Japan
Chuo

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    • Day 4

      Tokyo dag 3

      November 16, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

      Tsukiji outer market, dé streetfoodwijk van Tokyo, veel vis en zeevruchten (vlakbij de haven en de oude vismijn), maar ook wagyu, moshi (typisch Japans dessert van rijstdeeg) en matcha-ijs. Dat was moeilijk kiezen...Read more

    • Day 5

      On to Osaka Wednesday

      November 8, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F

      So I remembered my phone to take a picture of my breakfast. Breakfast was livelier this morning. There were more foreigners, more Westerners. And it was louder. It’s interesting to see what they eat from the Japanese breakfast spread. They do have some toast, cornflakes and yogurt; and may eat that with fruit.
      A friend asked me before I left if I was an adventurous eater, and I said No. But I guess if you put me on a graph, I would definitely be in the Adventurous category.
      This head cold is still kicking my ass. I wake up in the mornings feeling yucky. But a good breakfast, miso soup, a hot shower and cold meds get me going. I have a giant unopened bag of throat lozenges, that I threw in my bag at the very last minute before I left. I had opened it to put some in a baggie and just took the whole thing. Thank goodness. Especially hooting, hollering and singing these last 2 nights with 75 thousand people.
      So I checked out of the hotel, and made my way to Tokyo Station where I’m catching the Hikari 513 on the Tokaido Shinkansen.
      I have never seen anything like Tokyo station. Grand Central is definitely up there, but then multiple it by 100. Between the commuters, and train is the primary way of travel here, and Tokyo Station is the Granddaddy hub in the country. WOW.
      I have my JR Rail pass, which allows me to travel for 14 days. But I upgraded to the Green car and so you have to make seat reservations separately, and that is a separate ticket. So you have 2 tickets every time you board. Your base ticket/JR pass and your reserved seat ticket. I had made this reservation yesterday afternoon. There was a long line at the vending machine where you do this, and thankfully a young man ( in his 20’s) walking everyone through it. So he starts doing for me really fast, and I wanted to learn how to do it, as I had more reservations to make. So I told him, “Wait, show me how you did that!” I was definitely feeling the age gap.
      So today, I left nice and early so I could make the rest of my train reservations and get my bento box for the journey. After you cross into the JR Shinkansen side of the train station ( where it gets super nutty, b/c now you are throwing everyone with their luggage in the mix) They have these amazing stores that sell all different packaged bento box lunches to take on the train with you. And every region has local specialties at their Jr station. It’s so cool!!
      So the most popular bento box store is called Ekibenya and I swear (this is for you Uncle Al) it reminded me of Zabar’s in NYC on a Friday evening. But imagine all the old ladies have their luggage. So I picked out one that had a seasonal autumn menu.
      So now I’m standing at the track waiting for it to arrive. Manda, there is a guy here with his wife who reminds me of Steve Bunch. He is taking the good arrival videos of the incoming trains. I need to copy him. And I managed to get a decent video of my Shinkansen as it arrived. I’ll upload it here.
      So let me back track a little bit. So I got to the station early today so I could reserve my seat on the rest of my train trips. Ask I said earlier, I watched the kid do it, so I had a pretty good idea. There were lots of people in line, but I took my time once it was my turn ( there are ticket vending machines all along the wall so the line moves fast) and made such I got when and where I wanted to go.
      The only one was an upgrade on the last stretch, on the last day before I head home, a really fast train, that takes about 5 hrs. Well, you can upgrade to Gran class, and I wanted to do it. A nice way to end the trip. But I wasn’t able to do it through the vending machine ( b/c you have to pay an up charge) so I had to go to the JR office. I stood in line, and when it was my turn, explained to the nice man ( who did speak some English) that I wanted to reserve a seat on this train in Gran class. He said, “Well, that’s extra”. I said I understood. So he gets out his price list and a calculator does some math, does some more and then says”No, that’s too much”. And puts it all away and kinda just looks at me. So said, Yes, I know. That’s fine”. So we look at each other for about 2 beats and he gets out his stuff again, does the math and shows me the calculator with a flourish. I’m ready with my exchange app (but have already decided to do it. I budgeted for it) I look at what it would be and say ” YES. That’s fine. “
      So he finished the transaction and I leave. In the way out I’m thinking. “Did he really say, No, that’s too much” ?! As if he gets to have an opinion whether or not I do this? lol, I had a good laugh. Not what I was expecting from the JR guy, but it takes all kinds.
      Anyway, so I boarded the Shinkansen and it’s really nice. Like comfy seats , no one sitting next to me, quiet, and this thing is fast! But It feels like you a literally flying. And so smooth. It is well staffed, attendants and security. I ate my bento and set my alarm for 20 minutes for a cat nap. It was neat watching the landscape change and what takes a bus overnight, we were there in 3 hrs.
      I got off at Shin-Osaka ( a JR hub outside of Osaka) Wow! All the stores and food and gifts! I did something really smart , I think. I bought another bento box before I left the JR Shinkansen section of the station. I knew when I got to my hotel I’d be too tired to go anywhere.
      So with dinner in hand, I made my way onto a local train to take me into Osaka. As I stepped on the train, this very nice Japanese woman started chatting with me. It kinds threw me, b/c Japanese are not chatty with strangers, especially in English. Turns out she is an English teacher at the University. She 1st asked me if I was from France. I loved that. It at least makes me hope that looking at me doesn’t scream American. I saw a lot of that from the tourists today. It was cool talking to her.
      So I got to my room, ate my bento box, and it’s super early, but I’m heading to bed. ❤️
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    • Day 2

      1st night in tokyo

      November 5, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌙 68 °F

      The flight was great. I flew Japan Airlines in premium economy and it was very nice. Noise cancelling headphones, really good food, comfortable seats and a nice woman next to me made it rather enjoyable.
      The feed you about an hour after take off, then dim the lights for 6 hrs, turn up the lights to feed everyone a snack, then dim them for another 4. They feed you again 2 hrs before you land, and would pass out coffee and hot green tea.
      I had a few things to get after we landed and before I left the airport. All of that went smoothly. The Japanese have really made an effort to be helpful getting the foreign tourists what they need and on their way. The other thing I wanted to do, was get my 2 Coldplay tickets before I left. See, you have a voucher and you turn it in to any 7-11, and they print out the tickets. It’s on of the things I e been most nervous about doing. (What if they didn’t understand me? What if it was this whole long process that I didn’t understand and I held up the line, and people started rolling there eyes, and the clearly were mean to me? )
      So my thought was, a 7-11 at the International arrival terminal would be the best chance be able to communicate clearly. I found the 7-11, have the vouchers up on my phone ( My phone will automatically translate Japanese into English for me so I had to keep switching it back, lol) showed to to the girl, she nodded, scanned them and gave me my tickets!!!! I was so excited, I literally hopped up and down clapping my hands together quietly with this HUGE smile on my face. She laughed and I was on my way.
      I told Mom before I left, the only thing I really wanted to go well on this trip was getting these tickets and seeing these shows. If it all fell apart I could just ride the trains around the country. And having to get the tickets once I got here, was super uncharted territory.
      Now I have my pocket WiFi, my train pass, my Coldplay tickets , and my SUICA card ( a card you put money on to ride subways trains buses, use at vending machines and some convenience stores). So I was ready to get into Tokyo. I packed more on this trip than usual. I have 2 24 inch and 1 18 inch suitcases with me. They are about 1/2 packed each so I have room for things I find here.
      I will be in heat in Taiwan and super cold in Way Northern Japan and wanted to take what I wanted to. Also, they have luggage shipping around country. Instead of lugging all your shit onto the train, you ship it from city to city as you travel. So I figure I can ship the 2 bigger bags and carry the 18’ around with me and repack as my needs change. People say it’s easy, reliable and very affordable. So we will see how all of that goes. But in the mean time, I had to get 3 suitcases to my hotel. I had looked up all the options and figured I could decide when I got in. I decided on a train line that was a straight shot, rapid express to my hotel’s neighborhood then a 5 minute walk. Pretty straightforward and my courage was way up because I had just gotten those tickets.
      So I look to see what train I need and it pulls up, I check the sign on the train, it says in English the line I need so I hop on and go.
      Just as I’m getting on the train, a man stops me and asks “Wait, where is it you are going?” I tell him the Ginza neighborhood and he looks at the same train sign I did and says”Ok yes good. “. So I figure I’m (literally) on the right track.
      I’m so glad of my experiences in NYC. Holding on to the strap while managing 3 roller suitcases is not for sissies. As we go, I’m noticing we stop a lot ( more like a local train) and I’m not recognizing any of the stops ahead of us. Have faith, trust the process, I tell myself. I get a seat, and able to hold onto to the suitcases easier and I pull out my phone. (This is why you HAVE to get your phone data/WIFI situation handled before you leave the airport, if you aren’t being picked up by a car)
      So I’m checking the map and we are going in the opposite direction of Tokyo. 🤦‍♀️
      I’m like ok, don’t panic, get off and go back the other way. We are in Japan, not Miami, this is a good place to blunder.
      I get off at the next station. I find a station worker/security guy and ask him “Tokyo?” He points to the other side of the tracks heading north. So I start over there. But there are stairs. Which is why I liked the straight shot train idea to my hotel neighborhood, no stairs. So I schlep 2 suitcase down the stairs and go back for the other one. As I’m about to go up the stairs on the other side, another train police man offered to help me. He takes one bag and I take the other 2. “Adventures in Japan, Caroline, You are getting your Adventure in Japan” I mutter as I’m going up the stairs.
      So once on the proper platform, I can check Google maps and see where I am and how to get where I need to go. Google maps is exceptional in Japan with train schedules and every thing is very punctual.
      So I see I’m on the right track line, I just went the wrong way. And literally in 5 minutes the limited express train is coming. And it did. And I got on. Going the right way. Phew!!
      It took longer than 5 minutes to find my hotel, but I found in 10, and I have the tiniest room I’ve ever seen and it is perfect. The bathroom is nice and it is exactly what I need.
      This morning , I’m going down to breakfast. I’m going to have an easy morning , check out the neighborhood and rest up for the 1st show tonight. I’m so excited. I can’t believe I’m going to be seeing them tonight. And tomorrow!!
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    • Day 5

      Essen in Japan

      September 20, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

      Hier findet jeder etwas, das Essen ist extrem vielseitig, gesund und immer lecker. Es gibt unzählige kleine Restaurants mit guten Preisen und fantastischen Essen. Heute Sushi,?fantastisch, selbst der Käsekuchen war ein Gedicht. Dann auf der Straße im kleinen Laden Gebäck, lecker lecker. Ente in allen Varianten… Hühnchen klar und so weiter. Alleine für das Essen lohnt sich diese Reise….Read more

    • Day 3

      Von Osaka nach Tokio

      February 27 in Japan ⋅ 🌬 10 °C

      De Wecker isch ab und mir händ ois parat gmacht: Bad Koffer packe, nächsti Station.
      De Shinkansen (Ultra-Schnellzug) hät ois vo Osaka verbii am Mount Fuji, i 2,5h uf Tokio bracht.
      Dadefür hämer de Zmorge hüt mal uslah, will mers eso gmacht händ wie di Iheimische: Ade Bahnhöf reihed sich ein Lunchbox-Abüter an nächstä, sehr spannend!
      Getränk muen mer aber immer separat ame Automat hole, es hät sicher so viel Automate wie Iwohner in Japan...

      In Tokio acho hämer alles im Hotel abgstellt, während de Mirco ga jöggerle isch, bin ich in kaiserliche Garte 🤩

      Für de Znacht hämer ois Sushi im Anime-Viertel Akihabara usgsuecht.

      I jedem 3. Gebäude isch sone Spielstadt über x Gschoss ine, ganz irrsinnig!
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    • Day 14

      Our last day

      March 1 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

      This morning, we were woken by an earthquake rocking the house before 6am. Mum and I set off for combini breakfast. Then it was packing time, and a bit of a relax until our 10am check out.

      We then dragged our luggage to Skytree and stowed it in lockers. We then rode the train to Asakusa and decided since the weather cleared up to do a cruise down the Sumida river to Hamarikyu Gardens. The next boat was at 11:40, so with 40mins to kill, we walked into Asakusa to get some Taiyaki from the guy on Orange street. Custard tayaki eaten, we headed back to the boat terminal.

      The boat boarded at 11:40 and took about 35mins to get to Hamarikyu Gardens. The biat entered a lock type entrance and moored at the gardens. We walked around the garden, saw some early blossoms and we to the pond with teahouses in the middle. As it was past midday, the family needed feeding again. We walked to Shiodome station and rode the train a few stops to Azubu-juban station. Here we found a small burger cafe and decended upon it. The teriyaki burgers were pretty good. By now, it was 2pm, and there was not enough time to go up Azabudai Hills. So we caught the train back to Oshigae, arriving around 2:40. We retrieved our luggage from the lockers and headed for the 3:44pm train to the airport.

      Arriving at the airport, we retrieved our skis, checked in rather painlessly, self checkin, but then needed oversize and boarding pass, so had to go through the line anyway. Dinner was freshness burger, can rate their teriyaki burger. All set for our 9pm flight.
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    • Day 18

      Zurück nach Tokio

      August 3, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

      Langsam aber sicher neigt sich unsere Zeit in Japan dem Ende zu. Deshalb nahmen wir heute den Shinkansen von Hiroshima nach Tokio, wo wir unsere letzte Nacht verbringen.
      Zum Abschluss sind wir über den Fischmarkt gelaufen und haben frisches Sushi gegessen, wovon es jedoch keine Bilder gibt.
      Morgen geht es dann zurück nach Deutschland.
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    • Day 3

      Tsukiji Outer fish market

      Yesterday in Japan ⋅ 🌬 9 °C

      We got up at crack of jet lag and went to the Tsukiji fish market. Walked around and took in the sights and quaint little shops. Teeming with tourists from Asia and elsewhere.

      Stop 1
      Kitsuneya
      Little food stall with two items on the menu: Gyu Don which is a beef and onion stew, and Harumon Don which is a cow organ stew. Both served with rice. Optional soft boiled or raw egg available. Complimentary green tea. There was a 30 minute wait for this place with mainly locals. Beef for me, organs for Sinead. Both found it tasty, and quite rich.

      Stop 2
      Mochi
      For dessert we had mochi. Chewy, sweet little pillows of pounded, glutinous rice that typically have a filled centre. A traditional Japanese desert. Strawberry and "choco" flavoured ones are the best sellers. Odd textures for a Westerner, but both enjoyed them.

      Stop 3
      Sweet omelette on a stick
      Had no idea they'd be sweet. I was not prepared for that. Acquired taste, I suppose.

      We then left the fish market without having any fish (yes, I know) and walked to the Ginza shopping district. Stores called Louis Vitton, Valentino, Dior and Balenciaga abounded but we had other things in mind: stationary.

      Stop 4
      Itoya
      120 years old, 12 floors of stationary. Rows and rows of pens, pencils, brushes, paper, cards, origami kit etc. One pen cost €20k! Got a few presents for some stationary fans back in Ireland.

      Stop 5
      Bake cheese tart
      The central Tokyo railway station is home to one branch of this extremely focused bakery chain. The cheese tart tasted a bit like a fluffy cheesecake in a crispy base. Would recommend.

      Stop 4
      Free 3hr walking tour
      Our tour guide Miyu started us off in Akihabara, the nerd capital of Tokyo. This is where the electronics companies started out. In later years, the area has been taken over by the otaki, a special breed of the Japanese male renowned for their expertise in Anime, gaming and all female pop groups. This is evident in the areas many cartoony neon signs.
      The tour went on to a Confusian samurai university and then a shinto shrine. Despite our best efforts to honour the shrine's sanctity with a ritual cleansing, we nonetheless upset the shinto gods with our accidental disregard of etiquette and the photography ban. Thankfully, my fortune as told by a robotic arm was promising anyway. "Missing thing: it will be found in a low place ". The Japanese have such a way with words.
      We continued the tour through the Ameyoko shopping district, a previous ww2 black market alley, now a cheaper option for international shoppers. This lead directly into our final destination for the tour: Ueno Park. We very briefly checked out an early blooming cherry blossom tree and the statue of the last samurai. He lead an armed rebellion against the Meijiro restaurant government for abolishing the samurai class. He's appreciated today for calling off the rebellion last minute and then teaming up with the government to strengthen Japan against would be colonisers. Thoroughly enjoyed the informative nature of the tour.

      Wrapped the day up with a tuna rice bowl in the Ameyoko shopping district. Nice, fresh taste to it.
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    • Day 4

      To the market!

      August 24, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

      I booked this amazing experience where you get to spent half the day with Sota, a Sushi chef. The first part was Sota taking us through Tokyo’s historical market, showing us the traditional products, while he made his purchases for the day,

      It was fun, but the highlight is the next part!
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    • Day 4

      Day 4

      May 20, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

      Today was a bit nicer than yesterday, but still a bit cool. We decided to walk 20 minutes to Hamarikyū-Park, which was super nice. It’s a huge green space surrounded by tall buildings and water. Afterwards, we walked to Hibiya Park, where Ole surprised me with the Tokyo Oktoberfest hahah it was actually full of imported German beers, and Maisel and Friends and BRLO were there…we even paid $11 per Maisel beer haha

      We walked a bit further to the Imperial Palace, ended up seeing the changing of the guards, then headed to the train station to head back to Shinjuku as we didn’t spend much time there on Thursday. We grabbed a quick Okonomiyaki (a Japanese “pancake” with egg and topped with sauce and mayo) before exploring the area. Since it was Saturday, it was absolutely packed. We of course spent time in more of the arcades, and I bought myself a little naked mole rat friend haha We also walked down the Golden Gai alleyway full of tiny restaurants all smelling like charcoal grill. It was super cool to see.

      Ole wanted to go to a Pokémon and Nintendo store, so we headed over to Shibuya to the department store, Parco. The stores were really disappointing and small, and Ole didn’t find anything he liked.

      We were hungry and walked forever to try and find a restaurant that had space. We stumbled upon Ottotto Brewery, so we grabbed a beer in hopes of finding a restaurant online. No luck was had, so we just headed back to our hotel area to eat. We luckily found an open table, and had some delicious Yakitori (grilled meat on skewers).

      We got back, Ole tried the public bath (he lasted 5 minutes before he said it was way too hot) and then we went to bed!

      Steps finished with - 30,665
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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Chūō Ku, Chuo Ku, Chuo, 中央区

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