Tokyo
Shopping at Uniglo.. for shiny jackets! :P
Tokyo is just like any other metropolitan city. Fast moving, vibrant and full of life. The only difference is that the culture makes it unique and the food, spectacular. We both said that we could live here!
We spent 4.5 days in Tokyo, mainly eating. We also visited key sights - thanks to J, who gave us a great one day itenarary in Tokyo. J, thanks much really! We followed it as best as we could :P Great recommendations!
Shopping was surprisingly part of our agenda too. Orignally, we weren't planning to shop for anything since it will be all expensive. But we both picked up some useful winter gear which will be useful for our future trips :) (we are planning our vacations for next year already!) We did snagged some good deals. Definitely didn't shop as much as I did in U.S, but we were both pleased with the few items that we picked up.
All dressed up to brave the 4 degrees temperatures!
In our shiny jackets :P
Tokyo was bitterly cold at times. When the wind blows, oooohhhhh... Brrrrrrr. Even B.T who grew up in cold Colorado and lived through the bitter NY winters, said that it was cold. Each time we stepped out, we layered on and brought our scarves, beanies and gloves. Gloves are a MUST!
My edamame ninja socks which I wore all wrong!
I miscounted and brought less socks than needed so I landed up buying 2 pairs of jappie foot coverings. I love this pair. Silly B.T. I asked him, How do you think this is to be worn? He said, 3,2 i.e. 3 toes, split, 2 toes. In my moment of silliness, I did exactly that. It was so unnatural, I had to deliberately separate the toes and push them into the compartments! I kept telling him that it felt 'unaturally separated'. He said I was weird. Later on, he burst out laughing upon seeing my socked feet. You WORE THEM WRONGLY!!!!!! So I wore the left side on the right and vice versa. Big toe is supposed to go into the smaller toe pocket, and the rest in the other. Don't you know how to wear slippers? Hheheheheheheheeh! Rarrrrrrr!
Bagel and bagel which we visited THREE times!
We had to eat the bagels another and another time. This time, it was green tea and white chocolate with maple walnut cream cheese and blueberry bagel with blueberry cream cheese.
We ordered TWO plates of this. 1,600 yen in total
Made on the spot. Really good!
The little gyoza shop
Mmmmmmm
Gyoza was another thing that we loved. This one was the best because it was really thin (the skin) and the filling was not too much. We both finished about 32?!
Shopping.. snacks
We spent quite a bit on snacks for family and friends too. I love the packaging of each product. Neat!
Hangers for photos
Found this at the Zapady-doo shop. Too cute. Great for hanging photos and notes.
Met up with his friend A
Yummy strawberry cheese tofu
Us!
A was a real sweetie and brought us shopping all around Shibuya and Harajuku. We went into this cutsey shop (mainly for girls) called Kiddyland. It has 5 levels of cartoonish stuff like Hello Kitty and all those Japanese characters. Some really cool techie stuff in it too.
We shopped around at Shibuya - famous 109 shopping building and my favorite because things are so cheap. Or cheaper. Saw some cool shops at Harajuku. On our own, we did shop at Shinjuku too. These 3 places are great because it has many people and a vibrant feel to it.
We DO love ramen!
2nd time back at this same shop for ramen
Ramen is truly delish and yummy in Japan. The stock makes a difference. My favorite is the white based soup which is made from pork bones. Very tasty and not too salty.
Walking towards the Palace
I think this is where the Imperial family stays?
Crown Princess Masako, Crown Prince Naruhito, Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Prince Akishino, Princess Kiko (blocked by flags)
The first time we visited the Imperial Palace, it was closed. Turns out that it only opens twice yearly - on the Emperor's birthday and on New Year's Day. We were fortunate to be told of this because on 23rd December, is the Emperor Akihito's birthday. The Emperor would address the crowd or visitors in the Imperial Palace, thrice for those days at specific timings. We managed to get the timings and fit the visit into our schedule.
Before we left for Kyoto, we left our luggage at the Tokyo hotel and carried our duffel bags (for Kyoto and Hakone). It was a bit of a chore lugging it all the way to the Palace and to the station but well, worth the experience. How many times in your life does one get to see the royal family up close?
As we alighted at Tokyo station, you could see the crowds. All headed in the direction of the palace. Officials were giving out paper flags for us to raise and wave. Place was heavily guarded with announcements being made on when the next address would be. Trust the Japanese - everything was perfectly orderly. Everyone moved in smoothly, no pushing or rushing. The previous crowd was smoothly moving out. We were impressed.
As we walked into the Palace grounds, it was truly wow. It's HUGE. You can't run around to check things out as everyone has to stand within the cordoned areas for security reasons. We were ushered into the open ground area where the Emperor would make an appearance with his family. It was a huge bullet proof glass casing, guards all around. In the sky, was a helicopter hovering around.
Suddenly, there was an annoucement, the curtains drew back, the crowd started cheering and when the family appeared, everyone shouted Banzai and Long Live the Emperor! It was quite a sight. Flags were being waved, we waved ours too. Then the noise died and the Emperor spoke. It was like WOW. He is 50m in front! Then in 10 minutes, everything was over. The family swiftly moved back into the hidden walls and the people were ushered out.
It was truly a once in a lifetime experience.
This is the Emperor's address, or what he spoke on, reported by Bloomberg.
Still in autumn, not yet winter?
In Hibiya Park
Park was nice to walk in and it is opposite the Imperial Palace. It houses some homeless people too. It is right in the heart of Tokyo and it feels strange yet surreal to see so much greenary in the midst of concrete buildings and roads.
Sensoji Temple in Asakusa
Tying my fortune
I believe this is the 5 storey pagoda
Sensoji temple can be recognized by the huge red lantern at the front. B.T says it's a well known symbol often seen in animes too :P There are streets of local Japanese snacks and all kinds of shops selling trinkets and souveniers from Yutaka (casual kimonos) to fans and cell phone charms. We enjoyed this visit. It was very traditional and an eye opener.
The famous Christmas lights at Roppongi hill
On one of the nights, we met up with one of B.T's co worker at Roppongi hills. It was probably my least favorite of the meals as the food was just alright - like Japanese food in Singapore, but much more pricey than the local joints. But I guess, it is in Roppongi Hills afterall! Where all the big brand name shops are, just like in Ginza. What was beautiful was the Christmas lights decoration. It was raining and freezing cold but we had to go take a look and get a picture :)
Sunset at Narita lounge
Bye bye Japan :\
We said good bye to Japan in Tokyo. And yes. I am wearing sheep shoes on board the plane. Got them from B&B in the U.S. B.T laughs whenever I wear them.
Next, Kyoto. Our favorite of all :)