Chrostmas time at Tokyo Skytree

 

Here are some pictures of a little trip last Saturday a few miles from where we live.  Since less than 1% of Japan is Christian there isn't much of a Christmas celebration and almost nothing with Christ.  It's common to see Christmas trees and hear Christmas music in the stores and you can buy Christmas trees to decorate.  Around the Skytree is one of the few areas with lots of Christmas lights and a big shopping mall filled with Christmas things and lots of shoppers.  We enjoyed the visit.  We went to a Japanese restaurant for lunch.  They had no menu in English and no one who spoke English which is actually quite unusual in Tokyo.  So we didn't really know what we were ordering but it all turned out to be very good.  Also, Carol helped decorate a nice Christmas tree and set up a Christmas display in the front of our office building which is on a very busy street.  It is the only scene we have seen of Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus. 


The Tokyo Skytree--tallest tower and 2nd tallest structure in the world at 2020 feet

At the bottom of the Skytree is a very large mall and lots of Christmas decorations and lights which aren't easy to find in Tokyo

  

Our friends, Doctor and Sister Eliason in front of tower and sculpture

Skytree from half mile away--its foundation goes down 150 in the ground to bedrock.  There are two observation levels-one at 1200 feet and one at 1500 feet.  We went to both.



Strange sculpture like a sweet potato

Gary and Carol across the Sumida River from the Skytree about a mile away.



Entrance to Asakusa shopping area.  It is the oldest shopping area in Tokyo.

 

Rickshaw at Asakusa market

Gary and Carol under giant lantern at Asakusa

Shops inside Asakusa market

 

 

Buddhist Senso-ji Temple at Asakusa

Smoke (incense) purification

Interior of Senso-ji Temple

 

Small park next to Temple

Ornate ceiling in Temple

Small Shinto temple/shrine next to Senso-ji

 

Inside elevator to Skytree

 

Late afternoon of part of Tokyo

View of different part of Tokyo

 

Looking down at Asakusa market across the river and one mile away

 

Christmas characters in Skytree

Another part of Tokyo looking northeast

Sumida River

 

Some strange American

Looking down at a barge on the Sumida river

  

Another view of Tokyo in later afternoon

Looking down 1500 feet

  

Metlife blimp flying around Tokyo

  

Sun setting near Mt. Fuji

Mt. Fuji

  

City with Mt. Fuji in background right side

 


Central Tokyo at dusk

City lights coming on

West side of central Tokyo

Mt. Fuji looming over Tokyo--actually about 70 miles away

Looking up the elevator shaft to the higher level

Mt. Fuji and city

More city views

Merry Christmas from Tokyo--there is no Christ in Christmas

Looking up from the base of Skytree

Christmas lights on trees

Just like you, we are very grateful that we are Christian and that we
know the real reason we celebrate Christmas.  May we always love
and appreciate our Savior, Jesus Christ and all that he has done for
each and every one of us.
Merry Christmas you all, our dear friends and family.