Tokyo Autumn 2008 Day 6
27 September, 2008 by MJ
Day 6 of our 14 day adventure in Japan saw us leaving Kyoto. had our fill of shrines and moss 
Left really early to catch the bullet train back to Tokyo. Was a 3 hour journey. This time we packed lots of stuff to munch on. Tokyo is colder than Kyoto for some reason. The wind is like, killer.
Found our hotel after a bit of walking. The place was ultra modern everywhere, but amenities were really lacking in my opinion. Simple things like providing more than one clothes hanger per room + providing drinking water is a good start. And the shower is less than a 1sq metre. Like, how to move inside? lol. Anyways, we’ll be here for 8 nights so we’ll have to make do.
After checking in the receptionist handed us a package of what we eventually paid 49,000YEN for : a pair of fan-club tickets to tomorrow’s 1.30pm Morning Musume Concert at ZAMA theater! woooot. Can’t wait! This is the main reason why i’m in Japan, everything else is secondary
Rested till about 5pm before heading out to explore the surrounding areas. Went to another Hello-Morning spot, Asakusa. By the time we got there nearly all the shops were closed, but it was still bustling with night-time visitors coming to get blessings. Headed back to our hotel after that. Had to prepare for tomorrow’s concert. It’s a 1 and a half hour train ride from Tokyo. Don’t want to be late ya? :]
Photo Tour below :
Leaving Kyoto early in the morning! Stopped by our favourite 7-11 for breakfast and stuff to munch on the train. Baggages packed full of Kyoto trinkets. heh.
Brunch. Surprisingly fresh.
At Ueno station, had to get to another track to transit to Tokyo.
The problem with the rail system is that unlike Singapore, there's more than 1 rail operator in Japan. And rival operators don't show the other tracks and stations. So it's a bit confusing.
But with our superior rail map reading skills,
we eventually got to where we were supposed to be. haha.
You see. Confusing or not. No english anywhere! dies.
But lucky the machines had 'English' version buttons that lets everyone know you don't understand Japanese by making a loud announcment: THIS MENU IS NOW IN ENGLISH!!
Ueno Station Guide.
Felt a bit like Matrix down here.
After an hour or so we got to Minowa station, where our hotel in Tokyo was.
Just out of the station. Alright. Which way now...?
Dunno. Check map. haha.
Was relatively easy to locate because of it's all-glass design.
Yes we dragged our loot halfway across town from the station.
Compared to the rooms in Kyoto, these are like prison cells can! Exact space for only 2 beds. Entire room only had one table lamp. No ceiling lights. But it was cosy though.
It was a bit scary having someone over the internet coordinate with the local fanclub guys to send the tickets to our hotel before we arrived.
After all if it didn't work out, = S$800 gone. But they arrived safe and sound 
We bought these from Kyoto. They looked so good, couldn't resist.
With such small rooms, naturally the toilets, bathrooms and washing areas where shared.
We paid 2000yen for the hotel deposit, rested a bit,
then set out to explore the surrounding areas.
This really nice old lady saw us looking at a map and offered to help.
But sadly she was of no help, since the map was in english xD
At least she was nice enough to try for a quite a while. lol.
If only we had these in Singapore.
Zhngmybikewithbabyseats.com
We just walked south towards some shopping district on the map.
There was a whole lot more concrete here than in Kyoto. Felt more urban.
Didn't eat any fruits there. Did 'drank' banana from packets in 7-11 though. lol.
Those were gooood.
Random supermarket along the way. Was looking for toilet. xD
At about this time i promised myself i had to get some genuine Yakiniku beef here in Japan.
Here we are. ROX department store. It's like Suntec.
Multiple buildings all under the ROX name. We made a beeline to Uniqlo. haha.
Many, many bikes ourside ROX.
I love the english lines.
There it was, the famous network of shopping streets towards Asakusa.
Eat first before shopping!
At all the street stalls we went to, we had to order and pay through machines,
then give the ticket to the guy.
Browsing brochures collected from ROX, waiting for food.
Dinner!
Cool spoon ya.
The famous rows of shops leading up to Senso-ji, an immensely popular Buddhist
temple dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon
There it was. On the right. Was about 8pm. Still so packed.
Took a while for the space in front of me to clear to get a not so crowded shot.
Lanterns 3 times my height at the entrance.
Golden Pagoda thingie.
Detail on the lanterns.
Massive 'budda slippers' behind the main entrance.
The temple is dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon,
also known as Guan Yin or the Goddess of Mercy.
During World War II, the temple was bombed and for the most part destroyed.
It was rebuilt later and is a symbol of rebirth and peace to the Japanese people.
Joined the queue for some blessings.
Walked back to our hotel after that. Owned by one of there pachiko houses.
Other distractions available as well ya.
Shopping! Didn't get much here.
Tsutaya is like Japan's largest video and books rental store. They're similar to Popular bookstores here in Singapore. Except a lot classier.
Nearly all the shops were closed around 8-9pm.
But we did see nice posters. Ueto Aya!
Back to our hotel!
They provided these really comfy slippers,
which i later bought before heading back to Singapore.
Had to rest early. Big day tomorrow. Concert! 
Born and raised in Singapore, MJ earns his keep by pushing pixels around as a media designer. Other jobs include getting paid taking pictures, as well as being a full time fanboy for all things cool & kawaii. MJ shoots with a Canon 5DmkII.
