October 17, 2026
gem
travel, wedding
honeymoon, japan, Meiji Jingu, shinto shrine, tokyo
One of the must see Shinto shrines in Japan, Meiji Jingu makes a good first day walk.
Through the gate straight off the silent subway.
Walking to the shrine (through the shrine). How very zen. Be the shrine. You are not the shrine.
Entering properly with respect.
The Divine Trees representing husband and wife. We had some fun with the Italians trading photos.
Listen
The priests process as we buy amulets.
A wedding (there is always a wedding).
The Inner Garden.
We stamped our papers.
And saw a heron…just like home, only more Japanese.
And a gardener…not much like home, unless you are me.
We started in the last cool of the morning. By the time we left, the temperature was in the mid 70s.
November 30, 2019
gem
art, dance, music
dead bambis, japan, live music, music, photography, Rock and Roll, tokyo, video
Best bass ever
Rock and Roll baby
November 30, 2019
gem
food, travel
food, ginza, gonpachi, japan, photography, rio, riotaro okada, sushi, tokyo, video
Thanks to my friend Rio, a masterful sushi lunch in Ginza at Gonpachi. Best sushi so far this life.
November 26, 2019
gem
photography, travel
buddhist, eli, jackie_, japan, photography, Senso-ji, temple, tokyo, video
Though the weather was gray and drizzly, the temple was beautiful.
(Bits from a previous visit here.)
November 25, 2019
gem
nature, photography, travel
beeline, eli, ginko, jackie_, japan, Meiji Jingu, peace, photography, shinto, shinto shrine, tokyo
This Shinto Shrine in Tokyo is an oasis of peace in the bustling, teeming city.
Ginkos in full turn.
September 15, 2017
gem
music, party
bands, dead bambies, Jungles!!!, Rock and Roll, tokyo
If you go out carousing with Pat Dunne, don’t expect to be home much before daybreak.
Tokyo nightlife
After some great cocktails and some snacks, we were off to catch a couple of bands.
The opener, The Dead Bambies, talked and joked as much as they played, but when they played they were punk as fuck.
Jungles!!! was loud as hell. Standing in the speaker cone was probably a bad idea. Two days of hearing recovery required. All four musicians were women, but a “girl band” this was not.
September 15, 2017
gem
photography, travel
buddhist, Fushimi Inari, japan, kyoto, Meiji Jingu, nature, photography, Senso-ji, shinto, shrines, temples, tokyo, video, zen
As a tourist visiting Japan, shrines are a must. We spent time in three large temple complexes.
Tokyo Meiji Jingu
This shinto shrine is relatively new and is somehow associated with the imperial family post WWII. The gardens and parks are in the middle of Tokyo and are a respite from traffic and crowds. Lots of people but lots of coexisting.
Tokyo Senso-ji
This temple seems very much more Buddhist. Also in town, it is surrounded by shops and stalls on all sides. The zen gardens are the best aspect.
Kyoto Fushimi Inari
This world heritage site is just incredible. Millions of arches all painted orange of different sizes create an line a long path up and around the mountain. When we walked this path it was a warm day and by the top I was soaking wet with sweat. Beautiful views from the 15 or so stations/shrines juxtapose the natural beauty of the mountain with the bustling city of Kyoto in the distance.
