The Jorenji Daibutsu For example, few people are aware that Tokyo has its own Big Buddha--the Jorenji Daibutsu. This beautiful bronze statue ranks as the third largest Buddha image in all of Japan. It stands majestically on the grounds of an historic temple that was frequented by the Tokugawa Shoguns after their hawk-hunting expeditions during Edo times several hundred years ago. A lovely little carp pond bordered by a small garden sits next to the main temple, and a temple bell that can be struck on New Year's Eve as a part of a purification ritual is located next to the temple's main gate. Scattered around the temple grounds are a number of other smaller statues, including three of the seven deities of good fortune--Ebisu, Daikoku, and a marvelously roly-poly Hotei. A visit to the Diabutsu can be a day's outing, for there are a number of other attractions in the immediate area...

For a video sampling of another of these treasures--the Tsukiji Fish Market--click here. (Your browser must be able to recognize a Real Media file with an .rm extension)

CONTENTS OF CHAPTER 3 - SOME VERY SPECIAL DESTINATIONS
THE HEART OF THE JAPANESE PEOPLE
-The Imperial Palace
-Japanese Home Visit
-Ueno Park

THE POWER CENTERS
-The National Diet (Parliament)
-Tokyo Stock Exchange
-Communications in Japan
-Tsukiji-Tokyo Central Wholesale Fishmarket

EXCURSIONS
(big stuff)
-Daibutsu of Jorenji-Tokyo's Very Own Big Buddha
-Go Climb a Mountain
(small stuff)
-Little Museums of Sumida-ku - See Traditional Craftsmen at Work
-Golden Gai - Step Into Another Time of Tinier Places
-Department Store Basements - Lots of Little Things to Try Here
(old stuff)
-Shitamachi/Asakusa - Explore the Streets of Old Edo
(new stuff)
-Yebisu Garden Place - Playground for Grownups
-Odaiba Beach Area - Could This Really Be Tokyo?

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Table of Contents

chapter 1

chapter 2

chapter 3

chapter 4

chapter 5

chapter 6

chapter 7

chapter 16