Today should be shaping up to be a nice day
No forecast for rain so I should take the chance to go some place where clear visibility would benefit the most. I picked up hte Toei all day economical pass(Toei only, no JR) for 700yen. Walked a bit to the Asakusa metro line station at Sengakuji. Took it all the way to the terminus at Oshiage
Though I dislike the subway for sightseeing. it ogt me there in a straight shot.
The line got much longer as I made my way to the Tmbo Shuttle(elevator). It was quite windy outside and were warned of weather induced delays. I could feel the elevator sway slightly during the ascent.
Once you get up to the 350 meter level, the doors glide open to an impressive view. There are maybe 359 degrees of view. One area is sectioned off for a cafe and only patrons may enter. This is also the case at the Tokyo Metro Government building. Here it is of little consequence. At TMG it would be nice o access it. In this view, you can see the buildings of Marunouchi. Te kies are clear all the way to Mt Fuji. The Sumida river runs from edge to edge
This is similar to the previous pic but angled more to the south towards Tokyo Bay. Tokyo Tower is seen in both and is the structure that Sky Tree replaces. A depiction claims to be able to view Haneda airport
A close up of Fuji. Shinjuku is the collection of buuildings to the right. The large white mass is Tokyo Dome. Akihabara is closde to Toyko Dome but I cant pick it out
I love these glass floor boards. Its a cheap thrill from the momentary fear of falling. A second set of glass acts as a safety check in case the glass you are on actually might crack. This actually happened at Willits Tower in Chicago. The glass in the bump out window cracked as patrons looked on in shock
Nest stop would be Asakusa on the Asakausa line. A short two stops away back in the opposite direction. The station entrance are at street level and obscured by even the shortest building from this height unless you are at just the right angle.
KFC does not sell hamburgers but thy do sell sandwiches. This is not a humburger but a hamburng sandwich. There is a difference. Not so much butthere is. The ground beef patty is not dense like a regular hamburger patty. This is more like a soft meaatloaf in texture. A brown sauce covers the patty with white on the bun. I really like it and I think it works well. It is a bit small but that worked in my favor
From the subway to the tower, I passed through the Solamachi complex. A takoyaki place looked inviting
This is not part of the Gindao chaing of takoyaki joints. They have the regular kind. They have an east meets west version that puzzles me. Im not what westen version they are referring to. But the monya takoyaki is what drew me
This order cme covered with what they consider to be their monja. The tables are acompanied by the usual toppings that one can add to their taste. I added brown sauce to two, mayonaise to two, and green podwer to the final.
Being that we are at Sky Tree, a souveir takoyaki fork in the shape of the tower was provided. It was really good. Pieces of cabbage mingle in the monja sauce. The difficulty was trying to eat the left over sauce armed only with chopsticks and a fork
Asakusa is a major tourist spot. The area has their geishias and their temple
The souvenirs are what draws the foreigners in. Thye line Nakamise dori all the way to the main teple building seeing all sorts of keychains. bean filled cakes. trinkets, sembei, and toy samurai swords
Locals come to pray
A few alleys and streets that branch off Nakamise have shops that sell regular and maybe not so regular stuff. But they are worth taking a stroll through
After all, what if you were looking for an elusice tattooed yakuza kewpie doll? You wouldnt know they had them here if you didnt wander these streets.
Plus, you have to go off Nakamise to grab a meal. All that can be procured are in the form of snacks
