Shinobazu Pond Benten 不忍池辨天

I was awake too early and the weather was great so I went for a run along the Meguro river. The pathway and sidewalks were quiet and empty at 6am. I enjoyed seeing different neighborhoods, modern buildings and tiny older homes.

Another breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Magically they sat us in the same table.

We checked out of the hotel and headed across town on the Yamanote train to Ikebukuro, to the north. That station is one of the largest in Tokyo, as seven train lines converge. The station connects to a sprawling underground walkway with shops. Google maps tried to help us exit the station but we didn't understand the exit numbering system. Thankfully a helpful station attendant walked us back 100m to a turn we missed and mention our exit number, C1! Like out of a movie, upon exiting the station I stopped to verify where the hotel was, and dad pointed to the sign right behind me 🏩🤣 We had arrived at the Super Hotel.

We had 4 hours before check-in time, so we left our bags to go on an adventure. I figured some green space would be nice so back onto the train to Ueno Park. There was another motorcycle gear store near there, so we couldn't help but stop in. It was tiny and didn't provide any additional items we were looking for.

The Ueno Park is nice. Lots of people about on this warm morning. A few school groups too. I was impressed with how well behaved and quiet they were. No screeching at all! We walked past the Ueno Toshogu Shrine, and admired the very old stone and iron lanterns. We eventually made our way past the Shinobazu Pond Benten, a Buddhist temple and sat in the shade watching people: locals and tourists. Under the shade of a tree, of out the way we noticed a bronze statue. The plaque explained it was created for the 1964 Olympics as part of a fountain. It was next to a roadway and had to be dismantled and was moved to this quiet place 😕 next to the lake, but no longer the centre of attention. Perhaps it was symbolic of the athletes of old fading into the history books and the sidelines 🤔

Back at the hotel for check in, we were provided our own rooms. No keys, just a six digit code for the door. I raced up to my room 911, though it wasn't an emergency 🚪😉. It was tiny and comfortable. With only one bed, the three of us could not have shared.

After recharging a bit in my room, I did a soak in the Onsen. It was my first experience in such a bath. The water was certainly HOT 🔥🛀💦 and relaxing.

The motorcycle tour group gathered in the lobby and we proceeded to walk to a nearby restaurant for our welcome dinner together. Being 6pm, walking through the underground pedestrian area of the Ikebukuro transit station was a true commuter experience. The dance of people weaving in and out patiently. No one was bumping into one another, but politely aware and making space or yielding.

The restaurant was up a skinny building on the 5th floor. We had a large table-room in the back. We took off our shoes to walk to the table area. The leg area was sunken but gave the look of us sitting on the floor. It was cozy for the 11 of us guests and the three tour guides. We had a tour briefing and introductions. Three Americans, two Israelis, us three Canadians, and three Australians. A good group of people 😁

This restaurant was all-you-can eat and drink. The food slowly trickled out to the table, on sharing plates. Maybe there was a hiccup with the digital ordering system, as we got three servings in a row of a heavily battered fried chicken. Two orders of an unbattered chicken thigh dish, which I didn't care for. The green salad was nice. The stir fried udon noodles eventually arrived.

In retrospect, perhaps it was a truly Japanese food service experience? We seemed to be the only diners in the restaurant, yet the kitchen service slow. It was filling none-the-less.

Dad and another couple wanted to return to the hotel before the rest of the group. It was 930pm and I was tired too. I successfully led the four of us back through the train station. The motorcycling starts tomorrow 👍Okumaya devam et