Author Topic: Chasing Cherry Blossoms - Tokyo March 2016 - UA 777 Y & 787 J  (Read 7899 times)

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Re: Chasing Cherry Blossoms - Tokyo March 2016 - UA 777 Y & 787 J
« Reply #20 on: April 20, 2016, 02:39:42 PM »
Great report thus far!
My roommate has been stalking about Tokyo/Japan for some time now so great to see a TR.
He claims they are years ahead of US technologically. Is that true from your experience?
Also, welcome! We hope for more valuable input from you in the future. Great start.
And finally, if I may say so, nice looking blog

Thank you for the kind words!

I would say that in some respects Tokyo is more ahead technologically. A lot of shops utilize vending machine type ordering systems, like the ramen shop in one of my posts, which I thought was amazing and innovative. It really streamlined the ordering and waiting process. The efficiency and ease of the transportation/metro is also quite good. But I can only speak for Tokyo and the other major cities in Japan. I'm sure that remote cities/wards can be perceived as being 'years behind of US.' It's all relative.

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Re: Chasing Cherry Blossoms - Tokyo March 2016 - UA 777 Y & 787 J
« Reply #21 on: April 20, 2016, 02:39:58 PM »
Our next day in Tokyo included Tsukiji Fish Market followed by a short hop over to Ginza for sushi then off to Asakusa for Kaminarimon and Sensoji Temple.

TSUKIJI FISH MARKET

After hopping off the Metro, it wasn't too hard to wander off and know that you are in the market. We were greeted with a huge crowd of people wandering through the outer market!


Single file line please!

Tsukiji Fish Market is separated into an inner and outer market. The inner market is the site of the famous tuna auctions but that requires you to arrive hours before the crack of dawn to wait. There is a cap of people they allow into the auctions.

One of my favorite parts of the outer market is the snack stands! In particular, I love getting a block of tamago (egg omelette) and nibbling at it while exploring. We were able to find a stand and watch someone making these omelettes!


Truly amazing to see it go from this...


Into this! And only for 100 Yen!

Here's a couple of the pics I grabbed two years ago from parts of the market:










GINZA & SUSHI FOR LUNCH

Being situated pretty closely together, we decided to walk over from Tsukiji to Ginza/our lunch spot. It took about 10-15 minutes. With some recommendation from friends, we chose to have lunch at Umegaoka Sushi no Midori. I know it's blasphemous to go to Tsukiji and NOT get sushi there, but the lines (like the crowds) were ridiculous for places like Sushi Daiwa.



We arrived around 30 minutes after the restaurant opened and there was quite a crowd already staked out already. After what seemed like an eternity, we were beckoned inside. And the magic started..


Sitting at the sushi counter for front line sushi action

We ended up ordering sushi sets/platters which cost 2800Y each (~$25USD at the time) and it was quite a steal and great bang for our buck! Just enjoy the pics. Not for the empty of stomach


Starter salad with delicious chawan mushi - steamed egg custard


Sushi platter with the BEST unagi (eel) I've ever had


For dessert, a seasonal house-made ice cream


ASAKUSA

After stuffing my face with more sushi than I care to count, it was time to walk off some of that delicious meal. Next stop was heading to Asakusa for the famous Sensoji Temple. The temple are was quite crowded. It is one of Tokyo's most popular temples afterall.

Enjoy the pics!


Crowds of people in front of the main worship hall


Bathing myself in the incense smoke, hoping for some good fortune/luck


Chouchin - Japanese good luck lanterns


No trip to Japan is complete without lots of soft cream! Here's vanilla & matcha flavor


Some of trinkets you can find at Nakamise - the line of shops that lead up to Sensoji Temple

After finishing our rounds at Sensoji, we hopped over to the Asakusa Tourist Information Center, which has an open-air observation deck and cafe on the top floor. And it’s free! You are able to get some amazing views of Sensoji as well as the rest of Tokyo!


Somewhat aerial view of Kaminarimon > Nakamise > Sensoji Temple


Panoramic views of Asakusa, Tokyo and beyond!


That wraps up another day in Tokyo. Our next day would remind me of the real reason I came to Tokyo this trip, cherry blossoms! We finish our time in Tokyo with an extended visit to Shinjuku Gyoen for sakura and so much more!

Full post can be found HERE
« Last Edit: April 20, 2016, 05:03:46 PM by reverted »

Online Mordyk

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Re: Chasing Cherry Blossoms - Tokyo March 2016 - UA 777 Y & 787 J
« Reply #22 on: April 20, 2016, 03:19:44 PM »
i dont know who this person is. but look how many times he is trying to push in links to his own blog :D
#TYH

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Re: Chasing Cherry Blossoms - Tokyo March 2016 - UA 777 Y & 787 J
« Reply #23 on: April 20, 2016, 03:42:50 PM »
Doesnt bother me. (But his blog is blocked by my filter)

In case anybody was wondering.
^^^

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Re: Chasing Cherry Blossoms - Tokyo March 2016 - UA 777 Y & 787 J
« Reply #24 on: April 20, 2016, 05:08:51 PM »
Well I'm sorry if my links offends anyone. Obviously, it was not the intention to offend or step on anyone's toes. If this is the kind of response I'm getting to putting the time into writing these posts then I will not be continuing this report here on DDF.

Thanks all to those that have enjoyed it thus far though! :)

Offline ash

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Re: Chasing Cherry Blossoms - Tokyo March 2016 - UA 777 Y & 787 J
« Reply #25 on: April 20, 2016, 10:03:57 PM »
Hey I love reading TR please continue ..........

Offline Ergel

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Re: Chasing Cherry Blossoms - Tokyo March 2016 - UA 777 Y & 787 J
« Reply #26 on: April 21, 2016, 07:05:09 PM »
Don't listen to the riffraff
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline beastieb

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Re: Chasing Cherry Blossoms - Tokyo March 2016 - UA 777 Y & 787 J
« Reply #27 on: May 10, 2016, 01:29:24 PM »
Thanks! Great write up. I just booked a similar flight for 2017 but after the stopover in Tokyo for 12 days then we are continuing on to SIN and also MLE. Now I just need to book the places to stay.
 

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Re: Chasing Cherry Blossoms - Tokyo March 2016 - UA 777 Y & 787 J
« Reply #28 on: May 11, 2016, 07:26:30 AM »
You have to continue, you can't leave us hanging... :'(