We met Haru after breakfast and we visited Tokyo Tower, a replica of the Eiffel Tower but a little taller. a good viewing day as the rains have stopped and there is intermittent sun
We travelled south the to the Sunshine Observatory which turned out to be in a mall that was extremely popular. Thousands of people in the streets. The mall escalators were jammed with people coming in. Turns out it is a mecca for Anime. There was a live show on one floor with people acting out the anime characters and hundreds of people, parents, and kids lining the railings of 4 or 5 floors to look down on them. One floor was dedicated to Pokemon and the kids were ecstatic, like seeing Disney characters. We had Sushi while waiting for the observatory to open and Katie again was full of ’yums’ and humming. The Observatory was very similar to Tokyo Tower but very kid oriented, so we didn’t spend a whole lot of time there. Good views though.
We then traveled to Shinjuku Goyeon Garden near our hotel to look at formal and landscaped gardens. Many locals out on the greens but no jogging or sports as it is a garden not a park. They have rules, many of them. Nice Koi ponds but only the Roses were in bloom.
We retired to our hotel briefly. Then across the street for an IPA and to catch up on our email and write the blog. Later we went to a rooftop bar close by for a mediocre G&T but a good Suntori 12 year old whiskey. We walked the streets filled with walkers, musicians and lights in order to find our ramen place ’Ichiran Ramen’. What a treat and experience Select from a pictorial electronic menu, Select some toppings, degree of spicyness, garliciness, and onioniness. Then wait in line until you reach the front, then assigned a 2 foot slot with a shade in front. When your ramen is ready, the shade goes up and your food is delivered. it was surprising how efficient this was though by the time we left there was a line up the stairs and out into the street. Great meal and crazy atmosphere. We walked through the busy and lively streets back to our hotel
Today we were picked up after breakfast at 8am for a train trip to Sensoji Temple in the Asakura ward. 1200 year old Buddist temple with a Shinto Shrine on site as well. Learned about the gates for entry that were guarded by the gods of Wind and Thunder(reminding Katie of BI). The large lantern at the entry is a lantern that started in use at peoples homes to light the way home for loved that had passed. There were fortune telling spots for a few yen, wish spots to help with future events, smoke inhalation pots to cleanse the sole and hand washing sites to wash away evil. A large pagoda was on site with 5 stories representing water, earth, fire, wind, and sky. Many young Japanese youth visiting in Kimonos. Protection for the temples and shrines was provided by statue animals of dragons and dog/lion combos. We saw 4 young girls purchase a number pulled from a shaker which led to a drawer of fortune written on a paper(magic 8 ball!). 3 of the 4 got fortunes of ’bad luck’ which led to screams and laughs. Turns out you tie this paper fortune to a string that is setup which allows you to leave your bad luck behind. No sore losers here!
Now we are on to Taipei then Istanbul. We just missed a Typhoon in Taipei which came thru yesterday resulting in many cancelled flights. 3-4 hours in Taipei airport then 10 hour flight to Istanbul. Goodnight