Japan
Yokoami

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    • Day 3

      Another day in Tokyo

      October 31, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

      We returned to the JR East office to book our tickets for the Shinkansen (bullet train) tomorrow and then caught the subway to the Metropolitan Government Building where there is an free observatory. After a security bag check we were guided to the lift to the observatory which has amazing views of Tokyo. There was also some entertainment and a gift shop. We stopped for lunch at a 7 Eleven, along with many office workers, who sat in little booths, all glued to their mobile phones. Our next stop was to see the Shibuya Scramble, the famous large pedestrian crossing. We returned to the subway for the journey to Meiji Jingu Shrine, an impressive Shrine in a forest. There was also a Chrysanthemum exhibition. Leaving the Shrine we went in search of Harajuku girls who are usually found in this area. Back on the subway we went back to Ameyayokocho in Ueno where after some searching found a nice little restaurant where we sat outside for a very tasty dinner.Read more

    • Day 41

      Sumo and Shinjuku

      January 8, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

      We went along for a sumo wrestling opening night today, it was a full house and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
      There were still a lot of things which I didn't understand but the main thing which surprised me was how quick each match was. They prep and psych out most of the time and once they both touch the ground they go and it's over often in a few seconds.
      Got a beer while there which was a massive line but still felt part of the atmosphere doing it.
      After sumo we headed in the homeward direction but stopped off at Shinjuku for dinner.
      We did a quick stop into Don Quixote first which everyone seemed to enjoy walking around. Found it funny that all the adult dress up and toys were right next to the kids toys area, had to explain a few things to Ethan but not too much.
      We then headed to Omoide Yokocho (piss alley) which is a group of restaurants which are down a very narrow alley. Most places were packed but we went upstairs and got placed in a private booth for our dinner. It was sorta tapas which we had sashimi and gyoza from.
      We then went to see the Godzilla head and headed back home to call it a night.
      Read more

    • Day 2–4

      First day in Japan

      October 30, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

      We landed at Tokyo's Haneda airport at about 5.30am. We successfully navigated the monorail and trains to our hotel where we left our luggage so that we could start exploring. We had organised a portable wifi router (Foxwifi) which had been delivered to the hotel reception. We had purchased a Welcome Suica card at the airport and later got a 48 hour subway transport card from Ueno-okachimachi station tourist information office. We also located the JR East office to pick up our J Rail pass. Jobs done we spent some time looking at the sights around Ueno area including Ameyoko shopping district, Ueno Park, Shinobazunoike Bento-do, Gojoten Shrine, Ueno Toshogu Shrine, Reflection Pool and enjoyed the lovely park. We returned to the hotel to check in and rest before heading out in the evening. We dined at a restaurant we had seen earlier in the day at Ueno and purchased a correct Japan power point adapter before returning to the hotel to enjoy the magnificent views from our tiny room on the 29th floor of our hotel (APA Ryogoku Eki Tower).
      Weather has been lovely, warm with clear skies, perfect for our first day in Japan.
      Read more

    • Day 3

      Premiers pas au Japon

      March 24 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

      Après un petit déj. acheté au Kombini du coin, direction le petit jardin Kyu Yasuda pour le savourer. 😋

      Magnifique petite halte à côté du mémorial Earthquake avant de nous diriger au musée Hokusai 🌊

    • Day 4

      Sumo!

      September 20, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

      We made it to watch the last few hours of Sumo. It's a massive stadium with a tiny dirt arena with mats for seating for the immediate ring-side seating.

      Each round involves up to four minutes of preparation before the Sumo's knuckles hit the floor and it's on! When they clash, there's this almighty SLAP! The crowd goes from reverence to loud cheering like an AFL sports match.

      A quick Google explains that a lot of skill is involved. The sumos move surprisingly well for such large lads, and it's only sometimes the big guys win. As you can see in this video, Big Red (or so I called him) had his momentum used against him by his opponent.

      What was especially cute was that after the event, imagine a sea of umbrellas exiting the grounds. Everyone had brought an umbrella except us tourists. The rain was the equivalent of a mist and a welcome reprieve from the heat, so we didn't care. Still, as we entered the orderly crowd of people, without us needing to ask, people of all ages lifted up their umbrellas to shield us from the rain.

      It's one of many examples of politeness and kindness we've seen here. It's almost a pleasure to commute as everyone respects their environment, themselves and others.

      💗
      Read more

    • Day 203

      Sumō

      May 19, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌬 23 °C

      Obwohl ich es leider nicht geschafft habe, kurzfristig ein Ticket für das Sumō Mai Turnier hier in Tokio aufzutreiben, habe ich trotzdem das Stadion aufgesucht und ein paar Blicke auf Sumōtori geworfen, die dort ein und aus gehen.

      Dann war ich noch beim Setagaya Hachimangu Schrein, bei dem sich auch einen Sumō Ring befindet, wo während der Edo Zeit das Herbstfestival - eines der großen Sumo Wrestling Turniere dieser Zeit - stattfand.

      ###### english ######

      Although I didn't manage to get hold of a ticket for the Sumo Mai tournament here in Tokyo on short notice, I still went to the stadium and caught a few glimpses of Sumotori coming and going.

      Also, I went to the Setagaya Hachimangu shrine, which has a sumo ring, where during the Edo period the Autumn Festival - one of the great sumo wrestling tournaments of that time - took place.
      Read more

    • Day 13

      Foresta di bambù e Tokyo

      October 4, 2023 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 19 °C

      La mattina partenza x la foresta di bambù
      Un vero spettacolo della natura
      Il pomeriggio prendiamo lo shinkansen x Tokyo e dopo 3 h arriviamo a destinazione
      La stazione è enorme e le persone sono davvero tantissime ....un po' di panico ti viene!!!!
      Poi x fortuna troviamo la linea giusta da prendere x l'hotel
      Un attimo di relax e si esce x cena ,purtroppo piove e fa anche freddino,quindi decidiamo di rientrare in albergo
      Lo spettacolo della luci comunque vale la pena
      Read more

    • Day 15

      3° giorno a Tokyo

      October 6, 2023 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

      Quartieri di Harajuku, e Shibuya
      Uscendo dalla stazione ci dirigiamo a vedere il palazzo dove viveva l'Imperatore : Santuario Menjii
      Dove vediamo celebrare un matrimonio
      Abbiamo proseguito verso Takeshita Dori.e proseguito versoOmotesando.
      Siamo poi andati a Shibuya dove abbiamo visto la statua di Hachiko e abbiamo attraversato il famoso Shibuya Scramble( incrocio di più strade in cui tutti attraversano in contemporanea)e l'animazione 3D favolosa
      Siccome avevamo ancora fiato e gambe.... abbiamo deciso di visitare anche il quartiere che avevamo saltato la 1^sera x pioggia
      Shinjuku
      Siamo saliti sul Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, il "comune" di Tokyo, al 45°piano x vedere una magica✨Tokyo di notte
      Poi abbiamo continuato a camminare nelle zone di Kabukicho: è il quartiere a luci rosse e Omoide Yokocho: stradina con tanti piccoli ristorantini ,molto turistica
      Ci siamo poi fermati a cena: un 🍣 sushi e sashimi spettacolari
      Read more

    • Day 6

      Edo-Tokyo Museum

      November 17, 2019 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

      Edo-Tokyo was another large museum that we only scraped the surface of. There was so much to see and learn, but so little time.

      Two things I really loved about this museum was the amount of interactive exhibits it had and the miniatures.
      The interactive works were life-size recreations from throughout history. The were fun to see and touch.
      The museum was full of miniatures, none of which I could capture a photo of very well but they were amazing to look at, and I have my memories at least haha :)
      Their detailing was incredible, I loved viewing them from all angles. The museum also had binoculars you could view them with which was a nice touch.
      Read more

    • Day 6

      Hananomai Edohaku

      November 17, 2019 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

      We visited for lunch here before heading to the Edo-Tokyo Museum. The lunch was nice, though not the best on the trip. However I really liked the decor...
      They had a actual Sumo Ring. And customers were welcome to enter it, and even fight if they so wished! Though, provided they were men 🙄 Tradition and what not... But I really wish I could've given it a go :/Read more

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Yokoami, 横網

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