Sunshine City

Sunshine City is a huge commercial complex in Ikebukuro.

This place is so huge that they have moving walkways

We finally met Ultraman

Ikebukuro

Ikebukuro is an entertainment, shopping and food centre.

Train back to Tokyo

We then took the direct train back to Tokyo

Taiyuin Byo Shrine

This shrine was completed in 1653. It is the mausoleum of Tokugawa Iemitsu (1603-1651) the grandson of Ieyasu. This powerful Shogun managed to close Japan's trade with foreign countries and isolated Japan from the world for over 200 hundred years

Niomon Gate

Guarded by two Nio Gods

Granite Fountain

The Bell Tower

There are also many steps to climb here

Yashamon Gate

Karamon Gate

Crimson lions guard the inner shrine

Kokamon Gate

(Ming Dynasty style) 

which leads to the Iemitsu's Tomb is closed to the public

Ieyasu's Tomb

Ieyasu (1543-1616) founded  the Tokugawa Shogunate which ruled Japan for 250 years.

There is a long walk further up the hill to the tomb

The many steps to the top

Another  Torii

Inukimon Gate

Ieyasu's Tomb

Within Toshogu Shrine

It was an upward climb as the shrine sits on the hill.

There  are two supposedly sculptures of elephants on the gable. The artist did not see a real elephant in his life and thus sculpted an elephant from his own imagination.

The Karadou Torii

 (6 m high)

The first bronze torii in Japan

The Sacred Fountain

The Rinzo

Buddhists scriptures are kept here

The Korean Bell

Presented by the Koreans to celebrate Ieyasu's son birthday

The Drum 

Unfortunately, we couldn't see the Yomeimon Gate as it was closed for repairs

The Karamon Gate

It is a national treasure of Japan

The Sleeping Cat

The Drum Tower