We arrived at Narita Airport in the afternoon of June 17th, 2012, and spent the rest of the day in a shopping mall in Narita.
The next morning, Mary and I took a walk around Hilton Narita Airport, and after some winding hills with dense bamboo trees, we arrived at a rice field.
After breakfast, our tour bus took us into Tokyo, heading first to the Imperial Palace.
Eitai Bridge, 永代橋
The bus stopped at the Imperial Palace Park, on the East side of the palace. The park is filled with beautiful pine trees.
In the park stands the status of
Kusunoki Masashige, a 14th century warrior remembered for his loyalty to the Emperor.
As we approach the palace gates, a surveyor was taking measurements of the palace grounds, but unlike field engineers in the US, he wears a black suit and white shirt.
Right at the palace main gate is
Nijubashi Bridge, with the palace in the background. This is one of the most popular photo location in Japan.
As we were taking photos there, we were told that
Emperor Akihito is leaving the palace soon, and his motorcade will pass by, so we waited.
This guard blew his whistle as soon as I took this photo. I guess I crossed the imaginary line.
As the motorcade came,
Emperor Akihito and
Empress Michiko wave at the crowd, which were mostly tourists.
Emperor's Motorcade
Tourists
More info on the Imperial Palace
here.
