My Japan Trip synopsis will not be complete if I dont write things that made a note to me while I visited Japan.
Every one used a Handphone that is foldable, or with a sliding screen. In the four days I spent in Tokyo I could not spot even one handphone which was not in this category.
It was easier to get around and most people could recognise the English words and what you are trying to refer to.
Smoking was rampant and even fast food joints had designated floors for smoking.
Food was good and tasty....we could actually eat any kind of food we tried.
Narita Airport was very impressive and one could get the pulse of a city that plans at least 20 years ahead just by its sheer size and capacity.
Showing posts with label tokyo japan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tokyo japan. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Tokyo japan
Finally we landed at Narita International Airport Tokyo at 1 PM on Friday.
We bought tickets by Keisi Sky liner and headed towards Tokyo.
The Sky liner takes about 60 minutes.....and then we had another train which takes 22 minutes to reach the station which is near to the hotel.
TIP No.1
Its best to take the cheapest train although no reserved seats as time taken is not very different the only difference in time is when you take a bullet train paying about 3 times.Taxis are a big "NO NO" as they are frightfully expensive.....
Taxis/Limo will cost you about 450 US Dollars where as the train can cost you about 16USD a person...so I now leave it to you to choose!
We managed to actually find our way and walk to the hotel from the station and that was really good....so we saved the burden of taking a taxi....
TIP No.2
Stay at a hotel with less than 10 minutes walk to a subway.
After checking in we decided to go towards Tokyo Metro Station.We walked around the serene surroundings of the Imperial Palace Area.
A snapshot of one of the buldings of Imperial Palace.
Kids at the Imperial Palace Area
You may watch the video...of some recording not taken by us below but gives a good overview of the area.
Then we headed to Roppongi. Its an upmarket place with a lot of modern buildings and happening night life.We went up the Roppongi Hills 52nd floor for a "CITY VIEW AT NIGHT"....
TIP No.3
Take a Day Pass for Metros from the airport. It works out really economical.
The city looked endless and on could just keep wondering how big the city was.
We finally headed home and actully realised we cannot take some of the subways day pass on a particular rail line and hence ended up changing 3 trains to go back to the hotel...Needless to say we were dead tired so fell asleep immediately.
We bought tickets by Keisi Sky liner and headed towards Tokyo.
The Sky liner takes about 60 minutes.....and then we had another train which takes 22 minutes to reach the station which is near to the hotel.
TIP No.1
Its best to take the cheapest train although no reserved seats as time taken is not very different the only difference in time is when you take a bullet train paying about 3 times.Taxis are a big "NO NO" as they are frightfully expensive.....
Taxis/Limo will cost you about 450 US Dollars where as the train can cost you about 16USD a person...so I now leave it to you to choose!
We managed to actually find our way and walk to the hotel from the station and that was really good....so we saved the burden of taking a taxi....
TIP No.2
Stay at a hotel with less than 10 minutes walk to a subway.
After checking in we decided to go towards Tokyo Metro Station.We walked around the serene surroundings of the Imperial Palace Area.
A snapshot of one of the buldings of Imperial Palace.
Kids at the Imperial Palace Area
You may watch the video...of some recording not taken by us below but gives a good overview of the area.
Then we headed to Roppongi. Its an upmarket place with a lot of modern buildings and happening night life.We went up the Roppongi Hills 52nd floor for a "CITY VIEW AT NIGHT"....
TIP No.3
Take a Day Pass for Metros from the airport. It works out really economical.
The city looked endless and on could just keep wondering how big the city was.
We finally headed home and actully realised we cannot take some of the subways day pass on a particular rail line and hence ended up changing 3 trains to go back to the hotel...Needless to say we were dead tired so fell asleep immediately.
Tokyo japan
Second day...we went to Shinjuku with the intention to try and visit Hakone...but was advised that the weather was cloudy hence the ship service and cable car and ropeway may be completely stopped.
We anyways bought the Hakone free pass.
The following link gives you all details regarding the pass
Hakone free pass
We bought the same for 5500 yen per ticket for Sunday....and decided to see Shinjuku...
One of the highlights of the area was Takashimaya - the super store at The Times Square.....having seen the chain in Singapore and Taipei umpteen times one would not expect any surprises.
But the store is so huge you are wonderstruck by its sheer size. Its over 12 floors and the whole store in other Asian cities would be equal or less than one of the floors.
Its a must see of high end shoppers.
Backdrop is Takashimaya Store at Times Square
We were also quite amazed to see over 100 people queuing up in a slight dristle at a Krispy Creme Doughnut outlet...We had lunch at Shinjuku and headed towards the Ueno Zoo...
We anyways bought the Hakone free pass.
The following link gives you all details regarding the pass
Hakone free pass
We bought the same for 5500 yen per ticket for Sunday....and decided to see Shinjuku...
One of the highlights of the area was Takashimaya - the super store at The Times Square.....having seen the chain in Singapore and Taipei umpteen times one would not expect any surprises.
But the store is so huge you are wonderstruck by its sheer size. Its over 12 floors and the whole store in other Asian cities would be equal or less than one of the floors.
Its a must see of high end shoppers.
Backdrop is Takashimaya Store at Times Square
We were also quite amazed to see over 100 people queuing up in a slight dristle at a Krispy Creme Doughnut outlet...We had lunch at Shinjuku and headed towards the Ueno Zoo...
Tokyo japan
We headed to Ueno Zoological Gardens......its a zoo as old as 1882. and our daughters chose because the main attraction is PAnda...so if you asked them what they saw in Tokyo they are sure to say the zoo with the PAnda....!
Entrance of UENO ZOO
The Popular Pandas at The Ueno Zoo
There are several other zoo and sea life parks...which we gave amiss as there is only limited things you can really cover.
The Tiger at the Zoo
The Polar Bear - yet another attraction
The Panda Hug
We headed off to Akhibara the Electric City....
This is an area with the most advanced electric products . There are several hundreds of shops selling all kinds of electronic products.There are also streets specialising in Musical instruments etc...
We headed off lateer to see Yushima Tenmagu Shrine....before heading home to a well deserved rest.
A view of the temple
Entrance of UENO ZOO
The Popular Pandas at The Ueno Zoo
There are several other zoo and sea life parks...which we gave amiss as there is only limited things you can really cover.
The Tiger at the Zoo
The Polar Bear - yet another attraction
The Panda Hug
We headed off to Akhibara the Electric City....
This is an area with the most advanced electric products . There are several hundreds of shops selling all kinds of electronic products.There are also streets specialising in Musical instruments etc...
We headed off lateer to see Yushima Tenmagu Shrine....before heading home to a well deserved rest.
A view of the temple
Tokyo japan
We left the hotel by 6 to head off to Hakone....We reached Shinjuku and boarded the train on Odyaku line for Hakone Yumoto. On the way you get views os snowcapped Mount Fuji.
Ten we headed off in Hakone Tozan Bus to the next leg of the Hakone tour. We stopped here and shopped around for Japanese Curios also visited an art museum from where the views of Lake Ashi was fantastic.
Then we took the cermonius ship to Togendai to be set for another Hakone ropeway ride.
Several shots on our one day trip to Hakone!
Do click on the photo to get an expanded view! The place was awesome!
After the ropeway ride you take the cable car and reach Gora. We stopped by and visited the Gora Park before heading to Shinjuku after a long and tiring day.
Ten we headed off in Hakone Tozan Bus to the next leg of the Hakone tour. We stopped here and shopped around for Japanese Curios also visited an art museum from where the views of Lake Ashi was fantastic.
Then we took the cermonius ship to Togendai to be set for another Hakone ropeway ride.
Several shots on our one day trip to Hakone!
Do click on the photo to get an expanded view! The place was awesome!
After the ropeway ride you take the cable car and reach Gora. We stopped by and visited the Gora Park before heading to Shinjuku after a long and tiring day.
Tokyo japan
Today was cruising day...we thought our trip to Tokyo wont be complete without a cruise on Tokyo Bay.So we headed off to Hinode Pier....and went to Odaiba /seaside park on a cruise....
A closer view of the Rainbow Bridge. Notice that the bridge is 2 levels.Vehicles simultaneously pass through both levels.
Fuji - TV Headquarters
We spent time walking and shopping around finally to return to Hinode Pier.
Then we took the last opportunity to see the skyline of Tokyo.So we took a city view from the World Trade Centre before heading off for a late lunch .
Another shot of Rainblow Bridge as a backdrop!
A day view of the city from the World Trade Centre
Took the train to Narita International Airport and was amazed at the size of the airport.It was huge and makes you wonder how well these cities plan and prepared for future.There are several shops for genuine Japanese Curios at the airport so we shopped till we actually spent the last yen before heading home to Taipei.
A closer view of the Rainbow Bridge. Notice that the bridge is 2 levels.Vehicles simultaneously pass through both levels.
Fuji - TV Headquarters
We spent time walking and shopping around finally to return to Hinode Pier.
Then we took the last opportunity to see the skyline of Tokyo.So we took a city view from the World Trade Centre before heading off for a late lunch .
Another shot of Rainblow Bridge as a backdrop!
A day view of the city from the World Trade Centre
Took the train to Narita International Airport and was amazed at the size of the airport.It was huge and makes you wonder how well these cities plan and prepared for future.There are several shops for genuine Japanese Curios at the airport so we shopped till we actually spent the last yen before heading home to Taipei.
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