RITZ CARLTON TOKYO: Purgatory or Heaven?

The Ritz Carlton Tokyo is indeed a fine hotel. Maybe even worthy of heaven-like status. Or maybe, like 15 Craigside, at least Purgatory. All things considered, this is the finest we've ever experienced. While 15 Craigside has security, the Ritz Carlton Tokyo has tranquility, a higher order of comfort.

I've thought a lot about the possibility of Heaven, and just cannot believe there is such a place after death. Nevertheless, I have concluded that if I'm wrong, then Heaven will be what you want it to be, not what God has created. In other words, there will be a perfect home just for you. Who will be there is who you want. My dreams, however, have nothing to do with my present reality, so I hope it does a better job in the afterlife.

After only two days/nights, all this extravagance at the RCT seems to actually be getting boring. If there is a heaven, that is forever, so how does one maintain continued euphoria? So is the Ritz Carlton Heaven, Purgatory or just a great hotel on Earth? Like your afterlife, only you can determine what it is. Me? Something close to Heaven, no doubt elevated by Mount Fuji.

Our first day at the Ritz Carlton began with the traditional tea time ceremony. The harpist is a University of Tokyo graduate.

We invited Tadashi and Mayumi Matsunaga to join us for a drink at the Club Lounge.

I've known Tadashi from his days as a post-doc of a colleague of mine at Miami University. Matsunaga went on to become the first editor of the Journal of Marine Biotechnology, where I contributed a paper in the charter edition and spent two sabbaticals at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, where he became dean of engineering, then president of that university. He went on the become president of JAMSTEC, then a personal advisor to the Prime Minister, which is his present status.

By the end of all that, we were not hungry at all, but went down to Azure45 anyway for a light dinner.

Ended the night at the Club Lounge with cognac.

A light walk day.

Yesterday might have been the most beautiful day ever in Tokyo. You could see Mount Fuji all day. Breakfast at the Ritz Carlton Club Lounge is good, but not great. Of course, the view of Mount Fuji is sufficiently enhansive.

We took a long walk. Some photos. The cluster of tall buildings is Shinjuku. To the bottom left is Meiji Shrine, which is next to Harajuku, our intended goal.

Outside of the Ritz Carlton, and first some flower arrangements.

Entrance to Meiji Shrine.

Some fall colors

A sign said, The Great Santa Run. Looked more like A Tiny Santa Walk.

Blue flowers.

After a shower, back to the Club Lounge for music, sunset and more food/drinks,

An outstanding day with 12,338 steps.

Well, after I conclude this posting, back to the Sheraton Yokohama Bay, where we will stay for a night, and the next morning Shinkansen to Nagoya.

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