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Our second full day began at the enormous grounds of the Imperial Palace, in central Tokyo. Here, at one of the most photogenic corners of the grounds, a part of the Imperial Palace can bee seen through the double bridge of Nijubashi.
A guard tower at one of the corners of the enormous moats that surround the grounds of the Imperial Palace.
During the incendiary boming campaign carried out by the Allies during World War II, much of Tokyo was leveled. The only remains of Edo castle is its stone foundation, still impressive in its size and scope after all these years. Tokyo began its existence as a small fishing village called Edo (meaning mouth of the estuary), and was renamed Tokyo in 1868 when then Emperor Meiji took up permanent residence in the city.
The large torii gate marks the entrance to the courtyard of Yasukuni-jinja, a shrine founded in 1869 to commemorate those killed in battle or war. Indeed, the parting words of Kamikaze pilots were said to be the equivalent of "see you at Yasukini."
Some of the features of Yasukun-jinja, and its grounds.
At Yasukuni, solemnity is the tone as people remember their family and friends who died on behalf of their country.
More neon, this time in the western district of Shinjuku, the modern heart of Tokyo.
Continue to Japan Page 4
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After
the somber Yasukuni, we headed to the east side of Tokyo to enjoy Sumo, the
national sport of Japan. Sumo tournaments are held only three times a
year in Tokyo, and we were quite fortunate to be there during one of such
tournaments. Here, some adoring fans pose with one of their Sumo heroes
outside the National Sumo Stadium, as he heads inside for the competition.
For more photos of this fascinating spectacle, see our photo page at 
On
our way back from Shinjuku, two women in traditional kimonos, buy their subway
tickets. 