Day 4: Kabuki in Shimbashi, Shinjuku & 'Tocho', Asakusa & the Sensoji temple, Meiji Shrine

We had the pleasure this morning of a visit to the Shimbashi-Enbujo theatre for a Kabuki performance...

There was strictly no photography allowed during performances so i havent got a pic to show you of the actual play. Kabuki is classical dance/drama, a bit like a musical i suppose. It seems to attract an audience of mainly elderly Japanese (and the actors are older too), and i don't think it is as popular with the younger generations. From what i understand some of the original plays (like the one we saw today) have been abbreviated, and are no longer played in their entirety.  Our guide informs me that it will always be an important part of Japanese culture however, and a big new Kabuki theatre is currently being built. I find it a bit difficult to explain and do it justice....I LOVED it. There is a set for the main actors to perform, and to the side is a vocalist (for a singing narrative). There are also men performing with Japanese string instruments (a Biwa etc), as well as in this case, a man with blocks he banged on the stage for running scenes to convey heavy footsteps. It IS slow-paced, and melodramatic (the whole point i think). It is very intricate, every movement seems important, and a plot development that would take 10 mins in our dramas stretches over an hour or so. However...the beauty is in the simplicity of the story, and with the gorgeous sets, costumes, makeup, the almost hypnotic wailing of the vocalist, the string instruments (my favourite part) and the historical significance  - it is an unmissable part of getting an insight into Japanese culture...Do not visit Japan without seeing a performance! You can hire a Earphone guide, which transmits english translations and explanations, so we knew exactly what was happening. :-)

We also went up to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building in Shinjuku (the design was inspired by a micro-chip)...

and went up to the observation decks and checked out the awesome view..

This is the Park Royal, the Hotel made famous with Bill Murray in 'Lost in Translation'...

and the cloud covered, but just visible...Mt Fuji!....

Then it was off to Asakusa - the city's oldest Geisha district and home to Sensoji Temple, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple (the temple was deliberately placed in the Geisha district as the men used to play and then atone for their ummm.. guilty pleasures?). The streets around the temple have shops selling traditional crafts, and food, souvenirs etc. Interestingly, they are owned by descendents of the original people who used to work at the temple, and were given to them so that they could maintain a living now that the temple is mainly a tourist attraction.

Here for 100 Yen, you can have your fortune told by shaking a box until 1 long stick comes out with a number. You open the draw with the corresponding number to reveal your fortune...

Unfortunately I'm the only one that got bad fortune....

But that's ok....you just tie it up and leave it behind.....(hope it works!)...

Bye-Bye bad luck!!

Then we went to the 'magic healing smoke', and inhaled as much of that bad boy as we could..lol

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and then cleansed and purified by rinsing our mouths and hands with this holy water...

By the way, check out these gorgeous and huge Japanese dogs...

and this is not a bad way to travel...

It is said Japanese ghosts appear underneath their Willow trees. I think they are very lovely (the trees not the ghosts)....

There is also a nice view of the Tokyo Tower from here...

And then there's this nice... ummmm.. pear thing????

This is actually the Asahi Beer headquarters... The black bit is supposed to represent a beer glass, the golden  bit the Asahi flame logo... hmmmmmm It is regarded as an excellent example of modern Japanese architecture... I'll let you make up your own mind. 

Then we headed off to Harajuku and a rain shower!!

I was excited to see the famous Jingu Bridge. This is where all the Harajuku girls/ lolitas etc come and display there best costumes. You have to come on a Sunday to see it though :( Today is a Thursday, what a pity. They say this bright display of rebellion is actually dying off slowly. I must admit I saw far less costumes etc than I thought I would  all round - Japan having been really famous in the 90's etc when hundreds would gather. I was told by our guide that as Japanese society has become less rigid, and the young people have more liberal/westernised lives, the need for rebellion by wearing outlandish cosplay/punk/Harajuku outfits is becoming less necessary. 

But just metres away is the entrance to the Meiji Shrine and the weather has improved! The park that surrounds the shrine is home to 120 000 trees (365 species)... Meiji is remembered as the first of the Emporer's to try to embrace western culture. He sported a western haircut, ate western food etc.

Kimonos like these aren't generally worn as a rule anymore...but people still wear them for special occasions, and (luckily for us) there was a wedding on.

After a big day we were taken to the MOST amazing buffet dinner...it was really good...our guide said that she had only eaten their once after her wedding...its was a bit special, so we were really spoilt...

Well...thats about it!..im sitting here Tuesday morning about to check out. I will post another final blog with a bit of a 'wrap up'...all the other bits and pieces...The good, the bad and the just plain weird...lol

Japan is a beautiful country. The people are just polite, exceptionally mannered, gracious and giving. Tokyo is the worlds largest city, but runs like clock-work. Its clean, the public transport is efficient (like the people) but at peak hour i would give it a miss..it does get a tad squishy! I find it a very relaxed city given its immense size and population. I feel extremely safe here...and Í've seen women wander about the city alone at all hours, and i would to. Outside the city, just from the small amount i've seen - its stunning vistas - Mt Fuji, Lake Ashi, the autumn hues are breathtaking. There is just...I dont know...a 'zen' feeling about the place. No wonder they live so long...Oh and the food !!! I'm having a Bill Murray 'Lost in Translation' moment...really you want to go home and eat Japanese food all the time. I don't eat seafood...at all...so i though that Japanese food would be wasted on me...but there is so much more to enjoy - and the flavours!
Go to Japan!...and Rouse your Samurai Spirits!...lol