Tokyo

Modern Tokyo has arisen from the ashes left after the bombing of WW2. Tokyo is a unique Japanese version of a 21st Century city. Modernistic skyscrapers cast shadows over ancient temples. Traditionalsmall shops, in narrow back streets, stand near to major department stores whose windows display world famous designer goods.

Among this blend of the new with the ancient there are many places ofinterest. Among them are:

THE IMPERIAL PALACE. Seated in the heart of Tokyo this immense moated castle is the home of the rarely seen Royal Family. The massive castle walls and the water filledmoats are as impressive as they were in the days of the Shogun. The Imperial Palace East Garden is immaculately kept and is open to the public.

The KABUKI THEATER is home to this uniquely Japanese artform. Gorgeous costumes and elaborate settings make the performances memorable even though the ancient dialogue cannot be understood even by many Japanese.

ASAKUSA KANNON TEMPLE One of the oldesttemples in Tokyo famed as the home of its rarely seen Golden Goddess to whom millions of Japanese come to pray. The long street of shops leading to the Temple is the Nakamise Dori where an incrediblerange of tourist souvenirs and Japanese arts and crafts can be found.

HARAJUKU is the fashion district for young Japanese. It is best visited on a Sunday afternoon when the nearby Yoyogi KoenPark is closed to traffic. Young Japanese display their subcultures here. They perform everything from avant garde theatre to hard rock and punk music. To see the often weird costumes worn by youth inrevolt against their ordered society is reason enough for the visit. Nearby is the Meiji Shrine to the Emperor who led Japan into the modern world.

ROPPONGI is the playground of the rich. By nightit becomes the glittering disco capital of Tokyo with many noisy bars and restaurants. Tokyo Tower is nearby but is a much overrated tourist trap.

GINZA is the area with the designer label shops...