First impressions of Tokyo

Here we are on our first day in Japan. We've found the food here is tasty enough - we're just not always sure what we're eating. Adds to the surprise. I often get up first in the morning while everyone else is still sleeping - usually because I'm hungry and am looking for a snack. As John and I exited a shop early this morning I passed three teenage boys dressed similarly in muscle shirts, shorts and sandals - they were each fanning themselves with large black fans. Not exactly a cool apparel perhaps for teenage boys in Canada but who knows what the fashion is here.

We did a walking tour this morning around some parts of Tokyo, including a Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple. The guide noted that most Japanese are fairly flexible when it comes to religion and subscribe to both Shinto and Buddhist traditions. Shrines are often used for happy occasions and temples for somber occasions. As many Japanese brides like to marry in western-style wedding dresses in churches, the saying goes you are born Shinto, are married Christian, and die Buddhist.

As it is a hot and humid day today, we took it easy for the afternoon and went out for dinner in the evening when it was cooler. Here is a picture of John at the temple gathering smoke intended to cure ailments. I'm not sure what ailments he has - sore thumbs from playing too many video games?