The hotel we stayed the night before was in the mountains, almost to Nagano. This hotel was notable for its hot springs, which I used twice.

On the morning of our drive to Tokyo, we were treated with a nice sunrise along with the moon rising over Fuji.

Morning light on the Japanese Alps.

In the small town of Oshino, at the foot of Mount Fuji, the scenery is very pleasant.

Jody and Frank gaze into one of the fish pools at Oshino, famous for the fresh spring water that comes from Fuji.

The family at Oshino.

Arriving in Tokyo, the first thing we see is the impressive skyscraper of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices in Shinjuku.

This 12m high torii (gate), the largest of its kind in Japan, guards the entrance to the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. Amusingly, the wood for this torii was smuggled from Taiwan by the Japanese.

A bronze statue of Masashige Kusunoki, one of the emperor's loyal generals, watches over the Imperial Palace.

The Nijubashi, a bridge that serves as the entrance to the Imperial Palace. The Fushimi Yagura, one of the castle's turrets, is visible behind the bridge.

At the Fuji TV headquarters, a group of girls braved the 30-degree weather to sing for the crowd.

Fuji TV is an impressive piece of architecture in Diaba, an area of Tokyo that sits on an island. The building is topped with a large metal sphere.

Inside Fuji TV, there are a variety of mock TV studios so you can pretend to be in your favorite shows (which I have never heard of).

Helen and Jody sit in a school set.

The family in front of Tokyo Harbor at sunset with the Rainbow Bridge behind them. This photo was taken from the Joypolis in Daiba, a popular place to play video games.

Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa is one of Tokyo's busiest and most popular temples.

The pagoda at Senso-ji is well-lit at night.

A Tokyo streetscape at night.

The next morning we went to the Tsukigi Fish Market in central Tokyo, generally considered the most impressive fish market in the world. Large tuna were among the items being sold.

The market seems endless, with rows of vendors as far as the eye can see.

The famous Yon-chome crossing in Ginza, Tokyo's upscale shopping district.

The impressive Tokyo International Forum, a sprawling structure of glass and steel.

The Tokyo International Forum has walkways that criss-cross the upper levels of the large open space.

Busy shopping day in Ginza.

Turrets and the mote around the Imperial Palace.

Tokyo Station was modeled after one in Amsterdam. From this viewpoint, you'd never believe you were in Japan.

Waiting for the subway in Tokyo Station.

A multitude of visitors explore the shops along Nakamise-dori, the street the leads to the entrance of Senso-ji temple.

Senso-ji, fully decorated for the New Years holiday.