First off, we took a train to Tsukiji to see the Tsukiji Fish Market. I don't think any of us knew what to expect there. The place was humongous and very busy. We had to walk in a straight, single-file line and felt slightly out of place because workers and vendors were rushing about. Nearly getting run over by carts and cars is scary. Nonetheless, I saw some of the biggest fish heads I've ever seen at the Fish Market, and everything there was so fresh! Wish I had some sashimi to eat right now...
Later on, we went to Marunouchi and got tickets for a Sky Bus tour. I've never been on a double-decker bus before, but it was amazing. The tour was about an hour and we got to go directly underneath Tokyo Tower. The wind in our faces and the beautiful view of Tokyo Bay is almost indescribable. The tour was entirely in Japanese, but we could understand most of what the tour guide was telling us. Did you know Tokyo Tower is as old as Michael Jackson?
After the Sky Bus tour, everybody was really tired and quiet. I think it was just too much excitement for all of us. We headed over to the Imperial Palace afterwards. The palace's architecture is so interesting, and even the moat around it was beautiful. I wish we could've spent more time at the Imperial Garden next to the palace. "The grass is always greener on the..," actually no. The grass is very green in Tokyo. Let's just leave it at that.
Akihabara. Akiba. Otaku haven. Whatever you want to call it, it's crazy. (In a good way, of course.) We had some trouble finding the tourist spots we wanted to go to and the locals didn't really know where to direct us to either. We decided to eat a late lunch and go shopping at the Yodobashi Camera department store. This building has 9 floors of crazy goodness. 8 floors are dedicated to shopping. They have a floor for books, a floor for video games and toys, and a floor for cameras/phones. The top floor is the food court. The small group I ate with had to make our own tonkatsu sauce, but who knew it would be so delicious! The fruits of our labor. Or should I say sesame seeds?
The Mitama Matsuri festival was our last stop. This is a memorial for all the people who died for the emperor in the war. Each lantern features the name of the soldier and there are a countless number of them. Despite this, the festival's atmosphere was very exciting and happy. There were many vendors selling okonomiyaki, takoyaki, drinks, etc., and many people were dressed in pretty yukata. There was so much to chose from and eat and the crowds of people there were a bit intimidating, but it was definitely a great experience. I'd love to go back again.
Well, that was our busy day. Hope everyone at home is having fun without us. Or maybe it's the other way around... Anyway, with spiked hair and sore feet, I'm out.
Until next time,
Michelle Otoshi
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