Tuesday 8 December 2015

Day 1 & 2~ Kon-nichi-wa Tokyo Spring- Places Must Visit!

Day 1- Today we traveled from Kyoto to Tokyo by JR Shinkansen.
Japan's high speed bullet trains also known as shinkansen are the best way to travel around Japan. 

These trains can reach speeds of up to 320km/hr! We chose the Japan Rail Pass which
links you to the entire country of Japan with unlimited rides for a week, two weeks or three weeks. These passes have to be purchased online before you arrive in Japan because it will not be available for sale in Japan. They also come in two types: ordinary and green car. The green cars cost at least 10,000yen more but offer a larger seat, more leg space, less crowded and you can have your seats reserved for free. This would come in handy during travel peak periods like Year End and New Year Holidays (end Dec to early Jan), Cherry Blossom Season (mid April to early May) and Bon Festival Season (mid August).



Green Cards cost 38,880 yen (approx AUD$440) while Ordinary tickets cost 29,110 yen (approx AUD$330).  We used it on Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo plus a number of local JR trains, JR buses and JR Miyajima ferry (to read more on my Miyajima and Hiroshima Day Trip click here). Depending on which areas you will be covering, 
JR Pass can be very cost effective.



Ekiben or train bentos can mainly be found in train stations with long-distance running trains but not at stations that run only regional commuter lines or subway lines. In case you miss out, you can always purchase one inside the train. Read more on my ekiben post here.



Teriyaki Chicken


Onigiri with sesame seeds and tiny dried fish.



Hyatt Regency Tokyo has complementary bus pick up and drop off for its guests. 

Our hotel, Hyatt Regency Tokyo is located just across Tokyo Metropolitain Government Towers.
These twin towers offer observation decks which provide spectacular panoramic views of Tokyo for free. 

Shinjuku lights up.
  

Tired and hungry. Can't wait to eat like a sumo wrestler!
Read more on Kappo Yoshiba Sumo Restaurant here.


Bought Pizza Bun from 7 Eleven that's conveniently located below our hotel.


Day 2- Today were all very excited to visit and eat at Tsukiji Market. 
This is a place where every foodie must go when in Tokyo.
Read more on it here.


Sampled some sushi at Sushi Zanmai in Tsukiji Market.
Read more here.


To Gundam fans out there this is definitely the ultimate place to go!
This gave me the feeling like I was in a totally different world.
 Standing 18 meters high, this life-size Gundam statue really blew me away.  
 I got pretty excited as I saw how unbelievably huge it is and started running towards it. 
haha I suddenly felt like a child again.





My son was so thrilled to spot these Gundam gashapon (vending machine-dispensed capsule toys) 
near the Gundam cafe.



Boxed Gundam Biscuits

Gundam pancakes

Gundam displays at Gundam Front Tokyo located at the top level of Diver City.


We also celebrated my birthday at Alain Ducasse's Beige in Ginza.
Located on the top floor of Chanel Ginza building, this Michelin starred restaurant is 

   fashionably elegant,  food is top notch and service is impeccable.
 It was certainly one of the best birthdays I've ever had. Read more here.


 





We continued exploring Ginza and spotted Dalloyau but the cafe was full. 
Maybe I'll get lucky next time. 








 
Uniqlo's flagship store is housed in this impressive building located in Tokyo's luxury shopping district, Ginza. 
Twelve floors of retail space makes it the biggest Uniqlo store worldwide.

Anime fans would surely love Akihabara. 



Maid cafes are a plenty in Akihabara.



Let's dance the Awa-Odori!
Check out this largest dance festival in Japan come alive in this Tokyo restaurant.
Read more here




Royce Matcha Ice Cream. 
So creamy and yummy.





Japan Rail Pass
webpage


Hyatt Regency Tokyo

2-7-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-Ku

Tokyo, Japan, 160-0023,

Tel: +81 3 3348 1234 , Fax: +81 3 3344 5575
webpage 

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Towers
Observatory Deck
2 Chome-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 
 webpage

Kappo Yoshiba
2-14-5 Yokoami,
Sumida-ku, Tokyo 130-0015
Tel 03 3623 4480

Tsukiji Market 
5 Chome-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan


Sushi Zanmai
 4-11-9 Tsukiji, Chuo, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
+81 3-3541-1117
Open 24 hours


Gundam Front Tokyo
1-1-10 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0064

 Beige Alain Ducasse
Chanel Ginza Building 10F,
3-5-3
Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
+81 3 5159 5500 
6-9-3 Ginza Chuo-Ku
Tokyo 104 - 0061

2 comments:

  1. Gundam! We didn't get here on our last trip - too busy chasing cherry blossoms! lol

    ReplyDelete