Archive for August, 2009
The Imperial Palace Grounds
Waking up bright and early, not by choice (still adjusting!) we called the kids via Skype again, got another big breakfast at the hotel and headed off to the station to break in our Suica cards, and de-flower ourselves to the Tokyo Metro rail system. Our target was the JR Chuo line for Tokyo station. [...]
The Imperial Palace East Gardens
Not listening to the complaints of our feet, we soldiered on into the East Gardens. Separate from the other section of the publicly accesible grounds, the gardens are actually quite impressive. I only wish we’d have had the tolerance to explore the entire thing! But I think we got enough to keep us happy… Entering [...]
The “Real” Tokyo Subway and Pokemon Center
After leaving the East Gardens we headed for Takebashi station. With my handy Subway guide book, we figured out we needed to transfer three times to get to Hamamatsucho station, from there a short walk to the Pokemon Center to get some souvenirs for our kids. What had we gotten ourselves into?! Here’s a tip, [...]
Zojoji Temple | 増上寺
After resting a bit and catching a second wind at Uogashi Nihonichi sushi right next to the Pokemon Center, we realized we were withing walking distance of Zojoji Temple, which was on the list to see. Well, we’re in the neighborhood, and our feet just aren’t hurting enough. Wait, yeah, they were, but we did [...]
Akihabara | 秋葉原
Still recovering from yesterday’s marathon walk, we decided today we’d take it easy. We only had one destination in mind, which actually turned out to be two by the time we were finished, but that can wait. After a long lazy morning, we set out on the Yamanote line for Akihabara. The land of Manga, [...]
Okachimachi, Ameyoko | 御徒町、アメ横
On the way in, we noticed a temple alongside the tracks near Okachimachi station. We figured, hey its fairly close, we should check it out on the way back. So we got off at Okachimachi, and proceeded to not find the temple, but instead get lost in the street bazaar known as Ameyoko. I didn’t [...]
Ueno Park, Shinobazu Pond, Gojo Shrine | 上野公園
I knew today was going to be busy. Our bodies weren’t used to this sort of abuse, and I was dreading the end of today like nobody’s business. The walking was getting to us, but I think the feet were starting to become numb. Not numb as in can’t feel anything, but numb as in [...]
Tokyo National Museum | 東京国立博物館
Well, when in Rome, I mean Tokyo, the thing to do is check out some of the local museum fare. This would be the only time we’d really do this, so we wanted to do it right. I’m certainly glad we did. The Tokyo National Museum is on the north end of Ueno Park, just [...]
Kappabashi Dori, aka “Kitchentown”
Well, it was back to Ueno station for us. We were on to Kappabashi Dori, the home of the plastic food stores and other kitchen shops. But not before we tried to find the temple from the day before. Tokudaiji Temple. And we found it. The bad thing is it was sort of difficult to [...]
Senso-ji and the Nakamise Arcade | 浅草寺, 仲店
At the end of the Ginza line is Asakusa station. A short walk from there begins the journey into Senso-ji, probably the most popular tourist destination in Tokyo, both for locals and foreigners alike. At least it seemed that way to us. The crowds around Shinjuku station had nothing on this scene, at least on [...]
