We were thrilled to be able to pack so much into our short stay in Japan and with a few hours available for us to see a bit more before we caught our flight out of the country, we left our hostel early in the morning to make the most of our last few hours in Japan.
Our first stop was round the corner from our hostel, Ryōgoku Kokugikan, an indoor sporting arena which is mainly used for Sumo wrestling.
You are able to watch sumo wrestlers train in Japan, which is a good way to see them in action when there are no events on. However you have to watch the full training session as you cannot pop in or out once training is underway.
Unfortunately there weren’t any events on while we were in Tokyo and we didn’t have the time to watch a full mornings training either, so we looked around the building, took novelty photos with a sumo ‘head in a hole’ and managed to catch a glimpse of a sumo wrestler heading in to training – woohoo!
Our next stop was Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, (also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple), completed in the year six hundred and forty five, it it Tokyo’s oldest temple.
From the street we first entered through the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), the outer gate of Sensoji Temple and the symbol of Asakusa and the whole city of Tokyo.
Beyond this was a shopping street filled with typical Japanese souvenirs like folding fans, traditional clothing and samurai swords, leading up to the second gate, the Hozomon.
If there was a quick way for Rich to buy, package and send a sword back home, I’m sure he would have done so. He stood looking at them for long enough!
Through the Hozomon, with it’s giant lanterns hanging overhead, we stood in front of the main hall of Sensoji Temple and a five storey pagoda.
Destroyed during the second world war, the buildings are now reconstructions of what once stood.
From Sensoji Temple we headed to our final sight seeing spot, Tokyo Imperial Palace, home to Japan’s Imperial Family.
Built in a large park, surrounded by a huge moat and ginormous stone walls we were able to view the residence from a distance. The setting, was picture perfect, with a swan gliding around the moat enjoying the surroundings too.
We only had enough time to take a few photos before we headed off to the airport, with the feeling that one day we would indeed be back in Japan.
Japan captured our hearts and while we were sad that our time was short we couldn’t stay sad for too long as we were heading to Hawaii!
Lambs on the loose 
I’d forgotten how I looked forward to your blogs while you were away! It must be lovely reminiscing and trying to remember all you did while in such stunning places. Roll on Hawaii !!
Love Mom xxx
LikeLike