all the way to the back of the park and found a path that returns to the South gate. Along the way, there is a plum tree garden. The blossoms are white and red. All were in bloom. I sat for a while enjoying them. Then, walking further, I came to the south exit. I decided it was time to leave so I used this exit and headed towards the Imperial Palace.
I made a plan to walk this day. I want to strengthen my legs as well as break in my shoes as I intend to do more walking around Tokyo this year.