Sightseeing

On our first full day, we were taken by bus on a riding tour past the Imperial Palace and then to The Diet, Japan's government building where the House of Representatives and House of Concillors meet.  As we were walking though the Chamber of the House of Representatives, an elected member of the house, Kousuke Ito, was so excited to see Americans that he invited some of us in to his office to speak to him about our plans in Japan.  This was not scheduled, so unfortunately we did not have time to take him up on our offer.  I did get a picture with him in front of The Diet Building, however!

We next drove to Asakusa, a touristy part of Japan with lots of shopping and one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Tokyo.  We wer

e treated to a traditional Japanese lunch of tempura, miso soup, rice, salad, pickled ginger, rice, a mandarin orange, and green tea. Yum!

We next walked the narrow streets of Asakusa and browsed in the many shops selling Japanese souvenirs.  At the end of the 

main road, we arrived at the Asakusa Buddhist Temple and the Asakusa Pagoda.  It was quite an experience, 

especially to see many people worshipping in this temple.