Happy New Year! It is almost ridiculous to me how quickly 2012 appeared. But boy, after an exciting 2011, I should have expected that 2012 was quietly lurking in the shadows behind, swiftly approaching.
Tim and I decided to spend New Years Eve exploring Tokyo. We had no concrete agenda for the day but planned to meet friends at a shrine for a midnight balloon release. Arriving in Tokyo around 3:00pm, we decided to check out the New Sanno Hotel (http://www.thenewsanno.com/index.html), a supposed American oasis in the middle of Tokyo. The hotel is for Department of Defense employees and their guests and offers a variety of restaurants, shops and luxurious rooms. With no option of staying at the hotel for the night (as it had been booked for over a year), we decided to check out the hotel restaurants. We had a nice lunch at the main bar where we were regaled by the staff of stories from the infamous New Sanno New Years Eve Parties. The staff was quick to point out that the New Years Eve party always sells out a year in advance. However, we were in the right place at the right time: a lady approached the bartender explaining that she had 2 tickets to the New Years Eve party that night and she wanted to sell them at a discount. Well, after weighing the pros and cons (it's freezing outside and we have nothing to do for the next 8 hours until midnight...we will never be able to plan a year in advance to come to this party in the future...the tickets are selling at a discount...it's a buffet with a champagne midnight toast...there's a band...the theme is James Bond's Casino Royale...), we bought the tickets. There was no time to think about the rest. We certainly did not have time to go home to change (after all Tim's tux needed pressing and my Monique Lhullier was at the dry cleaners - I kid) so we came to terms with the fact that we were going to be underdressed. To kill time before the doors opened at 8:00pm, we wondered throughout Tokyo. This country sure does shut down for New Years. There was barely a shop or restaurant open. Luckily, we found a cozy bar where we watched Rocky V and warmed our bones until party time.
The party was a hoot! Most men were in tuxes or dark suits. Women wore (what appeared to be) prom dresses and sequins. We wore jeans.
One thing I must say about the New Sanno Hotel: they sure know how to throw a theme party! Look at all these wonderful Bonds! This is the backdrop for the dance floor!
I am thrilled to say that I was able to impart a few of my useless Bond trivia facts to our dinner companions.
The happy couple at midnight!
It was a great night of celebrating, dancing and general merriment. Around 1:00am, we decided it was time to head for the hills and to attempt a safe return home. Luckily, since it was a holiday, the trains ran late that night. We made it to Yokohama by 2:00am, but our next train home would not leave for another 40 minutes. By the time we made it to our home station, there were no cabs in sight. We made the 20 minute trek to the base and finally were warm in bed by 4:00am. It was indeed a Happy New Year!
January 2, 2012
January 2 is a special day in Japan. It is one of two days (the other being Dec. 23rd, the Emperor's birthday) where the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace are opened to the public. In addition, the Imperial family makes appearances every 50 minutes culminating in a New Year's address from the Emperor.
The current Imperial Palace is the former site of Edo Castle located in the heart of Tokyo. The inner grounds are surrounded by rock walls and a series of moats. This palace, Kōkyo, has been the home of the royal family since 1888 when the capital and Imperial Palace were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo.
Tim and I joined friends to visit the Imperial Palace on the 2nd. We arrived around 9:30am and began the long journey inside the stone walls. After bag searches and an incredibly personal pat down by the guards, we were all cleared to enter and to join the long herd of Imperial well-wishers. In accordance with the typical Japanese style of crowds, we all slowly and quietly worked our way, elbow to elbow, literally tiny step by tiny step with the crowd. Thus, please forgive the pictures as they were taking while walking and juggling the camera in trepidation of stepping on the person only inches in front of you and without stopping to be trampled by those literally on your heels.
A guard as we entered the park outside the palace.
The docile Japanese crowd.
Jeff, Adam, Charlotte (Adam's girlfriend visiting from England) and Tim
Finally, we made it to the viewing area. As we assessed the current crowd that was forming, it was very apparent that we were not in America, nor any Western country. Obvious, you say? Why yes but for a more reflective reason. There were no protesters. No one yelling. In fact, very few people were even talking. And when the Imperial family finally appeared, the only sound you heard was the waving of Japanese flags and the snapping of cameras.
The bullet-proof balcony from which the Emperor speaks and the family greets the crowd
Even I was almost a head taller than the majority of the crowd!
Finally, at 11:00am, the Imperial family greeted its villagers. At this second viewing of the day, the participating family members were Their Majesties the Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, and other adult members of the Imperial Family.
The family arrives
Emperor Akihito spoke of the concern for those still suffering after the earthquake and tsunami and that it is his wish for a better year for each person in the nation (or so all of the translations I find online inform me).
In the middle speaking is Emperor Akihito with the Empress Michiko to his right. On her right is their son the Crown Prince Naruhito. To his right is his wife, the Crown Princess Masako accompanied by their children.
I believe these are the other adult members of the Imperial family.
A view of Tokyo as we leave the Palace gates
It was a unique experience, especially for Americans without an inherent connection to a royal family. I read on one website that of the 40,000 or so that attended throughout the day, the majority were older, Japanese citizens. Asked if I would make the trip again one day, yes, if someone asked me to go with them. Afterall, it is not every day you have the opportunity to see any royalty.
The pictures below are just a few I took while standing in the security line. These are all of the heart of Tokyo.
Wishing you all a joyous 2012!
