March 23rd Tokyo

Tokyo Tower link




Happy Easter
It 3:43 am, Tom's had a shower and I'm blogging - crazy.
We both feel pretty good (right now). Because of the jet lag, we're going to the fish market that gets rolling around 4 or 5 am.
The fish market (pic 2) is closed on Sundays, so we took a quick nappy but were up & at it by 7am but then had to rush to make it to church on time - we made it. We didn’t pay enough subway fare, so the gates closed on us. Tom did squeeze thru (step over?) the gate but I did not. The gate attendant called me over and made us pay more.

After church we visited the area where the church is located, called Roppongi, which is newly developed. We walked to Tokyo Tower (pic 4) which kind of looks like the Eiffel Tower. It was a Sunday and I think half the families in Tokyo and surrounding area came too. We got some nice views of the city although a little overcast. The mascots of Tokyo Tower crack me up, if you want to see them click the link at the top of the page.

Walked back to pick up a pin at the Hard Rock and along the way watched the police stop a van w/ a loud speaker drive past the Russian Consulate (pic 3). It was interesting with the police stationed in lookout spots & others running to close the portable barrier.

We visited another area of Tokyo, Shinjuku, where Electric Street (has lots of electronic shops) is and we visit City Hall. City Hall has 2 towers that have observation decks on the 42^nd floor of each tower, so we got yet another aerial view of Tokyo. Then to a park (the name escapes me right now). Magnolia trees were in bloom & a few cherry trees. I image it will be spectacular in a few days. Lots of people were at the park.

I just want to mention this game called Pachinko (pic 1) that is in Japan. It is like a pinball game & slot machine combined. We walked into a Pachinko hall – it was loud and smoky! Think of rows of slots machines but they’re full of steel balls. We just had to see it.

More walking to Harajuku; the teen fashion hub. There’s one “side street” that is packed and I mean packed with people. Imagine being at a concert and everyone is leaving at the same time, that’s this street. We had to walk in the throngs of it just to experience it!

Harajuku lead to Osotesando Ave, an exclusive shopping area with Coach, Tiffany etc. We had dinner and caught the subway home. We got back to the hotel at 7 and our dogs were barking. It feels great to sit down and relax with some Japanese TV – ha.