TOKYO TOUR JANUARY 2019

 TOKYO SKYTREE

Location:  1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0045, Japan

Just at the garden of the tower base (4th floor) of Tokyo Skytree which towers to 634 Meters

            Tokyo Skytree is a landmark of Tokyo and it houses a broadcasting tower facility network.  It is located in Sumida City Ward, one of the 23 cities of Metropolitan Tokyo.  This is not far from Asakusa.  Tokyo Skytree is considered to be the tallest structure in Japan and second in the world by the time of its completion.

My travel buddies. (Left to right):  Ms. Ana Cordero, Me, Thelma Bautista, Teresa Santiago and Ariana Sanchez (Ana's daughter)

Part of Tokyo Skytree at the Fourth Floor

This is at the Fourth Floor within the Tokyo Tower ticket admission booth

At the Tembo Deck of Skytree which is at 350 Meters Level

             Skytree has two observations deck:  The Tembo Deck at 350 meters height and the Tembo Galleria at 450 meters high.  Entrance to the Tembo Deck for adults of ages 6-120 is US$15.60.  However, if one opts to go to both theTembo Deck and Tembo Galleria for adults, it cost US$23.40.

While at the Tembo Deck

The breathtaking scenery from Tembo Deck of Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo cityscape from Tembo Deck

           A visit to Tokyo Skytree starts from the fourth floor where tickets to Tembo Deck is sold, but not for the Tembo Galleria.  The admission tickets for Tembo Galleria can only be bought when you are already at the Tembo Deck.

The Skytree Shop

Getting there and around

           The entrance to the Tokyo Skytree is on the 4th floor of Tokyo Skytree Town, which spans the area between Tokyo Skytree Station (formerly known  as Narihirabashi  Station) on the Tobu Isesaki Line, and Oshiage Station on the Asakusa Subway Line, Hanzomon Subway Line and Keisei Oshiage Line. Altervnatively, it is a 20 minute walk across the Sumida River from Asakuza).

           Tokyo Skytree can also be reached by direct buses from Ueno Station (30 minutes, 220 yen, every 30-60 minutes),  Tokyo Disney Resort (45-55 minutes, 800 yen, every 60 minutes) and Haneda Airport (50-70 minutes, 940 yen every 1-3 hours)

HACHIKO MEMORIAL STATUE

Location:  2-chōme-1 Dōgenzaka, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0043, Japan

        One of Japan's unofficial landmarks, the Hachiko statue in Shibuya is a homage to the faithful Akita dog who waited at Shibuya Station every day for his master, even after his death. Today, it’s one of the most popular meeting places in Tokyo.

The Story of Hachiko

Professor Eizaburo Ueno of Tokyo University adopted Hachiko in Akita prefecture in the early 1920s. The two were inseparable, with Hachiko accompanying his master to Shibuya Station each day when the professor would head off to work at Tokyo's Imperial University. The faithful pup would come back to the station each afternoon at 3pm to greet Ueno upon his return. Unfortunately, the professor died in 1925 while at the university and never returned for a final goodbye with his pet. However, the loyal Hachiko continued to visit the station daily until his own death nearly 10 years later. His own death made headlines, and he was cremated and buried next to his beloved owner. (Japan Travel)

SHIBUYA CROSSING: TOKYO'S ICONIC INTERSECTION
Location:  Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan

          Many cities have iconic landmarks: New York City's Statue of Liberty, Paris's Eiffel Tower, Beijing's Great Wall. Tokyo has some unique features, of course, such as Tokyo Tower and the Skytree, but to me the most identifiable landmark to the city will always be Shibuya Crossing.

              It is an unquestioned must-visit for any trip to Tokyo.

          The sprawling scramble intersection just outside Shibuya Station is an embodiment of Tokyo itself: action in all directions. Three huge television screens mounted on the buildings facing the intersection flash all day, while the rest of the area is covered with lights, advertisements, and more lights.

             And that's just when you're looking up. Look down, and you'll see the most remarkable feature of the area: the people. People are constantly pouring across the street from all directions going to even other directions. They all meet in the middle in a frantic mess, bumping, side stepping and swerving around each other as they try to cross.

            Then, for a few minutes, it stops. These are some of my favorite times to be an observer at Shibuya Crossing: while the traffic gets its turn, each little corner of the intersection steadily fills up, up, up, and just as the people begin to spill out into the street, the crosswalk lights turn green and the mayhem starts all over again. (Japan Travel)

OTHER TOKYO TRAVEL DETAILS

 

Arriving in Tokyo and looking for our hotel

Our Tokyo Accommodation

Making use of the vendo  machine for my drinks

While at Tokyo Central Station

After shopping at Mega Don Quijote Shibuya Honten

Dinner at one of the small restaurants within Shibuya

I tried this meal.  It has enough rice at the bottom.  I am a rice eater

Some mouth-watering meal packages at 500 yen or P196 or US$3.53

My choice of meal while at Tokyo Central Station for 550 yen or P216 or US$3.88

             Surprisingly, a decent meal in Japan that will make you full ranges from 500 to 600 yen.  While in Seoul (South Korea), if you want to fill your stomach with a decent meal, then it would range from 10,000 to 11,000 won which ranges from P426 to P470.  Which means that comparing their prices, Seoul has more than double decent meal price compared to that of Japan.

Food packaging in Japan are very inviting to buy and eat

That's why you will be tempted to buy them and  eat it

Picture speaks louder than verbal words

Hmmm . . . so much to buy and eat.  That is why Japan is very close to my heart

So yummy.  Food tripping in Japan is unavoidable

Take home for dinner, just displayed while boarding a bus

While boarding a bus 

Dinner in a big resto may cost higher from 700 to 900 yen

Ready to sleep in our Tokyo accommodation

            Not even the pictures above are enough to describe my fascination about Japan.  It has it all and most importantly, the people:  disciplined, very clean, hospitable, sincere in the fullest sense of the word and despite the fact that they do not speak English, they are willing to assist the needs of the tourists using body language.  This ends my post for my second trip to Japan dated January 20-23, 2019 and I am looking forward to more visits in Japan.

A REFRESHING WALK ALONG LAKE KAWAGUCHIKO (JAPAN)

 Location:  Fujikawaguchiko Town, Southern Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan

               Still a part of my January 20-23, 2019 trip, this specific post is dated January 20-21, 2023 where right from Shinjuku Bus Terminal from Tokyo, we boarded a bus going to Lake Kawaguchiko where it took us one hour and 30 minutes for 104.7 kilometers.

A captured photo at our hotel's lobby

Inside our hotel room

               Thru the effort of our travel buddy, Beng Sia, hotel and city tour bookings were arranged by her.  We decided to stay in a hotel just one short ride from Kawaguchiko Bus station.  As far as I can recall, it was at Bus Track No. 4 and from there, our hotel is just 3 blocks away.

Waiting for our bus going to the Ropeway

             Just from our hotel's window, we can see a total glimpse of the scenic Mount Fuji, though from time to time, it is covered by clouds.  Our decision to stay nearer Kawaguchiko was due to the fact, that we wanted to stroll along the lake during sunset and of course during sunrise and just near the ropeway.

The three of us:  Teresa, Thelma and I at the Bus Track No. 4 Station

Teresa and I ready for trip back to Tokyo

            Our group was able to experience a sunset walk around Lake Kawaguchiko.  There are buses available, though it took time to have the next bus since it was getting late already and walking to our hotel is considerably far.

            

Sunset by the Lake

The silhouette of Mount Fuji at the background

               It was a long walk along the lake just for us to witness a magnificent sunset.  Bus has specific stop points and barely see labeled bus stop point.

This is Kawaguchiko Bus Station

             The following morning was even more refreshing, as we had anticipated a better view of Mount Fuji.  The following pictures are not even enough to picture out the magnificence of the views we captured.

Finally, a better view of Mount Fuji

That's it!  Mount Fuji was better captured without me in the frame

It looks hot, but it was not

The three travel buddies:  Me, Thelma Bautista and Teresa Santiago 

The view by the lake was simply stunning

More views of Mount Fuji, we can't move on

Waiting for the bus going back to our hotel accommodation

VIEWING MOUNT FUJI AT MOUNT TENJO (JAPAN)

 Location:  Lake Kawaguchiko Southern Shore, Minamitsuru District, Yamanishi, Japan

Boarding Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway

              This is a part of my January 20-23, 2019 Japan Trip and this specific tourist spot was visited on January 21, 2019.  The ropeway has its launch pad in Azagawa, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsura District of Yamanishi.   We actually stayed overnight from a nearby hotel (one bus ride) from Bus Track No. 4.

               You can reach the ropeway by train or bus.   The ropeway station is approximately a 15-20 minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station.  Alternatively, take the bus on the Omni Bus Red Line from the station and disembark at the Yuransen Ropeway Iriguchi bus stop 15 minute away --- also a stop for the Mount Fuji World Heritage Loop Bus.

Heading to the Ropeway launch pad

Lake Kawaguchiko as viewed from the top of Mount Tenjo

       The ropeway is open daily from 9:00 A.M. (9:30 A.M. from December to February), with departures every 5-10 minutes.  A round trip is 800 yen (equivalent to US$5.61 or P313) for adults and 400 yen for children, or one way tickets are available for 450 and 230 yen, respectively.  You can take the ropeway until 5:10 P.M. (4:40 PM from December to February).  Official website: https://www.mtfujiropeway.jp/en.

            This ropeway or cable car only takes three minutes to reach the top.  It is 460 meters long.  It can accommodate 36 passengers to fit inside each vehicle, which are adorned with a motif   of either a rabbit or a raccoon dog.

Ties to a famous folktale

               Mukashi-banashi, or fables, are as popular in Japan as they are in other countries, "Kachi-Kachi-Yama," written by Japanese novelist Osamu Dazai, tells the story of a young rabbit trying to outwit a tanuki, a Japanese raccoon dog.   View the story as you make your way up the ropeway.

Lake Kawaguchiko as viewed from the Ropeway launch pad

            The viewdeck offers a 360 degrees panoramic view.  It has souvenir shops and a lot of delicious Japan delicacies.   Tourists can also avail of pictures with Mount Fuji as the backdrop.  There is also a big telescope available for the guests.

Mount Fuji as viewed from the viewdeck

Our group just about to leave from our hotel heading to Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway

           Exit the ropeway onto the mountain, and you will see a photo-service where you can have your photo taken with models of the rabbit and raccoon with Mt. Fuji in the background.  Pay your respects at the small Usagi-jinja, or Rabbit Shrine, before stopping in at the raccoon-themed cafe.

            Visit the cafe to try our mitarashi dango, roasted rice dumplings, which are featured in the story.  Three rice cakes are skewered onto a stick, dipped in a sweet soy glaze and emblazoned with a likeness of Mt. Fuji.

Taken from the viewdeck with Lake Kawaguchiko as the backdrop with my travel buddies.

(From left to right):  Teresa Santiago, me, Thelma Bautista and Beng Sia

Another group picture at the viewdeck with Ariana Sanchez at the center

               Couples should visit the Bell of Tenjo.  This bell is suspended in a heart-shaped frame, where you can see Mt. Fuji on clear days.  Stand on either side, hold the rope, and ring it together to keep your relationship happy.  And if you look toward Mt. Fuji, other wishers come true, too.

The spacious view deck

              For those not wanting to ride the ropeway back down, follow the hiking trail from the observation deck down the forested mountain; the journey takes about 30 minutes.  Mt.  Tenjo also makes a good starting point to trek to nearby Mt. Mitsutoge.  This mountain stands at 1,785 MASL and it's about a six-hour hike there an back.