It all started after breakfast this morning (see my earlier post). I got picked up, and after meeting everyone else we went to the bus station to change buses. Ostensibly this was so we could check in, and get our tickets, although I think that its just to give people a job. Anyway, once that unpleasantness was done it was off on our Tokyo Morning tour.It all began with a trip to Tokyo Tower, built in the same style as the Eiffel Tower, but slightly taller. Guess what? Its a public holiday this weekend, so the masses were out in force. Luckily we had tickets, but ａｓ ｗｅ ｌｅｆｔ ｗｅ ｗｅｒｅ ｔｏｌｄ ｔｈａｔ people were going to be queueing over 2 hours to get a ticket, and then another hour to go up in the lift. Personally I would have left it as there were still more arriving when we went.
After that was a drive towards the Imperial Palace Gardens. It was only a brief stop, but the obligatory French couple got lost and we had to wait 15 minutes for them to show up. On a side note, I noticed today that whilst we and the Japanese laugh in no particular way, the French most definitely laugh with an accent, although the guy was the most French looking person I have ever seen, excepting a string of onions I have ever seen, excepting a string of onions and a beret.
Following all that musing we trekked across the city to Asakusa to visit a Ｂｕｄｄｈｉｓｔ ｔｅｍｐｌｅ． Now that was really cool. We had a bit of time to walk around, and again, it being a holiday there were little craft stalls, and loads, and loads of food stalls, all cooking up different dishes (and not all with rice or noodles).
After all that excitement it was back to the coach for another mission, this time to a Pearl shop, where we would all learn about the cultured pearl which is, well...cultured here in Japan. It was mildly interesting, but not earth shattering.
That concluded the tour, and it only being 1pm, I had all afternoon to do my own thing, so decided to go to Akehabara, which is the electronics district, and a great place to people watch. Ⅰhad a lovely afternoon out in the sun walking up and down the highways and byways, and brilliantly all the roads were closed so you could just walk down the middle of a dual carriageway to save being cramped on the pavement. This is also the only place that you can legitimately ask for a discount on what you buy, as everywhere else is fixed price.
Say what you like about Japan, but you cannot knock the public transport system. Efficient, fast, clean and reliable. About the same as everything else here then!
Tonight threatened to be a wash out. . I didn`t book a table a wash out. I didn`t book a table in any of the 15 restaurants in the hotel (yes that's right), so was forced to look further afield for something to eat. I found little place just round the corner, and sat next to 2 just round the corner, and sat next to 2 Welshmen, now living in Spain, who are over here for a series of concerts (Nigels a violinist, and Frogs a trombonist). We ended up chatting about my travels and their life in Bilbao and Valencia respectively. The evening ended with Nigel, Frog and myself drinking copious amounts of Sake together, before calling it a night. I'm now very tired, and I can hear bed calling.
Lets see where tomorrow takes me!
Matt
2 comments:
Sounds as though you've had a really busy and interesting day. You sound quite impressed with what you've seen so far. Seems as though you were equally busy in the evening swapping yarns and drinking with the Welshmen. Glad to know your enjoying Tokyo. Love M. xxxx
Was it the amount you had drunk or a prob with the blog?!..bit's missing and the repetitions of some bits..anyhow got the general idea. I can imagine that you really enjoyed the electronics bit knowing the gadgits that you seem to know about. keep the info coming, love big sis.x
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