Japan

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Tokyo, Japan, to present at a conference sponsored by the fine folks at Toyo Green Co., LTD (1), a company that sells products for turfgrass maintenance (golf courses, sports fields, lawns, etc). They also invited Dr. Bert McCarty, a turfgrass scientist and professor from Clemson Univ. They kept us busy most of the time, but we did visit several sites around Tokyo.

Japan is another amazing example of God's beautiful creation. I would love to visit this country again. Below is a sample...enjoy!!

Nijubashi Bridge, entrance to inner grounds of the Imperial Palace, in Tokyo. It was cold and snowing when we visited. The public isn't allowed into the main grounds except for Jan. 2 and Dec. 23 (we were there on Jan 30). The Palace is where the Imperial family resides, and is surrounded by walls (left) and a moat. Photo by Shutaro Akishino.

A view of Tokyo from the Kokyo Gaien National Gardens,which surround the Imperial Palace. The backdrop of the city across the black pines and snow-covered lawns was breathtaking!

The black pine trees in the Kokyo Gaien National Gardens had very interesting shapes, and provided a beautiful and stark contrast to the snow! Photo by Shutaro Akishino.

This sign indicates how close the famous bridge on the Imperial Palace grounds is to Tokyo Station.

We caught a subway at Tokyo Station, which is the busiest in Japan in terms of number of trains per day (over 3000). It is in the Marunouchi District in Chiyoda, Tokyo, within easy walking distance from the Imperial Palace.

Our first meal in Tokyo, at the Purana Barca Pizzeria and Bar. Very nice restaurant and friendly staff! Bert McCarty is on the left, with our wonderful Japanese hosts from Toyo Green (left to right): Shoichi Kimura, Taro Fujiwara, Yuichiro Tsuchida, and Shutaro Akishino.

Bert McCarty (left), Mika Seta (center), me (right), and Taro Fujiwara (facing away from camera), visiting on the grounds of Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, in Tokyo. The buildings in the background were built after the stadium was already there, and have caused a severe shade problem for the turfgrass (bermudagrass) growth. Photo by Shutaro Akishino.

A view down the bustling, shop-lined street named Nakamise that leads to the main gate of Sensoji Temple, which is a famous Buddhist Temple. This is in the Asakusa district, where an atmosphere of the Tokyo of past decades survives. Bert McCarty stands a bit taller than the average Japanese! It was raining just enough to need the umbrellas.

This many-tiered pagoda came into view as we walked down Nakamise street towards Sensoji Temple. Japan is about 71% Buddhist, 84% Shinto, and only 2% Christian; many people belong to both Buddhism and Shintoism.

The famous Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo. The snow, which had been falling all morning, had built up on the steep roof and was sliding down and falling in huge chunks onto the sidewalk and steps leading into the temple (at far left). The police were trying to keep people from walking under the eve so they wouldn't get hurt!

Narrow streets in the Asakusa shopping district, near the Sensoji Temple.

Shin-Nakamise, or "New Nakamise", a covered shopping archade in Asakusa. The covered street was a welcome reprieve from the cold rain that was falling outside. Many Japanese wore surgical masks when out in public, apparently to protect themselves from sickness (or maybe to protect others if they were sick).

We saw several two-wheeled rickshaws in Asakusa, which were pulled by a person!

We were excited to go up into the Tokyo Skytree, which is the tallest tower in Japan and second-tallest structure in the world. Unfortunately it was cloudy, so we didn't go. But it was amazing to look up and see it disappear into the clouds!

Assortment of fish, squid, and shellfish at the famous Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo.We got up at 4:30 am to see the fish auction but were too late. Admittance is strictly regulated and you had better get there earlier than we did (maybe 3 am) if you really want a spot. We were disappointed, but enjoyed walking around and looking at the fish and bustling activity as shop owners prepared for a busy Friday at the Market.

A shopkeeper slices product in preparation for the day, while a tuna appears to look on from the icebox!

Shutaro (center left) and me walking the narrow streets of the Tsukiji Fish Market at 5:30 am on a Friday. These shopkeepers get up very early and work hard to make a living!

I couldn't resist stopping by this tuna along the street. I love tuna and had no idea they were this big! I was told this wasn't even a large tuna. Shutaro liked to ham it up for the camera, and here he proudly presents the tuna!

A view of the Tokyo Tower from the nearby Zojoji Temple (Buddhist) in Tokyo. Tokyo Tower is 1,093 ft tall and is the second tallest structure in Japan.

The shadow of Tokyo Tower falls across this nearby soccer stadium on a beautiful Saturday morning in Tokyo.

This colorful and delicious sushi was definitely authentic. It was in a nice restaurant near the Tokyo Tower. Most of the sushi was raw (not cooked), which is something I wasn't use to. I ate more raw meat in my 6 days in Tokyo than I ever had before, but it was good to expand my culinary horizons!

My debut with the audience at the Toyo Green conference for golf course superintendents. They were very gracious and I really enjoyed presenting to them. Photo by Shutaro Akishino.

This was immediately after the 2-day conference. From left to right: Kibow, who translated our talks into Japanese; Bert McCarty, me; and Takao (Tak) Yamada, the president of Toyo Green Co. I am so grateful for their invitation to present at their conference! Photo by Shutaro Akishino.

A view of the Tokyo Skytree from the Tokyo Tower. We wanted to go to the Skytree but it was closed because of high winds. Nevertheless, we weren't disappointed by the views from Tokyo Tower! Photo by Shutaro Akishino.

A stunning view of Tokyo Bay from the Tokyo Tower. It was very windy on the day we went up in the Tower, and we could feel it sway in the wind! The Zojoji Temple Grounds are in the foreground (bottom).

 Footnotes:
(1) Here is Toyo Green's website for the conference: http://www.toyo-green.com/english/turf-seminar.html