The big smoke.
Trip Start
Apr 20, 2004
1
6
13
Trip End
Aug 28, 2005
Tokyo,
Japan
Saturday, April 30, 2005
We seamed to have a more relaxed time in Tokyo than say we did in Nara or Hiroshima which was pretty much just full on sight seeing. We didnt relly have too much of a "to see" list. Dans mate Tom Gowing lives in Tokyo and meet up with us the first day in Roppongi (famous nightspot area and crawling with forigners) for lunch then off to Shibuya where we saw the Japan famous Meiji Jingu Shrine and spent the afternoon sitting in Yoyogi Park which was used for the Tokyo Olympics.
Day 2 we were up and about quite early and off to see the Imperial Palace. We couldnt actually see any of the Palace itself as the grounds are closed off except for New Years day when it is apparently insanly crowded
Chee...zu
! What we did get to see was just the bridge leading accross to the entrance and also the guards house on top of the hill. Pretty funny as there we loads of Japanese tourists on bus trips all lining up for a group pic in front of the view. Does this facination with joining bus tour groups in your own country happen anywhere else in the world or just Japan??? (see the pic)Next it was out to Odaiba accross Tokyo Bay and apparently a hot spot for shopping and amusument. The funniest thing out here was the Tokyo statue of Liberty! Im not too familar with the original in New York but appaently this one is smaller and slightly different. Didnt do much else out here except sit on the man made beach, eat chips and gaze at the Rainbow bridge over towards Tokyo city.
That night we had our first taste of crazy Tokyo - we attempted to meet up with Tom and a mate of mine Danielle who was also visiting Tokyo for the week. Our mission was to meet up in Shinjuku in evening rush hour. What we were not aware of was that Shinjuku is one of the biggest train stations in the World. Our only instruction was to meet by the Starbucks just ouside the exit. Starbucks - there is almost one of those on every 2nd street corner in Japan and Shinjuku has 6 train stations that all lead to the same massive building with countless exits up to the road! So crazy that even the Tokyoite couldnt find the Starbucks
Old streets of Asakusa
. 45mins later we finally meet up with Danielle and had a primo Indian dinner. Again after getting lost for the 2nd time in Shinjuku we found an ectremely tall building (forgotton the actual name) with an amazing lookout over Tokyo from the 52nd floor!The last day in Tokyo we had an early start and went out to the Tsukiji Fish Markets. This is the largest wholesale fish and seafood market in Japan! Apparently the most bussling time to see it is at 5am-ish when the restaurant owners all arrive to bid on the fresh catch. We made it there by 9am and there was still a lot on the go. Pretty interesting place with amazing seafood and I am disapointed to say we did see fresh whale meat!
From there it was over to Asakusa which is the more traditional and Edo Period preserved Tokyo. The hightlight of this area for me was the street selling kitchen goods - everything from knives to bowls to coffee makers to plastic food models! A dietitians dream shop....well in the top 5 anyway! I couldnt resist and bought a piece of sushi thats now a fridge magnet. The true likeness is just awesome and they sell massive range of food and beers too although quite expensive considering you cant actually eat them!
We had then got all excited about spending 1/2 a day at Tokyo Disneysea however I had not been well the whole trip so decided to cut the trip a little short and just head home.
There is definatly way more to see and do in Tokyo than our short visit could possibly allow considering we didnt even get to hit the nightlife or shopping malls! Impression from the short time we were there is that it is a pretty happening city and Id love to spend more time here if we get the chance.
