Previous
The Essence of Japan (continued)
Holiday Images
Next
The shrine's incense burner (above) is surrounded by people who are wafting smoke over themselves in the belief it will keep them healthy.
 
Exploring independently, in the very crowded Nakamise-dori we purchase tasty melon pans, a classic Japanese sweet bread covered in a thin layer of crisp cookie crust with a grid line pattern on top (right) - we choose the version with a dollop of ice cream in it, and are shepherded to the “eating area” so as not be in the way of other potential purchasers
Back in the temple compound, we find the delicate Nade Botokesan Buddha; this statue has been polished smooth by those hoping for good luck and help with their ailments.
At 2:20pm we rejoin the bus to make the short journey to the Sky Tree Tower
 

At 2,080-feet, the Sky Tree Tower is the tallest building in Japan. We ascend to the Tembo Deck on Floor 350 and are then able to walk down to the two floors (345 and 340) below. Although it is hazy in the distance, there are extensive views of Tokyo and we are able to pick out our hotel with the aid of the binoculars. Floor 340 features the usual glass floor, and we also have time to explore the area outside the tower. After nearly two hours at the tower, we drive back to the hotel via the Ginza district of Tokyo. This district is the main shopping area of the city with some very fashionable shops, but we do not explore on foot, just observe the buildings and people from the coach. 

For our evening meal, we decide to return to the Mr Farmer casual restaurant in Mosaic Street that we used two nights ago, and find that this evening there is a waiting list. A waitress enters our name on a sheet, on a lectern, outside the restaurant’s door, and as we have our short wait, other diners arrive and add their names to the list - a task we could not have managed on our own, particularly not being able to understand the Japanese characters for indicating whether we wished to dine ‘inside’ or ‘outside’. 

We have chosen to eat inside and both have very filling meals based on grilled chicken. The restaurant is very busy, the majority of diners being young girls busy with their smart phones

After our enjoyable meal, we again explore this area around the vast Shinjuku station. On the west side of the station we find the narrow alleys with small bars (right) that seem to be a major attraction for many tourists. These tiny bars, many so small that they can seat no more than ten people crammed close together, look entirely unattractive with their noise, smells and smoky and stuffy atmospheres, and an unsavoury looking clientele. However, it is an experience not to be missed as this is a different side of Japan from the somewhat sanitised and regimented aspects we have encountered so far. The next morning, we depart Tokyo and head for Mount Fuji
TOP 
Next

It is another hot and sunny morning as we depart Tokyo, leaving the hotel at 8:45am. The traffic is light as we head southwest towards the Five Lakes area where Mount Fuji is located. As it is well known that Japan’s highest mountain (12,390-feet) is often hidden by clouds, the group is somewhat apprehensive despite the excellent weather. However, we are soon getting excellent views of this iconic peak, with its almost perfect cone shape, as we approach on the Chuo Expressway. Our coach takes us to the Fujisan World Heritage Site where there is an observation deck with more excellent views of the mountain with its upper slopes covered with snow. Our next stop is at the nearby Lake Kawaguchi (left), where there are views of Mount Fuji across the calm waters of the lake

After lunch at a nearby restaurant, the coach departs the Five Lakes area for Matsumoto, the gateway to the Japan Alps. On the way, we make a stop  at a motorway service area at Lake Suwa (right)
The main attraction at Matsumoto is its castle, which we are scheduled to visit tomorrow. However, the castle is illuminated at night and we walk from the hotel to see this attractive sight (left). This is the oldest five-tiered keep in Japan, dating from 1593, with its well-preserved moat and castle walls dating from 1504. Between our hotel and the castle, we find a Japanese restaurant (right) - here, we get a good value meal of salad and chicken kebabs