Tokyo is an absolutely AMAZING city. I honestly had no idea what a wonderful place it
would be. So different than I expected. Since it is so large, it is divided into smaller regions which all have their own character and charm. The first day Megan and I explored Asakusa, visited the Senso-ji temple, the Chinodo-ji shrine, street markets, the 100 yen store and ate our first Japanese meal. We took the subway back to our hotel for an afternoon nap (and another shower!) then set out to walk around our neighbourhood. We walked through tons of beautiful parks (not what I expected in Tokyo), saw the Tokyo tower and went to bed early (damn jet-lag). Unfortunately, I was awoken at 12:30am to my bed shaking, only to realize the entire room was shaking, windows rattling, and building swaying. In the morning I had to ask Megan if she too had felt it....and yep it wasn't a dream. My first earthquake, which, as it turns out measured 6.8 on the richter scale. Go big or go home!
On day two, Rob joined us and we vowed no more western food for the week. For the next 3 days we walked all over Tokyo (around 30km a day), people watched, window shopped and ate some great traditional Japanese meals. Highights include fresh sushi breakfast at the Tsukiji fish market, a very cool sculpture exhibit at the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, and walking on the beach boardwalk in Odaiba.
We were also fortunate enough to be taken out by some of Rob's friends for drinks, dinner and...karaoke. Something I vowed I would NEVER do....but after 5 pints of beer....haha. When in Rome...we had a blast.
On our last night in the city, we went back to Asakusa for a traditional festival where the women wear beautiful yukata robes. There were hundreds of thousands of people lined up on one street to view the fireworks. They let groups go one by one across the bridge so each group had about 5-10 minutes to view the fireworks as they walked across....they were then ushered into the subway system to head back home. I have never seen so much organized chaos...but the fireworks back home will never compare to these!
I was sad to leave Tokyo and Rob as it is the last of my family I will see for a while, and the beginning of my career. Which is a little scary to say the least. But, I had a fantastic time in Tokyo, and can't wait to go back someday soon! Bangkok here I come!
