Japan Trip Day 2: Sightseeing

We got lucky! The weather cleared up today and we managed to do a bunch of sightseeing. We had to give up on a few on our list like the Tokyo Skytree due to time, but touristy stuff is usually more of a been there, done that deal, anyway.

We didn’t start very early but managed to squeeze in Nakamise (仲見世), Sensoji (浅草寺), Shin Nakamise (新仲見世), Yasukuni Shrine (靖國神社), and Imperial Palace East Gardens (皇居東御苑), in that order. I took a good hundred photos from the phone, but here’s my selection of the slightly less touristy ones:

First train of the day

Sensoji Kaminarimon: under the bell

Washing my hands at the Asakusa Shrine; evidence of me doing it totally wrong

Got my cheap hot coffee in a paper cup from this coffee vending machine; gotta love this of Japan!

During certain hours, certain carriages are for female passengers only. It’s nice that they have something like this in place, but what the necessity of it implies worries me.

Entrance of the Tokyo Imperial Palace Entrance with a ticket to return when you leave… and my brother trying to get out of the shot

Firetruck inside the Imperial Palace; an interesting sight for a tourist like me

Heading back via Otemachi Station; it started to rain again

JR One-Day Pass: so useful!

And food! … Stalls, mostly. I wasn’t quite feeling like eating unhealthy food so I didn’t try any even when the friends offered. I know. Unforgivable! tongue

Kibidango (sweet glutinous rice balls) stall

Kigidango

All the Asakusa Senbei!

Ningyouyaki (a sweet treat that is shaped like a face, I think?)

Japanese Sweet Sake

Vendor selling all the agemanju (bun with sweet paste inside)

We had an unpleasant lunch experience at a cafe, but I have split that into a separate post.

Not part of the touristy tour but taken on the same night. The prices and availability of fruits (which I’ve been craving) in the Japanese winter:

Fruits available at a small grocer near the hotel, winter prices

Fruits available at a small grocer near the hotel, winter prices

Whew! Touristy stuff out of the way! Next!