Therefore I proposed going to Tsukudajima, Monzennakachou, Kiyosumi Park, Kandamyoujin Shrine and Odaiba.
Tsukudajima is the manmade island where many fishermen lived since the Edo period
(the beginning of the 17th centuries). On this island many tall apartment buildings has been constructed these days, but many wooden houses remain
still now. The narrow and small alleys between houses show cozy space.
The beautiful blue sky, clean narrow alleys, small shrines , the Sumiyoshi shrine
- the protective shrine for fishermen, blooming cherry blossoms, the long standing shops selling "Tsukudani- boiled down fish or shell by soysauce",
they were all that they wanted to see.
Next destination Monzennakachou has also the long history.
Sumo originated from the Tomioka Hachiman Shrine and we saw the stone monument
on which the successive heighest ranking wrestlers' names were carved.
They were interested in many temples, shrines, Japanese seven lucky gods
or religious goods. It is not too much to say that this area is like the department store of religions.
For lunch, they enjoyed the rammen noodle sitting on the cushion with their legs crossed.
Strolling in Kiyosumi Garden-the typical Japanese style garden, new green trees , many tortoises, big carps and late blooming dupricate petals cherry blossoms
all were really fun for them.
At Kandamyoujin Shrine(the protective shrine toward the city Edo , the former name of Tokyo), the dancing lion of machine delivering a OMIKUJI(a paper written one's fortune) warmly welcomed us.
On our way to the next place, ODAIBA, we dropped in AKIHABARA to buy a hot curler, where is one of the new tourist destinations. This area is popular with
electric gadgets, game softs or pop cultures. At a huge shop of household appliances, they managed to find and buy one among the thousands which they
could never see in their store(They said SO)!
Finally on the beachside of Odaiba, one of the most modern places,
Rainbow Bridge in the twilight attracted them.
They said that they could see what they expected
It was my great pleasure.
T.T