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初日
Day One
Day One
Arriving in Tokyo Haneda Airport early in the morning, Still dark but the horizon shows a glimmer of daylight. A bit woozy from the 4 hour flight we look for transport to the hotel. The subway looks like a good choice but with two bags maybe not. In the arrival hall we found a counter selling limo-bus tickets to Shinjuku at a good price. The first bus is 45 mins away so we explore the arrival hall for a snack and water.
The limo bus was a good choice; comfortable and warm... the temps are around freezing point and abnormal for the time of year. In the meantime daylight has pushed the night away and we can enjoy some street views from the bus. The trip to Shinjuku is about 30 mins.
Arriving in Shinjuku station, we still have a long walk to the hotel. Luckily we downloaded an offline (google) map of Tokyo before we left Manila. It guided us to the hotel. It is early morning and the streets are still quiet.
First thing we noticed are the vending machines at the bus stop. The machines sell from hot and cold beverages to foodstuff. It turns out they are allover the city.
Since we only stay one night in Tokyo we chose this budget hotel. Arriving at the reception, the Filipina receptioniste was extremely busy and ask us to wait for a few minutes. It seems she is in charge of the whole building, running to the kitchen, preparing breakfast that was going to start soon (7AM) and answering some guest inquiries. Because we are too early to check in we left the bags for safekeeping and went off on our tour of Tokyo! But first a coffee and a Japanese breakfast!
Most businesses are still closed. A quick coffee at 7/11
Breakfast Tokyo style; Order and pay at the machine at the entrance. Take a seat and wait till your order arrives.First destination is Ueno Onshi Park
Built on a hill close to Ueno Station in Tokyo is Ueno Park. Founded in May 1876, Ueno Park is often considered the first public park in Japan, since then it has been developed as a center for celebrating culture and the arts. Consisting of multiple museums, the Ueno Park Zoo and multiple shrines and temples. Ueno has become not only a must visit spot in Tokyo but a cultural institution for the city. However, to fully understand the parks importance you must look back on the park’s vast history.
The area that is currently Ueno Park was originally part of the Kan’ei-ji Temple. Founded in 1625, the temple originally functioned as a prayer hall to protect the Ki-mon (“Demon’s Gate”) of Edo Castle, but later became the temple of the Tokugawa family. At its peak, the Kan’ei-ji Temple had over 68 buildings spread across 53,000 square meters. This changed during the battle of Ueno in 1868. During this battle, almost all the temple buildings were destroyed by fire. Soon afterward, the temple grounds were opened to the public for cherry blossom viewing, and the temple was registered as one of the first public parks in April 1873. The Ministry of Home Affair’s Museum Bureau started road improvement and other construction works in the park in January 1876. On May 9, 1876, in the presence of Emperor Meiji, a spectacular opening ceremony for the park was held.
Over time Ueno Park has continued to grow and is still often considered the epitome of culture in Tokyo. When I first visited the park, I was immediately taken back by just how large the park was. My favorite thing about the park is the culmination of Japanese culture that you can find in the park. Not only does the park honor the past through its shrines and temples spread out throughout the park, but at it also honors the culture of present day Japan through its multiple museums. Ueno Park a truly incredible place to visit.
Second destination is Tokyo SkyTree
From Onshi Park we can see the Skytree tower. So... let's walk to there! It tuned out to be an hour walk! Passing over the Sumida river shows cargo vessels and toerist boats activty
To our surprise, the streets are fairly quiet.
Finally arrived at Skytree tower. Plan to go to the top was dropped when we saw the long que. A 45 mins wait and a not so clear sky was reason enough to move on.
It's lunch time and we look for some quick food. The Skytree building has a food court so let's explore that. It seems everybody had the same idea. The food court is packed.
Self service. Que up and point what you want. Pay at the end of the line.
We are in Japan, Noodle country!Third destination is Akihabara, Taito City
Akihabara History
Akihabara was once known as Aioi, during the Edo period (1603-1868) and, as the area where mainly lower-class samurai lived, was known for regular fires and brawls.
A shrine to Akiba-daigongen, the Buddhist deity who supposedly guarded against fires, was set up in 1870. The district name Aioi was replaced in common parlance by the name of the shrine. The word 'hara,' or "plain," was altered, and the pronunciation somewhat corrupted to "Akihabara." When the area's first railway station was built in 1890, it was called Akihabara, thus cementing the change of name.
Akihabara has had numerous electrical appliance dealers even before the Pacific War. However, after the war it became a center for unregulated dealing in radio components. This evolved into legitimate business - not just in radio parts, but in all kinds of electrical appliances and devices. In the 1980s this came to include electronic goods. At around the same time, Akihabara also become known as a hangout for Tokyo's otaku (nerds) and the distinctive comic, anime and game-based culture they developed.
Fourth destination is Meiji Shrine Kaguraden
History of Meiji Shrine The first emperor of modern Japan, Emperor Meiji, was instrumental in opening Japan to the outside world. He became emperor in 1868, ushering in the Meiji Restoration that brought the rule of the Tokugawa government to an end. At the same time, the capital of Japan moved from Kyoto to Tokyo.
After the deaths of the emperor and empress, the Meiji Shrine was constructed to enshrine their souls. It was dedicated on November 1, 1920.
The shrine buildings burned down in 1945 during World War II, but were rebuilt by public donations. The spirits of the imperial couple were transferred to the new buildings in a ceremony on October 31, 1958.
Last destination is Shibuya Crossing
One of the worlds busiest pedestrian crossing. The coffee shops on every corner of this crossing is on second or third floors to give you a birds eye view of what happens when the pedestrian light turns green.
This video illustrates what happens
This video illustrates what happens
A statue of a loyal dog named Hachiko. According to a famous story, the dog waited for his master every day in front of Shibuya Station, and continued to do so for years even after his master had passed away. It is one of Tokyo's most popular meeting points.
It is getting late. Time to head back to the Hotel. On the way we passed some remarkable shops and restaurant fronts. Milk Tea, Coffee and Tapioca + horses. "Chongno Cheese Hatdogu" (sounds familiar?) Stairways to foody heaven.
Stairway to foody heaven
McDo competition:Chongno Cheese Hatdogu (sounds familiar?)
Back in the hotel, we decide to have a take-away dinner in the room . Jas is the designated volunteer, looking in de neighborhood and find lots of Korean resto's and takeaways. It's a budget dinner in a budget hotel on a budget table.
Having done lots of mileage, it doesn't take long before we fall asleep.
Korean takeaway
Budget dinner in a budget hotel on a budget table
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