enderzero 0 Posted December 23, 2003 Share Posted December 23, 2003 So I was thinking of going to the Imperial Palace tomorrow. I don't know anything about it, other than it is supposed to be the only day of the year it is open to the public. Anyone know anything? Is it so crowded you have to get there at 5AM? Is it a stupid thing for a gaijin to do (by himself)? Will they throw me in the moat? Any help is appreciated (and the sooner the better since it is tomorrow). Link to post Share on other sites
its-a-clock 0 Posted December 23, 2003 Share Posted December 23, 2003 I'm going round for a few beers tonight, so I'll let you know if I get any news for tomorrow Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted December 23, 2003 Share Posted December 23, 2003 It could scarcely be more boring. They herd groups of several hundred of you into an enclosure and 2 stories up the Imperials are standing like shop dummies. With less animation than an Osaka department store Christmas display, they wave in a robotic fashion, and you get herded out again. You can wave a little Japanese flag throughout. I'd go and do something more interesting, and then watch it on TV later (thanking your uncle Ocean11 that you took his advice). Link to post Share on other sites
enderzero 0 Posted December 23, 2003 Author Share Posted December 23, 2003 Do you get to tour the palace at all, or is it like just walk into one room, see the Emperor (not at all the part I care about) and then head out. Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted December 23, 2003 Share Posted December 23, 2003 I don't think there's any tour, nor free sake. You don't even get to go into a 'palace'. It's a concrete enclosure and his Imp is behind glass. You wave, he waves, then you get herded out onto the street again. Link to post Share on other sites
xxx 2 Posted December 24, 2003 Share Posted December 24, 2003 Sounds live a wave-fest. But an emotional one, for sure. Are you going enderzero? Link to post Share on other sites
enderzero 0 Posted December 24, 2003 Author Share Posted December 24, 2003 naaaa, I guess not. Ocean's cynicism has turned me off. To tell you the truth I was only interested in touring the palace. I don't care at all about seeing the Emperor. I didn't even know that was included. Link to post Share on other sites
Curt 1 Posted December 24, 2003 Share Posted December 24, 2003 I wonder what he got for his birthday? Link to post Share on other sites
gammaman 0 Posted December 24, 2003 Share Posted December 24, 2003 Don`t know anything about the palace but a few things have been brought to my attention. 1. I`ve been told it is actually the dead emperors birthday. Not the current one. 2. It`s actually called `green day`. (I have my doubts about this one, I thought that was part of golden week or somewhere round then) 3. And this is for real, not one Japanese person I have asked (and I come into contact with a few) could tell me the name of the Emperor. Why the hell not??!! Wots his name dammit? Link to post Share on other sites
kintaro 0 Posted December 24, 2003 Share Posted December 24, 2003 His name is Akihito. It is funny how most people don't know the emporer's name. They know his wife's name, his son's name and his son's kid is a mini-celeb on her own. But who's the emporer you ask? "I don't know. The guy after the showa era, right??" Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted December 25, 2003 Share Posted December 25, 2003 Green day? Thats a different holiday, ain't it? Link to post Share on other sites
rach 1 Posted December 25, 2003 Share Posted December 25, 2003 Whats the family name? Takahashi? Link to post Share on other sites
merryJim 1 Posted January 2, 2004 Share Posted January 2, 2004 How old is the dude now? Link to post Share on other sites
OnTheTin 0 Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 About 75? Link to post Share on other sites
kintaro 0 Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 He was born in 1933. Link to post Share on other sites
enderzero 0 Posted January 6, 2004 Author Share Posted January 6, 2004 I went to the palace on Jan 2nd - I guess his b-day isn't the only day you can see him. It was kinda cool to walk through the grounds and you can certainly see a good deal although you can't go in any buildings. It was crowded but nothing compared to the 2 hour cattle drive at Meiji Jingu the day before. The actual appearance by him and his family lasted less than 5 minutes. He just came out, wished everyone prosperity in the new year and then waved while everyone furiously shook their paper flags. Oh the Japan experience... Link to post Share on other sites
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