As my last day I decided to visit the centre of the city to see the imperial gardens. I got up early to ensure I traveled while the weather was still cooler, knowing that a hot day outdoors was not what I was looking for. The trip was different. A lot more business people on the trains and they were also more packed. I made it without issue, and started walking along the outside path, being passed by runners along the way.
The east garden was closed to the public. Since the Emperor’s palace or lodgings are there I would guess that is why. The exterior is very beautiful and I enjoyed looking at the wall structure and the bridges as I wandered. I visited, instead, the public gardens across the street.
The public gardens has a couple of museums on the land but I did not visit them. I wanted a day of simple walking, or at least a morning. I visited a lovely bridge which lead to a series of gates. The gates are part of the original Edo castle it seems. They were beautiful and very large. Good thick wall structure and massive doors. While I was at the gates it started raining some so I stayed under them to remain dry.
Once the rain had mostly passed I continued walking along, seeing more of the greenery and a few bloomed flowers. There were crows all over and you could hear their call constantly. I also saw a number of other people out either walking along the paths or laying in the grass. Some where having a break from work it seemed, based on the business attire and the lunch in their hands. I sat at a bench and had a long conversation with my girlfriend while enjoying the cool breeze, shade, wildlife around me and just a sense of peace. It was a lovely last day.
After lunch time I made my way back to Akihabara for a few last items that I needed as souvenirs. I even found a french bakery that I picked up a gift at. I left that gift with a note of thanks for my hosts, as they had been such lovely people and I wanted to let them both know how much I appreciated the openness in which they received me. I had a chat with Chie before I went to bed and she was apologizing to me for the late nights, which I found funny considering how many nights I was up all night on the phone chatting or unable to sleep and reading. Such a gracious woman.
I finished the last of my shopping and had another liquid vanilla ice cream at Starbucks. While I was there I picked up a wonderful gift for myself as a reminder of all the adventures. I walked around a little more before heading to the train. When I got to the subway station I realized that at some point I had lost my PASMO card, which is used to swipe through the gates of the Tokyo subway system. They have a few systems, PASMO and SUICA are the most popular. I ran back to the last couple of stops I had made but was unable to find the card. I gave up the search, not concerned about the value of the card, more the inconvenience of the ticket system, and got myself home.
At home I finished the last of my packing, grabbed some grocery store supper and ate my last meal not in an airport. I did some last clean up, called it a night and finished my last day of vacation in Japan. Tomorrow I go home. Yay? Boo? A bit of both I guess. I will be back to work on Wednesday, back to a routine I have left behind for more than two weeks. Back to dishes, and laundry, and cooking, and driving in traffic. But my family and friends await so while I will miss Tokyo and the very different world that city encompasses, I am anxious to see the people I left eleven thousand kilometers away.
Good night.
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