ブックタイトル縁19号

概要

縁19号

lights on. Fortunately, I was close to another famous sightseeing spot, as Tokyo Tower was within walking distancefrom where our classes were held.Standing 333 meters tall, the white and red telecommunications and observation tower is an impressivestructure, especially at night, when it is fully illuminated. Bearing a clear resemblance to the also iconic EiffelTower, it has two observation decks, at 150 and 250 meters high, but only the lowest one was open to thepublic at the time.So, a short and cold walk and a cozy and warm elevator took me to the Tokyo Tower's main deck. There Ihad the chance to see the Tokyo's nightscape dotted with multicolored lights, like an abstract painting, itsglowing streets and avenues looking like veins and arteries of a circulatory system made of street lamps andcars headlights.Being a bit tired of watching the city from above, I decided to get back to the ground and explore Tokyostreets, plazas and buildings. One of my after classes explorations took me to Akihabara "Electric Town", adistrict worldwide known as the go-to destination to anime, manga, electronic gadgets and videogame fans.Being a kind of "techie" myself, I was anxious to walk the streets of the "Electric Town" and was not disappointed.With bright and colorful electronics and anime shops, cosplayers in full costume and the occasionalgiant robot, it is easy to feel immersed in a video game/anime atmosphere.In the following days, my wanderings took me to different and wonderful locations, from the crowdedstreets of Shibuya to the museums of Ueno Park, from the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan GovernmentBuilding to the tourist-packed and beautiful Sensoji Temple.But, amidst the multitude of pedestrians waiting the green light at Shibuya crossing, the illuminated billboardsof huge department stores and the crowds that waited in orderly lines to board the subway, I wassurprised to find traditional and somewhat idyllic places that made me forget I was in one of the most populousmetropolitan areas of the planet.The Nezu Shrine, in Bunkyo ward, was one of these oases in the middle of the glass and concrete city. Itwas early Sunday morning when I arrived there, and the winter sun had just started to warm the beautifulazalea garden and the little creek surrounding the temple. A few people were passing by, walking their dogs,baby strolling, playing with their children, praying. Birds that were being fed by an elderly man started a curiousdance, flying in wide circles before landing to catch the food. It seemed that every element, everythingand everyone in that scene helped to enhance the feelings of peace and tranquility.Nezu ShrineIP Friends Connections August 2018 No.19ENISHI17