Tranquil Tokyo

For a massive city of 12 million people Tokyo had some surprisingly peaceful spots, and lots and lots of greenery.  We would do well in Melbourne to remember the importance of keeping some green wedge.  And where there is no land for a land garden, the inventive Japanese have planted vertical gardens with many tall buildings having vines or other forms of greenery growing up the exterior walls.

Gardens offer a quiet retreat from the Tokyo hustle-bustle

A feature of Japanese gardens is water

Much of Tokyo was destroyed in the 1924 earthquake, and then bombed in 1945. Very little of pre 20th century exists today.  One pleasant exception is the leafy green suburb of Yanaka. The area remains low rise with narrow streets and traditional buildings. And trendy. So trendy we found a tiny coffee shop that would not be amiss in Brunswick Street or a Melbourne alleyway.  But refreshingly free of hipsters!

An example of the Japanese art or preservation of ancient things - the tree that is.

A shrine in the Yanaka district

A blend of modern and traditional

An ancient garden in a small shrine

A traditional house