Konichiwa!
I thought I was clever prepping the past few posts for the time I knew I would be away on holiday. I just failed to take note that I would be too exhausted after I return to get back into the swing of things that quickly hence the gap yesterday! I guess we live and learn eh? 🙂
So yes I’m back from my holiday and it was a blast! I was in Japan for the past 5 days with 2 days in Tokyo and a 2 day side trip to Hakone where I strived (but failed) to see Mount Fuji, and where I made many a bargain with the weather Gods to please please stop the rain because it was coming down in sheets and keeping me restrained in the hotel.
What to do in Tokyo
Here’s what I did in Tokyo in my 2 days there. It might not be what everyone tells you to do, or what most people do, but I enjoyed myself to the utmost just walking through the city in my own time.
- Visit Tsukiji Fish Market – I was there at 5.30am and caught the tuna fish auction. Amazing! Also had fish water poured over my legs by some random worker which pissed me off no end! Lucky for me, my boots kept my feet dry even if the bottom half of my jeans were soaked.
- Eat Sushi at Tsukiji – You have to do this! Fresh fish and seafood off the boat and into your tummy at 6.30am – yummy! 😛 I had sea urchin, squid, tuna, prawns all raw and not quite wriggly. Surprisingly delicious 🙂
- Go to Shibuya – and see the huge pedestrian intersection at the Hachiko Gate. The crossing is almost balletic as traffic in all directions stop for the sea of people to cross! Hachiko if you are wondering is the name of that famous loyal dog that stayed rooted to his spot by the Shibuya train station waiting for his master to return even though the master never returned from work. I believe its now made into a movie.
- Visit Meiji-jingu or the Meiji Shrine in Yoyogi park. The park is beautiful – a calm oasis in the centre of the busy Tokyo metropolis. I absolutely loved walking through the quiet park with the autumn chill in the air. I was there on a Sunday and there were many worshipers visiting the Shrine. My favourite scene was to see the adorable Japanese children togged out in their Kimono. I also caught a traditional Japanese wedding procession which was awesome!
- Go to Asakusa – Walk down the traditional Nakamise souvenir street towards the Sensoji Temple and see how beautiful the place is. This part of Tokyo is the older part of town and a throwback to the Edo period. It was a lovely sunny day when I was there and there was a Kabuki performance going on which was a bonus.
- Walk down Omotesando and Ginza – 2 high end shopping streets in Tokyo. Both are very classy areas and have higher end shopping for those who prefer luxury products. I was just there to say I’d been there not that I could afford anything in the stores!
- Visit Harajuku – You’ve probably heard of this and I was there on Sunday when the costumed people come out to play. It was amazing to see all the Gothic Lolitas, Cosplay fanatics, cross dressers, punks and any number of strangely dressed people strolling the streets. I saw someone who looked mortifyingly like Morticia Addams and a cross dressing blonde doll complete with curls, pink frilly dress. Disturbing!
- Shinjuku for more shopping – Shinjuku station is where many rail lines intersect so its a super busy place. Lots of shopping centres all around – not all are affordable 😛
- Try an Onsen (Hot Spring Bath) – Ok I did not do this in Tokyo but in Hakone so I can’t tell you where in Tokyo you can go. This is the public bath where you shower and bath in your birthday suit and certainly not for you if you are shy. If you are willing to give it a go, you’d find the hot spring bath relaxing and its not as awkward as you initially think as the baths are segregated by gender.