TOKYO JAPAN

TOKYO IS JAPAN'S CAPITAL AND HAS THE WORLD'S LARGEST POPULATION.  IT HAS 23 CITIES AND TOWNS.

THEIR ARE 23 TOWNS IN THE CITY CENTER.  BEFORE 1868, TOKYO WAS CALLED EDO, A SMALL CASTLE TOWN IN THE 1500'S.  AFTER A FEW DECADES EDO GREW INTO A VERY BIG CITY.  BY 1923 A LARGE PART  OF THE CITY WAS DAMAGED BY EARTHQUAKE.  CONTRARY TO WHAT MANY FOLKS THINK, THE CITY HAS NUMEROUS GREEN SPACES TO VISIT.

ASAKUSA IS A MAIN ATTRACTION  AND IT IS VERY POPULAR BUDDIST TEMLE FROM 7TH CENTURY,  YOU CAN WALK AROUND THIS CENTER OR CATCH A RICKSHAW FOR A BIKE GUIDE.  IT WAS A BIG ENTERTAINMENT CENTERFOR CENTURIES.  THEY HAVE A 1000 YEAR OLD TEMPLE FOR WORSHIP HERE.

EDO CASTLE IS A LARGE PARKSURROUNDING MOAS AND NASSIVE WALLS IN THE CENTER OF THE CITY.  IT IS HOME TO JAPAN'S  IMPERIAL FAMILY.  IT IS A LARGE PARK SURROUNDED BY MOATS AND MASSIVE CASTLES.  THERE WERE MANY SKIRMISHES IN TOYKYO, THROUGHOUT  THE 1600'S - 1800'S.

THE IMPERIAL PALACE EAST OF THE GARDENS ARE PART OF INNER GARDEN AREA WITH CIRCLES  OF DEFENSE.  NONE OF THE BUILDINGS REMAIN TODAY.  SOME WALLS, GATES AND SMALL HOUSESREMAIN.  THE RULER OF JAPAN LIVED HERE 1600 TO 1860'S.  A WIDE LAWN AND FOUNDATION REMAIN OF THE FORMER TOWER.   IN 1600'S IT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRES AND HAS NOT BEEN REBUILT.  THERE IS NOW A GARDEN WITH PONDS, TREES, AND SMALL HOUSES.

MAYI SHRINE WAS NOT DEDICAQTED  TO THE SPIRITS  OF EMPEROR MEIYI AND HIS CONSORT., EMPRESS SHAKEN.  IT IS LOCATED JUST BESIDE THE J R YAMOTO STATE.  THERE IS A FORESTED PARK MADE UP OF A BUILT UP CITY.  THE SHRINE GROUNDS OFFER WALKING PATHS THAT ARE GREATFOR RELAXINGSTROLL.

KLOISHUKAWA IS ONE OF TOKYOSOLDEST AND BEST JAPANESE GARDENSFOR 1600'S.  THE NAME TAIWEN IS FROM A POEM ENCORAGING A RULER TO ENJOY PLEASURE ONLY AAFTER ACHIEVING HAPPINESS FOR HIS PEOPLE   IT REPRODUCES FAMOUS LANDSCAPES IN MINIATURE  WITH  SMALL PONDS, STONES, TREES AND HILLS WITH A NETWORK OF TRAILS LEADING TO PRESCRIBED VIEWS OF THE GARDEN.  THE GARDEN IS VIBRANT IN THE YEAR WITH SPROUTING CHERRY BLOSOOMS AND PLUM  SEASON AS WELL.

LA QUA IS A NATURAL HOT SPRINGS SPA  WITH MINERAL POOLS.  THE HOT SPRING BATHS COME IN MANY VARIETIES.  MANY SPRINGS CONTAIN SULPHER.  THERE ARE FEW TOYKYO.  SOME HAVE MASSAGES AND CONVENTIONAL SWIMMING POOLS.

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