This was a free day for our group and we went our separate ways. I spent the entire day on my own and all these photos are of places I managed to get to by myself! 

The Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower.

 Sampo Japan Building

Tokyo City Hall lobby

On the level below this there was a beautiful exhibit of bonsai azaleas but photos were not allowed. 

from the 45th floor sky deck of the City Hall 

This building is an entire university in one tower. 

These pictures are from the outskirts of Tokyo in a place called Washianomiya. 

Residential streets. note: palm tree. 

Here we have the reason why I went to all the trouble to get out here.  This is a scene from the opening sequence of Lucky Star. Washianomiya shrine is featured heavily in the anime because two of the main characters work part time as Miko there. Things have changed a little bit because the artwork for this shot was done about 7 years ago now. 

The private gardens of the shrine where the staff grow a lot of their own food. 

The popularity of this shrine has greatly grown in recent years thanks to it being featured in Lucky Star which has led to some unusual results such as these anime themed prayer plaques. No, this is not typical of shrines in general just so you know.