Exiting the Temple we passed under the Hozomon Gate bedecked with the huge red and black paper lanterns shown in the photo and began a stroll down Nakamise-dori the “street of inside shops” – an alley lined with traditional vendors selling, food, souvenirs and handicraft items. It was jam packed with Saturday afternoon shoppers who, having reviewed their fortunes at the Temple, were in the mood to spend.
As ever in such markets I’m always on the lookout for handcrafted fridge magnets and my ever-growing collection of model owls – always regarded as symbols of wisdom and well-being. I was not to be disappointed this afternoon for the very first shop that I came to sold hand made Japanese toys. It was a real wrench not to buy too many of the beautifully crafted models but I settled in the end for the two fridge magnets made from paper and the owl carved from solid wood in its very distinctive red colours (See photo – the background is the paper in which they were wrapped).
The very avuncular ‘toy-maker’ tried to sell me the smallest spinning top in the world on the basis that “believe it or not” this is what Princess Diana had bought when she visited his shop.
So ended a very pleasant if rather chilly visit to Tokyo, another wonderful, vibrant city that will have to go on the ‘wish to return list’ as will Japan as a country; two brief days are not nearly sufficient to take in its scenery, culture and history.
The last photo above is of the skyline and waterfront at Yokohama. The Ferris Wheel in the centre is said to be the biggest in the world. Its radiant display slowly faded into the horizon as we set sail for our 4,000 mile voyage across the North Pacific, a full 9 days at sea including an extra one as we cross the International Dateline and I move in seconds, from being 12 hours ahead to 12 hours behind GMT.
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