M
irroring the astounding archi-
tecture and ornate decoration
visitors often travel to the more
northern city of Nikko to appreciate, the
ancient shrine is, for many, a tranquil gem
in the heart of bustling Tokyo.
Under the stony watch of two fierce lion-
dogs, visitors enter the magnificent shrine
complex through the Sukibei Wall, where
gold façades and intricate wood carvings of
land, sea, river and mythical creatures hold
them spellbound. Guests of the shrine have
been doing this for the past 368 years.
Tokyo's new tourism brand, "Old meets
new," is so appropriate, with the past
merging into the future and providing visi-
tors with an amazing array of attractions
and activities, along with the expected
photo and selfie opportunities befitting an
ever-changing world-class destination.
ARTISTIC ATTRACTIONS
With the goal of seeing as many new things
as possible in a city we have visited many
DREAMSCAPES WINTER/SPRING 2019
12
Editorial & Photography by Steve Gillick
TOK YO
SURPRISES!
A LEISURELY STROLL IN
TOKYO'S UENO PARK,
WITH ITS WALKING PATHS,
CHERRY TREES AND
AMAZING MUSEUMS, LED
US TO THE FIVE-STOREY
PAGODA, A MARVEL BUILT
IN 1639. AND ONLY A FEW
STEPS BEYOND LAY UENO
TOSHOGU SHRINE, DATING
BACK TO 1651.
