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Members of Japan's Imperial Family (including the emperor--third from left)
This is the scene should you ever visit Japan’s Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2. Most of the Imperial Palace is normally off limits. The exceptions are January 2 and the Emperor’s birthday when the public is allowed in this area.
Queue to see the emperor of Japan
If you are in Tokyo tomorrow (January 2), you can see the emperor. The Imperial Household will make five appearances. Here is the schedule. Expect a ton of people so get there early.
The sign in this photo (from when I went in 2010) says, “please proceed slowly.”
Balloon release countdown for the new year at Zojoji in Tokyo
“Only” 3,000 balloons are given out for the annual New Year countdown at Zojoji in Tokyo so get there early if you want one. It’s a festive atmosphere so the queue isn’t as bad as waiting in line at, say, the DMV or China’s Tokyo Embassy.
Here is more detailed information on the Zojoji Countdown (増上寺 カウントダウン). It’s all in Japanese, but the key thing to note is that the wish cards are handed out beginning at 8:30 p.m. to the first 3,000 people. At 10:30 p.m. you go back to get your balloon. Get there by 8 p.m. and you should be fine. Arrive after 9 p.m. and your odds of getting a balloon are not so good.
Norichika Aoki hits for the Swallows in 2009
The Milwaukee Brewers won the right to negotiate a contract with center fielder Norichika Aoki who has been playing for the Yakult Swallows, a Japanese team located in Tokyo. The Brewers have until mid January to work out a deal with the 29-year-old Aoki, a three-time Central League batting champion. The news reports point out that Aoki batted .292 with four home runs and 44 RBIs in 144 games for the Swallows this past season. That doesn’t sound like much to get excited about. However, Aoki had an off year (even though the Swallows had a great year, for once, in 2011) that the media isn’t pointing out. In the six prior seasons he averaged about .340 with about 15 home runs, 64 RBIs (on a lousy team with fewer games than MLB), and 20+ stolen bases. In 2010 he hit .358!
Norichika Aoki in center field for the Yakult Swallows
When I went to the Swallows’ game, Aoki batted third and many, many fans were wearing his jersey. I hope the Brewers sign him and he does well for them.
元麻布ヒルズ
You would think that in Japan, a country known for its frequent earthquakes, buildings would look more like the Egyptian pyramids than the opposite.
That’s the Park Hyatt Tokyo on the far left, famous, in part, because of its prominent role in the movie, Lost in Translation.