The Meiji Shrine (in the Shibuya district of Tokyo metropolis) was originally completed in 1920 to enshrine the deified souls of Emporer Meiji and his wife. Destroyed by the air raids of WWII, the shrine was reconstructed in 1958.
At the entrance of every Shinto shrine is a torii gate which signifies the entrance from the normal world to the spiritual world. Most gates are much smaller than this one. Going around the gate is frowned upon. Only way to enter is between the columns. This picture was supposed be taken 10 minutes prior, but the camera batteries died and I had to go to the nearest C-store to get more AAs. I walked into the store, showed the dead batteries to the clerk signifying I needed new ones and I'm sure she said (in Japanese) "turn around mister, they're right behind you," and they were.
What appears to be a unique wall of art is really barrels of donated sake (rice wine).
The path to the main building was lined with ice sculptures (half-melted). Right after I took this photo, the lion's paw (yes, the one that Alex is touching) fell off.
We happened upon a crowd of businessmen gathering to offer prayers for a successful year (Notice all the dark suits? Probably not, but they're all squished in tight in front of that building).
It's tradition for visitors to write prayers on pieces of wood and then hang them on (or around) a tree.
Alex took this picture. Pretty good for a 4 year-old. You can't see the main building behind us, but I'm just proud of Alex's budding photographing skills.
The different colored hats identify which class each student is in. Note the shorts. Now look at the coats we were wearing. It was not very warm that day.
Here's the neon green class.
Can't see 2 out of 5, but at least you get a good look at the courtyard and the main building annex behind us.
On the way home, we stopped and got ice cream cones from a vending machine.
Still more to come.
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