My Japan: Tokyo

Our first foray into Tokyo was from Yokohama, Negishi-eki/station. We bought a return ticket and a day pass on the JR. In Tokyo we disembarked at Ueno-eki to head for Ueno Kuen/Park, famed for its hanami. We were greeted with all 1,100 sakura trees in full bloom! The hanami parties were in full swing; blue plastic tarpaulin sheets on the ground under the cherry trees, and people everywhere.

At one entrance into Ueno Park (CNB 2012)

Hanami in Ueno Park (CNB 2011)

Sararimen (or rather salary women) claim a place for their
hanami party at Ueno Park (CNB 2012)

Some snacks and souvenir stalls added to the merriment.

Fish snacks (CNB 2012)

Chocolate dipped bananas (CNB 2012)

Noodles fresh from the hot plate (CNB 2012)

From the Ueno Park we walked to the Ameyayokocho market area, which offered almost everything from food to clothes. I got myself a nice 'sakura' t-shirt to remind me of Ueno Park's cherry blossoms.

Ameyayokocho street market (CNB 2012)

Food  at Ameyayokocho (CNB 2012)

Lunch was at the Kaisendokoro Sushi Tsune, a restaurant at the OIOI Ueno Marui. Although its not cheap (its not too expensive either), when in Japan (or in any country), eat the local food (and ditch the maggie mee, rendang or serunding that you may have brought with you). Sushi in Japan really tastes better than the fare we get in Japanese restaurants at home in Malaysia, believe me.

Awaiting lunch at the Kaisendokoro Sushi Tsune (AH 2012)

Ocha and chawan mushi come first (CNB 2012)

Then the main dish - almost too beautiful to eat! (CNB 2012)

From Ueno-eki, we took another train to Nippori, famed as 'Textile Town'. So we got ourselves quite a bit of cotton cloths, before making our way back to Yokohama.

Nippori Street sign (CNB 2012)

The first kimono-clad lady that we spotted in
Tokyo (CNB 2012)

Tomato-s everywhere. We shopped in one (CNB 2012)

Nippori at dusk (CNB 2012)

Later before the end of our Japan trip, we were in Tokyo again, and stayed in the eHotel in Higashi Shinjuku. Shinjuku is one of the 'centres' of Tokyo and was the first place with high-rise buildings in earthquake prone Japan.

Shinjuku skyline (CNB 2012)

A crossing seen from our Shinjuku hotel window (CNB 2012)

For a some glamorous shopping experience, we headed for Ginza, with its expensive department stores and numerous boutiques of famous local and European fashion designers. Most young Japanese women, here especially, sport handbags by Louis Vuitton, Prada, etc. (But we were content to get a LeSportsac each).

Sophisticated facades in Ginza (CNB 2012)

Another scene in Ginza (CNB 2012)

'Peace' from the ladies promoting blueberry drinks in front of
a Depato in Ginza (CNB 2012)

Then there is chaotic, bizarre Shibuya, with the world-famous crossroads in front of its (railway) station. Also the faithful dog Hachiko who waited for its late master every day at the station for nine years between 1925 -1935. We missed the 8 April remembrance ceremony for Hachiko, quite a legend with the Japanese.

The 'crush of humanity' at the Shibuya crossing (CNB 2012)

Posing by Hachiko's statue (SH 2012)

Inside the train monument at Hachiko Square, Shibuya
(CNB 2012)

Of course when in Tokyo, one should visit the biggest fish market in the world - the Tsukiji. We did not get up early enough for the tuna auction (limited viewing daily for 120 persons only), but got a feel of the very busy place anyway, what with the motor trolleys whizzing all around us. We only browsed around the vegetable and fruit wholesale area and did not go into the seafood wholesale area, duuh! (So, sorry no 'fishy' photos).

Entrance to the Tsukiji Market (CNB 2012)

Wasabi roots at the Tsukiji Market (CNB 2012)

One needs sharp knives for cutting up fish, etc.  Right?
(CNB 2012)

Then there was the long queue to eat brunch at an eatery there at the Uogasi Yokochou area, but the very fresh sashimi was well worth it. So I had maguro (tuna), salmon roe, and sea urchin, all raw, definitely. Cost? 1,450 Yen.

Waiting for our sashimi (RMN 2012)

My maguro sashimi, salmon roe, sea urchin  + wasabi &
cherry leaf garnish on a bed of rice (CNB 2012)

3-12 April 2012