It's a strange thing that we have lived in Japan for over 2 1/2 years now and have not once visited the mainland. In fact, most people back home who don't know us that well actually assume that Matt and I live IN Tokyo... which couldn't be further from the truth - as you know if you've been following our blog for any amount of time now. The truth is, we tried to take a trip up north last year - we had the plane tickets and hotels booked and everything - but the big earthquake and tsunami struck just weeks before our departure date, cancelling the trip. This year, we attempted the trip a second time with definite success, planning our visit right during the incredible cherry blossom season.
The first leg of our trip was spent up in Tokyo, where we got to experience the hustle and bustle, high fashion stores, unique architecture, and neon lights that seem to charactarize modern-day Japan. In Tokyo, Matt and I walked a ton as well as rode on their complex subway system pretty much all over the city. I absolutely loved how clean and modern the city was, and it was also my favorite city as far as architecture goes. We saw so much in just the few days that we were there, even with the uncomfortably cold temperatures... did I mention that it was freezing there?? Maybe if we had just flown in from Chicago it wouldn't have seemed AS cold, but let's remember that Matt and I live on a sub-tropical island, and to us, it was really COLD... like boots, jackets, scarves, and I-wish-I-had-brought-gloves COLD!
Here are some of the highlights from our time in Tokyo:
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| Our view on the flight to Tokyo |
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| LCD screen vending machines |
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| Our teeny-tiny Tokyo hotel room |
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| Our first dinner in Tokyo at the famous Gonpachi restaurant |
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| The most delicious spicy shrimp ball |
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| Cool observatory in the Mori Tower |
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| Night view of Tokyo & Tokyo Tower from Roppongi Hills |
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| The huge Tsukiji Fish Market |
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| Huge pieces of fresh tuna |
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| The market was not really for tourists, but we went right in there anyway! You just need to be VERY aware of your surroundings - these vehicles driven by the Japanese fisherman were speeding all over the place, and they were not stopping for pedestrians! |
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| More large (& frozen) tuna |
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| Outside the crowded, touristy part of the fish market |
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| Yummy egg breakfast at the market - this was like scrambled eggs, but sweet... |
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| Mote around the Tokyo Imperial Palace |
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| The Imperial Palace and pretty bridge |
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| From the Imperial Palace, we walked to the Tokyo Tower for some lunch |
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| Overpasses on the streets of Tokyo |
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| Loved this green building |
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| Shinjuku district at night |
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| THIS is Tokyo! |
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| Sushi in Shinjuku |
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| Us on the Tokyo subway |
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| One of the most famous and busiest intersections in the world in Shibuya district - you can see the crowds forming on each corner! |
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| Matt and I in Shibuya |
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| The intersection from above |
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| The main street in Harajuku district - Takashita Dori |
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| We could barely move down it. I thought it was fun... Matt did not:) |
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| Outside Harajuku subway station... I think it is safe to say that Harajuku was the most crowded district we visited in Tokyo! |
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| Crazy Japanese Rockabilly and street performers |
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| Thousands of people having picnics in Yoyogi Park under the cherry blossom trees |
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| Some interesting characters in Harajuku... |
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| Yes, DEFINITELY the most crowded place in Tokyo:) |
More to come from the second leg of our trip in Kyoto!
-C
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