Tokyo! August 3

Waking up on August 3, I realized that I really was in Tokyo.  What a city!  It's the largest in the world....in terms of population.

At the RKK world headquarters, they have a cafeteria and our first order of the day was to learn how to purchase breakfast.  Because of the "extreme hospitality" that we experienced throughout our trip, we had help.  It was a unique process.  The various choices were displayed in a cabinet--the descriptions all in Japanese.  We had to purchase tickets from a machine (also all Japanese) and then present the tickets at the right counter. They had someone stationed at the machine so we could describe what we wanted and get help with the ticket purchase.  Although tea was included with meals, coffee was separate and required another ticket.  This is a good time to talk about the money.  Although there are fluctuations, the value is approximately 100 yen to one dollar US.  This seems very inflationary, but it doesn't seem to bother anyone in Japan.  Along those lines, the breakfasts at RKK were reasonable and were about 300 yen.  However, as I recall it, the coffee was 200 yen.  It was worth it--it was so good.  The breakfasts were mostly Japanese and included noodle soup as well as omelets (which the Japanese love) and various fruits. With the help of the RKK people who assisted us, I always got what I wanted.

After the breakfast, we boarded a tour bus for a general tour of Tokyo.  Highlights of that tour were a visit to the Imperial Palace and a tea ceremony.  We couldn't actually go into the Imperial Palace, but we visited the grounds....which are amazing.  This is the double-arched bridge:

And this is a group photo in front of that bridge:

The Imperial Palace is a very popular spot and there were busloads of people there.  Here is a line of buses:

The tea ceremony was special for our group.  It was very traditional, and those who received tea needed to sit on the mats....this was hard, as it lasted a long time.  I did it, and had to keep shifting my weight. At the end, the ones who were seated on chairs were also served.  The whole thing was very formal and very beautiful.  Here is one of the women who served the tea:

We had lunch at the restaurant in the Hotel Okura and enjoyed a meal in the teppanyaki style.  It's very similar to Benihana here.  The beef was especially fabulous.  I took a picture of some of my fellow travelers---Carol, Margaret and Melinda--at the restaurant, waiting for the chef to serve us;

We then went to Senso-ji Temple--at least, I think that is the name.  It is very beautiful and there are several buildings, in the compound  including a five-story pagoda.  We spent a short time there, and I think we all wished we could have had more time.  I think a person could spend a whole day exploring here, but we had other plans.

We boarded a boat for a ride down the river that would get us closer to the baseball stadium where we planned to watch some Japanese baseball.  It was hot, even on the river, but we enjoyed the boat ride.  One of the things we saw was the headquarters of one of the brewing companies and the building is supposed to look like a beer mug with foam on top.  BTW, Japanese beer is very good!  There is also a strange shape in this picture.  It was supposed to be a flame to inspire Japanese youth, but somehow the plans were not cleared and it was not approved to be installed upright.  It ended up on the side---looking sort of like a blob that could inspire many crazy comments, rather than hard work and study.  The boat in the picture is similar to the one we were in.

The ball game was great, even though it was the Swallows.  We had hoped to see the Tokyo Carps, but they were sold out.  I loved being there and drinking Japanese beer.  Japanese love their baseball and follow the heroes who have made it to MLB teams in the USA.  It is especially fun when the home team scores a run.  Fans unfold tiny transparent umbrellas and bob them.  I didn't get a picture, though.   I bought a t-shirt for Griffin and a folding fan for myself.  Go Swallows!!!!!  This picture was taken before the game started.  It actually was very crowded.

We took the Tokyo subway back to RKK and that was a fun adventure, too.  We had to change trains, and I was greatful for the leadership of Gretchen Jones, who knew how to navigate the Tokyo subway.  I really had no idea how to get back to RKK, but she did.  Another hot bath and a sound sleep when we got back to our rooms.

Arrival in Japan

I embarked on a Peace Pilgramage to Japan with 36 other Unitarian Universalists from All Souls Church in Washington DC.  Reverend Robert Hardies was our spiritual leader.  Here is a link that gives an overview of the trip and some information about Rissho Kosei-Kai, who were our hosts for most of the trip:  http://www.all-souls.org/heiwa-2014

I am posting this after returning to Washington DC as there was too much to do on the trip and I didn't always have internet access.

We left Dulles Airport at 12:25 pm on August 1 and arrived at Narita airport (near Tokyo) at 3:10 pm, but it was August 2.  When we arrived, we had to assemble in one spot and then move to the Japan Rail Pass desk.  It took quite a while there because passports for the group had to be recorded and rail passes issued.  I was finding that travelling with a group required very sophisticated logistics.  As a result, I developed a deep appreciation of our leaders who had to make sure everyone got to where they needed to be.  This was a constant throughout the trip and the leaders always succeeded, despite some crazy challenges.  There were 37 in our group, which was inter-generational--the youngest being 12 and the oldest 82.   Some of the group had traveled separately but, by the end of the Japan Rail Pass process (which took a couple of hours), we were all together and boarded a bus for Tokyo.   The ride to Tokyo seemed long.....I had gotten very little sleep on the plane and so was feeling tired.  I still couldn't sleep, though.  I was filled with anticipation

We arrived at Rissho Kosei-kai world headquarters and got our room assignments.  They made us feel very welcome.

I had a nice room with a deep bathtub. Although it was late, we hadn't had dinner and so gathered in a room for bento boxes and reflection on the journey so far and expectations.  It was after 10 when we went to our rooms for the evening.  I took a bath in a deep tub and had no trouble going to sleep.