Tokyo, Japan: September 2013

Last month, Mike and I went to Tokyo.  I can't believe that I have lived in Asia for so long and it has taken me so long to go to Tokyo (aside from the airport).  It was busy and amazing and just as I am every time I visit Japan, I felt happy.  

With my love of the past, and Mike's geeky nature and had a nice blend of temples and technology that we visited.  One thing Mike and I have in common is our love of dogs, so visiting the Hachiko statue in Shibuya was an easy decision.  Also, it was in the neighbourhood where we planned to see Less than Jake.  AMAZING!

 The infamous Shibuya crossing.

 We also went to the Mandrake which is a huge multi-levelled manga shop.

 We checked out the national museum.  I learned that Tokyo has a few of these.  I could have easily spent my entire time in this area dedicated to museums.  I also loved how empty they were.  I got to look at 12,000 year old pottery all my myself!

While we were here I made a wish and got a fortune.  It had only good things to say.  Mike's was "medium lucky" and he didn't want to risk going back in and getting a worse one.

We had planned to go to the top of SkyTree but the line was long and it was really expensive.  Also, how many tall buildings can a person go to the top of?  I mean, a lot I guess but there was no line for the aquarium and I'd rather pay 20 bucks to see jellyfish.

Mike in front of SkyTree.

We also went to the Super Potato in Akiabara.  Mike's choice but I was probably more excited.  You could actually play a couple of games there.  They had two options: Donkey Kong Country and Super Mario Kart.  Both for Supernintendo.  These are my two favourtie games and the only ones that matter in my opinion.

In one of the many multi-floored game rooms.  This is my favourite drumming game!

I mean, I guess you get extra points for doing your laundry really well?

Yep.

Another shrine!  We also saw a wedding happening.

Wishes.

This is around Shinjuku where we stayed.  See that space invader sign where it says Game?    THERE IS A SUPER MARIO KART ARCADE IN THERE!!!!  I guess it's a good thing we found it on the last day or we wouldn't have done anything else.

We also went to the Park Hyatt.  This is where they filmed a lot of Lost in Translation.  We paid 80 bucks for two drinks.  We also got to hear one half song from the lounge singer.  It did have a nice view though.

On our last full day we did a little walking around a neighbourhood.  The name is escaping me, but it had no less than 20 shrines and temples.  Behind the temples were burial markers and we saw many people buying flowers.  I am guessing they were family members visiting now gone family members.  For me it was amazing.  It went something like this: temple, temple, cluster of temples, coffee shop, temple, museum, temple, temple.

Yep, there are many kinds of kit kat in Japan.  Green tea = yummy.  Strawberry cheesecake = good stuff.  Salted caramel = out of this world.  Hot pepper = meh.

xo