I love trains.

Fast, slow, subway, metro.

And in Tokyo I never seemed to be far away from one!

Fortunately I didn’t have to learn this!! Google Maps gave me the options and directions!

And then there are the stations.

Throughout Japan I’ve been fascinated by the architecture and hub of activity that the stations create.

It’s natural, of course, to have shops and places to eat pop up where there are so many people commuting every day.

I loved the little places that live under the tracks.

There is something about hearing the rumbling overhead while you are eating your ramen!

I walked by Tokyo Station everyday.

Tokyo Station Hotel

View looking at the station and then behind me, all the way to the Imperial Palace grounds.

They only allowed two guided tour times a day, into the palace, and I didn’t manage to get a ticket.

But the East Garden next door was free.

Base of the old Edo (old Tokyo) castle.

Concert Hall (1966) with beautiful mosaic walls that represented different birds. And big barriers to keep me away from a good photo.

Wadakura Fountain National Park

Then a train ride to Shibuya Station. Obviously we weren’t the train headed downtown!

Outside the station is the Hachikō statue.

Hachikō would wait for his owner at this station. After his owner died at work, he returned every day to wait for another ten years, before he died himself.

Next was a frivolous, but well known intersection called the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. It supposedly is the busiest crossing in Tokyo, with up to 1,000-2,500 people crossing every two minutes from all directions.

Sensō-ji Temple is likely the most visited site in Tokyo.

Kaminari-mon, the large outer gate, was originally built in 941. After many fires and replacements, this one is from 1960.

Chōchin, the red lanterns, 3.9 m tall and 3.3 m wide, are replaced every 20 years.

I felt very brave standing under it. It weighs about 700 kg!

Dragon carving on the bottom.

Nakamise-dori street, from the gate to the temple, is solid tourist shops. The first photo is on my way in, before they opened, and then on my way out.

The Main Hall.

Omikuji involves paying 100 yen ($1) and then shaking the silver container and tipping out a wooden stick. There is a number on the stick, and you take a fortune from that drawer.

I had two Bad fortunes, so tied them to the rack to dissipate the misfortune.

Five-storied pagoda was another of the many buildings on the site.

Misting station

Looking down the street towards the Skytree.

The Skytree and Tokyo Tower were two options for an expensive view. It’s been hazy so didn’t book.

Then a walk along the Sumida Riverwalk.

One of the many water boats you can take. The most space-agey!

Filming a movie. Which I got caught taking a photo of!

More fun toilets.

Kappabashi Dougugai Street was all about cooking and eating utensils.

Lots of interesting things but they were all too heavy, fragile or sharp for my carryon.

There is always a McDonalds, but why?

Ameya Yokochō was solid with more interesting places to eat.

The lake in Ueno park was solid with waterlilies.

Kabukiza Theatre

Tsukiji Outer Market was originally beside the fish wholesale market. The wholesale market moved but the shops and eateries are still very busy.

I could sum up Tokyo with two words.

Eating and shopping.

Chūo-dōri is the main street in the Ginza district.

There were all the big names I knew, plus many more.

On weekend afternoons they close the street for pedestrians.

I was walking past at noon and caught the Seiko Marion Clock playing. And then it closed up!

Lots of big shiny malls.

And many little spaces under the tracks.

Not all stations are new.

Japanese hotel rooms are small, but I could stay in a closet if I have a big window!

19th floor.

I could see this park from my room.

Hama-Rikyu Garden was originally a royal park.

A black pine tree, planted by the 6th shogun in 1709.

Nihombashi Bridge (1911). Original was 1603.

Marker on top is the Zero Milestone of Japan.

I found some excellent raisin bread to balance all the rice and noodles.

And a well deserved positive review of the egg salad sandwiches.

Rice fields from the train.

Rules.

I’ve barely scratched the surface of what Tokyo has. There are all kinds of modern things and a nightlife.

But it’s time to move on.

I’m headed to the beach town of Kamakura. See you there.