Out and About in Tokyo on Saturday

People had made many different exciting plans. Some people went to visit a school that had Sports Day celebrations going on. Some went to DisneyWorld. Others were taking a tour of Mt. Fuji. I decided I wanted to stay close to home and do a little touring, a little shopping, and lots of eating!

We planned to go see the Buddha statue at Hase. We needed to take a subway, connect to a JR line, then hop a local to take us to Hase. Of course, it is interesting to try to use a vending machine with Japanese instructions.

Thankfully, we encountered a friendly guide who not only read the schedule and got us on the right train, but also gave suggestions of what would be interesting to see.

The JR train approaches! We know we will need to travel about a half an hour south of the station before we transfer again.

The train emerges from underground, and we see a different part of Tokyo. Many rail lines criss-cross the city.

The entire way is paved with small apartment houses. There is not much lawn seen.

We arrive in Kamakura, and try to figure out how to transfer. The further away we get from the hotel, the less English we see on signs and instructions. Fortunately, we can usually find someone who speaks enough English to help. People are VERY helpful here!

The map only has a few key stops written in English, but it is enough to guide us.

We hop on the train, and head toward Hase and the Buddha.

Our rail car is as cute as a bug's ear!

Time to double-check the layout of the region before we leave the station.

The buildings are beautiful. The streets and sidewalks are narrow!

We stop at a temple area along the path. It is a beautiful place.

The altar area is full of sacrifices and flowers

Most of the signs of explanation are both in Japanese and English.

We stop at many of the little shops along the way. We spy a Kitty cookie!

On the way up the hill toward the shrine, we pass many houses. Several have the futons outside to air.

I stopped to buy chopsticks at a shop. Every time you make a purchase, it is wrapped for you.

There's Buddha. Yes, he IS big!

People stop to offer prayers in front of the Buddha.

We saw a young girl in Kimono and a boy in a suit....

But most kids are dressed in modern clothing.

This is a GOOD sign when you are in a restroom!

We reversed our tracks, taking first the local line, transferring to the JR line, then hopping the subway in search of Tokyu Hand, a department store.

We stopped at a McDonalds. They immediately pull out the picture menu for us. Even using the pictures, I didn't get what I thought I was going to, but it was O.K. McDonalds Fries....Aaaah!

We were surprised at the THRONGS of people in the shopping district! The pedestrian lights are green forever to get literally hundreds of people across the street!

Then, it was time to pack my bag, take a long, hot bath, and get ready to depart on Sunday.