Another adventure about to begin!

The last week has flown by. It was filled with re-discovering Tokyo and meeting up with my Japanese friends.  Such an incredible week.  And tonight we have our welcome party with a fabulous group of yogi-fellow adventurers gathering from Washington, Oregon, Florida, Toronto (Ontario), and Vancouver (B.C.)!

Below are a few more photos from yesterday…

We saw two weddings at Meiji Shrine. This bride is wearing
We saw two weddings at Meiji Shrine.  This is one of them.  She looked very solemn! Meiji Shrine is a place where bride and groom go to pray for a harmonious marriage.

 

This is the second bride. Since she wasn't wearing the big white hat, we could admire her hair!! And she was so beautiful with her smile. She and her husband look so happy.
This is the second bride. Since she wasn’t wearing the big white hat, we could admire her hair!! And she was so beautiful with her smile. She and her husband look so happy.
I felt a little weird taking their photos, but who could resist? Look at her feet. She has the traditional stance (toes pointing inward).
I felt a little weird taking their photos, but who could resist? Look at her feet. She has the traditional stance (toes pointing inward).
We went back to Hama Rikyu Garden and we finally found the 300 year old pine tree! How could I have missed it the first time around? It is lovely and regal. Its branches are held up with huge wooden supports. I thought that a 300 year old pine tree deserves to be assisted and the supports reminded me of canes used by elderly to assist with balance.
We went back to Hama Rikyu Garden and we finally found the 300 year old pine tree! How could I have missed it the first time around? It is lovely and regal. Its branches are held up with huge wooden supports. I thought that a 300 year-old pine tree deserves to be assisted and the supports reminded me of canes used by elderly to assist with balance.  This is one of the largest black pines in Tokyo!  It was planted in 1709 by the sixth shogun.
The cosmos were so beautiful in the park.
The cosmos were so beautiful in the park.  I saw my first hummingbird moth yesterday in the field of cosmos flowers!  Looks just like a hummingbird, but is a moth!
I remember my first autumn in Japan almost 29 years ago. My students took me to a cosmos field. Cosmos as far as the eye could see!
I remember my first autumn in Japan almost 29 years ago. My students took me to a cosmos field. Cosmos as far as the eye could see!
Little did we know that the park would be closing at 5. We had just enough time to walk around. At 5, employees came around on bicycles to hurry us towards the exit. I felt as if they would close down the park and lock us inside if we didn't hurry up. But they didn't! We made it out in time!
Sunset in the park. Little did we know that the park would be closing at 5. We had just enough time to walk around. At 5, employees came around on bicycles to hurry us towards the exit. I felt as if they would close down the park and lock us inside if we didn’t hurry up. But they didn’t! We made it out in time!
And a wonderful visit to the Imperial Palace gardens. Rick and I used to walk around the exterior moat area. Today, Don and I walked the interior! Very interesting place. This is a dolphin statue!
And a wonderful visit to the Imperial Palace gardens. Rick and I used to walk around the exterior moat area. Today, Don and I walked the interior! Very interesting place. This is a dolphin statue from 1657 (there is a date carved on its head!)! It is called Watari-yagura-no-Shachi of the old Ote-mon gate.  This dolphin used to be on the roof of a building used for storage and defense.
Guard House rooftop. This is one of three remaining guard houses.
Guard House rooftop. This is one of three remaining guard houses.
Another rooftop of the second guard house of three remaining.
Another rooftop of the second guard house of three remaining.
The last of the three remaining guard houses within the imperial palace gardens
The last of the three remaining guard houses within the imperial palace gardens
Guard house
Guard house
Mount Fuji Viewing House
Mount Fuji Viewing Place
Foundations to a five story structure that no longer exists
Foundations to a five story structure that no longer exists
Pine Tree and Palace walls
Pine Tree and defense walls

 

By Fran Gallo

READ ABOUT THE AUTHOR: FRAN GALLO

4 comments

  1. I love those pines! So ancient yet still so vibrant. What they must have witnessed over all those years and what stories they could tell! The canes are an unique novelty. I like that idea. The weddings parties are interesting also. I am wondering about the big hat one bride is wearing. Is that similar to our traditional veil? I am enjoying your posts very much. Thank you Fran.

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