Blogs from Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan, Asia - page 2

Our day started at 10:30AM today and I was excited to see what the city has to offer. Our first destination was a place called The Tokyo SkyTree, not only is this a must place to go see for the view, but Japan is Star Wars crazy. I thought the U.S. was ready for the movie, but Japan will transform their tallest structure into a lightsaber. (Step it up, guys) Some fun facts that I learned about the Tokyo Skytree: I'm scared of heights. I'm really scared of heights. Why are my pants warm? The Skytree Tower is the tallest in the world and the tallest in Japan. When we stepped in the elevator, we were moving at 10 m/s or 32.8 feet/second. Our ears popped and the cold air would hit your face and before ... read more

Well we have decided that we would like to see Tokyo by water as we normally try to do this when we get to a city and last time we were here we did not even think about it. So looking at all the literature we decided to do the Tokyo Cruise - so off we go on the train (we are real commuters now you know) and get to the Asakusa boat station to be told we cannot get a boat until around 1.15. That meant we had to use up a few hours so we decided we would go and get something to eat. We found the market at Asakusa and recognised that we had been here before - it is a bit touristy well a lot when you see rickshaws lining up to ... read more

Naganossa kohdetta arpoessani mieleeni tuli Yokohama joka oli hyvin saavutettavissa ennen iltaa. Otin Shinkansen Asama junan Naganosta Tokioon. Kylläpä oli huippunopean luotijunan kyyti taas tasaista ja taistelin pysyäkseni hereillä. Perillä Tokion asemalla vaihdoin Kodama Shinkanseniin joka yleensä ei olisi nopein tapa mutta Yokohaman ollessa vain parin pysäkin päässä turhaa paikoillaan seisomista ei ehtisi olla. Olin arviossani tällä kertaa oikeassa ja Shin-Yokohaman asemalla oltiin n. seitsemässätoista minuutissa. Tämänkin aseman ympäristössä olisi hotelleja ynnä muuta ollut mutta otin vielä paikallisjunan parin pysäkin päähän varsinaiselle Yokohaman kaupungin asemalle. Turisti-infokin löytyi ja hain kaupungin kartan johon nähtävyydet oli merkattu. Yokohaman hyvin vilkkaalta asemalta tietä ulos etsiessäni päädyin ensin maanalaiseen ostoskeskukseen joka oli melkoisen kokoinen. Het... read more

Got a bit of sleep on the plane and landed in Tokyo around 2. Thanks to Mom-in-law's easy instructions we exchanged currency and got our rental phone at the ABC. Next took the Keisi Express train into Tokyo and found Robyn's parents at the Niporri station and made our way via the metro to where we're staying in Ikebukuro. After a shower and shave we explored a down-home meal at a nearby Torikizoku restaurant (http://www.torikizoku.co.jp/) where they served us chicken of all kinds. Each came on a skewer: Teriaki, lightly salted, deep fried, chicken meat balls. Also we had a lightly oiled raw cabbage, salad and edemame. The rice they cook at your table in small caldrons with a flame. When the flame goes out after 20mins or so, you wait 5 more minutes and then ... read more

Our adventure begins! so, we have arrived safely after a quiet and comfortable flight, which we consequently slept our way through but are now paying the price for in jetlag! Tokyo airport left us with some notable first impressions of Japan. The first would be how wonderfully efficient everything is. We were through customs/immigration/baggage pick up in about 40mins, and had cash and airport transfers direct to our hotel booked with unexpected ease. I say unexpected due to our second observation; English is not widely spoken. At all! Thirdly, the Japanese seem very polite and helpful despite other language barrier (cue lots of hand gestures and bowing!). Finally, there are a remarkable number of previously never-considered decisions to make when using the bathroom. Music? A variety of jets? Or even the sound of a toilet flushing ... read more