My "Belles Choses": March 2012

Geisha wears a beautiful colorful Kimono (Japanese robe)

Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is the capital of Japan. It is the largest metropolitan
area of Japan and the world.

Tokyo is rich in culture and tradition

A group of Japanese women out shopping

Tokyo, Japan
The city as seen from the top of the Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower
The tower is an icon for Japan. It is primarily a TV antenna
tower that is styled like the Eiffel Tower in Paris. There is an
observation deck that provides views over the Tokyo Bay Area.

A busy day in the city of Tokyo

The city at night

Not only does Tokyo offer night clubs and geisha bars
but the New National Theater.
This theater offers opera, ballet, dance and plays.

The New National Theater

A day on the sightseeing tour through
the streets of Tokyo.

Imperial Palace
Moat, wall and turret

Imperial Palace East Garden Lake

Imperial Palace Nijubashi Bridge

Meiji Jingh Shrine
The central scantuary where the Meiji emperor is enshrined. Meiji Jingu Shrine
is dedicated to the souls of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken.
The Shrine was built in a garden area where they both visited before their deaths
in 1912 and 1914.

The shrine was built in Nagarezukuri style. It is mainly constructed of Japanese cypress, which is considered the best timber in Japan.
The shrine gardens consist of two areas. The Naaien, the inner garden. The Gainen, the garden with the Picture Gallery which houses 80 large murals. Meiji Memoral Hall today is used for Shinto weddings.

Shinto Wedding Procession

Shinto Japanese Wedding Party

The Wedding Couple

Wedding guest in beautiful Kimonos

Trainee Geisha walking on the street in Kyoto
Geisha means "performing artist." A professional who entertains and a social
companion who is skilled in the art of conversation, dance, music, literature and
tea ceremony. Traced back to female enterainers in the 18 century Japan.
In the 1920s and 30s it was estimated that there were 80,000 geisha. Today
estimates are between 1,000 and 10,000 women. In Kyoto, girls often
begin their geisha training at a young age by joining an okiya or geisha house.
There are 3 stages of training: shikomi, minarai and maiko.
During the shikomi stage the girl serves as a house maid. After
passing an intense dance exam the girl will become minarai and will
no longer do chores but be trained in the skills of light conversation.
When the girl becomes maiko she will apprentice with a geisha.
A professional Geisha may charge full price to attend
parties or engagements.

Advertisement for Geisha Makeup Service in Kyoto

Meiji Jingh Shrine Maidens
The 175 acre forest has 120,000 evergreen trees blocking the city noise of Tokyo.

Shrine Maiden alone

Priests on the way to the Shrine

Priest Buddasenso-ji-temple

Ginza Shopping District
The Ginza Shopping District is a chic area of Tokyo with
theaters, night clubs, art galleries, exclusive stores, and restaurants.

The Kabukiza Theater
This is a traditional Kabukiza theater with performaces daily
in the Ginza Shopping District.

Japanese Baseball Dome
The Dome opened in 1988 and has a capacity for 55,000

Yakyu, is Japanese for baseball. It was introduced from
the United States during the early Meiji Period (1868 - 1912).
The Japanese team is Yomiuri Giants

Dome City

The Bullet Train Day Trip

The Bullet Train can reach a speed of 138 mph
This is a great way to travel to Mt Fuji.

Mt. Fuji
This snow capped mountain is a well known symbol of Japan.
It is an active volcano which last erupted in 1707 -08. Mt. Fuji is
the highest mountain in Japan, 12,389 feet.