Tsukiji fish market

Our last day in Tokyo was supposed to be an early one so we could go to Tsukiji fish market. To bad Nhina's alarm was 8 hours off. But we only overslept by 2 hours and we did get to the market in time to se the last tuna being cut up in pieces. Tsukiji was very interesting with a lot of things to look at and the atmosphere was quite unique.
The downside was that you were in the way for the workes and the customers, all the time!



You had to be very careful and alert to get out of the way quickly if someone wanted to get pass. That is a rather bad combination when all you want to do is walk slowly and take a good look on all the fish and other strange sea creatures that are up for sale at Tsukiji. So our visit was short but it was impressive. We didn't really feel like eating sushi at 8 in the morning (we did have breakfast before we got there) so we didn't try the super fresh fish, just looking was enough ^^

Meji & Akihabara

The Meji shrine lies right in the middle of Tokyo, in the Yoyogi park to be more precise. But Both the park and the trees are so big and fantastic that you kind of forget that you're in the centre of Tokyo. There were still a lot of people going to the temple since new year. Or perhaps the stride of people is normal. It is quite nice and peaceful but also eventful to visit a shrine or temple. There seems to be a lot of things going on, even if it's in a peaceful manner.



We got two of these wooden plates that you write down your wish on and then you hung them under a tree. It is quit impressive with so many people's wishes on the same place. Robin bought some charms to put on his camera and I bought a pink one with hopes of good study ( It was a bit hard to understand the translation). So we'll have to see if there's any result ^^



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Well since we didn't really enter the Sensoji temple in Asakusa, it is a little bit hard to compare. But it is really nice to have been here during the new year, when everyone supposed to pay their respects to the gods.

After a quick lunch and some shopping in Harajuku we went on the train to Akihabara. There we spent some of our last money on a PSP 3000. Robin bought the black one and Nhina the white one. So now we just hope to get hold of a Swedish charger cable fast when we get back since ours run on a lower voltage. But everything's alright so far ^^



And then we just couldn't resist the chance of taking this charming picture ^^

Takaosanguchi

Mount Takao lies about 50 min from Shinjuku station with the Keio Line and is well worth a visit! Since we overslept and didn't arrive at the Takaosanguchi station until 15:15 we decided to take the cable car lift up to the top. It was probably almost as cool as walking the 2km long way up. The view you got when the cable car rose was interesting indeed.



Once up there, you can choose between several paths. We ended up on the one leading to the temple. It was extremely nice to get a bit away from Tokyo (even if it's still very close) and to smell some forest. There were a lot of other people out today too since this mountain isn't to high or inaccessible a lot of people come to visit. The view was amazing and the mountains in Japan looks so different from the ones at home. At least from the west coast.



There seemed to be several temple buildings and there were people both praying and buying a hot sesame cake with soy sauce. When you enter a temple you're supposed to wash your hands so Nhina tried it even if the water was very cold.



This visit was very nice. It felt almost magical to wander around here and it would be nice to visit Takaosan during the autumn. After all, Tokyo is not the same as the rest of Japan.

Roppongi & Shibuya

Since Nhina had been feeling a bit off lately we got an appointment at Tokyo Medical & Surgical Clinic. An hour later, 22 000 yen poorer and with a prescription of antibiotics Nhina were ready to go again ^^
The clinic was right outside the entrance to Tokyo Tower and a hundred meters away there was a park that still held some beautiful leaves.



We never visited Tokyo Tower. Our goal was the much higher Mori Towers. There we visited the Mori Art museum. The current exhibition was called Medicine and Art. It was very interesting with a lot of objects and pieces to watch. Both old science and modern art.
An other reason why we visited the Mori tower was the view. Along with the entrance fee you get a nice view of Tokyo from the 52th floors. But we decided to go up on the roof, on the Sky deck. And that we don't regret! ^^
The sight was amazing. You could see really far and you get a hint of how BIG Tokyo actually is.




We ended the long day with some shopping in Shibuya. Robin found yet again some nice clothes and took some pictures of Shibuya crossing.

Studio Ghibli Museum

To visit the Studio Ghibli Museum was some what the first thing we decided we wanted to do when we went to Japan. And finally it happens!
The Studio Ghibli Museum is in Mitaka and it's only a 15min bus fare away from were we're staying. Even though it is recommended to book the tickets before you leave for your trip to Japan. We didn't and therefore we had to figure out how the Loppi machines at Lawson worked. Which we didn't. Nhina ended up asking the staff ^^



The first thing we saw was this big Totoro! So we had to take a picture. We guess it's in natural size and Nhina would be happy to take it with her home. There's also a Catbus. But it's restricted for elementary kids only so we didn't get a chance to play in that one. But Robin would very much like to have it as a bed ^^
Along with your ticket you get three original frames from one of the movies! Nhina got from Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke) and Robin got from Howl's moving Castle.
Inside there's one permanent exhibition were you can walk through Ghibli's study. It was amazing with everything from the movies, early sketches, watercolor paintings and posters but also a lot of other stuff that made the rooms look very much alive and used, as if all the workers just had gone out for lunch or something. The other exhibition was a special, and of course it was from their latest movie, Ponyo on a cliff by the sea.



Included with the entrance fee was a ticket to the short film that was shown in the cinema. It was a very cute film about sumo wrestling mouses. We don't know it's name, but it's limited for the Studio Ghibli Museum so it will only be shown there. The entire museum is a "must go to" if you like Studio Ghibli's movies. And on the third floor there's a book shop and a museum shop. Up on the roof there's the big robot from Laputa Castle in the Sky. So the visit was appreciated by us both!

Ginza

Today we took the morning off since Nhina felt a little bit bad. But in the afternoon we went to Ginza to take a look on the more luxurious blocks. Outside one of the malls were a pile of arranged snow that the kids enjoyed. As we were waiting by a crossing a nice car swooshed by and of course Robin had to take a shot at it ^^
Another reason why we were in Ginza was that Nhina wanted to go to the Alice Fantasy Dining. Our landlord had helpt us with the reservation and after some directions from the police box we found our way to the restaurant. The restaurant takes up the entire 5th floor in Taiyo Building. It's a theme restaurant were the waitresses are dressed like Alice from the story Alice in Wonderland and the interior has an Alice theme and the music as well. Even the food has association with Alice in Wonderland. Why not try a Caterpillar appetizer ( avocado sushi roll), The Cheshire cat amuse broche or a ace of hearts teriyaki and mayo pizza?



There were some troubles with our order since what we wanted you either had to order for two persons or it contained meat etc. So Nhina got a red, kind of weird, sweet cocktail and a gnocci & gorgonzola dish. Robin ate chicken amuse broche, chicken teriyaki & mayo pizza and fried chicken with pommes stripes. It was a fun experience to both order from the cute menus (playcards cocktail list etc.) and watch Robin eat all that food!




Ginza is a beautiful district to stroll around in at dark. Actually most of central Tokyo is. All the lights, people etc. it's so different from Sweden. We got an extra long walk when we got out on the wrong side of the Shibuya subway station, so once again we were lost. But in Tokyo there is always people that are glad to help you, even if you don't get all that they are saying in japanese. ^^

Shinjuku

Today our intention was to go to Tokyo Metropolitan Building to get a 360 degrees
view of Tokyo from above. Unfortunately it as closed during the new year weekend.
So we kindly had to do something else. Shinjuku is rather big with a lot of stores
and malls so there were more than enough things to do, especially since most of the
sales started today. Robin found a nice long sweather at No.44. We also found four
camera stores that he had to visit. At Mapcamera he bought some filters and a new
eye cap for his camera. I'm sure my dad would have liked this store.



For lunch we ate curry rice, and even though I had chosen the one with only
vegetables it was some meat in the curry. But hey we survived that to ^^
For dinner we ate on the same kaiten sushi place as last time. It is very
interesting and yummy. I wish we had the same standard on sushi in Sweden
as they have here in Japan.

The sunsets in Tokyo are extremely nice if you happen to be at the right place.
When we got to Marui (0101) Nhina got some "I want that really badly"
feelings for the Baby the Stars Shines Bright fukobukoro (happy bag with a lot
of items from the collection on sale to a very nice price). But we actually left
the mall without a fukobukoro.

Asakusa

Today we went to Asakusa to visit the Sensoji shrine. Because of a little confusion between Asakusa station and Asakasa station on the map we took a little detour to Shinjuku station. But we got to the right place eventually and we even got to ride the subway. Though the trains are much more interesting.



At first we had a little trouble finding the right way since we had no idea in what direction the Sensoji temple was located. But by simple following the mass of people through the dwindling streets of souvenirs, kimonos and traditional candy shops we found ourselves in a mass of people and food stalls. Around the temple were at least a hundred pair of stalls selling takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (japanese pancakes), seafood, stews, noodles and a lot of other stuff. Robin bought two darumas, a big parasoll and for lunch we ate okonomiyaki.



It was practicly impossible to enter the Sensoji temple because there were herds of people queuing to get in to the temple. There were a lot of polices to ensure the security. The line was approximately 700 meters long with a lot of people and more kept coming during the whole day. It was quite an experience and we were also glad that we hadn't gone to the Meji shrine in Yoyogi which is even bigger. On our way back Robin took a shot that looks like it's taken right from Neon Genesis Evangelion. You can even imagine an EVA popping up between the buildings ^^

新年おめでとう

We woke up fairly late compared to the other days so we went to Shinjuku and arrived just when the sun went down. Shinjuku is very big so we definitely have to get back there another day. At the top floor in Pepe we bought some candy to try out. The reason that we were up there was tat Robin wanted to get a shot at the sunset. But we found ourselves in a building without windows ^^

After that we strolled around the streets of Shinjuku and we found a Shinto shrine right in the middle of +8 floors buildings. The setting was beautiful in the dark with a lot of lanterns.



Today was by far the coldest day. When we came to Tokyo it was approximately 14 degrees but today it can't have been more than 7 degrees. So we decided to get out of the cold weater and find some place to eat. We also managed to get lost, but just slightly. Without actually knowing what wanted to eat and no clue about the restaurants in the area we accidentally walked right in to a kaiten sushi, sushi served on a conveyor band. It was quite an experience that we both enjoyed very much. Robin got to eat as many ebi (shrimp) as he liked!



New year's eve in Japan seemed to be a "family get together" thing and we had no idea what we should do for the evening. Mr. Kazuo, or landlord had arranged a Count Down Party at the in were we're staying so we thought we'd join that. Unfortunately the other guests went to Shibuya and Roppongi to celebrate the new year instead. But we stayed with our nice landlord and ate sashimi (not Robin) and awaited the new year.