July 20, 2018 - We left early for our flight to Tokyo. We have an apartment we're renting through AirBnB in the Yoyogi section of Tokyo. From the airport we were able to take a train to our apartment (only 5 minutes from the Yoyogi station) and we spent the evening planning our adventures for tomorrow.
It was a 2 hour train ride from the Narita airport
Yay we're in Japan!
Pretty ride from the airport
Interesting looking building on the walk to our apartment
Someone is tired
Not sure what these shoes are for, but they were in the apartment so Meg decided to try them out!
There were some beautiful city views from our apartment
July 21, 20218 - Yesterday we stopped at a grocery store on the way to our apartment, which was quite the experience. There wasn't very much there that we recognized, but we did find a few things for breakfast and lunch. Kevin was happy to find some pre-made waffles and syrup. After breakfast we headed out for a full day of exploring. It's going to be a busy day: the Meiji Jingu Shrine (a short walk from our apt), a cat cafe, the print museum, and dinner out.
coffee and waffles!
so happy
The Meiji Jingu Park
Torii gate
The shrine is surrounded by a 170 acre park
Temizuya is a cleansing ritual done before entering the innermost grounds of a shrine. You take a dipper-ful of water, pour some water over your other hand, switch the dipper to the "cleaned" hand pour some water over the other hand, then pour water into the cleaned hand and rinse your mouth. Once finished pour water over that hand and then tip the dipper letting the water rinse the handle before replacing it.
Omikuji are fortunes written on strips of paper that you pull out of the box after giving a donation.
Meiji Jingu Shrine
There was a wedding going on in the shrine while we were there
beautiful door
There goes the wedding procession, with the bride being shielded by the umbrella
Ema are small wooden plaques that worshipers write their prayers and wishes on. These are hung at shrines where the kami (gods or spirits) are believed to receive them.
We see the cat cafe!
coffee, cats and funny flip flops
I loved this locker for umbrellas at the print museum!
Next we walked around watching people and checking out the shops
so many interesting nooks and crannies
lots of bikes
and lots of machines to buy anything you can imagine
the police keep things cleaned up while on duty. I love the witches broom!
Next we went to Shibuya Crossing (the Scramble). Probably the most famous crosswalk in the world!
There was a coffee shop overlooking the crosswalk
The light is green for traffic
Now it's red for traffic and the pedestrians are crossing the 5 crosswalks within the intersection
that's a lot of people
Really quick Shibuya Crossing Video
We enjoyed walking around Shibuya
I tried some green tea ice cream. It was pretty good!
It's so weird to be in stores and have no idea what anything is
Mega-something
pretty mural
For dinner we decided to try a food court in a department store on our way home. These food courts are called depachika, which means department store basement (they are common in Japanese department stores). We wandered around until we each decided on some dinner options and took them home to eat in our apartment.
There were LOTS of options
sushi
desserts
we made it home
great dinner!
AND great dessert!
July 22, 2018 - Today's another busy day. We're headed to Asakusa to see the Buddhist temple and we'll see what else we can find!
We started the day at the Shinjuku Gyoen Imperial Garden
pretty view from the pagoda
We stopped in the park to eat our pack lunch
Next we're heading to Senso-ji Buddhist temple in Asakusa
Some exploring of Asakusa on our way to the temple
Tokyo Skytree
Senso-ji is the oldest established temple in Tokyo. It was first founded in 645 AD
It was destroyed in a fire bombing raid during WWII and was rebuilt in the 50s
The 5 story pagoda
The main hall
Senso-ji is the most visited religious site in the world, with over 30 million visitors each year.
Nishisandori-shopping near the temple
We stopped in a bar for a few beers and snacks and had an interesting time trying to talk to the bartender. Kevin tried to say we were interested in Kabuki and she called someone to come to the bar to see if she could get us tickets. The timing wasn't going to work out, but she was so helpful.
bikes outside of the bar
the best bowl of rice and who knows what else. It's in a warmed stone bowl
the rice is so crispy and gooey
We walked back through Nishisandori. That's the Tokyo Skytree again
The yellow line is made of Tenji blocks which are found all over Japan. They are tactile blocks to help the visually impaired navigate.
Nakamise shopping street
Anyone for a rickshaw ride?
another beautiful sunset at our apartment
Here's a video of the trains we continually see from our apartment. It's so fun to watch, because there are so many trains!
Sleepy!!
July 23, 2018 - Today we're headed to the Imperial Palace, the Kite Museum, the Tsukiji Fish Market in Umami, the Ginza Six Department store and Shinjuku. ANOTHER busy day
Somebody's messing around while someone else is figuring out how we're going to get around Tokyo!
These subways are crowded!
we're headed to the fish market first
Tsukiji Fish Market
That's a big fish head
We bought onigiri at the fish market
We sat in a park to eat our fish market snacks and watched a daycare center. I was intrigued by the green wagon that all the kids loved to be in.
Next we went to Ginza Six Department Store
These are all these buttons in the bathroom (found in all Japanese bathrooms!)
View from the top of Ginza Six
rooftop of Ginza Six
More rooftop
Tiny little Kite Museum
Such pretty kites
Next we went to the Imperial Palace, but found it was closed
This is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan
We stopped at a ramen shop for dinner. We ordered when we walked in using a computer. We weren’t sure what we would end up with!
But the meal was great. There weren't any tables, everyone sat at a bar around the kitchen.
The ramen shop (down the steps)
All the men in Tokyo wear dark pants and white shirts to work. Here come a bunch of them, headed home.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku
There are nice views of Tokyo from the top floor
Yoyogi Park
I think I know them!
Sunset over Tokyo
last view of the Metropolitan Government Building
Next we're going to walk around Shinjuku before heading home
There is lots of neon in Shinjuku
We stopped in this garden for a beer
We're pooped!
Our apartment
July 24, 2018 - It's our last day in Tokyo and I'm sure we'll find a lot to do. We're headed to Yanaka, Ueno Akihbara and Harijuku for some exploring.
First we walked around Yanaka
It's hot in Tokyo, we're drinking lots of water
lots of interesting buildings
The Yanaka Cemetery
Next we headed to the National Museum in Ueno Park
Meg made a print of the Great Wave. It took several different prints/inks
The finished product!
Next we walked around Akihabara (lots of video games and anime)
Lots of stores with machines
Meg's trying to win
Harijuku is our next stop
Lots of people here
Tonkatsu for dinner (fried pork cutlet) YUM!
