Tokyo, with Amelia

---

So late that evening of the day spent at Chuzenji lake and around, we made our way to Tokyo, arriving in time to see Senso Temple in Asakusa lit up at night. We then took a train back to our Hotel- a 40 minute trip, that took us just 3 minutes the next morning on the express, using a different company! Tokyo's transport system is INCREADIBLY good!

The next five days we spent exploring Tokyo. Sensoji for a service, Shinjuku (shopping area, full of lights and excitement), Ueno (market), Tsukiji Fish Markets (woke up at 4:30 to get to the tuna auctions by 5:15. I was surprised by how crazily fast the men all drive around on their little fork-lift cars, not caring at all if we were in the way... Great to see such a working market. Then we had a breakfast of raw tuna and rice, with condiments. SO good. Best breaky in Japan by far! And because foreigners weren't common in the restaurant we chose, the man chatted to us like mates and gave us free crab sticks...), Ginza (Channel, Gucci, Prada... Any shop that you can imagine being kicked out of wearing even the classiest thing in your wardrobe, and it's there...), Harajuku (Crazy fashion street- the shops and the kiddies...), Shibuya (more shopping, and restaurants), Yasukuni Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen (beautiful big park and gardens), Hanabi taikai in Asakusa (The biggest fireworks festival in Japan, with lots of people dressed up in the traditional Yukata.), And then to Kokubunji to spend a day with my host family, the Yonedas, where I went to Nae's private Japanese dancing class and was dressed up in Kimono for, and then was played to by the father of her dance teacher, who is apparantly the most famous Shakuhachi (Japanese flute) player in Japan, in their living room. It was increadible, especially to be in his lounge room, with his grandkid running around being silly because he's heard Grandpa a thousand times, with no idea how talented he is. So special.

We went to some of the places together, some alone, and some with the new Japanese mates we met at the hotel- Tatsuya and Shunsuke- lovely guys who showed us around some of their local bars, and spent the fireworks and a day of sightseeing with us. Was great to see a bit of Tokyo from a local's perspective. I have met so many lovely people in this country, but I still get surprised at how kind and friendly people are...

So all in all, an awesome time in Tokyo and Nikko- check out the pics to see some of what we saw.

---

Photos

Sensoji at night
Better at night, with no people around...

Sensoji at night
Is this in his job description? Amusing anyway...

Senso Temple, Asakusa
Washing my hands, before entering the temple

Ameyokocho markets, Ueno
Fresh fruit!!! And cheap, at that! Yes, something to get VERY excited about.

Sushi train, Shinjuku
Beautiful little sushi train restaurant in Shinjuku that I found, then brought Amelia and Shunsuke to and more recently Mum and Dad. Yes, it is that good! 105 yen sushi plates too!

Golden Gai, Shinjuku
Cool little grid of tiny streets with tiny bars seating maybe 3 or 4 people at each. Each door you can see here is a different bar.

Tokyo
The view from Tocho, the Tokyo Government Building

Amelia!
Training it home

Tsukiji fish market
Before the tuna auction

Tsukiji fish market
During

Tsukiji fish market
Breaky afterwards- raw tuna with rice...

Takeshita St, Harajuku
Amelia, getting in on the latest fashions

Love hotels
An interesting area to look around in Shibuya, in the day time!