Titanic Tokyo

Well we arrived  in Tokyo a couple of days ago but it feels a great deal longer than that. It may have something to do with the fact that we left Melbourne on a flight leaving at 1.00 am but it actually departed at 2.00am.  I was pretty punch drunk by the time we arrived - appropriately there was an exhibition of photos of Muhammad Ali at our Hotel - apparently he stayed here in 1976 for 12 days.  it's in the Shinjuku area.  This city is HUGE. It makes Melbourne look very small.  I do like it.

They love those games when you try to capture a toy or item with one of the "grabbers". There are whole arcades devoted to them. (I've NEVER won anything) However the prizes are somewhat different here ...........

  The one below is a bit more Luna Park

Not speaking or reading Japanese does not seem a problem.  Every-one is very helpful - a Policeman personally escorted us to the correct platform at the incredibly vast station.  A stranger helped us buy tickets - all you have to do is look puzzled holding a map and someone will come to your aid. There is no smoking allowed on the street, and rubbish is non existent.  Train seats are not slashed to pieces and the ticket machines always work........ Mmmmm just like Myki

We decided to take a Hop on Hop off bus trip just to get the feel of the place.

Who is this person standing up when we were told not to

 Oh well

 

Apartment living and laundry sorted

Odd buildings and Tokyo Tower

And then on to the Senso-Ji Temple.  This Temple complex is huge - and I do find it hard to get a sense of it with all the throngs of tourists and yes we are part of that.  It was a beautiful sunny day, so I guess even more people were there - it is an obvious attraction.  The main buildings are relatively new due to the bombing of the original structures during World War 11.

Traditional meets technology!

We have eaten much udon and soba noodles but this was a little Danish hot dog -so beautifully served in a bamboo boat - delicious

And then it was on to the amazing Tokyo International Forum - now 20 years old but it looks like it might have been completed yesterday.  It's an exhibition and cultural space - with 4 halls (one seating over 5000) and an atrium.  Light filled with a ceiling resembling a ships hull and gantries to get you from one side to the other.

And they are right into Halloween

Not far from here is the famous stylish Ginza - name any brand, shop or label and it's here.

Lights, lights, camera and action.  Even with so many people there's no pushing and shoving - very respectful.  No graffiti or 4 wheel drive prams.  The fit out of the shops and the way goods are displayed is just beautiful.

So it's on to Takayama.  We now start to use our Japan Rail Pass.