Tokyo is consider one of the expensive cities to visit, nevertheless, it has never fail to bring in throng of tourists from around the World. It is an eye-opener and Tokyo is rich with its well preserved culture, mesmerising architecture, advanced innovation and invention, its people who are humble yet polite, a country with language barrier, and yet create that little curiousity in tourists to explore more, be it the culture, food, or its eccentric fashion sense.
Tokyo has everything and anything for everyone of all ages. From quaint historical Asakusa; a busy CBD of Shinjuku with the busiest train station which changes into sleazy red light district Kabukicho; a clubbing/drinking place Roppongi; the busiest pedestrian crossings in Shibuya, mushrooming maid cafes in Akihabara; tallest Tokyo Tower and lately Sky Tower; a place for freshest sashimi available in Tsukiji Fish Market with its wee morning auction; high-end shopping Ginza; and cheap buy teeny-boopers wears with Sunday cosplay in action, found in Harajuku.
If you have never been to Tokyo, it is a bit cruel to travel with its complicated metro/subway lines that definitely giving you the worst headache. It is confusing for first time traveller to Tokyo, and yet the most convenient way to access most of the places in the city.
On the second day, with just a subway map (like below) in tow, off we ventured out with much effort in the beginning. But trust me, at the end of the day, I roughly figured out the tangled octopus 's tentacles look-alike subway system. Once you master the skill of reading the map, there is no way that you will get lost. There is no lost in translation, just a few cultural shocks which were inevitable. For example,
1. Remove your shoes when you stepping into a fitting room. Their room always furnished with soft fluffy carpet. very thoughtful, but make sure you wear a pair of shoes which are easy to slip on and no hole in your socks/stockings!
2. Most fashion outlets carry size S and M. I am wondering how the size L people gonna do shopping in Tokyo. Poor BIG spenders....
3. I am overwhelmed with their vending machines selling wide array of goods, from beverages, to hot cooked food! I bought my hot yummy meals from vending machines with no FUSS!
4. Kawaii is commonly/widely used. There were few aunties and salesgirls talking something in an alien language which I wasn't too sure about other that the word 'Kawaii'. Guess it was a compliment...hmmm (wondering)
5. Working adults are so boring. They like to wear dull boring black suits on weekdays for work.
6. Its a pleasure experience to commute in trains. Everyone abides by the rules, no one talking on the phone, or chit-chatting in the train. They are mostly seen reading comics/newspapers, playing games on phones, dozing off, staring into blankness or listening to MP3.
On JR Yamanote Line, we took subway to Ueno Station. Got off at the station, and followed the sign reads "Park gate", then "Shinobazu gate". A good pointer to heed, make sure you note down which exit to take to reach to your preferred destinations, so as to cut down time searching high and low or asking around. Each station has so many exits!
Across the road, you can see Ameya yokocho and Ueno Park.
I reached at the Ueno Park, of course with a brolly.
Lanterns were all up, where sakura viewings were available.
How you know if you have reached Ueno Park? Simple...look for a flight of stairs next to Keisei Ueno Station.
Things which I found around Ueno Park....
Wooden blocks written with wishes and prayers, left in the temple, hoping GOD would answer to their prayers.
You can purchase the wooden piece, and write down your wishes too.
The steps you have to follow before entering the temple in Ueno Park. Always wash your hands and mouth.
Everyone was carrying brollies and wrapped under raincoats in the park. There were only 2 blooming sakura trees seen on that day. A bit disappointing, was sakura viewing at its end already? Were we too late for hanami?
This stretch of street in Ueno Park was supposed full of people picnicking under the sakura trees.
Another shrine with a torii gate.
A sad sight of fallen sakura petals on a wet path on a rainy day.
After a short stroll in the park, we scurried to a nearby cafe in Keisei Ueno Station for hot coffee and some snack to fuel ourselves with some warmth.
Sakura An-pan wrapped in sakura leaf.
After relaxing for a while, we had a peek at Ameya yokocho. Here you can find many fishmongers, fruit and vegetable sellers, knick-knacks, souvenirs and game arcades. Hate it when raindrops landed on my camera lens causing most of the snapshots blurry.
Row of vending machines.
Fresh hairy crabs on sale.
Saw many fresh mentaiko (fish roe) in the market section.
Alleys lined up with snacks, knick-knacks and cheap clothing.
Went to a ramen stall for lunch.
The shop was at the basement where you have to walk down the staircase to pass through the entrance.
Itadakimasu...
Some gyoza to compliment..
Next, we went to Asakusa for its famous Senso-ji, on Ginza line. Got down at Asakusa Station, turn right after coming out from Exit 1, walk straight until you see a big red lantern.
An impressive art work on the wall in Asakusa Station.
Take Exit 1 to reach Kaminari-mon Gate (with big red lantern)
Here we are, in Asakusa, where old meets new...
Before you reach Senso-ji, walk yourself through Nakamise Dori shopping street, which consisting of 80 stalls selling temple paraphernalia, traditional souvenirs and popular snack of salty sembei (crispy rice crackers, freshly made) and age-manju (deep fried bean dough).
Senso-ji and Hozomon Gate, the second gate with a big red lantern.
Rinsing rituals of hands and mouth before proceed for prayer in the temple.
People said by directing the incense smoke to certain parts of your body, this gesture can heal illness or sore on that particular parts.
Steps on how to draw Omikuji or read your fortune. Make sure you drop 100 yen into the wooden box, as a blessing.
Shake a container filled with numbered sticks, got the one which dropped out, and look for your fortune paper from the numbered multi-chest.
If you get a good fortune reading, just keep the paper with you and be humble. If not, do more good deeds and leave the fortune paper folded this way (like picture shown below) in the temple to draw away all the bad luck.
Mum and me bought amulets for the loved ones....there were so many with specific purposes, for love, family, wealth, health, academic, exam sitting, and others.
We went to Daikokuya which was very much raved about for its ebi tendon (shrimp tempura with rice), somewhere nearby Senso-ji. After some turns and walkabouts, finally we found Daikokuya. We realized that Daikokuya can be found in many other outlets around Tokyo.
Served with hot green tea.
Each of us ordered tendon rice, with prawn, mixed tempura and kisu fish, which costs 1500 yen each. It comes with a small serving pickles.
Showing you the deep-fried kisu fish.
Basically everything was deep-fried with batter...served with huge serving of rice...very filling.
Took the subway to go back to Shinjuku. First went to the JR office, to reserve a date, time and seats for NEX return tickets, for Narita Airport on the last day. This can be done by inserting your tickets into below machine, choose your preferred date, time and seats number. Another set of tickets will be printed out. This time, the info on seat numbers, date and time of departure will be printed. For your info, you need to reserve your seats before the day of departure with NEX, as the return tickets are open tickets.
Before returning to hotel, we went to Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, North Observatory Building.
The skyline of Tokyo city, from Northern Observatory Building. The Southern Observatory Building was said allow better spectacular view of Odaiba and the surrounding, but it closed earlier at 4.30 pm while the Northern opens till 10.30 pm.
The sky-scraping Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buiding.
As we were tired out after all the walking and shivering, we decided to take the subway on Toei Oedo Subway line, from Tocho-mae Station to Shinjuku, which is only one station apart. If you want to save on the train fare and love walking, you might want to walk from Tokyo Metropolitan Gov Building to Shinjuku.
That concludes my itinerary on the second day. There are more posts lining up. Stay tuned, folks!
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