Hello Tokyo!

After a rousing, good ole American-style July 4 full of BBQ and fireworks, J. and I took off to Tokyo the following day to explore Asakusa Kannon and the surrounding neighborhood, before hopping across town to Roppongi. That is like going from the 7th Century to the 23rd Century in a 15 minute subway trip!

Asakusa Kannon is the oldest Buddhist Temple in Tokyo. Built in the 7th Century (643 AD I read somewhere), it is a popular tourist destination, but also popular with the local populi as well. Each year on New Years Day, hundreds of thousands of Japanese citizens come to the temple to pray, meditate and ask for blessings for the new year. It is a fascinating place as the immediate area has been preserved as it stood during the Edo Period. There is an enormous open-air market with stalls selling everything from handmade paper to artwork to tortoise shell jewelry to parasols. Truly a step back in time.

We ventured over to Roppongi after the tranquility of the temple. It was as if we'd stepped into the land of the Jetsons with trains whistling by overhead, bright neon signs and futuristic glass and steel skyscrapers everywhere. Roppongi is a popular shopping, restaurant and nightspot - as well as home to many of the foreign embassies and ex-pats. You see the Western influences right before your eyes.

J. and I laughed because we stopped on this blisteringly hot day for a rest and drink at a coffee shop next to a 3-level Banana Republic store when we'd been in a 7th century Buddhist temple minutes before. From 7th C. Buddha to Banana Republic in minutes. That's Tokyo for you!

After a rest, we headed for Tokyo Tower and spent an hour in the observation deck looking out over the city - and it seems to go on without end. Yes, its touristy, but not a bad way to spend an hour if you have the time and are in the neighborhood.