A Day as big as Daibutsu . M&D day 5

The Imperial Palace in Tokyo is open to the public on only two occasions during the year; the 23^rd of December for the Emperor Akihito birthday and today, the 2^nd of January for the Imperial Family New year address. So we headed on the Yamanote line to Tokyo station, activated mum and dads japan rail pass and wandered towards the huge open expanse of the Imperial Palace grounds where thousands of people of all ages where gathering. The Emperor gives a number of addresses throughout the day and we were pleased that the enormous amount of people seemed to be moving consistently. So we were handed our paper flags of Japan and nestled into the que. After a few security checks we crossed the canal bridge and approached the mammoth walls of the East Gate. There was an odd buzz about the experience, nothing quite like any us had experienced before. We made our way through the interior grounds and found a fairly good viewing spot amongst the masses. Mum is vertically challenged in the Australian context however, here in Japan she seemed to be happy. The crowd waited not long for the Imperial family to come out into their bullet proof enclosure and all at once the national flag was flown by all…in an odd silence. The Imperial family seemed to be delighted (from where I was standing) with the scene before them, and after a minute or so the flags lowered and the Emperors gentle voiced graced everyone’s ears.  Surprisingly the speech was quite short however succinct in his wishes for those who suffered greatly from the great east Japan earthquake and prays that this year will be positive for all.

“There are great concerns for the people who are still going hardships from the disaster. As the rebuilding of the affected areas continue, it is my wish that this year will be a better year for each and every person of this nation” English Translation

After the speech was over we were all shuffled out to let the next crowd of well-wishers in. It was now only midday therefore I had a change of plans and decided we had just enough time to head to Kamakura for the afternoon. So we headed to Tokyo station and onto JR Yokosuka line. After sorting out the green car system we settled in for the pleasant south bound journey.  The train hostess’ politeness and well-drilled routine of turning to face the passengers and bowing before closing the carriage door really impressed us all. Worlds apart from the Melbourne ticket inspectors.

We arrived at Kita-Kamakura station and after ogling at the surrounds for a moment or so and sorting out our tickets we wandered down the road toward the beginning of our planned hike. The small scale and unique character of Kamakura could already be distinguished. Barely post-war homes lined the street that was void of a proper footpath and small shops where selling a range of knick knacks and handmade clothing accessories. We decided to grab lunch before we set-off and found cute restaurant which had interesting bean curries and omelets on the menu.  The pleasant waiter was proud to express that she made the crafty textile menu covers.  After our delicious meals we set off for the hike. I had been researching up on the trail for a few days as there are a few to choose from, keeping in mind Dad’s cumbersome knee. This was a great reference http://yamaonna.wordpress.com/2009/10/28/kamakura-daibutsu/

We paced ourselves from start to end, stopping to take in the peaceful environment at times and ogle at interesting properties. The trail runs on a long ridge from Kita-Kamkura Station ending at the famous giant Buddha Daibutsu, and is not a common thing to do when visiting Kamakura, therefore crossed paths with very few people: a peaceful change from this morning’s heaving Imperial Palace. The terrain was a little more undulating as what I had read and Dad was remaining optimistic however I identified his knee was bothering him. Mum well…she was a having a ball. We had fortunate weather and the setting sun was bathing the trail in a warm glow and by the time we finally reached the stunning Daibutsu we had just enough time to see it in full light. We took a rest then wandered slowly toward Hase station, popping into various small pottery, rice cracker and sweet shops. Night had well and truly fallen by the time we boarded the twin-carriage Enoshima Electric Railway to Kamakura station. We then again boarded the JR Yokosuka line back to Shinagawa Station. 

A close friend of mine from Melbourne had just arrived and we had arranged to catch up for dinner this-evening in Shinjuku. I thought it would be great to from quaint Kamakura to a throbbing Shinjuku to blast Mum and Dads senses. After some confusion about the meeting spot in Shinjuku (easily done), L and I were thrilled to see each other. So then Mum, Dad, L and I decided to have a DIY bbq feast at Don Don Yakiniku Restaurant Kabukicho. After a long stroll around the shady parts of Kabukicho (it is what it is at that time of the night) L and I then escorted Mum and Dad back to Shimbashi station via the Yamanote Line. L and I decided to make a dash to Beat Café in Shibuya for an hour so however it was closed so instead we chatted over a few beers at the downstairs gaijin speakeasy. We then parted ways to each catch the last train back to our respective hotels, however the damn Yamanote line terminated 4 stations of Shimabshi so I caught a cab the rest of the way. To wind down after another big day, I turned off the lights, slumped in the armchair and just stared out at the Tokyo landscape.