Originally built in 1912 with a height of 210 feet, this tower was the second tallest structure in Asia at the time. It was a popular attraction and was modeled after the Eiffel Tower and the Arch de Triumph. It suffered damage in a fire in 1943 and rather than rebuilding, the steel was used in the war effort. The second incarnation seen here stands at 300 feet tall. It was rebuilt in 1953 after much lobbying by the local population. It is surrounded by restaurants and arcades. We saw archery booths, old time shooting galleries and newer gaming storefronts. We had packed our lunch so we did not hit up any of the food stalls. This area is adjacent to the zoo so the Metro station has animals on the walls and elephant noises reverberating through the station.
Ahoy, tower ahead!
The yin yang made from flounders
Another shopping street
Great finds!
Must have items!
A grey day
A very colorful mural on the base of the tower
The streets were busy
A mural of the first incarnation
A huge rotating wheel of sushi!
Tuna fishing boat that ran aground on this sign
Turtle
Crane
We thought there may be some unique Gin to be found here, alas we only found a defunct Budweiser sign
Getting ideas for foods to try
My name is Rick....Rick Shaw
The billiken!
Shogi or General Sho's Game is popular game that we have never seen
It is called Japanese chess and is in the same family as Western Chess, Indian Chess and Janggi
Deer jumping in the subway station
Predators on the prowl
All the while the Elephant roared again and again
The chapped lips on this Salaryman are a warning of the side effects of eating this salted fish snack
