From Kamiyacho to Tokyo Tower
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Up early. Got to get to the train
station and see some crowded trains. Got squashed in between some beautiful
Japanese girls for a couple of stations (Whoohoo!) then crushed with some
Japanese men (Definitely NOT Whoohoo!) Got to take the rough with the smooth!
Changed my train ticket to a JR Pass, searched for a good place to eat
and had a good meal on level 9 of the Tokyu building in Shibuya. A bowl
full of many types of Sushi and rice for about 1600 yen; assembled and
served by many chefs in front of me. Delicious. Loved every bite. |
Then took the train to Kamiyacho where it is only a short walk to Tokyo
Tower. (Many thanks, Lonely Planet, for that tip) A lot of tall buildings
obscured the location of the tower so I had to walk about a bit until I
could see it, then headed in the direction that other people were walking.
800 yen entry plus 600 yen to the special observatory. The main observatory
is really all you need and is probably best to do it in the morning. If
you're up in the afternoon especially after 3pm, the smog starts to obscure
everything. In fact, as I waited in line for the lift to the special observatory,
I saw the smog rolling towards the tower and I knew that 250m wouldn't
be much different by the time I got there.
The facilities available at 150m are worth checking and I'd encourage
you to check out the shrine as well as go down to the 1F floor of the main
observatory where you'll find the glass floor panels and a cafe selling
beer. A glass of Sapporo was particularly good after a long day walking.
Once you've finished with exploring the tower and take the lift you'll
find that they don't let you out in the same place you got in. Instead,
you'll find yourself surrounded by Tourist trap shops. I got out of the
lift at the closed amusement park on the top of the building and took the
stairs down to other areas. I tried to find an interesting souvenir or
two but everything was the standard cheap tourist junk that you could find
anywhere. For unique gifts you really have to go to the gift shop in the
tower itself.
After the Tower I headed back to Iidabashi and got organised for tomorrow,
then changed and went to Shibuya. I was meeting Noriko, Keiko and Alan
so I was curious to know where we were going. (It was a surprise!) Not
sure what it was called but it was on the 9th floor of a building that
was only 5 minute walk from Hachiko in the direction of the buses. Keiko
is coming to Australia next year so Alan and I answered some questions
about Australia. The food was excellent and we had a great time.
Unfortunately, thanks to the hostel closing at 11:00pm, I had to leave
at 10.15. I got back just in time and got ready for the big trip tomorrow.
Next stop, Hiroshima.
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