Phineas Foggin' It
May 13th, 2026 | 02:49 PM
#21
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 915
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ASAKUSA - FIRST NIGHT
The Keisei Skyliner goes into it's own station in Ueno, and on Google maps it looked like we had to walk about 5 minutes to get to the Ginza Line in the JR Station, and it's raining. However, everything is so well marked, that you go from station to station underground. Found the Ginza line with no problem. Buying tickets was a slight challenge, it put in my credit card, no go. Tried the debit card, nope. We turned to an Asian couple behind us in line, "Do you know how this works?" No, we're from Cleveland! So funny, don't make assumptions. They said there is an ATM right around the corner, then it hit me, I have 60,000 Yen in my bag. Put in a thousand yen bill, got back some coinage and we are on our way. Only cost about 2 bucks to go to the Tararamachi Station, about two blocks from our hotel. We are staying at the Hotel Sunroute Asakusa, which we saw in a blog somewhere. Very central, affordable and a welcome beer when we go to the reception. Light rain, not pouring and we unpacked and headed out for some food. The goal is to stay up unitl 10PM, we've been up about 24 hours at this point. We are a few blocks from the Nakamise Shopping Street and the Senso-Ji Shrine. It is very peaceful at night but will be completely crazy tomorrow. On the way we stopped at Yoroiya Ramen for gyoza and ramen. Small line but we were seated pretty quickly. Great dinner to start our trip to Japan.
Hotel Sunroute Asakusa, can't say we have a big room but it's better than we expected.
Plus, there was some Gold at the end of the rainbow.
Yoroiya Ramen, it's one small line of chairs at the counter like a sushi place with more seating up top. We've been watching Midnight Diner and it gave us that feel.
I'm usually not a foodie, picture taking kind of guy, but I couldn't resist
Picture of the Kaminarimon Gate, which is right off of...Kaminarimon St! Coincidence? Which came first the gate or the chicken
An empty Nakamise Shopping Street, will be different tomorrow.
5 layer pagoda, very pretty at night.
I think this guy is saying, no photo, but too late.
Tokyo Tower from the temple grounds
Walking underneath the Gate.
Senso-Ji Hozoman Gate
An "arty" shot if I do say so myself
The Keisei Skyliner goes into it's own station in Ueno, and on Google maps it looked like we had to walk about 5 minutes to get to the Ginza Line in the JR Station, and it's raining. However, everything is so well marked, that you go from station to station underground. Found the Ginza line with no problem. Buying tickets was a slight challenge, it put in my credit card, no go. Tried the debit card, nope. We turned to an Asian couple behind us in line, "Do you know how this works?" No, we're from Cleveland! So funny, don't make assumptions. They said there is an ATM right around the corner, then it hit me, I have 60,000 Yen in my bag. Put in a thousand yen bill, got back some coinage and we are on our way. Only cost about 2 bucks to go to the Tararamachi Station, about two blocks from our hotel. We are staying at the Hotel Sunroute Asakusa, which we saw in a blog somewhere. Very central, affordable and a welcome beer when we go to the reception. Light rain, not pouring and we unpacked and headed out for some food. The goal is to stay up unitl 10PM, we've been up about 24 hours at this point. We are a few blocks from the Nakamise Shopping Street and the Senso-Ji Shrine. It is very peaceful at night but will be completely crazy tomorrow. On the way we stopped at Yoroiya Ramen for gyoza and ramen. Small line but we were seated pretty quickly. Great dinner to start our trip to Japan.
Hotel Sunroute Asakusa, can't say we have a big room but it's better than we expected.
Plus, there was some Gold at the end of the rainbow.
Yoroiya Ramen, it's one small line of chairs at the counter like a sushi place with more seating up top. We've been watching Midnight Diner and it gave us that feel.
I'm usually not a foodie, picture taking kind of guy, but I couldn't resist
Picture of the Kaminarimon Gate, which is right off of...Kaminarimon St! Coincidence? Which came first the gate or the chicken
An empty Nakamise Shopping Street, will be different tomorrow.
5 layer pagoda, very pretty at night.
I think this guy is saying, no photo, but too late.
Tokyo Tower from the temple grounds
Walking underneath the Gate.
Senso-Ji Hozoman Gate
An "arty" shot if I do say so myself
Last edited by Tdiddy12; May 13th, 2026 at 03:18 PM.
May 13th, 2026 | 11:29 PM
#23
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 272
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Loving the Tokyo photos and the narrative T. Had been planning a stop off in Japan on the way to see our Aussie family in Sydney. I had pretty much discounted that as airfares had shot up following the US/Iran war. Following this thread is tempting me to reconsider- damn the expense!
keep it coming
keep it coming
May 14th, 2026 | 12:59 AM
#24
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 915
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DAY TWO - MORNING IN ASAKUSA
We were both awake at 5:00AM but made ourselves stay in bed until 6:00. Then it was my job to find coffee. The lobby was empty and I wandered around the streets and nothing was open except McDonalds. Back with two Joes and we started moving things around in our small room freeing up some space. I will be reporting on this day in sections, because, man we hit it hard today! Breakfast was at 7-11, you know I really don't like how this narrative is going, I'm a shill for corporate America, but Japanese 7-11's are not like the ones in the US. We had to have an egg salad sandwich. Everyone on You Tube raves about them, and they are that good. It's something about the bread, it's so soft and light, it's like tender little egg stuffed between two clouds.
Then off to the Asakusa Culture Tourist Center, first for the view from the 8th floor and then to meet our guide for a walking tour. Quite an international crowd on the tour, although the only Americans were from California! Our guide was a woman from Argentina, who has been living in Japan for 8 years. She gave a very nice tour which covered most of the stuff we saw last night but actually gave us details. For instance the statue I posted last night is not saying "no Photos", he's saying bad spirits keep away. We visited the shrine and Nakamise Street which was packed. Did a few side streets, Hoppy street being one of them. Hoppy street is named after a drink, that is like beer with no alcohol. It was invented after the war. Now they add vodka or other spirits and it's actually stronger than beer. She told us a lot about Japanese culture and we really enjoyed learning about there work ethic. The tour lasted about two hours, quick stop for a bowl of Udon and then back for a rest. This afternoon we are going on a 3 hour tour with Gilligan-san.
I'm wandering around at 6:30AM, where is everybody?
McDonalds, so inappropriate, but you take your go-juice where you can find it.
Asakusa Culture Tourist Center, the observation is up on the top floor.
Looking out toward the Tokyo Skytree, from the observation deck. ( I think I called this Tokyo Tower last night in my post, that was wrong)
Looking down Nakamise Street from the observation desk
The Shrine was a little busier today.
Here's our guide and some our fellow tourists.
There were a ton of people here by 9:30AM
This is a better shot of the Skytree and the Asahi Building in the middle. The Asahi building is representing a golden beer with foam on the top.The "thing" on the right is supposed to be the Olympic flame. I didn't get that, it reminded me of...
There is going to be a big festival this weekend for the Sanja Matsui and they will be carrying in the mini shrines through the streets.
Nakamise Street at 9:30AM...
and at 9:30 PM last night
We were both awake at 5:00AM but made ourselves stay in bed until 6:00. Then it was my job to find coffee. The lobby was empty and I wandered around the streets and nothing was open except McDonalds. Back with two Joes and we started moving things around in our small room freeing up some space. I will be reporting on this day in sections, because, man we hit it hard today! Breakfast was at 7-11, you know I really don't like how this narrative is going, I'm a shill for corporate America, but Japanese 7-11's are not like the ones in the US. We had to have an egg salad sandwich. Everyone on You Tube raves about them, and they are that good. It's something about the bread, it's so soft and light, it's like tender little egg stuffed between two clouds.
Then off to the Asakusa Culture Tourist Center, first for the view from the 8th floor and then to meet our guide for a walking tour. Quite an international crowd on the tour, although the only Americans were from California! Our guide was a woman from Argentina, who has been living in Japan for 8 years. She gave a very nice tour which covered most of the stuff we saw last night but actually gave us details. For instance the statue I posted last night is not saying "no Photos", he's saying bad spirits keep away. We visited the shrine and Nakamise Street which was packed. Did a few side streets, Hoppy street being one of them. Hoppy street is named after a drink, that is like beer with no alcohol. It was invented after the war. Now they add vodka or other spirits and it's actually stronger than beer. She told us a lot about Japanese culture and we really enjoyed learning about there work ethic. The tour lasted about two hours, quick stop for a bowl of Udon and then back for a rest. This afternoon we are going on a 3 hour tour with Gilligan-san.
I'm wandering around at 6:30AM, where is everybody?
McDonalds, so inappropriate, but you take your go-juice where you can find it.
Asakusa Culture Tourist Center, the observation is up on the top floor.
Looking out toward the Tokyo Skytree, from the observation deck. ( I think I called this Tokyo Tower last night in my post, that was wrong)
Looking down Nakamise Street from the observation desk
The Shrine was a little busier today.
Here's our guide and some our fellow tourists.
There were a ton of people here by 9:30AM
This is a better shot of the Skytree and the Asahi Building in the middle. The Asahi building is representing a golden beer with foam on the top.The "thing" on the right is supposed to be the Olympic flame. I didn't get that, it reminded me of...
There is going to be a big festival this weekend for the Sanja Matsui and they will be carrying in the mini shrines through the streets.
Nakamise Street at 9:30AM...
and at 9:30 PM last night
Last edited by Tdiddy12; May 14th, 2026 at 01:02 AM.
May 14th, 2026 | 04:36 PM
#26
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 915
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DAY ONE - ROLLIN' ON THE RIVER...SUMIDA
After a brief rest we head down to the river and take a Tokyo River Cruise, it's not three hours and it's not the Minnow. It's about 35 minutes to Hamarikyu Gardens whick is included in the price of the ticket. We've actually been very happy with the cost of things so far. The river cruise with garden is about $7. The Udon lunch was $20 together for two big bowls. We haven't ventured into Wagyu land yet and that will be more expensive.
The roll down the river was great, so many nice apartment complexes right on the water with giant, probably corporate buildings, behind. The is a park / pathway that runs all along the river and of course it is extremely clean. We haven't seen any graffiti anywhere. We have sunshine, which is nice and the temperature is leaning toward the warm. I've been carrying a slicker but it's too hot to wear it. We spent about an hour in the gardens. It's a really big garden and not what I would expect from a Japanese garden, meaning it's not Zen at all, but this was a Shogun's estate, so it's much bigger than the Japanese Garden at the Huntington in Pasadena. If included some pictures.
After the garden we made our way to the Shimbashi station. A Japanese woman helped us navigate the way to the station. The Japanese stations HUGE, I mean monumental they are so big. We started in the Shiodome station, which is a small station and the made our way underground, through these massive corridors and came out in the Shimbashi station. Hopped on the Ginza Line and home in about a half an hour.
Napped until 7:00PM and went to the Senso-ji Shrine for the start of the Sanja Matsui festival but there was no one there? This started the Night of Mistakes. We stepped into the situation where we are so hangry with no plan. We don't understand a single menu. We have repeated this problem countless times in our travel. Einstein would be proud of us. Looking for a place we saw earlier, which was closed, and we ended up on Hoppy Street. This is a place where people go to drink and order small portions of over-priced food. The Japanese are almost forced to go out after work and drink with colleagues, if you don't go, you are weak and get the stink eye the whole next day at work. You drink and talk about your boss, unless he or she is there of course, then your face hurts from smiling. So we have some small pieces of chicken and a drink, get charged a table charge of $2 a person ( actually cheap) and leave. I'm still hungry, I'll show these Japanese people who's boss and we go to McDonalds and order french fries. Which sit in my stomach like the anchor of the Minnow as we try to go to sleep.
And that is how you end the first Epic Day in Japan!
Picture from the waiting lounge at the Tokyo Cruise office
Here is our boat!
Shot's from the river.
The park is very large and this pond is fed by the tidal waters
A traditional bridge you would expect to see in a Japanese garden, it's kind of funny to see this traditional garden and all of these big buildings hovering over it
Gotta have some color.
Stopping for a break along the pond bank
This is a 300 hundred year old tree planted by the 6th Shogun. We actually could have used some of those braces on our own limbs by the end of the day.
After a brief rest we head down to the river and take a Tokyo River Cruise, it's not three hours and it's not the Minnow. It's about 35 minutes to Hamarikyu Gardens whick is included in the price of the ticket. We've actually been very happy with the cost of things so far. The river cruise with garden is about $7. The Udon lunch was $20 together for two big bowls. We haven't ventured into Wagyu land yet and that will be more expensive.
The roll down the river was great, so many nice apartment complexes right on the water with giant, probably corporate buildings, behind. The is a park / pathway that runs all along the river and of course it is extremely clean. We haven't seen any graffiti anywhere. We have sunshine, which is nice and the temperature is leaning toward the warm. I've been carrying a slicker but it's too hot to wear it. We spent about an hour in the gardens. It's a really big garden and not what I would expect from a Japanese garden, meaning it's not Zen at all, but this was a Shogun's estate, so it's much bigger than the Japanese Garden at the Huntington in Pasadena. If included some pictures.
After the garden we made our way to the Shimbashi station. A Japanese woman helped us navigate the way to the station. The Japanese stations HUGE, I mean monumental they are so big. We started in the Shiodome station, which is a small station and the made our way underground, through these massive corridors and came out in the Shimbashi station. Hopped on the Ginza Line and home in about a half an hour.
Napped until 7:00PM and went to the Senso-ji Shrine for the start of the Sanja Matsui festival but there was no one there? This started the Night of Mistakes. We stepped into the situation where we are so hangry with no plan. We don't understand a single menu. We have repeated this problem countless times in our travel. Einstein would be proud of us. Looking for a place we saw earlier, which was closed, and we ended up on Hoppy Street. This is a place where people go to drink and order small portions of over-priced food. The Japanese are almost forced to go out after work and drink with colleagues, if you don't go, you are weak and get the stink eye the whole next day at work. You drink and talk about your boss, unless he or she is there of course, then your face hurts from smiling. So we have some small pieces of chicken and a drink, get charged a table charge of $2 a person ( actually cheap) and leave. I'm still hungry, I'll show these Japanese people who's boss and we go to McDonalds and order french fries. Which sit in my stomach like the anchor of the Minnow as we try to go to sleep.
And that is how you end the first Epic Day in Japan!
Picture from the waiting lounge at the Tokyo Cruise office
Here is our boat!
Shot's from the river.
The park is very large and this pond is fed by the tidal waters
A traditional bridge you would expect to see in a Japanese garden, it's kind of funny to see this traditional garden and all of these big buildings hovering over it
Gotta have some color.
Stopping for a break along the pond bank
This is a 300 hundred year old tree planted by the 6th Shogun. We actually could have used some of those braces on our own limbs by the end of the day.
May 15th, 2026 | 01:37 AM
#28
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 915
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DAY TWO - UENO PARK
Took it easy this morning, we have plans but nothing with a time limit. Coffee again at McDonalds, it's just cheaper and quicker. We are off to Ueno Park and the museums but first we made our way down to Senjo-ji to see if anything was set up for the festivities. There is a big parade today, and we should go, but everyone we've talked to says there will be a million people and we can't handle that. There is a food fair going on and we saw a few things we missed yesterday, then jumped on the Metro to Ueno from Asakusa station. We need to get my wife a Suica card. We've learned that they are acceptable everywhere for transit, food, purchases but you can only buy the card at a JR Rail station. Found a wonderfully helpful woman at the Customer Service and now we are fully charged up and ready for the rails.
I originally wanted to stay at in Ueno because there is so much to do in the park, but we ended up in Asakusa which is great also. Our plan was to go to the Tokyo National Museum but we went to the National Museum of Western Art instead. Very good collection and some works by artists we know, but either earlier or later, so they were different styles and sizes than we have seen in the past. After an hour or two we stopped in a real restaurant, after last nights debacle, and had a nice sit down lunch. Again, very reasonable, $10 US for a set menu. After lunch we headed into the Park, more on that in the next post.
Some of the food items at the food fair
I missed this statue yesterday and got a great shot of "old" meets "new"
This represents a giant sandal and there are two of them on the back of the Hozoman Gate at Senso-Ji Shrine. The are supposed to be saying, "Our gods are so big these are the sandals they wear, and they can kick your ass". I think this is from the original Sanskrit. I might have paraphrased.
Another little shrine I stumbled on
Ueno Station, I'm getting flashbacks from our London Trip
Entrance to the museum. Geezers get in free! It's good to be old
This is a Monet and it was long and thin unlike most of his work I've seen, which is either square of more horizontal.
This was a huge Monet that was damaged in the war and the French didn't care for it. It was down in the Louvre basement or something then the Japanese bought.
A Picasso, quite large, from during his "Quite large" period
This was a small Rembrandt that was titled "Self Portrait in Oriental Garb". Apparently Rembrandt never made it to the Orient.
Another beautiful Monet.
Took it easy this morning, we have plans but nothing with a time limit. Coffee again at McDonalds, it's just cheaper and quicker. We are off to Ueno Park and the museums but first we made our way down to Senjo-ji to see if anything was set up for the festivities. There is a big parade today, and we should go, but everyone we've talked to says there will be a million people and we can't handle that. There is a food fair going on and we saw a few things we missed yesterday, then jumped on the Metro to Ueno from Asakusa station. We need to get my wife a Suica card. We've learned that they are acceptable everywhere for transit, food, purchases but you can only buy the card at a JR Rail station. Found a wonderfully helpful woman at the Customer Service and now we are fully charged up and ready for the rails.
I originally wanted to stay at in Ueno because there is so much to do in the park, but we ended up in Asakusa which is great also. Our plan was to go to the Tokyo National Museum but we went to the National Museum of Western Art instead. Very good collection and some works by artists we know, but either earlier or later, so they were different styles and sizes than we have seen in the past. After an hour or two we stopped in a real restaurant, after last nights debacle, and had a nice sit down lunch. Again, very reasonable, $10 US for a set menu. After lunch we headed into the Park, more on that in the next post.
Some of the food items at the food fair
I missed this statue yesterday and got a great shot of "old" meets "new"
This represents a giant sandal and there are two of them on the back of the Hozoman Gate at Senso-Ji Shrine. The are supposed to be saying, "Our gods are so big these are the sandals they wear, and they can kick your ass". I think this is from the original Sanskrit. I might have paraphrased.
Another little shrine I stumbled on
Ueno Station, I'm getting flashbacks from our London Trip
Entrance to the museum. Geezers get in free! It's good to be old
This is a Monet and it was long and thin unlike most of his work I've seen, which is either square of more horizontal.
This was a huge Monet that was damaged in the war and the French didn't care for it. It was down in the Louvre basement or something then the Japanese bought.
A Picasso, quite large, from during his "Quite large" period
This was a small Rembrandt that was titled "Self Portrait in Oriental Garb". Apparently Rembrandt never made it to the Orient.
Another beautiful Monet.
Last edited by Tdiddy12; May 15th, 2026 at 01:41 AM.
May 15th, 2026 | 03:19 PM
#31
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 915
Likes: 0
DAY TWO - UENO AFTERNOON
After our lunch we actually made it into the park and it is glorious. Full of shrines, pathways, beautiful trees and a very large pond to walk around. We have a plan for after the park and that is to go to Mominoki House, which I guess by definition is a day spa. Here, for 1100 Yen, you can soak your feet in nice hot water with a cup of tea, and then get a short back massage for an additional fee. We chose a 15 minute massage. It was one of the experiences that we will always remember and probably laugh about. Not quite as unique as when we had little fish bite the dead skin off our feet in Thailand, but still memorable.
A quick bite at this stylish restaurant.
Entrance into the park, what a magical looking forest
Not as big as the arches / gates in Kyoto, but still pretty
Little foxes guarding the gates.
Lily pond in Ueno Park with Shrine
Looking out from one of the shrines, there is a nice tree that I'm sure has been formed into this circle.
Entrance to Mominoki House
Advertisement from in front of the building, but it gives you a nice shot of a back massage
This is where we sat, tiled foot bath in front of us. Cups on tea on the counter, you stash your shoes and other belongings in the seats
The ladies putting on the pressure. After a long day of walking it felt really good.
Just south of the Ueno Station is Ameyoko Market street. I should have taken more pictures, but it's a typical crowded market street selling everything from headphones to raw fish. Something was happening here with the giant blue bunny.
After our lunch we actually made it into the park and it is glorious. Full of shrines, pathways, beautiful trees and a very large pond to walk around. We have a plan for after the park and that is to go to Mominoki House, which I guess by definition is a day spa. Here, for 1100 Yen, you can soak your feet in nice hot water with a cup of tea, and then get a short back massage for an additional fee. We chose a 15 minute massage. It was one of the experiences that we will always remember and probably laugh about. Not quite as unique as when we had little fish bite the dead skin off our feet in Thailand, but still memorable.
A quick bite at this stylish restaurant.
Entrance into the park, what a magical looking forest
Not as big as the arches / gates in Kyoto, but still pretty
Little foxes guarding the gates.
Lily pond in Ueno Park with Shrine
Looking out from one of the shrines, there is a nice tree that I'm sure has been formed into this circle.
Entrance to Mominoki House
Advertisement from in front of the building, but it gives you a nice shot of a back massage
This is where we sat, tiled foot bath in front of us. Cups on tea on the counter, you stash your shoes and other belongings in the seats
The ladies putting on the pressure. After a long day of walking it felt really good.
Just south of the Ueno Station is Ameyoko Market street. I should have taken more pictures, but it's a typical crowded market street selling everything from headphones to raw fish. Something was happening here with the giant blue bunny.
May 15th, 2026 | 03:36 PM
#32
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 915
Likes: 0
DAY TWO - EVENING
As I write this I can't believe it's only Day Two!! We've packed more in these two days than a Japanese subway. After our Museum, Park, Massage we come back for a little down time and then head to Senso-Ji Shrine to see if anything is going on. Remember the big parade was at 1PM and we opted to skidaddle away from that. The food stalls are still up, and still a lot of people. We grab some food, fried chicken and something we thought were some kind of pastries. We saw the guy pouring in the batter into these cups in a griddle like contraption. They actually were octopus balls! Ok, not literally octopus balls, but a soft bread ball with pieces of octopus. I can't say they were delicious. Then we started hearing some chanting and we saw a parade through the shrine grounds. There are separate teams, based on the uniforms, and these are the "teams" that carry the shrines. We have seen people dressed up in this traditional garb around the neighborhood. There are about 40 people, per shrine ,chanting and lifting the shrines up. So we got to see our parade after all, and it was really something. One of those things that you stumble on while traveling.
On the way to the Shrine we saw this "bandstand", playing the hits!
There was another rolling bandstand in the parade
Play them flutes baby. They might be communicating with the dead because it was sound that would wake the dead
Here is one of the shrines
You can get an idea of what the "uniforms" look like
More shrine action
They all excited through the Hozoman Gate. It was such a treat to see this.
As I write this I can't believe it's only Day Two!! We've packed more in these two days than a Japanese subway. After our Museum, Park, Massage we come back for a little down time and then head to Senso-Ji Shrine to see if anything is going on. Remember the big parade was at 1PM and we opted to skidaddle away from that. The food stalls are still up, and still a lot of people. We grab some food, fried chicken and something we thought were some kind of pastries. We saw the guy pouring in the batter into these cups in a griddle like contraption. They actually were octopus balls! Ok, not literally octopus balls, but a soft bread ball with pieces of octopus. I can't say they were delicious. Then we started hearing some chanting and we saw a parade through the shrine grounds. There are separate teams, based on the uniforms, and these are the "teams" that carry the shrines. We have seen people dressed up in this traditional garb around the neighborhood. There are about 40 people, per shrine ,chanting and lifting the shrines up. So we got to see our parade after all, and it was really something. One of those things that you stumble on while traveling.
On the way to the Shrine we saw this "bandstand", playing the hits!
There was another rolling bandstand in the parade
Play them flutes baby. They might be communicating with the dead because it was sound that would wake the dead
Here is one of the shrines
You can get an idea of what the "uniforms" look like
More shrine action
They all excited through the Hozoman Gate. It was such a treat to see this.
Yesterday | 12:43 PM
#33
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 915
Likes: 0
DAY THREE - MORNING IN THE HOOD
We took it easy again, although we are waking up around 5:30 - 6:00 AM. We didn't experience much jet lag but our sleep pattern has been disturbed waking up so early. We are going to the Cafe Tomorrow for breakfast. When it comes to traveling, I think my wife and I have an excellent partnership, I'm a big picture guy, I might pick the cities and then museums and other sites, then Elizabeth starts looking for the hidden jewels. Cafe Tomorrow is one of those little jewels. It's on a fairly main alley in Asakusa but it's tucked away upstairs. Has a set menu, we go for ham and eggs with coffee, it's 880 Y, or a little over $5. We thoroughly enjoyed our breakfast, plus we got there at a good time, when we left they were lining up on the stairs. This afternoon we are headed to the Imperial Palace. On our way back to the room, we ran across one the shrines, it's on a stand in the street and there is a big tent / canopy where the team members hang out, and probably smoke and drink beer. A few minutes later as we tried to cross Orange St. another parade broke out with about 3 shrines. We asked, and the teams, are more like clubs with unique clothes and they try to out do each other by getting the crowd into it, chanting and such.
Here's our little room. quite different than the Hyatt at the start of this adventure.
Coming into Cafe Tomorrow
It's really tight, but that's what makes it fun
Breakfast was quick and very tasty. There's scrambled eggs on the left, miso soup, a little salad, and egg salad toast with ham
There is plenty to read, if you know Japanese
Here is one of the shrines on the stand. I have no idea how these shrines are transported here to AsakusaSitr
Stirring up the crowd
Another shrine passing
We took it easy again, although we are waking up around 5:30 - 6:00 AM. We didn't experience much jet lag but our sleep pattern has been disturbed waking up so early. We are going to the Cafe Tomorrow for breakfast. When it comes to traveling, I think my wife and I have an excellent partnership, I'm a big picture guy, I might pick the cities and then museums and other sites, then Elizabeth starts looking for the hidden jewels. Cafe Tomorrow is one of those little jewels. It's on a fairly main alley in Asakusa but it's tucked away upstairs. Has a set menu, we go for ham and eggs with coffee, it's 880 Y, or a little over $5. We thoroughly enjoyed our breakfast, plus we got there at a good time, when we left they were lining up on the stairs. This afternoon we are headed to the Imperial Palace. On our way back to the room, we ran across one the shrines, it's on a stand in the street and there is a big tent / canopy where the team members hang out, and probably smoke and drink beer. A few minutes later as we tried to cross Orange St. another parade broke out with about 3 shrines. We asked, and the teams, are more like clubs with unique clothes and they try to out do each other by getting the crowd into it, chanting and such.
Here's our little room. quite different than the Hyatt at the start of this adventure.
Coming into Cafe Tomorrow
It's really tight, but that's what makes it fun
Breakfast was quick and very tasty. There's scrambled eggs on the left, miso soup, a little salad, and egg salad toast with ham
There is plenty to read, if you know Japanese
Here is one of the shrines on the stand. I have no idea how these shrines are transported here to AsakusaSitr
Stirring up the crowd
Another shrine passing
Yesterday | 01:28 PM
#34
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2009
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DAY THREE - AFTERNOON IMPERIAL GARDENS, SHIBUYA, HARAJUKU
We took a tour of the East and Outer Gardens of the Imperial Palace with the Tokyo Volunteer Guides Office. Pro Tip: If you want to do the Palace tour, you have to book way in advance. We didn't Boo. Two women met us at the Tourist office in Shinjuku and gave us a two hour tour of the Gardens, which are actually a fairly long train trip from Shinjuku, but that is the home of the main office. Miyo and Noryiko, were delightful and they are both still working, but once a month take English speakers on a tour. It was 1040Y which was used to cover their train tickets. It was a real bear to find the Tourist Office. Shinjuku is massive and we had to transfer from the Ginza line to an actual train line. I should say here that Tokyo has a spaghetti bowl of trains and metros, many run by different companies. After the tour we headed over to Shibuya Crossing. It is pretty crazy, but after you've seen a couple of crossings, it's just a massive crowd of people. We then took a one stop ride to Harajuku stopping at the Omote-Sando station. Omote Sando is the street filled with the highest end brands imaginable. It makes Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills look like a cow pasture. I've included on shot here, but it doesn't do it justice. We didn't realize we were going to "Beverly HIlls" and the sushi place we wanted to visit is now a hot Tik'Tok sight and the line seems days long, so we found a pizza place instead. It still turned out to be our most expensive meal yet!
When we got off the train at Shinjuku, we saw this dance troupe and it looked like some volunteers. The train station spills into a mall, as does everything in Tokyo, man these people love to shop
Our guides and my wife.
Inside the Tokyo Station
The Emperor has own private entrance into the station, but he has to ride coach. NOT TRUE, he has his own train.
Outside shots of the Train Sation
Guard station on the Palace grounds
This is the Palace Hotel, I'm guessing a pretty penny to say here
We are now entering the Main Entrance.
Not too busy today, easy to get in, they do a quick bag check
First massive gate, if the enemy got this far, there were archers above this gate to "discourage" them.
Close up of one of the side doors.
The gardens are huge and there were a lot of open spaces
The gardens we've seen haven't felt like Japanese gardens that we have seen at home in the States, and I think because have taken all of the elements of Japanese gardens and crowded them in one spot.
They have so much more space that the "elements" that we are familiar with are spread out.
Coming down the hill on the way to the gardens. The Palace is up on a hill. We learned that a lot of Tokyo is on re-claimed land like the Dutch. At one point the ocean came up to here.
We took a tour of the East and Outer Gardens of the Imperial Palace with the Tokyo Volunteer Guides Office. Pro Tip: If you want to do the Palace tour, you have to book way in advance. We didn't Boo. Two women met us at the Tourist office in Shinjuku and gave us a two hour tour of the Gardens, which are actually a fairly long train trip from Shinjuku, but that is the home of the main office. Miyo and Noryiko, were delightful and they are both still working, but once a month take English speakers on a tour. It was 1040Y which was used to cover their train tickets. It was a real bear to find the Tourist Office. Shinjuku is massive and we had to transfer from the Ginza line to an actual train line. I should say here that Tokyo has a spaghetti bowl of trains and metros, many run by different companies. After the tour we headed over to Shibuya Crossing. It is pretty crazy, but after you've seen a couple of crossings, it's just a massive crowd of people. We then took a one stop ride to Harajuku stopping at the Omote-Sando station. Omote Sando is the street filled with the highest end brands imaginable. It makes Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills look like a cow pasture. I've included on shot here, but it doesn't do it justice. We didn't realize we were going to "Beverly HIlls" and the sushi place we wanted to visit is now a hot Tik'Tok sight and the line seems days long, so we found a pizza place instead. It still turned out to be our most expensive meal yet!
When we got off the train at Shinjuku, we saw this dance troupe and it looked like some volunteers. The train station spills into a mall, as does everything in Tokyo, man these people love to shop
Our guides and my wife.
Inside the Tokyo Station
The Emperor has own private entrance into the station, but he has to ride coach. NOT TRUE, he has his own train.
Outside shots of the Train Sation
Guard station on the Palace grounds
This is the Palace Hotel, I'm guessing a pretty penny to say here
We are now entering the Main Entrance.
Not too busy today, easy to get in, they do a quick bag check
First massive gate, if the enemy got this far, there were archers above this gate to "discourage" them.
Close up of one of the side doors.
The gardens are huge and there were a lot of open spaces
The gardens we've seen haven't felt like Japanese gardens that we have seen at home in the States, and I think because have taken all of the elements of Japanese gardens and crowded them in one spot.
They have so much more space that the "elements" that we are familiar with are spread out.
Coming down the hill on the way to the gardens. The Palace is up on a hill. We learned that a lot of Tokyo is on re-claimed land like the Dutch. At one point the ocean came up to here.
Yesterday | 04:00 PM
#36
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,168
Likes: 83
Great read Tdiddy, but those crowd photos give me the serious heebie-jeebies.
We've flown around the world a few times, but mostly to get from one side of it to the other and back.
Count me in for your epic adventure!
Suggestion: As you move from country to country, you might consider starting a new thread and then begin the new thread by posting the link to the previous thread.
We've flown around the world a few times, but mostly to get from one side of it to the other and back.
Count me in for your epic adventure!
Suggestion: As you move from country to country, you might consider starting a new thread and then begin the new thread by posting the link to the previous thread.
Last edited by Melnq8; Yesterday at 04:04 PM.
Yesterday | 10:25 PM
#37
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 915
Likes: 0
Hey Melnq8 - Good to see you. There are serious crowds here! I am going to take your suggestion and go from country to country, may depend on you to help me with the process. I'm assuming some kind of cut and past, but I will reach out in a couple of weeks.
Yesterday | 11:59 PM
#39
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 915
Likes: 0
DAY 4 - SHIBUYA THE SEQUEL AND MEIJA JINGU SHRINE
We had a little break again this morning, yesterday was a long day. I didn't really feel like I got enough Shibuya and my wife wanted to see the Hachi-Ko statue. So after some breakfast treats at Family Mart we headed to Shibuya. The great thing about Asakusa is that it's right on the Ginza line which has made getting to various places easy because the Ginza line starts in Asakusa and ends in Shibuya. Now that we have been to the Shibuya station, it's feels less crazy than yesterday. Got off and crossed the Crossing to get to Hachi-Ko. If you don't know, the legend or truth, is that Hachi-Ko, an Akita dog, walked to the station everyday with his owner, then returned to meet his master after work. His owner was a professor in the area. One day the owner had a heart attack and died in the office but the dog returned every night, waiting for his owner. He did this for 9 years, 9 months and 15 days. I'm not sure who was keeping track but this was in 1925, so Shibuya didn't even have a Starbucks back then. Now there is a statue and everyone takes a picture. Went up the Shibuya Hikarie mall to get a shot of the Crossing but it wasn't that busy today. Then we grabbed a bus, that was fun, a little commuter bus to Meija Shrine and Garden. More on that in the next post.
Crossing the Shambles. Less hectic than yesterday.
Some of the big buildings and so many signs and advertisements
Here is a side view of Hachiko
Front view, you have to be quick before other people rush up.
Looking out over the horizon. In one place we could actually see Mt. Fuji, but too faded to get a picture on the I Phone
This is the view from the 11 Floor of the Hikarie building. We had a heck of time trying to figure out how to get around the elevators in some of these buildings.
On the bus, it was lot easier than taking the metro.
This is a mock up of what they are going to do in the area. Most of it is completed but they are doing a lot of construction on the metro
Took a photo out of the bus window
We had a little break again this morning, yesterday was a long day. I didn't really feel like I got enough Shibuya and my wife wanted to see the Hachi-Ko statue. So after some breakfast treats at Family Mart we headed to Shibuya. The great thing about Asakusa is that it's right on the Ginza line which has made getting to various places easy because the Ginza line starts in Asakusa and ends in Shibuya. Now that we have been to the Shibuya station, it's feels less crazy than yesterday. Got off and crossed the Crossing to get to Hachi-Ko. If you don't know, the legend or truth, is that Hachi-Ko, an Akita dog, walked to the station everyday with his owner, then returned to meet his master after work. His owner was a professor in the area. One day the owner had a heart attack and died in the office but the dog returned every night, waiting for his owner. He did this for 9 years, 9 months and 15 days. I'm not sure who was keeping track but this was in 1925, so Shibuya didn't even have a Starbucks back then. Now there is a statue and everyone takes a picture. Went up the Shibuya Hikarie mall to get a shot of the Crossing but it wasn't that busy today. Then we grabbed a bus, that was fun, a little commuter bus to Meija Shrine and Garden. More on that in the next post.
Crossing the Shambles. Less hectic than yesterday.
Some of the big buildings and so many signs and advertisements
Here is a side view of Hachiko
Front view, you have to be quick before other people rush up.
Looking out over the horizon. In one place we could actually see Mt. Fuji, but too faded to get a picture on the I Phone
This is the view from the 11 Floor of the Hikarie building. We had a heck of time trying to figure out how to get around the elevators in some of these buildings.
On the bus, it was lot easier than taking the metro.
This is a mock up of what they are going to do in the area. Most of it is completed but they are doing a lot of construction on the metro
Took a photo out of the bus window
