Visitor

Day 14 (-17)

There seems to be little in the way of zoning in Tokyo. Apartments and hotels are side by side, small shops next to houses, businesses next to schools opposite hotels. The design of building seems to be at the whim of the architect, and 'anything goes' the philosophy, this Disney style hotel is on the Meguro River, and one of many 'fantastic' buildings!

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Today Gerry arrived so we explored my neighbourhood, It was great to be able to show her the places I know and like. We went to Daisen Ji temple with the rows of Jizo statues in orange hats. Gerry found out, by lifting the hat, that they were originally red but had faded to orange. I thought it was unusual they were orange!
It's a steep walk down the hill to the shrine, an even steeper one going back, so we went along the river side instead and passed the fantasy castle above, and took photoes of some flowers on a bare wall.
We called by the park where I had sat with the kids last week, and took more pictures of the birds on the wall and admired a small fluffy white dog called Mimi.
After the longer walk in need of respite we stopped in at the Teien garden and rested there with a drink. Gerry had bought Lemon Water while I tried a new one called "healthy" that had a ? mint leaf on the bottle. Not mint! Drinkable but not again!
We did some shopping then walked home and after organising the room for the best spacial arangements, we had dinner at Jonathons, walking back in the cool evening.

Shirokanedai neighbourhood.

When I knew where this apartment was, Shirokanedai is at the edge of most of the Tokyo area maps, so I thought it must be in the middle of nowhere! What an Aussie coloured expectation!
The apartment is a 5 minute walk to the station, Shirokanedai, that is one stop to Meguro, on the circle Yamanote line, so very convenient.
On a little exploration I find it is walking distance to my 2 favourite spots, Happo-en(a garden) and Teien Art Museum ( set in an Art deco house).
The approach street has low 2-storey houses, and a small children's park. On the corner is Book -Off a bookstore with cafe and 2nd hand English books. I have a handy (2 actually) supermarkets; last time I had to shop in the food halls of the department stores (not so cheap) and a green grocer, as well as the great 100yen shop.
Next to the station and visible from my room is the Tokyo Science University with lovely grounds and buildings.
I hope to find more as I explore the back streets and areas. There is a building at the end of the street surrounded by a brick wall, but haven't got to the entry to see what it is yet