TOKYO Day 2

Monday August 5th
Assisted by the racket of the train, Jacob and I got up around 5:45 to pack up all our luggage and leave for another day in Tokyo. Since we would be flying out on an early flight from Narita Airport (some 60km east of Tokyo), we would travel to the airport in the evening and stay nearby - meaning we needed to take our luggage with us (rather than travel back west to pick it up). Fortunately, we'd noticed large lockers in most of the train stations in which we planned to stash most of our stuff for the day. We've done this once before in KL, and it was super useful and easy. (Pro tip for you, free of charge)

So we hit the road/train at 6:30, stopping off at Roppongi to store our luggage. The transfer at Roppongi was a bit of a maze, so while I hunted for a place to get change for the lockers, Jacob took a bunch of pictures of exactly where the luggage was stored so we wouldn't lose it. Successful storage!

On to the fish market!

We arrived around 8am - which was well after the famous tuna auctions, but in plenty of time to get some fresh sushi/sashimi breakfast before walking through the large market which opened to the public at 9am. We picked a restaurant at random from the many set up adjacent to the market and were treated to green tea while we watched the chef prepare out breakfast. I'm going to take this moment to express, again, my astonishment that I not only like but love sushi. Even for breakfast. Mom, Dad - thinking back to 7-year-old, picky-eater Hannah, did you ever think this was possible?
It was all delicious - so fresh! I think we tried a few new fish, though I don't think  can identify what everything was. I tried my first raw scallop - it wasn't rubbery at all! Very satisfying breakfast - which we ended up being glad we ate before strolling through market. Ai.

Fish market!

While the market is exists for the primary purpose to sell fish wholesale, it has become quite the tourist attraction too. However, we quickly learned that business trumped sightseeing as we dodged motorized carts which were flying down aisles at frightening speeds. The market was HUGE and full of all sorts of crazy-looking aquatic life. Spiky crabs, bright red octopi, giant slabs of frozen fish and an escaped eel that scared the daylights out of me as it began thrashing against a styrofoam container. We left shortly after that encounter.



We then made our way to Asakusa, a northeast section of Tokyo. After grabbing some iced coffee and cooling off, we went to the Nakamise Gate which then leads to the Sensoji Shrine. The pedestrian street between the structures is filled with shops selling crafts, souvenirs, and all sort of snacks. We looked for awhile, but couldn't settle on any artwork or souvenirs that we really like, so we moved on. The shrine itself was beautiful, and we explored the little garden and admired the pagoda next to it.

Tokyo Skytree - 2nd tallest 'free-standing
structure' in the world!

Ice Cream time!

"Abacus is the BEST!"

Then, retreating from the heat, we went down a side street of more shops and found a another sign telling us to get ice cream (this one was actually a sign that said 'Ice Cream').

We then set off in an attempt to find an onsen, or traditional Japanese bathhouse. With a little sleuthing, we found it and decided to give it a try. I'm not sure what we were expecting - perhaps an experience that felt somehow ancient or traditional - but the whole experience was very...practical. And we realized that this is really where locals come to bathe - generally older locals. So, separated into the men's and women's sides, we went ahead and took bathes. You start by washing at these little station, where you sit on a small stool in front of a mirror with a shower head just above your head. I just followed the lead of other ladies, who were aggressively cleaning themselves. Once clean, you can then enjoy several small pools of water of various temperatures. To be honest, I couldn't even get all the way in the hottest tub - it was scalding! Jacob managed it though, and even tried out the thing labelled 'electric bath.' He assumed it would be like a jacuzzi - but it actually sent electricity through the water! Bizarre! I tried each of the tubs, finally landing in the cold tub - and then I began to feel a bit dizzy and decided to call it a day. Clean and dressed, we met back up and departed. It was a strange experience and decidedly new experience. Yep.

Delicious!

We wandered a long time, trying to find a restaurant that sparked our interest - we were a bit tired of noodles and rice. We finally found a middle-eastern kebab place with a set lunch of shwarma and Asahi beer. Score! From where we ate, we could also glimpse the Golden Turd, which marks the Asahi Beer Hall across the river.

Golden Turd!!!

To explore more bizarre/futuristic architecture, we next took the light rail to Odaiba, an island(ish) part of Tokyo reached by crossing the beautiful and expansive Rainbow Bridge. We marveled at the Fuji building, the replica of the Statue or Liberty, and the strange, futuristic feel of the area. This is where Legoland Tokyo is located, and close to Tokyo Disneyland too. Decidedly upscale. There was a huge concert going on in a park nearby, and in the lovely (hot) weather, it was both fun and surreal. After looking around a bit, we took the light rail back and on to Roppongi to enjoy our last stop in Tokyo.

Found a Cat Cafe!!

Fuji building - ridiculous!

Land of the Free!

Odaiba!

Lured by a great happy hour deal (¥300 - or roughly $3USD - beers and cocktails!), we enjoyed a few drinks and a pizza at Glass Dance. We were early and had the place to ourselves. Good pizza - and they brought out Tabasco without being asked. Felt like home!

Came across this statue. I did not
like it Sam I Am. I did not like
a spider larger than I am.

As the sunset, we made our way to the Tokyo City View building. We rode up and went through the Mori Art Museum, which was featuring a whole exhibit called LOVE - turned out to be really great! We then went to the observation floor to be awed by the bright lights of sprawling Tokyo at night. It was magnificent. I'm always hesitant to pay for trips up towers (most cities have them, and it always feels like a tourist trap), but Jacob usually pushes for it - and he's usually right. This was so worth it. I've never, ever seen a city like this. It's so big, and stretches out as far as you can see in all directions - even the bay contains Odaiba and you can see across the other side where more city awaits. So stunning. The gift shop (surprisingly) didn't have any skyline photos for sale - but I think we're on the market. Of all the sightss we saw, that one seemed to us to best capture the city.

Breathtaking!

After leaving the City View, we hunted down our luggage in its obscure corner - score! - and began what turned out to be a bit of an odyssey to Narita. I'll gloss over the 3 hours of train rides and transfers and concern that we would end up stranded. We got there eventually. And I won't dwell on how frustrated I was when the airport hotel we booked refused to send a shuttle for us at 11:10pm (we missed their last scheduled one by 5 minutes!) and we had to take a 3 minute, $11 taxi ride. (Ok but honestly, the only reason you book an airport hotel is to be close to the airport and to get free transport! Just saying...). 

Ragtime Kimono Dance Party

The room itself was great and highly automated. We especially enjoyed the kimono-like robes and the button which, when pressed, instantly delivered non-stop ragtime music to speakers throughout the room. After a ragtime dance party and a bit of snacking, I crawled into bed a midnight while Jacob practiced trumpet in the (surprisingly spacious) closet. We woke up at 4:30 to catch the 5:15am shuttle (the next one wasn't until 6:30...thanks hotel) and began our journey to our next destination - Seoul, South Korea!