Started our morning with an almost American breakfast at Denny's near the train station. Thankfully Scott's phone got us there as I was turned around when we started and could have sworn we were going the wrong way!
I say "almost" as there were similarities. The menu was in Japanese, of course, but there were pictures. We could choose a main dish, we all chose scrambled eggs which came with a sausage, a strip of bacon, and a salad. Then to choose an side - we all chose pancakes which were smaller and thicker than at home - with a small jug of syrup. Then a beverage. Steve chose coffee, of course, and Scott and I had orange juice. So almost American. Less than $20 for all three of us to have a nice meal.
Then on to Kameido station to head into Tokyo proper (the hotel was in Kato ward.) We soon learned that you need to wait to buy your ticket until just before the gate you want to leave by. We have several tickets that were no good because we bought them too soon. Lesson learned.
Our first stop was the Sensoji temple, in the Asakusa area. Very popular area. The streets leading to the temple area are lined with all kinds of shops selling souvenirs and other Japanese goods. We started at the Kaminarimon gate and found a cache there first. It was hidden in the structure of an information sign, very cool placement and it was big enough for some of my bigger travelers. I wish I'd crammed a few more in there as I only was able to drop one more during the trip.
We shopped our way up the street, buying some small souvenirs along the way - pens, shot glasses, etc. The bonus was that all the shops had cooler air - the humidity was high and the temps got up to 88 degrees today.
On to the temple - magnificent! Very traditional, very Japanese. Lots of Japanese women in kimonos here, must be a tradition for them to wear them to this temple. The only disappointment was that the famous 5 story pagoda here was covered up for repairs.
While in this area, I was able to try shaved ice. That bowl was huge! Was a good thirst quencher and the shop was cooler than the outside, too. I've been a bit indulgent with myself but my clothes aren't getting tight so think the exercise and the food are cancelling each other out. (Had actually lost two pounds from my last dr. visit by the time I went to the doctor the following Wednesday...)
We discussed heading for the Skytree Tower. Steve didn't want to go up, I was ambivalent, mainly due to the cost, and Scott claimed it didn't matter to him either way. I think that he did want to go but didn't want to leave dad at the bottom alone. I felt kind of bad - He's in Tokyo and he has to experience it with his fuddy-duddy parents...
We then decided to head for Ueno Park next. As we arrived and started walking around, there was a performance going on. We couldn't get close enough to see much of the performance, but were able to see the large floats surrounding the performance area. Must have been a parade before the performance. Very nice! Wandered over by the zoo but nobody really wanted to pay to see the zoo. There was another 5 story pagoda here but it was within the zoo. We next visited a nearby temple from which we were able to see most of the 5 story pagoda anyway.
Next to the National Museum of Nature and Science. Eric and Trina had visited it and recommended it. Much of it was mystifying to me as there weren't always English translations. One cool thing though, in the nature part, was a display of preserved dogs. Took a picture and then later discovered that the white dog was the actual famous "Hachi" from the movie of the same name. Hachi accompanied his owner to the train station (Shibuya) each day and waited for him. One day, the owner died while at work. Hachi waited for his owner for the rest of Hachi's life. There is a statue honoring him at Shibuya station which we hope to see tomorrow.
By now it was time to eat so we headed to the Hard Rock Cafe nearby as Scott wanted to visit there. He had said he would pay for it as it was a bit out of our usual price range, but Steve insisted on paying. Later Steve found out the bill was the equivalent of $100 for three of us. But Scott IS doing a lot for us on this trip. Nice dinner though, and I got to keep the glass...
Dusk by now so headed back toward the hotel. Busy time to be on public transportation in Tokyo! We were standing wall-to-wall people much of the way. Made it back, and searched for the cache that was next to the hotel while Scott checked on his car. No luck on the cache but the car was just fine. Chilled out for a while, then went to the Lawson for snacks and drinks. Hung out for a while longer, planned out our Saturday, and that was that.
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