loveadventures's journal

Day Three- Studio Ghibli

loveadventures — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:46:00 GMT

Our day started quite slowly because Jim had a couple of nose bleeds last night.

We caught the train to Mitaka and, after doing some grocery shopping, we went to Studio Ghibli. It was quite crowded this year. We did enjoy the animation, about a lonely little egg person who made a friend out of dough. When the dough was cooked, the dough person became very strong ( and beneficent) and they both lived happily ever after.

We walked through Inokishira Park and up to Kichijoji Station. Again very crowded and hot. Not very relaxing, really.

Back to Shiba Park to do a load of washing. Then out for a nice izakaya dinner which we all enjoyed ( though not as much as CoCo Ichibanya!!!)

Day Two- Ueno

loveadventures — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 09:20:00 GMT

We had a quiet and slow morning, leaving here at about 10am. First of all, we made a quick trip to the Post Office at Tokyo Station to go to the bank. Then we continued on the Yamanote Line to Ueno.

Of course, we went to the swan boats first- a real feeling of déjà vu. Then, to the Shitamachi Museum, where a volunteer guide showed us around. He was a lovely man and we learned a lot that we would not have known otherwise. Upstairs, there was a very interesting display on the history of the Shitamachi District and many children's toys to play with.

After that, we walked to the National Museum and "did" the gallery on the history of Japanese Art. I think it left out a lot (pottery handcrafts) but it was still very interesting.

On the way home, Jim and I bought Alan a wonderful Fathers Day present.

We had dinner at a curry house and then, although we had intended an early night, we walked to Tokyo Tower and went up to admire the view. It was a clear night and the view was great.

Day One- Iidabashi and Akihabara

loveadventures — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 08:04:00 GMT

This morning, we went to La Qua near Tokyo Dome so Jim and I could indulge Alan with what we just KNEW could well be the highlight of his trip- a visit to the Moomintroll Cafe and Bakery!! It really was lovely and Alan was suitably appreciative. The merchandise was amusing, the bakery items were good and we enjoyed being in the cafe with the Moomintrolls and many Japanese mothers and their toddlers. I have just realized that, except for the Moominpappa top-hatted waiter, Alan was the only man present. We arrived early and the cafe had a queue of people outside when we left. I guess it would be even busier on the weekends.

We looked around the periphery of Tokyo Dome and poked around in the official Tokyo Giants Supporters' Store. It's a real pity a game is not on tomorrow. We would have loved to go.

We walked, in very light summer rain, (almost like mist),to Koishikawa Korakuen. it was very pleasant although it clearly would have been prettier if the sun had been shining and the ponds bluer. I think the iris did look particularly lovely because of the mist, though. Parts of the garden were being renovated and hence we could not walk all around. We saw a lady foraging for fruit under a tree, (decidedly NOT keeping off the grass). She gave us a small apricot - "Ume" she said and mimed that we should eat it. Then a man, who had been watching, gave us two larger fruit. Jim was particularly happy to have his thesis, that ALL Japanese people are kind and friendly, so amply proven.

We negotiated the subway and went to Akihabara. After a false start, (and it was getting very hot), we got to the Electric Town area. Alan, in particular, had a lovely time browsing in one particular shop; 8 floors of computers and stuff. Time really flew by for him. We were fascinated by the very retro Akihabara Radio Center, which was as incomprehensible as an original Dick Smith's. We went to Yodobashi Akiba- lots more electrical things and a great toy department. I was very tempted by a particular marble race for work, but it was rather bulky. I bought a couple of Japanese board books for a friend's baby.

We came home then, very tired. We had a quick look in the Pokemon Center on our way back. A couple of bread rolls from the Moomintroll Bakery and then we were asleep.

Getting here.

loveadventures — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:07:00 GMT

It is 7.14am on Friday morning. I know this because we have the TV on. We are all enjoying an amusing and inane children's cartoon show. Alan has just made me half a cup of tea- dont ask me why.

It is definitely raining in Tokyo; we can tell from the televised pictures of intersections that appear intermittently. The view outside our window gives nothing away -as always, we are looking across an alley onto another building- boxes or something stacked against the windows. The weather maps seem to indicate it is only raining in Tokyo.

Yesterday was good - perhaps stressful at times although we were a bit too tired to really be fazed by things. Our taxi driver was correct when he said our initial flight would leave from the domestic terminal. It is surreal to be in the international terminal at 4.40 am contemplating a board that does not include your flight.

The plane trip was uneventful. Jim and I both slept quite a lot. Alan did some writing. I got together a timetable for today, working out trains etc for our planned activities.

It was lovely to arrive at Narita. It felt so familiar. The stressing thing was that our Travel Money card wouldn't work. In the end, we rang the Commonwealth Bank. We think the Internet connections were down. We hope it was as simple as that.

We made it to Shiba Park with no problems- just plain lovely to be walking up this street that feels like home. Lots of noodle shops I had not really considered before. I suspect I am just more brash now about the thought of going into Japanese places, trying to communicate and expecting it to kind of work.

The countdown

loveadventures — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 07:50:00 GMT

This time in 3 days, we'll be on the plane, this time in 4 days, we'll be in Tokyo, this time in 2 weeks, we'll be in Kyoto (Kyoto!!). And so the mantras continue. Before then, there are a couple of to do lists to complete, ( tidy the laundry, clean the bathrooms, PRACTISE THE ART OF BLOGGING).

Photos: Japan

loveadventures — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 07:45:00 GMT