This past weekend in Tokyo, Shoji and I went to the Asakusa district, home of the famous Myoujin Shrine. We had no idea that on the precise weekend we chose to go there would be a famous festival called Kanda Matsuri, so we arrived and the shrine area was extremely crowded with festival goers, stands selling food, and festival participants, including some playing musical instruments. There was also an unending parade of portable shrines winding through the shrine complex. This festival is held to display and carry the portable shrines with the purpose of pacifying the Shintou gods, but it also brings the community (maybe the larger community of Japan) together to celebrate.

In addition, Shoji and I went to Tokyo Tower, a famous Tokyo landmark known for its great views, to check out the Tokyo skyline. We also saw the famous Super Dry Hall (with the unique golden statue sitting atop it) on our way to the festival in the Asakusa area. This building was designed by a French architect and belongs to Japan's popular Asahi Beer Company.