Japan 2019: 06 Asakusa, Roponggi and Odaiba

"The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists..." - Japanese Proverb

(A Japanese wedding procession in Asakusa)

Day 06 - Saturday: 29/06/2019

Asakusa Senso-ji Temple

Asakusa retains the vibe of an older Tokyo, with traditional craft shops and street-food stalls along Nakamise Street near the ancient Sensō-ji temple. Sensoji Temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo and the most popular landmark of the city. It is most widely visited spiritual site in the world with over 30 million visitors.

(Also known as Kannon Temple)

(Historic image of the stronger and lighter Titanium tiled roof)

(A 5-storey Shinto Shrine Pagoda)

(Crowded with local and foreign visitors)

(Beautiful Japanese girls in Kimono)

(The ladies taking turn to read their fortune)

Nakamise Shopping Street

Nakamise is a small street connecting the front gate and the main hall of Sensoji temple. This small street is full of local shops and food stalls and it’s a great place to buy souvenirs. To have a taste of local flavour, there is Naritaya Ramen Restaurant where halal and vegetarian dishes are served.

(The entrance to  Nakamise Shopping Street)

(Watching the crowd in Nakamise Street)

(A walk along the back street in the rain)

(An angry Samurai on a rickshaw)

(Replicas of Japanese  dishes on display)

(Our lunch for today, Beef and  spicy Miso Ramen)

Roppongi District

Roppongi is Famous for its Daytime and Nighttime Attractions. Roppongi, which translates literally as “six trees”, is a central district of Tokyo that is known these days for its large expat community, towering art galleries, and animated nightlife.

(A busy part of Roppongi)

(Roppongi Hard Rock Cafe)

(The entrance of a bar in Roppongi)

Odaiba Statue of Liberty

Odaiba is a high-tech entertainment hub on an artificial island in Tokyo Bay. There are several shopping malls such as Aqua City, Divers City and the Venice-themed VenusFort with eateries and bars with picturesque views along the waterfront.

As a tribute to Japan's ties with France, a replica of the French Statue of Liberty was erected. For a taste of New York City, the statue has a view of Tokyo Bay in the background. Though it's positioning in front of the nearby Rainbow Bridge gives off the impression that this recreation is to scale, in reality, it’s about 1/7th of the size of the New York original statue.

(Aqua City with Japan Telecom Observatory Building in the background)

(We are in Tokyo, not New York!)

(The Statue of Liberty with a view of the Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo skyline)

(The cruise ship offers a night view of the Tokyo Bay)

Odaiba Gundam Robot

Gundam Robot is a giant full size statue of popular anime robot Gundam RX-78-2 guards the entrance of the Odaiba's Diver City shopping centre. The incredible statue stands 18 metres tall. At night the statue lights and his head turns and chest vents steam. The statue was built as part of the celebration of the character’s 30th anniversary in 2009.

(Full size statue of Gundam Robot)

(A group photo before we boarded the plane back home)

Sayonara!

👈👈 2019 Autumn in Mongolia – Too many wasted sunsets

2019 Tokyo: Ueno, Okachimachi and Akihabara 👉👉

Japan 2019: 05 Ueno, Okachimachi and Akihabara

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it but that it is too low and we reach it..." - Japanese Proverb

(Japanese dolls as souvenirs)

Day 05 - Friday: 28/06/2019

Today the group took the train to visit Ueno, Okachimachi and Akihabara, famous for their retail outlets and the best shopping spots.

(Our Day-tickets for train rides)

(Train commuters engrossed with their gadgets)

Ueno Ameya-Yokochō Market

Traditional Ueno is known for its ornate shrines, including 17th-century Benzaiten temple, which stands on an island in Ueno Park. Cultural venues in the park include the Tokyo National Museum, displaying Japanese antiquities, and the National Museum of Western Art. Nearby, the open-air Ameya-Yokochō market sells a vast range of food, clothes and accessories. Ameyoko Shopping Street is just across from Ueno station. The crowded street is a great place to grab a bargain and buy souvenirs. Various products such as clothes, bags, cosmetics, fresh fish, dried food, fruits and spices are sold along Ameyoko.

(Colorful and vibrant Ameyoko Street)

(A typical souvenir shop)

(Traditional eateries and pubs)

(Durian fruits in Tokyo)

Okachimachi Mosque

Okachimachi Mosque - The As-Salaam Mosque was built in 2011 and the foundation became an official religious organization in 2014. It is non-profit, non-political, religious and educational institution. This mosque has several floors with a women’s praying area on the second floor. As-salaam foundation managed this Mosque and active in carrying out activities, including educating Japanese as well as non-Japanese people on Islam, develop an Islamic education system for Muslims and provide Quran lessons to children. There is a halal restaurant and halal food shops nearby like Sultan Curry, Halal food shop, Ayam-ya, and also Yakiniku. There is a beautiful park next to the mosque.

(The second batch waiting for Jumaat prayer)

(The women prayer room, equipped with a big screen)

(A halal restaurant serving spicy ramen)

Okachimachi Park

Okachimachi is a quiet and peaceful park with a small shrine at one corner and a beautiful zen garden on the other. It is a perfect place to take a walk in the mornings and evenings. There are many benches and it is a good place to have a picnic. There is also a clean public toilet nearby.

(Peaceful and quiet garden with flowing water)

(A place to relax and meditate)

(A small shrine in Okachimachi Park)

Akihabara

Akihabara is a buzzing shopping hub famed for its electronics retailers, ranging from tiny stalls to vast department stores like Yodobashi Multimedia Akiba. Venues specializing in manga, anime and video games include Tokyo Anime Center, for exhibits and souvenirs, and Radio Kaikan with its 10 floors of toys, trading cards and collectibles. Staff dressed as maids or butlers serve tea and desserts at nearby maid cafes.

(Electronic shops in Akihabara)

(The crowd in Akihabara)

(Bar maids promoting their restaurants or cafes)

(Selections of Halal snacks and chocolates)

(Halal products easily available in supermarkets)

👈👈 2019 Tokyo: Asakusa, Roponggi and Odaiba

2019 Tokyo: Lake Kawaguchiko, Samurai Village and Gotemba 👉👉

Japan 2019: 04 Lake Kawaguchiko, Samurai Village and Gotemba

"One kind word can warm three winter months..." - Japanese Proverb

(Ferry Ticket Booth at Lake Kawaguchiko)

Day 04 - Thursday: 27/06/2019

We were considered lucky to have a clear spectacular view of Mt Fuji although the weather today was a little overcast and cloudy with a chance of rain.

(As usual, a group photo is a must in the morning)

(Fujisan the Japanese name for the majestic Mt Fuji)

(World Tallest roller coaster, the Fujiyama at Fuji-Q Highland Team Park)

Lake Kawaguchiko

Lake Kawaguchiko is located in the border of the towns of Fujikawaguchiko and Minobu in southern Yamanashi Prefecture near Mount Fuji. It is the second largest of the Fuji Five Lakes in terms of surface area, and is located at the lowest elevation. It is situated at an altitude of approximately 800 metres, which accounts for its relatively cool summers and frequently icy winters. It also has the longest shoreline of any of the Fuji Five Lakes. The lake is within the borders of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. The lake has no natural outlet, and flooding of settlements on its shores was a problem until the construction of a canal, completed in 1914, to connect it to a tributary of the Sagami River. The area is a popular resort, with many lakeside hotels, windsurfing facilities, camp sites, and excursion boats.

(A paddle Swan Boat on the lake)

(A boat cruise around the lake)

(Wild flowers around the lake)

The Lake Kawaguchi Mt. Tenjō Ropeway, is a Japanese aerial lift line in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi. Opened in 1959, the line climbs Mount Tenjō from the shores of Lake Kawaguchi, one of the Fuji Five Lakes. The line name comes from Kachi-kachi Yama, literally means Mt. Kachikachi, a folktale which took place on the mountain. The observatory has a view of the lake, as well as Aokigahara forest, and Mount Fuji.

(A steep climb to Mount Tenjo)

(The cable car is under maintenance during our visit)

Samurai Traditional Village

Iyashii no Sato Nemba Samurai Village stands on the site of a former farming village on the western shores of Lake Saiko. The village was destroyed by a typhoon in 1966. Forty years later the village’s traditional thatched roofed houses were reconstructed and reopened as an open air museum and traditional craft village where people can learn about the culture and try out and purchase various local handicrafts. The Village is surrounded by Aokigahara Forest, known as the Suicide Forest as well. Also, during a sunny day, from Iyashi no Sato you can see the top of Mt. Fuji. Walking around the Iyashi no Sato makes you feel like time turned back to the Showa period.

(The layout of the Samurai Village)

(Visiting some of the traditional houses in the village)

(An ancient water-mill in the background)

(Visitors trying out the traditional costumes)

(A Souvenir Shop of local handicrafts)

(The delicious grilled Ayu fish. A must try delicacy)

The Gotemba Premium Outlets

The Gotemba Premium Outlets are Japan's most popular outlet mall, located in Gotemba City at the base of Mount Fuji, not far from Hakone. It was opened on July 13, 2000, and contains over 200 stores.

(Shopping excursion to Gotemba Premium Outlet)

👈👈 2019 Tokyo: Ueno, Okachimachi and Akihabara

2019 Tokyo: Disneyland, Umihotaru and Yokohama Minato Mirai 👉👉