Our Nippon journey: Thur Dec 28 2006 (Day 7)

View Larger Map

First on today's itinerary is Tsukiji Fish Market. We didn't actually go to the fish market section, which is where all the auction & trading takes place, for 2 reasons:
- To watch the auction and happenings, we have to get there by 6am which is when the auction begins. Too early
- From doing my 'homework', the place can be dangerous during trading times because people are trying to do business and we tourists are in their way. Possibility of getting run over by carts and trucks.

Here is an account, by Q-Taro, of the action we didn't get to see

A vid i found on YouTube of the action

Another vid i found on YouTube of the action

So we decided to just visit the outer market later. It was crowded and 'local'.

The eat-standing culture

Some of the things for sale here

This is fresh whole wasabi

Then brunch at Sushizanmai. We got there a bit earlier and got seats. Not long after we were seated, the queue started to get long.

the queue not long after us

some of the sushi we had

The best tasting one

I got a chance to use the "O-kaike kudasai" phrase which means bill, please. Cost us about AUD$50+ for just sushi. Who says sushi is cheap.

Next we headed for the Imperial Palace, which is home to the Imperial family. We could only catch a glimpse of beacause the Palace is only open to the public two days in a year, during The Emperor's Birthday (Dec 23)and New Year's Greeting Day (Jan 2). This is what we saw

Then back to Ueno Park which we missed two days ago because of the rain. There is nothing much in Ueno Park really. We visited the Toshogu Shrine

Then to Sensoji in Asakusa. The Kaminarimon, the outer gate of Sensoji and symbol of Asakusa

Things for sale along Nakamise dori, the stall-lined street leading to temple. Prices are high as this is popular tourist destination.

My first taste of mochi in Japan. I think the chinese ones taste better.

at the pagoda and temple in Sensoji

cleansing with the smoke from the incense

Japanese style incense

I think these are some decorations for the New Year

heading back to the train station

on the train

Last destination was to Odaiba to view the Rainbow Bridge and the Statue of Liberty's twin sister. We decided to cross the Rainbow Bridge to get across to Odaiba via the Yurikamome transit as this will give us a good view. It was very cold but the view was absolutely stunning, very metropolis.