Tōkyō de no watashitachi no saigo no hi

Friday 8 July 2016

We all slept in a little, enjoying the big soft hotel beds after many days on futons, waking to another warm cloudy Tokyo day; sadly our last in Japan but still plenty to see.

First stop was around the corner to visit the famous Tsukiji market, the biggest fish market in Japan. As a huge working market it is a crazy busy place, but tourists are allowed to visit certain areas – at your own risk! Bicycles, motor scooters, fork lifts, small trucks, motorised trollies and people (some whelding razor sharp knives) were going in all directions, along the labyrinthine alleyways lined with stalls. We saw many near-misses and at least one crash as we very cautiously edged our way past the stalls, watching the fishmongers at work and marvelling at the array of seafood, particularly the size and quantities of tuna. 

Continuing to make good use of our JR passes, we rode the Yamanote line – the main city circle line (29 stations and over an hour to circumnavigate – impressive compared to Melbourne’s five station city loop) – to Harajuku. 

We wandered down Takeshita Dori, the heart of Tokyo’s “kawaii culture”, with shop after shop of teen fashions and cute accessories, making a beeline to try out the famous Marion Crepes. Totemo oishii desu yo! 

As if that wasn't sweet enough, Em could resist stopping off at Candy-a-go-go for a big bag of lollies. 

Still in Harajuku, walked up the Omotesando to the Oriental Bazaar for some serious souvenir hunting, much to Kerryn’s delight and the disinterest of the boys (at least until we offered to buy them a t-shirt). 

Before backtracking to a couple of iconic sights we had previously visited very early in our trip, the Meiji-Jingu Temple 

and Shibuya scramble, so that Em could see them too.

Then back on the Yamanote line to Shimbashi, to collect our luggage as well as some packs of flavoured (strawberry and matcha) KitKat from a Don-Ki (the wackiest discount store in Japan – the range of stuff for sale combined with the crazy store layout was an experience in itself. Kerryn actually got lost in the store trying to find bike accessories!!), before battling – suitcases in tow - with the peak-hour train squeeze to get around to Tokyo station to catch the Narita express out to the airport. 

Another busy but fun day in Japan, before our overnight flight back home to Australia…..