10/6/12 - (continued)

 

Caught the Subway to Akihabara.  

We walked around and came across theYodobashi Camera store and went in to try out the massage chairs. Yep, we got our free massages - God knows we needed it, especially our feet. Yodobashi has a whole section of massage chairs & foot massage machines. You cannot go to Japan and not go in for a "free" massage. Totally Enjoyable and Totally Needed!

 

 

Akihibara is full of electronic shops selling computers, cameras, phones, appliances new and used. 

 



 

We were looking for the Don Quiote store so we could check out the snacks, small omiyage and Nikki wanted to look for a particular candy and rubber bands for her family. We finally found the store. Shucks I should have taken a closer look at their Halloween costumes. I think they had a whole floor of them!

 

I don't know what's the deal with the girls (and some boys) dressing up as maids to serve people in the restaurants/eateries they work in.  They think it's cute, but I don't get it.  It looks kind of silly to me!  I guess the Japanese look at it as being served by a sexy maid.  hmm



 

This group is called AKB48.  The AKB is representative of where they come from, Akihabara.  They perform at their theatre and have become very popular in Japan.  We walked pass their theatre and didn't see them so I uploaded this photo so you could see who they were.

 

 

We made our way back to our hotel and had dinner at one of the nearby shops.

10/6/12 (continued)

Kappabashi Dori is where you would go if you were opening up a restaurant.  They sell everything you need in a kitchen, pots, pans, large & small, for baking, grilling, steaming and all kinds of dishes, bowls, plates, everything and anything you need, even beautifully decorated chopsticks.  There were appliances, furniture, signs, lanterns and uniforms.  You name it, they got it!

We were looking for a shabu shabu, yakiniku cast iron pan and we found one.  Yep, only one but there was one big problem.  How were we going to ship it?  It's super heavy, we all traveled light so no extra space in our luggage and it was just too much to think about at the moment.  So did we buy it?  Nope.  Maybe we'll look into it later.

 

We're off now to Ameyoko in Ueno via....you guessed it....the Subway!

 

 

 

 

Here's another shopping arcade!  There's all kinds of fresh seafood, packaged nuts, cuttle fish, outside eateries, and clothing, purses, knicknacks, Sanrio, perfume, shoes, karaoke and restaurants.

 

Fresh Seafood.  One whole tray of fish, shrimp & other food for 500yen a tray!

 

Fresh fish, prawns, shrimp, clams, crab, all sold by the tray.

 

 

 More fresh seafood!



 

Packaged foods!

We walked from one end of the market to the other end.  There are shops that run perpendicular to this shopping arcade too.  Lots to see, not enough time!

 

We walked around this city for awhile.

There was a line of kids outside this building.  I wonder what was going on inside???

 



 

 

 

 



10/6/12 - (continued)  Traveled via subway to Asakusa.  Visited the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), the Sensoji Temple and browsed through the Nakamise Shopping Center on our way in.

 

This is the Kaminari Gate.  The entrance gate leading to the Sensoji Temple.  This was built more than 1000 years ago.

 



Here's Ryan, Nikki & George at the gate.

 



Here's Ryan, Nikki & Me at the gate.

 



This is an unusual piece of art.  It's actually the bottom of this huge lantern.  As we passed under I looked up and saw it and couldn't help but snap a picture of it!  I must do some reading about this place so I can understand what it all means.

 



 

We passed through the Nakamise Shopping Center which is really a whole bunch of vendors, lined up along the streets selling their knicknacks.  As Ryan put it, "it's a tourist trap".  I agree, but I like looking at all those things.  I didn't buy anything but I like looking.

 

We are standing outside the Sensoji Temple.  This temple was built to honor the Goddess of Mercy. Tokyo's largest and most popular Matsuri (Shinto Festival) is held here in the Spring.

 

We made some offerings and checked out the Takoyaki and chicken booths right outside.  Not so good!

 

Here's a Pagoda right outside of the temple.  It is believed that this is an "antenna to heaven".

 



 

There were two of the statues on both sides of the lantern at the entrance.  I'm assuming they are the protectors.

Going through the Nakamise Shopping Center, approaching the Sensoji Temple.  They sold Osenbei (rice crackers), Yukata, tshirts, bags, little knicknacks, ice cream and there was a shop that sold really pretty japanese fans & material but they were super expensive!  There was also Shin-Nakamise Shopping Street which ran perpendicular to the Nakamise Shopping Center.  It's a covered shopping arcade, lots of interesting things.  I wanted to buy this little fold out stool.  Uhm, mostly because my feet were killing me!

 

I am standing outside of the temple looking back at the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) which is the entrance to the temple.

 

Here's Ryan & Nikki outside the Sensoji Temple. 

Sensoji Temple, a Buddhist Temple is Tokyo's most famous and popular temple.  Built in the 7th century and is one of the oldest.

 



Another picture of the the Pagoda!

 



Inside the Temple!  Said our prayers in silence.  There were so many people there, such reverence and respect for their religious beliefs. 

 



 

 

Another shot of the Pagoda.

 



 

We came across this after our visit to the temple.  A Buddhist statue tucked away in the brush.

 



 

And yet, another shrine.

 



 

We could see the Tokyo Sky Tree from here but it costs 2500 yen to go up to the tower to see the city.  Uhm, that equates to $32.00 per person so, maybe next time or we'll try to go to the Government Tower for free.  Ok, we're done here and off to Kappabashi Dori.

10/6/12 - Up early and we're off via the Subway to none other than....Tsukiji Fish Market!  This is definitely the highlight of our trip.  Seafood everywhere, odd dishes, which George & Ryan tasted (I'm not that adventurist!), such as whale meat.  Both of them said, ok, we tried it and YUCK!  In George's words it tasted like fishy, fishy, thick oil!  Can't be good! 

 

 

Here's one of the many ramen shops down at Tsukiji Market!  Yum.  The only thing is you cannot sit and enjoy your meal, like I normally do.  You have to eat fast and that's probably why they slurp their noodles so much.  It's hot and you have to eat fast....Why, you may ask?  Well, there's a line of people waiting for your seat and the owner wants you to hurry so they can make money.  One ramen cost 600 yen which equates to approximately $7 to $8, comparable to Hawai'i prices.  I'll be back!

 

 

We visited this shop pretty much every day.  They had an assortment of fish items.  We tried this fish cake ball with edamame.  That was good!  We also tried a sardine fish pattie and that was yummy too!  We also tried their deep fried tako....yummy, yummy, yummy!

My absolute favorite place to go!.....Tsukiji Fish Market!

We need something like this here in Hawai'i, down at Fisherman's Wharf!

 

This is a shop that sells knives.  I'm sure George would have wanted one but it would probably get confiscated when we go through customs.  This guy was concentrating on sharpening his knives.  There were a few of these shops in and around the market area.

 

Here's a shop that sold a variety of musubi's.  Unfortunately, we preferred the sashimi bowls & the ramen.  Looked 'ono but too much rice wasn't a good idea after all we had a full day ahead of us.

 

 

Breakfast of champions!  Yummy, yummy, yummy, I got love in my tummy!  The fish is so fresh, the rice is flavored just right and the fish eggs was so 'ono topped off with the shisho leaf which added that extra taste/touch! 

 

 

Now that we're done with our breakfast, we're off to do some touring.

 

Back to the Subway and we're off to Asakusa.

10/5/12 - (continued)

(Unfortunately, we wanted to stop in Harajuku but we missed the stop - Next time!)

We arrive in Shinjuku!

There's more shopping here.....It's a shopping mecca!

Lots and lots of stores!

More stacked businesses & restaurants!

There's so many people here too! Nobody goes home....

Karaoke rooms are big (and expensive) in Japan!

Businesses upon businesses!

 

Father & son enjoying the lights!  The lighting makes it so exciting....so much going on but since we can't read Japanese, we really don't know what all the signs say.

It's nice to spend time together and explore the different culture, food & people.

 

 

Turkish food...huh?

 



There's always people trying to get you into their businesses along the sidewalks.



 

We were just cruising around this city.  Remember now, we had a few and it's late, maybe it wasn't such a good idea to be roaming around.

 

This city was big on shopping, eateries, karaoke & bars.....you name it, they had it but it was all in Japanese.

After walking, walking, walking, we finally made our way back to where our subway station was and we headed back to our hotel. This was the longest train ride or at least it seemed like the longest ride....we were absolutely pooped!

Wow, what a fun-filled day! Need some rest cause we have to get up early to do it all over again!

10/5/12 (continued)

Yep, that's right.....it's still 10/5. We were on a mission to see as much as we could while in Tokyo. Ok, back to Shibuya....This is inside the watering hole we came across. I believe it was happy hour BUT there was a catch....

To sit down in the bar, there was a sitting fee!

Oh well, thirsty, thirsty so we all paid the sitting fee and enjoyed Happy Hour!

Of course if you calculated it out, you had to drink at least 4 beers before you got an excellent price.

Notice the Jack-o-lantern? Yes, Tokyo is a bit westernized. We met a guy there, I believe he was Filipino from Canada. He could speak Japanese quite well and George got into a conversation with him too! It turned out to be a comfortable place to rest our poor, hurting, tired feet!

Kampai! thirsty, thirsty!

And when we emerged, the City of Shibuya was lit up like Las Vegas! I think, next time, I'd like to stay closer to this side of Tokyo for two reasons.....one, the walking would be shorter....two, there would be more time to go inside the many shops and look around.

Do you see the signs? It's like that everywhere which makes it totally easy for us, tourists to get LOST!

We went walking, and walking....

and more walking.....

hahaha, they had to stop and take a picture here! Japan has the most unusual signs! hahahaha

See the Tokyu Store? This store is located above the Shibuya Station and has 12 floors of shopping!

Boy oh boy, Ala Moana must seem super small to the Japanese tourists who visit our islands.

Look how many people are crossing the street! 

Does anyone sleep at night? This can't be all tourists!

Imagine now, we had a few drinks, walked around Shibuya, waited while Nikki shopped and then found our way back to the Shibuya Station with all these people all over the place! I really had to pay attention and keep up with them before I got lost!



And, we're back on the subway, heading to Harajuku and then Shinjuku.