Category: In my neighborhood (Page 2 of 8)

The Temple

It’s impossible to get a great photo of the whole Tokyo temple. When you get far enough away to take in most of the temple there are power lines bisecting the image. This photo of the spire and Angel Moroni are taken from a bench in the park across from the temple.

In this photo you can barely see the temple building. This angle makes the Angel Moroni appear to be on top of Mori Tower which actually some distance away from the temple. You can see what I mean about power lines, not to mention cars and buses.

However, that isn’t what this post is about anyway. I am grateful for the temple and the blessings that come to me and to my family as I serve there. I am so grateful that during my time in Tokyo I have lived only five minutes from it’s door, allowing me to enter often.

 

Kingwood Friends

Today was a Kingwood reunion in Tokyo. Since I moved here in July of 2006 Jo Scoffield moved here and most recently Carolann Naugle arrived last May. On Saturday Dee Jones arrived to spend the week. Today we all got together and went to the Setagaya Borichi, the oldest and largest flea market held in Japan. It was a cold day, but we really had a good day and definitely made some memories. I am grateful for good friends.

Origami

Today I purchased another origami book to replace the last one I gave away. I have purchased a few since I have lived here hoping to learn to make some simple things so I can entertain my grandchildren, but I always end up giving them away. After I paid for the book and two packs of origami paper the shop owner gave me my change and handed me the tiniest origami box I have ever see. It is barely 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch and the amazing thing is that it has a separate top and bottom. I could actually place a tiny object in it. I am grateful for unexpected gifts and kindnesses that cause me to smile all day long.

Close up of the tiny box

The candy dish I folded with the tiny box

Bottom of the tiny box

The end is near…

Last fall I posted photo after photo of the changing autumn leaves. The changing leaves go on for quite awhile and so did the posts. I have already posted several photos of cherry blossoms, but they will be gone soon. The cherry blossoms disappear much quicker than the autumn leaves. Yesterday when I was out I noticed that the green leaves are already starting to take over and it started “snowing” petals on Sunday.

Here are a few photos from yesterday at my favorite spot in Aoyama Cemetery.

A New School Year

The Japanese school year begins in April. Yesterday, all the new boys going to the prestigious Azabu High School on my street were lined up with their parents. It must have been an opening ceremony and welcome to the school. The parents were all dressed up and the boys were in their traditional black uniform with a Nehru collared jacket. Some even wore their caps. Come Monday, they will all be out of uniforms and back in their everyday clothes. They only wear their uniforms on special occasions. This is the scene from my window.

9.0

It has taken me a week to get around to being able to write this. I want to write about the experience and my blog has become my journal since my project of posting everyday last year. I have taken a break from the daily posts for awhile. I am ready to be back, but maybe not daily.

Just over a week ago I hopped in the car with Sagawa-san at 2:36pm to go to the airport to meet Brian and Kristina.  We were on the elevated expressway just before getting on to the Rainbow Bridge, it crosses Tokyo Bay, when we felt the earthquake. I remember being tossed back and forth in the back seat and the reading light in the back window was beating me in the head. I saw stuff crumbling out of the spaces in the concrete barrier on the side of the road. Sagawa-san drove to a place that was back at ground level and waited for the movement to stop. Then he drove across the bridge, it was still swaying. Of all the places I feared being in an earthquake, a bridge would have been at the top of my list. The next would be the subway. Today Rick reminded me that the Rainbow Bridge performed exactly as it had been designed to perform in an earthquake. He walked across it later that evening as part of his 1.5 hour journey home from the office.

The Rainbow Bridge

We continued our journey towards the airport, but the freeway was closed at the first toll plaza. We sat there for over an hour and the car rocked with the frequent aftershocks. Over the last week there have been over 260 aftershocks. The last one, just this evening, was 5.9 and just 90km from Tokyo. Finally, we turned around and went back to the exit and got on the feeder/frontage road. Both Sagawa-san and I kept trying to call and text the office. Finally, in Chiba City 3.5 hours after we left and less than halfway to the airport Sagawa-san got through. We found out from Rick that the airport had closed immediately and that their flight had not landed. Sagawa-san turned around and we began our drive back into Tokyo. Rick left the office and began walking home, hoping to be there when Brian and Kristina called to let him know where they had landed. They landed at Yokota Air Base for refueling and then the plane flew to the Nagoya airport.

Sagawa-san and I eventually made our way over back roads and into the city only to find a huge traffic jam. At 11:10pm I asked him where his office was, I thought we were near it. This office is where he parks the car and takes the train home. He gestured to the right and said, “Just over there.” I told him I was getting out and walking. He objected and told me I needed to stay in the car. There were still many people out walking home. I assured him that I knew right where we were and explained that if I walked then we could both get home sooner. I had my coat on, unlocked the door and was on my way. Later, I was happy to hear that he got home about the same time I did. After a quick stop in a big hotel, I started home arriving at midnight just 50 minutes after I got out of the car.

Brian and Kristina had tickets on the bullet train back to Tokyo at 6:20am the next morning. Early Saturday Rick ran to Shinagawa station to meet them and in the absence of local trains and taxis they made the 1 hour walk home. It was good to be together we had fun time sightseeing and took a trip to Kyoto. They decided on Friday morning to leave a few days early. Some of the European airlines had pulled their flights and Continental was trying to determine how long they would be sending all their flights in, not many passengers on inbound flights. They were able to get on a flight Friday afternoon.

Most of the expats have left Japan, only a few from our branch are left here.  I think most, if not all, are gone because of the problems with the nuclear reactors.

So why am I still here? All the voices of experts in the field have said that even in a worst case scenario the amount of radiation reaching Tokyo would be less than the level that would cause health risks. None of the experts disagree on this. The Lord has told us that things are going to get more and more challenging. And while we don’t seek the challenges and difficulties in life as we face them, we learn and grow from them. Each one we face prepares for the next. We need to seek the truth and to follow the example of the Savior. I hope that as I observe the people around me I can become more resilient, more concerned about the welfare of others, better at listening to the promptings of the Spirit and seeking to know the will of the Lord for me.

I spent time today trying to determine where all the sisters in my Relief Society are. They are spread across the world. Now, I need to focus on making sure that the sisters still here have what they need. Today was a beautiful day in Tokyo. The signs of spring are everywhere. Here are some pictures I took today so that you can see that Tokyo does not look like Sendai.

Hiroo Shopping Street

Facing south???? Whoa!!!!!!

Tokyo Temple - Open

Our Building

No our building isn’t leaning! It is standing upright. I was just trying to fit as much as I could into the photo from a close angle. I guess I could have walked across the street.

Tokyo American Club

When we first moved here the Tokyo American Club was in a fairly central location near Tokyo Tower. About a year later the club was demolished and the construction of a new club on that property was started. The club was relocated to a temporary location that was not as convenient for me to get to.

The new club opened this week. Today Rick and I walked over to explore the new location. It is quite impressive. It seems so much larger than the old club. The exercise facility has all new equipment and great views through the large windows. The pool is on the roof-top with it’s own outdoor restaurant. There will be several restaurants when it is completely up and running. I really liked all the windows with views over Tokyo and the many terraces that provide outdoor relaxing.

Dogs

I have talked about the life and status of dogs in Japan before. Many people have dogs instead of children. Today I noticed a small specialty shop for dogs. They sell custom made dog clothes encrusted with Swarovski crystals.

Dawn

On my walk this morning I noticed a shrine I hadn’t seen before. It amazes me everyday how many shrines and temples are tucked away off of the main streets and tiny lanes of Tokyo. I have walked this lane before and never noticed this shrine. Here it is in the light of dawn.

In my neighborhood the buildings are so close together that there is not much of a view. This morning I discovered this view from a lane at the top of the hill where my neighborhood sits:

Moto-Azabu to Roppongi Hills

Dusk

We have had amazing weather here in Tokyo since I arrived back on the 5th. Most days have been cold with clear blue skies. So many of my favorite kind of days all in a row! Here is the view from my window this evening.

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