Off to Japan for my first stop on my little Asian Adventure and my first time in Japan. 8 Nights in Tokyo including staying with my buddy Ryan and Kayo, 1 Night in Nikko and a few nights in Kyoto before flying off to their favourite neighbour country (or maybe not).
Day 1-3. Nice direct 10 hr flight Calgary to Tokyo which went up to Alaska and down the coast of China. Arrived basically the same time I left Canada plus a day.
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Yes the home of two Italians...? |
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All toilets are incredibly clean and with these washolets, heated |
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Good old 7/11. Really good and healthy actually. |
First impression of Asakusa the East side of Tokyo on video walking to the W-Inn capsule hotel.
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Sky Tree |
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slippers for everyone |
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7/11 full of good food |
The Senso-ji shrine in the heart of Asakusa only 2 blocks from where I was staying. A tourist spot for sure, but good for a look around.
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At the gates to go in |
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I wouldn't take my luggage here |
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Seen this guy before, but where? |
Put some places on a map and went for a walk which turned out to be 11 km day by the time I got back from a loop that I actually truncated as I went along.
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Skytree background to Sumida River |
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Carwash technology |
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Scooter parking efficiency |
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No need for a sim card in Japan |
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Tsukiji Hongwanji Buddhist Temple |
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Dried squid a commonality in Asia. |
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First snack with out translator, learnt it was chicken liver |
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Tsukiji Outer Fish Market which turned out to be |
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...so pricy! |
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Luckily I found a great lunch special for $16CAD with 250ml sake at Kiyomura Sushi |
Passed a pricy hotel area where the Imperial Hotel and others sit near Hibaya Park and the Imperial Palace. 360 video to capture a bunch of the highend hotels.
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smoking area |
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some of the Palace wall |
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Unfortunately the Imperial Palace was closed |
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Tokyo Central Station |
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Efficient parking structure |
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whiskey soda with dinner |
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Sake to me! |
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roasted yams at 7/11, delicious! |
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Some other interesting counter food at 7/11 |
Tour of the Samurai Museum which to be honest had good original combat suits, but a short amount of time with few items to see. Kinda like the Samurai period which was only 600 years and ended only 150 years ago!!!
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Bradley-son |
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Some varying years from 1200 to 1800s |
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Ninjas were actually hidden amongst farmers and used farming tools as weapons |
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Some samurai buried next door?
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Day 4. Off to Nikko for a night to see some more temples (UNESCO World Heritage site) and go for a hike in the mountainy region 2hrs Northeast of Tokyo.
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Asakusa Lightning capsule hotel |
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Lots of umbrellas at the front |
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Train to Nikko |
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I hoped to avoid the rain 2hrs out of Tokyo, but caught a little |
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Shinkyo Bridge |
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Nikko Toshogu Temple |
Famous Three Wise Monkeys
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Slippery and crowded |
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Before they went to the future |
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Japanese Red Bull |
Decided to take a hike to Mt Konosu from Park Lodge Hostel the next morning before I took the train back to Tokyo. One crazy hike which was supposed to be 3.5 km and 3.5hrs in and back...Didn't go that way and wasn't very easy until I got passed by an 80 year old lady who crushed my bravado. Highlight was I did the hike with my new Adidas Sambas that went pretty well.
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Trying to get a good view of the valley |
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That's the best photos I could get |
Trying not to get lost. And not understanding a word of Japanese.
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Yep that's the path |
Fun times. Never made it to the summit as I ran out of time, food, and water.
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Getting back after giving up. |
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On the edge of Nikko after the hike. |
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A bunch of falls and cemeteries going back |
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Amazing super market food |
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So good, double tray action on the train. |
Back in Tokyo for a few more nights before staying with Ryan and family. I shifted from the East side to the West side of the huge metropolis, of course still in the inner city.
Walking around Shinjuku and area. This is the late night scene and red light district of Tokyo where you can find lots of full body tattoos, which are forbidden in normal Japanese culture.
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Just a few spots to drink! |
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Kuyakusho-mae Onsen/hotel. In this capsule hotel everyone is supposed to wear these robes. Felt like a James Bond movie |
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So clean. Went to Harry's Sandwiches for trivia with Ryan, Josh, and Bella. |
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Hachiko - the dog that continued to do his routine for years after his owner had past away. |
The famous 3D Cat which really can only be understood from the video.
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3D Cat at night |
Another walking tour...
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So orderly. And Shiny! |
Views from the 42nd floor of the Metropolitan Building and it's free!
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