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Arriving in Tokyo for the third time was very different to the first and especially when coming in from the south by car through the winding mountains of the Choi highway and having to drop the car off in an outer suburb of Tokyo. But it all went smoothly and before we knew it we were on the suburban train and heading for Tokyo station and the swanky new hotel positioed in the Old 1890’s Railway building.
Our first night was spent wandering around the underground and uppergrounds of the Maranouchi district and we enjoyed a lovely mexican meal for a change in the Tokia centre.
We still had plenty of cheery blossom viewing in us and got a taxi out to Harajuku and walked through the Yoyogi Park and Meiji Jingu Temple park and onto the Shinjuku Gyoen National Gardens to people and Sakura watch in the glorious sunshine.
The people were the best part and we captured a few interesting ones
The Park was full of life and they were setting up for the special celebrations on the weekend where tens of thousands of people will gather in groups to celebrate the Sakura in fine traditional style.
The Old Tokyo Station was the perfect location to get around both on foot, by subway or by taxi. The Imperial Palace Edo period east Gardens were open early so we were able to get a fabulous look without the crowds and were really taken by the amazing azaleas and original stone work
In the centre of the Marunouchi district was the delightful Courtyard of the old Mitsubishi building and a short train and metro combination later and we were at Asakusa and the amazing Senso-ji Shrine and gardens
It was a wet Sunday and there were people everywhere as well as being a holy day so shopping eating and praying were in order and they did the lot with gusto.
We wandered the streets and clocked up some serious Km’s and found some great food stalls and interesting parking arrangements.
You have to love the electrical ingenuity of the Japanese.
A selfie with a twist, street corner Tokyo style.
Asukusa markets buzzing
It was a holy dress up day and the girls were always happy to pose.
The fashionistas are everywhere and these girls were in the Ueno style at Ueno Park.
Gojoten Shrine at Ueno Park with summer leaves and spring blooms together.
The Chocolate box spruiker at Uneo station markets.
The Peninsula Hotel bar was a study of funk.
Our last day in Tokyo and a visit to the famous crossing at Shibuya and a great lunch of Korean steamboat delights out of the rain for a change. The Manboo cafe was tempting but we passed on the opportunity.
Before we headed off to the airport we splurged out on the best tempura in Tokyo on the 35th floor of the Marunouchi building , a sheer magic meal.
So long , sinara japan you delivered big time.
And John was back in Tokyo for a few days on a RE Junket in February 2018 and here are a few pics from that trip . Always a few temples to see and John the tour guide took a few trusting souls on a journey one afternoon to see what they could find.
We ended up in Shinjuku and hit the pastry shops for some amazing delights .
Plenty to see and do on a guided tour junket which included a bike rickshaw ride, Soumo wrestleing, whiskey bars and plenty of amazing food along the way.
The Golden Gai bar zone in Shinjuku was insane, over 100 little two storey bars that we have to squeeze into were packed with about 30 RE agents having plenty of fun.
Tokyo architecture is amazing with some really inovative things hapopening and have been so for many years .
And lets not forget the amazing fashion sense of the Tokyo young generations.
And there is always an occassion for traditional dress to come out for a show.
Thanks for sharing it John! We have experienced much of what you have shared already (without the cherry blossoms) and are looking forward to a visit to the fish markets today and Shibuya tonight.