Conductors use an “iPad” type devise measuring time down to a fraction of a second enabling trains to leave the station at the exact time. Public transportation is on time. If you board a train 2 minutes early, it’s the wrong train.
Tokyo from a large or small perspective is breathtaking. Beyond the visual are kind people, a rich culture, and a sense of spirituality.
The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are open to the public. It reminds me of the green oasis NYC’s Central Park creates. My favorite views are the people who are pausing. The simple pleasure of sitting in a park. Here I find a last double cherry blossoms of the season as if it knows I leave Japan tomorrow.
The Imperial Palace Gardens’ landscape plan is nature’s various shades of green. Flowers are not dominant. Pine trees are much admired for their artificial pruned limbs and for the void between limbs.
The Imperial Palace’s three story Watch Tower is its oldest dating to the Edo period, 1600-1850. Within the Imperial Palace you loose sight Tokyo is the world’s most populous city with 37.1 million people.
The Imperial Palace has limited admission and I snagged a ticket. With its low one story profile, Chowaden Hall was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright. Here is where the Emperor and Empress live. On the occasion of New Year and the Emperor’s birthday, the Emperor and Empress stand on Chowaden Hall’s balcony and received greetings from as many as 20,000 people gathered on Kyuden Totei courtyard.
Why did I wait an hour for The Happy Ride Baybox that’s just a modern version of the scrambler? I’m too tired. My brain isn’t functioning. As much as I would like to see the fabulous Disney fireworks, I’m beyond enjoyment. I wearily make my way on four trains and to bed.
MY DISNEY RIDES
The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and Beast
Mickey’s House and Meet Mickey
“It’s A Small World”
Haunted Mansion
Splash Mountain
Beaver Brothers Explore Canoes
Big Thunder Mountain
Mark Twain Riverboat
Tom Sawyer Island Raft
Monster, Inc. Ride & Go Seek
Star Tours The Adventures Continue
The Happy Ride with Baybox
Parents foster the Disney mystique. They dress their wee ones in Disney outfits…Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty…Parents even dress themselves in Disney wardrobes. It’s Halloween with the Disney theme on steroid. Everybody is part of the show.
Frustrated by the Disney Resort App, I’ve snagged a paper map. Listed are the rides with warnings for those that are the most life threatening. Those are the ones which are the most thrilling and have the loudest screams. Those are the rides I want and circle them on the map. I work my way clockwise from Toontown, Fantasyland, Critter Country, Westernland, to Tomorrowland crossing off rides rode. Low tech has its just rewards.
“Piss Alley” otherwise known as Nonbei Yokocho “Drunkard’s Alley” but officially as Omide Yokocho “Memory Alley.” Which ever name used, it’s a charming array of bars. It was once the illicit drinking quarters in the post war period. Packed with hostess bars and bars but no toilets, the drinkers gave the alley its reputation. A Rick’s doozy and marvelous.
