Travelogue-The Scenic Route

I was done with Tokyo Station and it was time to head back towrite this stuff up.  Instead of taking the direct route back, I figured I would go a different route and stop off at my favorite haunts.  I transferred at Akihabara to the Chuo line to cut across the Yamanote loop.  Its okay, I dont usually visit the north loop very much

At Shinjuku, its back to the Yamanote.  Just outside the station is Studio Alta.  Being one of the busiest stations in town, large numbers of people would exit the trains but large numbers of people would rush in to take up the empty spaces

Lastly, Shibuya did not require any transfers.  As with the other transfers, I didnt get out of the staqtion like I did at Tokyo.  Feeling satisfied that Ive done something today, its back to the room to figure out what to do for tomorrow and hope the weather holds out.  Its warmer here than in Korea, but my third leg has me going back to Korea for a day and a half

Travelogue-Tokyo Station 1st Avenue

After settling in, I wanted to go out and do something. I decided to visit a new set of shops called 1st Avenue near the Yeasu Central exit in Tokyo Station. As we arrived at Yurakcho Station, I espied Darth Vader exiting the Yamanote in the opposite direction. I gave chase but he had disappeared before I could get down the stairs. Vader has now left the station. The force is strong in this one. I am aware of Tokyo Trooper Danny Choo but was not aware that Vader was a regular Tokyo walker.  I arrived at the station and focused on 2 areas.  The first was the Ramen Street.  About 8 shops populate this area.

Since it was dinner time for some, I expected large numbers.  Most shops had lines of people waiting for them.  Some lines went around the corner

Some lines went around more than 1 corner

Some of my friends will be happy to note that the shop selling candy and a great variety of Kitkat is still around but moved to the nearby Ramen Street.  I have seen and purchased so many Kitkat in my mnay trips here that I have forgotten what I have or have not seen/tasted/bought.  I now these are new.  The first commemorates the new Tokyo Skytree which is due to open in 2 months.  Orange flavor.  Why?  I dont know

This one with Rilakuma(sp?), pancake flavor?

The other area was Character Street.  They have a variety of goods resembling many familiar faces

Many of the TV studios are represented such as NHK, TV Tokyo, TV Asahi, etc

One store of particular note to a friend of mine is located at one end.  I didnt look at the prices but the selection seems to rival what I have seen at Yodobashi in Akihabara

Most of the inventory was related to the Tomy line of trains and accessories.  About 25% was other train related stuff

Theres eve footwear for the kids that resemble Shinkansens.

Travelogue-Seoul Departure/Tokyo Arrival

Today begins the second leg of this journey.  I guess that I didnt notice it before but one of the airport busses stops right in front of the hotel.  Thats another plus for this hotel.  I dont have to haul my luggage up and won the stairs.  There is anothher exit that is a bit easier on the hauler.  However, it doesnt beat just stepping outside.  I was up early and had enough excess time to try this out wihtout being rushed.  The bus takes at least 50% longer than the express train.  The cost was similar if yuou add the cost of the subway from Seoul Station to my hotel.  The fast route takes approx 1 hour total while the bus takes at least 1.5 hours in good traffic.  At the bottom of the post, there is a time-lapse video going from the hotel to the Han River

In the air, we are over one of the larger islands that surround the airport.  Laast time, I came and went with they grey weather.  Thgis time the sun was shining to and fro. 

I doeswnt look like its glowing down there.  We hit the east coast of Japan and procee3d to make one mother of a u-turn so we can be oriented correctly to the landing strip.  The anniversary of the quake and tsunami was only a few days ago.  Nerves were rattled when a 6.1 earthquake struck Japan last night.  A tsunami warning was also sounded

An hour through customes and another hour train ride in.  I succumbed to this ekiben that they were selling at my final station.  There were quite a few they were featuring for 2012

Much has not changed since last year except for one thing.  The construction in this area is done and theres a gleaming white building in its place.  Its called Super Hollywood and what else would this be but a pachinko parlor

Travelogue-Seoul Day 4, National Folk Museum

Next to the palace is a few buildings belonging to the National Folk Museum.  Entrance was included with the admission used to enter Gyonhbok.   The tallest of the buildings is visible from many parts of the grounds.  There was a childrens play area and an exhibition hall.

But, the thing that caught people attention was this circle of statues.  They represented the asian zodiac in, what I like to think of as, warrior forms.

Each figure had a stern look on their face wihtout exception.  The horse, snake, and dragon keep vigil in tehir respective direction

The monkey, like the rest of them, enrobed in uniforms and grasping a staff or a sword.  The centerpiece makred the years that correspond to each zodaic.  Crowds woudl immediatly gather around to snap a picture with their favorite or birth sign.

This represents whaqt life used to be like with the archetecture of the time and the setup of the living spaces.  From what I've seen in many korean tv shows, things still look alot like this for people who live in the country

There are steps that lead up the edifice but sign are placed that ask that you not climb the stairs.  This is to protect the paintings of the dragons, I assume.

Travelogue-Seoul Day 4, Gyeongbok Palace

Yesterday, I ran into a branch of japanese curry restaurants that I frequent when in Tokyo.  I fugred that I would be there soon and held back my craving.  This morning, per my morning ritual, had breakfast in the hotel lobby.  They changed the soup and offered curry.  How cooincidental.  I partook of it and figured I will have more tomorrow.
As promised, another palace for another day. This one comparatively much larger than the previous one. Thanks to this picture just before the subway exit that illustrates the size of its footprint.  Closed on Mondays, the guards man the front gate when the facility is open.and keep out those who fail to pay the 3000won admission

With their own set of blue shirts and red shirts, there is a changing of the guard cerremony that tkaes place several times during the day.  But, you know what I say, "Seen one changing of the guard in a democratic nation located south of one which is a dictatortship and you've seen them all."  Although I didnt wait for it, I ran smack into it uopn my egress

Aside from the main gate, it seems like you have to go through many more before entering the palace grounds proper

Modernity overshadows the walls once used to keep all manner of things out.

Second gateway

Third gateway

I* thought there were a number of interesting stone carvings found around the area.  Many are related to the zodiac while there were some whimsical takes on other animals.  I believe this to be a cat

There are many buildings that dot the estate that have specific purposes like the throne room or the area for the storage of food jars.  However, two buildings set apart by the moat around them.

It took a while to walk about 75% of the area open to the public.  I took alot more pictures but they all start to look alike after a while.  The grey day somewhat put a damper on my wanderlust for the day.