This morning we left Nagoya and jumped on the bullet train back to Tokyo. Imagine 31 people rolling through the train station and then loading us all into one train car within two minutes. It was chaos, step one make sure everyone got on the train, step 2 find space for all the luggage. It wasn't pretty, but we got it done. On this trip we had a better view of Mount Fuji.
Once we arrived at Tokyo Station the whole group transferred to a local train for two stops to our hotel in the Akihabara area. It was too early to check in, so the hotel stored all our luggage and we were let loose into the city.
On our way to lunch, we crossed this river, I believe it is the Kanda river. When we arrived at the noodle shop there were only single seats available at the bar and a coin operated ordering machine. The boys were slightly intimidated, but I convinced them we could handle it. We lingered long enough outside that a few people left and by the time we figured out how to order there were three seats together. Our perseverance paid off as the noodles were delicious.
Yuzu Lab Noodle Shop in Akihabara
After lunch we took an Uber to the Ginza shopping district. Our first chance to really do some shopping. We passed by all the familiar designer stores and instead walked into the Mitsukoshi department store. David wanted us to see the food. We were not allowed to take pictures, so I grabbed these off the internet.
Rows and rows of beautifully displayed pastries, cookies, chocolate, tea and more. We lined up to get into this sectioned off portion of the floor. It was Jean-Paul Hevin Chocolatier, the perfect place for David to find a Valentine's gift for his wife. We might have bought a little chocolate to try ourselves. It seemed a shame not to.
We bought some fancy dried fruit and nuts at this stall.
After the department store we decided to slowly walk back to the hotel. Along the way we stopped at this store where David bought a few more gifts for his girls back home and we picked up some fancy wooden postcards.
David spotted this curvy building, which I find so interesting. We wondered what it must feel like to be inside.
This was the Ginza Police Box, curious, right?
This one is just pretty with all the shrubbery.
We walked by this museum and took a moment to step in the lobby to snap this shot. I thought all the suspended staircases were interesting.
It's always nice to see the giraffes represented. This one was a nice specimen.
And finally I end with this photo of this mini mobile crane. I think Ira would have loved to drive it once, just for the opportunity to bully his way into a parking spot.
That's it for now. Tomorrow we go to the Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition.
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