botsapper's Photobucket Japan album media

JR line

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 10:32:46 MST

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The only way to travel in Japan.

Giant shrimp?!

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:59:24 MST

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The largest tempura shrimp. Moist & delicious just like it looks.

Somewhere in the Yamanote line

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:59:21 MST

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No one talks or even use the cell. Explains why they text all the time.

Makuhari Messe

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:59:18 MST

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Largest convention center around Tokyo.

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botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:59:15 MST

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botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:58:58 MST

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Shops along the Nakamise

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:58:42 MST

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A shop display their wares on the street surrounding the Sensoji temple, Asakusa.

Famous fugu restaurant

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:58:39 MST

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Expensive and daunting to enter. Fugu pufferfish the most celebrated & notorious for its fatal toxins. Only highly certified chefs & restaurants can prepare this dish, for damn good reason.

Shaking with trepidation

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:58:36 MST

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Trembling camera work! They say 100 people die yearly in Japan. Clean, bland & almost transparent, so you could see the how 'clean' the filet sashimi for your inspection. Numb lips & throat was the least of the symptoms.

Kaminarimon

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:58:34 MST

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The first gate leading to the 1000 year-old Sensoji Temple.

Kaminari Gate

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:58:29 MST

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Guarded by large statues & decorated by a large lantern.

Chochin, lantern

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:58:27 MST

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4 meters tall, 3.4 circum and 670 kgs. Script says its name, Furaijimon.

Nakamise - oldest shopping mall

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:58:24 MST

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Shogun Tokogawa allowed neighborhood homes to open shops before pilgrims enter the temple. They sell simple trinkets, sweets and toys to pilgrims along their way.

Fortune telling & snacks

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:58:21 MST

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Clean & quaint selling stands. The items were very inexpensive and easily purchased.

Sensoji, Buddhist temple

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:58:18 MST

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Tokyo's most famous temple. Originally built in the 7th century, although completely rebuilt post WW2.

Sensoji pagoda

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:58:15 MST

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World famous pagoda example in pictures & paintings. Top spire with symbols. Top level: Houju, sacred wheel (lotus leaves) to expel evil, cleanse corruption & fulfil wishes. 4th level: Ryuusha, dragon, a ride for angels to arrive on. 3rd level: Suien, water flame, a charm to protect the pagoda from fire. 2nd level: Horin, nine rings representin nine Buddhist gods. base level: Ukebana, flower bowl, an upturned lotus flower with 8 petals. Fukubachi, reverse flower bowl. Roban, dew basin, practical roof flashing.

Cleansing well spring

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:58:13 MST

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Before entering the temple, one must rinse & cleanse with the cold spring water.

Temple guard

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:58:10 MST

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Statue of protector of the pilgrims.

Sensoji pagoda

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:58:07 MST

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Mist & smoke from all of the food stands & prayer incense.

Sensoji shrine

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:58:05 MST

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Originally built for the goddess, Kannon. Legend that her statue was found in the nearby Sumida river and there they built the temple in 628.

Sanja-sama

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:58:02 MST

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The shrine built during the Edo period and survived the air raids in WW2.

View of the Kaminari Gate

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:57:58 MST

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The incense pit filled the area with a haze.

Emperors' castle model

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:57:56 MST

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Highly detailed & intricate model work of the high ranking officials of the Edo period.

Edo period firemen standard

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:57:53 MST

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Edo (Tokyo) was prone to fire because of houses' wood & flammable construction. Firemen were considered rough & tough heroes. They belong to a private brigade with their own uniform & standards, matoi. Surprisingly their fire fighting equipments was the famous water buckets & demolition hammers. They isolate fires by tearing down the surrounding neigborhood houses.

Marketplace model

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:57:51 MST

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A model of a covered marketplace.

Portable shrine

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:57:48 MST

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A mikoshi, followers carry these shrines throughout their festivals.

Kabuki theater

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:57:45 MST

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Highly detailed wardrobes for Kabuki performers.

Edo-Tokyo Museum

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:57:42 MST

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Kabuki theater display

Odaiba Rainbow bridge

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:57:39 MST

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From an Italian restaurant, a view of Rainbow bridge & Tokyo harbor.

Edo-period main house

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:57:37 MST

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Stone path way towards the main house.

Tsukuba traditional farmhouse

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:57:34 MST

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An intact kitchen with compacted dirt floor, wood stoves & food prep tables.

National Science Museum

botsapper — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:57:31 MST

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A personal english translator guide, who graciously & politely answered every question asked.