Meiji Shrine, Tokyo

More from tokyo.... Meiji shrine in Yoyogi park.. there are shrines all over Tokyo.. very popular tourist destinations.. I visited a few, by far the most beautiful was the Meiji Shrine.. maybe it helped that a traditional wedding was taking place in the shrine while I was there..

Tokyo Fish Market

Okay, some more from Japan. The first morning in Tokyo, we hit the train early and found our way over to the fish market, not just any fish market, the Tokyo fish market is the largest in the world. Around 8:30am things were still hopping though earlier in the morning would have been better...fish market action happens in the wee hours of the morning.. after wandering around a bit.. you head over to a small strip of stores on the edge of the market, mixed in are a few sushi restaurants, best sushi breakfast I've ever had..

Planes, trains, buses, and cabs..

Tokyo, Japan, February 29th 5:30pm, view from the top of the government tower observation deck

Ok.. back in Taiwan, lots to post from the Japan trip. Yesterday was all about transportation.. 2.5 hour train ride from Izu-Kogen to Tokyo, 1 hour train ride from Tokyo to Narita airport, 3.5 hour flight from Narita to Taipei, 45 minute bus ride from Taipei airport into Taipei, 20 minute cab ride to the apartment, still recovering..

Tokyo, 1st night out..

Dinner..


The line for dinner...


Karoake rooms..


Great book store..


Back street....


Electronics store..

More snaps from a train.... in Tokyo!

The train ride from Narita airport..

Lantern festival in Pingxi....

Lantern festival in Pingxi....

You know you're in for a show when you see this many tripods being set up...

What to do in Pingxi while waiting for lanterns to fly..

Take a walk along the river path, cross the suspension bridge, and check out Taiwan's mini version of Niagara falls..

Lantern festival in Pingxi....

Okay.. more about last Thursday.. after the train trip we arrived in the village of Pinxin. The place was hopping, getting ready for the evening's festivities.. the lantern festival was scheduled to start around 6:30 pm, we arrived in town around 12:30 pm and the town was filling up quick.. some people were already launching lanterns.. they just couldn't wait.. we hit the food..