Friday, April 7, 2017

Travelogue Tokyo-Day 6 Odaiba and dinner

I took the long way around to get to Shimbashi via the northern end of the loop rather than heading back south or even cutting across.

Travelogue Tokyo-Day 6 Ikebukuro

This is a quick visit to Ikebukuro.  I came.  I ate.  I left for Odaiba.  Heading down Green dori towards the Sunshine City complex

Travelogue Tokyo-Day 6 Shibuya

I heard the wind blowing pretty hard last night.  Forecast had some rain and it turned out to be blustery in a few places.  So I opted out of Fuji Q and worked my way around the loop starting with Shibuya

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Travelogue Tokyo-Day 5 Recon

Before heading to Tokyo station, I had to check off the takoyaki.  They were done just right with a crispy outside and hot gooeyness inside.  But not so hot that you wished you never had a mouth.  I went to Tokyo station because Im thinking about taking a bus to Fuji Q Highland the next day.  Got some literature and went to see that the ticket office opens at 6:00am.  I didnt buy the tickets right away.  Im going to see what the weather report is going to be like.  ON the Fuji Q webiste, a number of rides including Fujiyama were closed due to high winds 

Travelogue Tokyo-Day 5 Ramen Festival

This wasnt exactly on my radar before the trip.  I had just found out about a few days ago.  More can be found at http://dai-tsukemen-haku.com/ (japanese).  Its a 6 week event that began last week.  Each week runs from Thurs to Sun and a different theme in the city of Machida.

Travelogue Tokyo-Day 4 Dinner in Akihabara

I wanted to get some curry at Coco before the trip ended.  there are many locations but I come back to the one in Akihabara the most

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Travelogue Tokyo-Day 4 Harajuku and Meguro

On the way back from wherever it was that I was at, I needed to get something at Daiso.  The closest and one of the larger ones is located in Takeshita dori at Harajuku

Travelogue Tokyo-Day 4 Ramen lunch and JR station signs

Got off at Ichigaya on the Chuo/sobu line that goes straight across the loop line from east to west.

Travelogue Tokyo- Day 4 The Imperial Palace

Back at Tokyo station.  The station's exterior on the Marunochi side was renovated a few years ago.  Now they are doing something to the area in front of it.  Cant tell.  Maybe its in prep for the Olympics?

Travelogue Tokyo-Day 4 Vending machine

Vending machines are placed all over Japan and run all hours of the day.  The provide products ranging from food and beverages to cigarettes and other goods.  They are a great convenience for a quick cold drink or even a hot one all in the same machine.  The hot drinks make a great impromptu hand warmer before imbibing .  This machine is located right beside a regualr drink vendor

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Travelogue Tokyo-Day 3 Akihabara

Not a trip goes by where I dont stop into Akihabara.  In most cases, inside the station, they will have tables set up for regions of the country to highlight their goods and make them available to those who may not otherwise visit or have access

Travelogue Tokyo-Day 3 Walking the Yamanote Line

We start this leg of the walk at Shinagawa station.

Monday, April 3, 2017

Travelogue Tokyo-Day 2 Ueno Park Part 2

I came back to Ueno Park in the evening to see what the vibe is after dark.  When I got there, the rain started to pour with thunder and lightening, very very frighteing, began in earnest.  I didnt catch an actual bolt of lightening but here is a flash in slow motion


Travelogue Tokyo-Day 2 Ueno Park Part 1

 An alternative to viewing the cherry blossoms is Ueno Park on the east side of the Ymanote loop.  Unlike Shinjuku, admission is free, they highlight the areas of interest on the map, and for many, they allow alcohol

Travelogue Tokyo-Day 2 Shinjuku Koen

Its that time of year in Japan when the sakura bloom and everyone flocks to see them while they can.  I had to get this out of my system so headed over to the park near Shinjuku station

Travelogue Tokyo-Day 2 Meiji Jingu

Not sure why but its been a while since Ive walked the grounds of Meiji Jingu.  It was early and I was in no hurry to get to my planned events.  A torii marks the entry

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Travelogue Toyko- Day 1 Meals

Yay!  Shinatatsu is open again.   It was closed for renovation last year and all the shops were closed.  I went to Tetsu for a bowl

Travelogue Tokyo-Day 1 Kawasaki Daishi temple

The name of the station comes from the nearby temple.  I walked back and forth between the 2 temples during the time neither celebration were completelyt set up yet.  Like in Asakusa, there is a Nakamise that leads into the temple

Travelogue Tokyo-Day 1 Arrival/Kanamara Festival

Fair warning, if you do not like to see penises, or peni??, or the faint of heart, do not read further.

You release me from any liablility by clicking on the link below.

Travelogue Bangkok-Last Day

There was a crazy storm that moved in this early morning.  Alot of rain and thunder bolts and lightening, very very frightening.  It woke me up around 3am when I was hoping to get some sleep since Im flying out later tonight.  The bright side to the rain brought more mild temps when morning broke.  Did a bit of researh on another item people like to buy when in town.  Most would reccommend Jim Thompson, the godfather of Thai silk in these parts.  Great quality but you will pay mightily.  An alternative place is Queen Thai Silk.  They sell quality items at a reasonable price.