Tokyo - Take II

The weather had decided to be our friend again.  So, with a sunny day and an invitation from Adam and his friend R. visiting from Korea, we ventured back to Tokyo for a day trip.

**This is picture heavy! Click on the picture to enlarge it if it's too small.**

Stop #1: The East Imperial Gardens

Of course I made the guys pose before we entered the gardens.  This is actually on a bridge that is suspended over the Palace moat.  

We ended going through, what seemed like, the main entrance. 

The doors were pretty large...makes Tim seem small in comparison.

There were three guardhouses on our way to the main pathway.  The largest of these stations housed about 100 samurai! This was the first one we encountered.

Once we got past all the samurai, we found a map.  They put maps everywhere here!  **If you'd like to know more about the addresses and finding places in Japan, it's at the bottom of the post**

Tim wanted to show off his ticket...it was free! We also had to return it...  :-(

As we made our way around the gardens, we came across the music building and the remains of the Edo Castle tower that was destroyed in the 19th century. 

The construction of the rock base is exactly like the rock walls that surround the gardens.  We thought the corners were the best part...see how they're angled?

Next we found ourselves in the midst of a orchard of Plum trees, which were all blossoming!

Our last stop was the traditional Japanese garden called Ninomaru.  We took many pictures here, but I'll post just a few...

 

After spending the whole morning at the Imperial Palace, we decided to head to our next destination.

Stop #2: Akihabara

We, obviously, had to show Adam and his friend Electric City.  How could we not share it?!  Of course, we didn't take any pictures...again.  Bummer.

Stop #3: Roppongi 

The area is known for its nightclubs and being the home of several museums.  There are also two large shopping complexes.  We spent the evening at Roppongi Hills.  

 

It had a FABULOUS view of the city...

In fact, it drove Tim a little crazy!

Overall, we had a great time, got to try some new foods, and explore some parts of Tokyo that we missed last weekend!

**More about addresses in Japan:

I found out what the deal was with all the maps.  Evidently, the addresses in Japan don't make any sense.  Literally.  To illustrate, an address is Japan would most like look like this: 

10-10-3 Ginza, Chuo-Ku

Tokyo, 170-3293

Doesn't make much sense, does it?  Well, it makes even less sense when I explain it.  Obviously this address is located in the prefecture of Tokyo, next it's in the city/ward/village of Chuo-Ku, in the sub-area of Ginza.  The first number tells us this is in the further sub-area 10, on block 10, in building number 3.  BUT, the buildings are numbered by order in which they were constructed, NOT by where they're located.  I've heard that most Japanese residents don't even think it makes much sense and if you get lost and ask directions, most people will be very vague because they don't know!  Also, I've heard that it's best to just stop at the area's police station and ask directions there, since the officers need to know their area well.