Blogs from Tokyo, Japan, Asia - page 208

We just had an amazing nine days in Japan - first in Tokyo, then in Kyoto. In Tokyo, we stayed with our friends, Chris and Miki, and their children, Kaz and Miwa. Our first day there, we were blessed with unseasonably warm weather in the upper 60s. We even saw some plum blossoms and it was lovely to get a taste of Spring. After a tasty soba noodle lunch (Max loved eating from the big wooden spoon in his soup that was more like a ladle), Chris and Miki took us to the famed Meiji Shrine (known as Meiji-Jingu) located in a beautiful garden. In the middle of urban Tokyo, we walked through a massive park to the shrine and the kids had a good time washing their hands in the special fountain set at the ... read more

Hi everybody! So... I indeed did make it. Im a little jet lagged and all that, but so far Im having a great time on day deux...or ni as it is in Japanese. Ive ventured around town and discovered that my little spot is like a Japanese version of SOHO. Little one off streets and eateries everywhere! Its called Azabujyuban. Ill send more when I have more! Lots of luv, Kati... read more

First stop Tokyo! Spending a few days in the hustle and bustle, bright lights, big city. Some interesting contrasts between the noise of Shinjuku and the serenity of the Imperial palace right in the middle of it all. Chilly but blue skies and sunshine every day so far!... read more

Arriving in Tokyo, after months in south east Asia, was a real contrast. Armed with detailed directions to meet my sister (who moved out with family in September) I casually stepped off the plane in my t-shirt and flip flops then being hit unprepared by the cold. I say unprepared but I was warned about it before hand, doesn’t detract from how cold it was though. The next thing that hit me, and this was to stay consistent throughout my stay, was service. As I've mentioned in previous entries, the locals of any of the places I'd encountered so far have been great, but in Tokyo its taken up another level. I've never stayed anywhere 5star before but the treatment I received right from stepping off the plane was excellent. Everyone treats you like royalty, not ... read more

Our last day in Tokyo... Early morning. We were up at 6 to head out to the Fish markets in Tsukiji. Despite 2 weeks in Japan our JR pass had expired so this was the first day we had to deal with buying a normal ticket for the train. Only that only took us FOREVER. It was about halfway through the whole process that we realised that the ticket machines had an 'english' option. Surprisingly this made the procedure a whole lot easier! But we got there in the end and spent a few hours walking around the fish markets which was pretty interesting. There were little carts going everywhere picking up crates and rows and rows of fish and crabs and octopus... We spent quite a while wandering around cehcking it all out. Most of ... read more