Tokyo ~ 5 Nov 2008

~ Route of the day ~

Shinjuku ~ Ueno ~ Minami-Senju ~ Aizuya Inn ~ Asakusa [Kaminarimon ~ Sensoji Temple ~ Nakamise ~ Asahi Building] ~ Ueno [Ameyoko ~ Yushima Shrine ~ Ueno Park] ~ Akibahara [Akibahara Shopping Area] ~ Shimbashi ~ Odaiba-Daihinkoen [Odaiba Area] ~ Daiba ~ Shimbashi ~ Ueno ~ Minami-Senju ~ Aizuya Inn

We arrived at Tokyo on 5 Nov morning around 7 @ Shinjuku Station. err.. actually is still quite blur at that moment as I just wake up from my sleep. In order to wake up myself, we decided to have breakfast @ Mc-D.. hot roasted coffee..

After that, just as what I have plan, I bought the Tokyo Free Kippu(JR + Metro day pass) which cost ¥1580.

From Shinjuku, we took JR Yamanote line to Ueno & change to Hibiya Subway link & stop @ Minami Senju. same thing happen again, we lost our way while we look for our hostel (Aizuya Inn) eventhough map is on my hand. We arrived @ Aizuya Inn around 10am. This hostel is great actually, have japanese homestay feel. As I mentioned previously, the only downside of this hostel is we have to pay ¥100 for 5 mins shower.

After taking bath & do some preparation then we left our luggage in hostel & start our journey in Tokyo…

We started @ Asakusa. We took bus no 42 from our hotel to Asakusa station which cost us ¥200 each person. (not included in Tokyo Free Kippu). Nakamise Shopping Street is just opposite Asakusa Station.

This street is actually lead to Sensoji Temple(also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple) which is the famous buddhist temple in Asakusa area. Here we reach the Hozomon which is the Main Gate of the Sensoji Temple.

We noticed all the devotees are collecting the heat from the extinguished incense & spreading through them. We did the same thing as well. For blessing purpose.

We met a geisha when we left the Sensoji Temple.

After we left Sensoji Temple, we go through the Shopping Street (Nakamise) of over 200m along the way to the Kaminarimon Gate (Thunder Gate) which is the outer gate of the Sensoji Temple. Typical Japanese souvenirs such as yutaka & folding fans, various traditional local snacks from Asakusa area are sold along the Nakamise.

Ningyoyakin is actually a small cake with red bean paste filling

Osenbei (rice crackers). 8 pieces ¥500. We allowed to mix any of 2 flavors of the rice cracker.

Kibidango – skewered kibi-balls covered with soybean powder

Kaminarimon Gate ~ Outer gate of Sensoji Temple

** Note : Actually the usual route for visitors should be enter through the Kaminarimon, going through the Nakamise which leads from outer gate to the temple’s second gate (Hozomon). We did it the other way round.. **

Before we left Asakusa area, we proceeded to the ferry terminal area where we can get a splendid view of the Asahi Building.

The next stop of the day ~  Ueno (interchange that we go through everyday). We left the Ueno Station & turned to Ameyoko. Ameyoko (short form for “Ameya Yokocho”) is a busy market along the Yamanote Line tracks between Okachimachi & Ueno Station.

Various products such as clothes, bags, cosmetics, fresh fish and dried food are sold along Ameyoko.

From Ameyoko, we turned our way to Yushima Shrine which is a very popular shrine amongst students who visit the shrine regularly to ask for blessings in their studies. This shrine is believed enclose with the God of Studies.

After that, we proceeded to Ueno Park.

Ueno Park is famous for its more than 1000 cherry trees. During the cherry blosson season (end of March OR early of April), Ueno Park becomes one of the country’s most popular spots for cherry blosson viewing (hanami in japanese). Japanese likes to setup the picnic area in the park, relax & enjoy snack during that season. They welcome any tourist that would like to join them. (This is what I heard from the Japanese I met on the flight )

We stopped by @ Akibahara before Odaiba. Akibahara is actually an electric city of Tokyo. Hundreds of electrics shops of various sizes can be found here. They offer everything from newest computers, camera, televisions, mobile phones as well as home appliances to 2nd hand goods.

We depart to Odaiba in the Evening around 5pm.

Route @ Odaiba area : Odaiba-Kaihinkoen Station -> Rainbow Bridge -> Fuji TV Headquarters -> Daiba little Hong Kong(pass thru) -> Deck Tokyo Beach (pass thru) -> Aquacity(pass thru) -> Palette Town(pass thru) -> Telecom Center -> Oedo Onsen Mongatari -> Aquacity -> Daiba Station

We took Yurikamome Elevated Train from Shimbashi & stopped @ Odaiba-Kaihinkoen Station (cost ~ ¥310). From the Station, we walked through the beach (Odaiba Seaside Park) (just try to get a nice shot of the Rainbow Bridge). Along the beach runs a broadwalk dotted with couples, as this area considered the most romantic spot in Tokyo. This park also contains a copy of the Statue of Liberty which is just outside the Fuji TV headquaters. We passed through the Aquacity Shopping Center & walked towards the end till the Telecom Center. We made a right turn from the Telecom Center, Oedo Onsen Mongatari (大江戸温泉物語) is just few steps from the Telecom Center. This Onsen is the Tokyo’s newest & largest hot spring complex. However, we didn’t stop by for the hot spring bath as the time is already late. Therefore, we left the Onsen after some photo shot. We went back to Aquacity for our dinner.

 I lost my ¥5,000 along the beach @ Odaiba 

Tags: Ameyoko, Asakusa, Japan, Kaminarimon, Nakamise, Odaiba, Rainbow Bridge, Sensoji Temple, Tokyo, Ueno, Ueno Park