A traveller's reflection: Japan 2019: 06 Asakusa, Roponggi and Odaiba

My Travel Journal

"There isn't much I haven't shared with you along the road and through it all there'd always be tomorrow's episode" - Elton John

I started traveling around the world since early 80s when I had the opportunity to combine business trips with vacations. Then later when my rezeki is in abundance, there were numerous other trips along the way for vacations, most of the time with hubby and the kids when the timing is right. I have also started to compile the journal and photo-pages covering almost more than 45 years of world wide travel. Some destinations I visited just once, others many times. Many of those places are the obvious famous places people would like to visit but some, the casual traveler doesn't even think to try. I have placed links to my travel at the side bar of my personal page, My Life Reflections, and will be updating them from time to time.

My wish is to continue my travel and complete circumnavigate the globe, insyaAllah…

Sunday, 30 June 2019

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.