Tokyo 2008, part 2.

The next day, Ray and Traci woke up early (not difficult since both weren’t adjusted to Tokyo time) and joined Traci's father on an early morning journey (JR train + subway transfer) to Tsukiji Fish Market. One of the world’s largest seafood markets, Tokyo’s seafood is brought by fisherman to be sold for Tokyo consumption. Like their previous visit 5 years ago, the travelers were astounded by the variety and sheer volume of fish moved thru this enormous place. While tourists are now not allowed to watch the actual tuna auctions held early in the morning (4am), the incredible variety of seafood and the hustle and bustle that bring seafood to Tokyo is a sight not to be missed.

Think of a Pike Place Market (Seattle) that only sold seafood in a place the size of an aircraft hanger! The downside is you get to see where your sushi comes from – you know the old adage about sausage lovers should stay away from the sausage factory!

In addition, small shops selling everything from T-shirts to lunch are found just across from the actual seafood market. After returning from Tsukiji, Ray and Traci enjoyed the Hapuna hotel breakfast buffet and then met Traci’s family for a journey to Asakusa, the home of Sensoji temple. From Shinagawa station, the Toei Asakusa subway stops at Asakusa where Tokyo’s oldest temple (circa 628) rests.

Impressive gates guard the famous temple where visitors can both be blessed by a smoke pit and a water fountain, fed and shopped by 100 yards of covered but open air small shops, and granted wishes in the temple for a mere 100 yen ($1). Ray could not pass up this opportunity. While wishes must remain confidential for them to be realized, Ray simply states that participants in Overlake’s 2009 Golf Invitational better watch out. Also at the site is 150 year old amusement park. From Asakusa, Ray and Traci went to Ginza, Japan’s famed shopping district. Traci was ecstatic about finding Manneken, also known as waffle heaven, and shared a maple syrup waffle with Ray. They were quite satisfied with the heavenly treat. Both wandered around Ginza, tried to find the Nissan Motors Auto Salon (never did find it), but did see the famed Sony Showroom in Ginza (8 floors of lots of cool stuff but nothing earthshaking) and returned on the JR train to the Prince Hotel. The group had dinner at an “authentic” Japanese restaurant Sangendou chosen by Traci’s father – no English menus. Ray, Traci and Traci’s mother ended up having less adventurous meals - $8 Shrimp Tempura with Soba Noodles. To complete the authentic Japanese experience, Traci had a $1 vanilla cone from McDonald’s while Ray had the more exotic $3 McFlurry with Kit Kat Bar mix-in.

Thursday morning brought cooler temperatures and less humidity. Ray started the morning with a 5AM run north along street next to the JR rail tracks (so no cross traffic would interrupt the run). On his way north, he passed a BMW Tokyo dealership and a few blocks further encountered a homeless man sleeping in a storefront (no society is perfect…). He decided to go west and got pictures of the Tokyo tower (which is probably not a Frenchman’s favorite tourist attraction in Japan).

After the run, Ray and Traci tried out the Café Restaurant 24 in the hotel which also accepted the breakfast coupons – not a buffet, but a simple and complete breakfast including ham, bacon, sausage, eggs, toast, muffin, salad, juice, fruit and tea or coffee. After this nourishment, Ray and Traci went with Traci’s dad to Edo Museum – a huge and quite educational museum about Tokyo.

The name Edo was changed to Tokyo in the late 1800s when Tokyo became the capital of Japan – the city has a rich history from ancient times to repeated destruction to earthquakes in 1891 and 1923 followed by near total incineration during the 1945 air bombing. It is amazing that total reconstruction with hosting of the Olympics in 1964 took place. The museum contains models and antiques of various Tokyo eras and is extremely well done – a definite highlight of the trip. Ray and Traci next went to Akihabara (“Electric Town”) where the second Manneken location was the reason both travelers got to enjoy waffles again. Ray also tried to win a stuffed animal prize at one of the many arcades but Traci cut off the funds for this unsuccessful endeavor at $6.00. Akihabara is full over electronic shops selling all sorts of gizmos but prices do not appear to be much better than what you can get on the internet. One vendor had live Penguins swimming in a storefront aquarium – it half worked, Traci and Ray stopped to look at the Penguins but didn’t buy anything.

From Akihabara, the travelers went to the shopping area in Shinjuku. Traci bought some souvenirs at the “creative life store” Tokyu Hands – basically the world’s most complete store for home products. Ray visited the 8 floor Victoria Golf where he found his current favorite club – the Taylor Tour Burner driver for $200 more than the US price. To complete the day, Ray and Traci headed to Roppongi Hills and paid $15 each to view Tokyo from its highest point – the 54th floor (248 meter) skydeck. As noted from the previous trip, one can go to the Tokyo Metro Government building observation deck for free (48 floors) but the Mori tower in Roppongi Hills has no wait and allows an outdoor viewing platform in exchange for a fee.

After taking pictures of Tokyo, Traci joined a few members of her family for authentic yakitori in Ginza (at a “shop” underneath subway tracks complete with drunk natives) while Ray decided to venture to the Gotanda train station and have a solo dinner at that great Japanese food establishment, KFC. Ray found the chicken quite good and greasy, just like the Colonel would make. American fast food franchises are found everywhere in Tokyo. What are in short supply is garbage cans. It is against local etiquette to walk down the street while eating, yet many shops sell food which can only be eaten on the street. Despite the plethora of vending machines and fast food with a shortage of garbage cans, the city remains remarkably clean by American standards. Litter is not found on the streets, no graffiti is visible on trains, ubiquitous billboards and signs are not defaced.