We were in Tokyo! TOKYO! I still can't believe my family and me were blessed enough to be able to go to this beautiful country when we least expected it. I was assuming it would take a little over a few years before this had the possibility of actually happening but lo and behold, it just did and we couldn't be any happier and grateful!:)
The hotel where we stayed is a short minute walk from Shimbashi station in Tokyo. It is also a 10 minute walk to the Ginza area.
Our room in the hotel
When i first opened the windows and saw the Tokyo Tower i squealed like a little girl!
For first time travelers, it's a good move to stay in a hotel near the station because there's so much going on around the area and it's convenient/cheaper to go around Tokyo. As much as possible, do not opt for taxis because they are way too expensive. The trip from T-CAT (Tokyo City Air Terminal) to the hotel which was about 20 minutes, costs about $20.
After settling in, we went to the Shimbashi station area for our late dinner. This shot was taken around 10pm and there's still so many people up and about.
We went to a sushi bar for our first meal. Restaurants almost always serve house tea or Ocha so make sure to try it!
My brother and sister posing for the camera. In case you're wondering, i'm using my phone which is Sony Ericsson's Xperia Arc S. :)
Morning arrived so fast and my siblings and me decided to go around the area early in the morning. We had Akihabara and Shibuya planned later in the day but our feet were just itching to go around the area!
The view in the morning is just as breathtaking as it is at night.
The street next to the hotel, i couldn't count the number of bikes i've seen during the trip!
Pretty feet. Although i could see my veins from up here. O__O
Big teddy picture! As you can see, nothing significant here, just camwhoring my way into anything i could see as cute or pretty. <3
Just outside the Shimbashi station. Sisters should be color coordinated!:)
Filter worthy pic! After a few minutes of walking, people came rushing to go to their respective offices.
One last shot before we head to the Shimbashi station to go to Akihabara.
The line we used to go to Akihabara from Shimbashi station is the JR Line. It took us about 15 minutes to arrive at the Akihabara station. A one way ticket costs 150 Yen which is roughly around $3. Not so bad considering how fast the trip was and how clean and orderly the station is. The first train ride was somehow difficult though since the Tokyo subway lines are quite messy, so make sure to bring a map from the hotel or get one online. It wouldn't hurt to practice a few japanese phrases just in case you need to ask for directions as people rarely speak english. It's also better to ask the young ones as there's a larger chance they would understand you.
The train next to ours. It looks like the ones i see in anime.:)
At Akihabara station! The billboard gave it all away. Lol.
Anime again! Just outside the Akihabara station exit.
Adjacent to the Akihabara station is the Atré mall where the first thing we saw was Hello Kitty.
And the anime counterpart of Hello Kitty. So cute!<3
First maid cafe i saw in Akihabara.
Why japanese people are thin: they bike a lot and they walk a lot more.
They weren't kidding when they said Akihabara is an electronic city and a haven for anime.O__O
Girl in maid cafe costume.
A store selling figurines of anime characters. If i'm correct it's called Treasure Market Place which is near the station.
Another dressed in maid cafe costume. I am loving her umbrella!<3
Taito stations and Sega are very popular around the area and are very eye-catching too.
After hours of walking we decided to eat at a random restaurant. Authentic katsudon is so different that it pales in comparison to the ones at home. And as usual, Ocha is served along with the meal.
Summer in Tokyo is really hot, which is why it wouldn't hurt to bring a fan or umbrella.
Hello first of many hauls! These are from Akihabara of course. I bought the Dolly Wink makeup from the popular drugstore Matsumoto Kiyoshi which can be found virtually in any area in Tokyo. The stuffed toy and microphone adapter came from Don Quixote. It is a discount chain store and another must-go-to shop as it has affordable and interesting stuffs ranging from anime collectibles to gadgets to homewares and food. It's also a good place to buy souvenirs. You would not be disappointed.
On to the second trip of the day! Shibuya is one of the fashion centers of Japan and probably the busiest of the wards in Tokyo. We used the Ginza line to go to Shibuya from Shimbashi station. A one-way trip costs 160 Yen or roughly $4. We went to the opposite side of the station which was the Tokyu Plaza and one of the things that caught my eye was Baskin and Robbins! It reminded me of Korea, which is also a wonderful country to visit.:)
Me happily sipping my cold cup of coffee. I must've drank at least 3 cups a day to prevent my usual sleepiness from taking over.
Never go to Shibuya without walking through the Shibuya Crossing. NEVER.
My brother taking a break while doing some 'sight-seeing'.
Advertisements of artists on uber big trucks.
A busy street among many busy streets in Shibuya.
Last haul for the day. I've always been a fan of japanese magazines so i could't leave without buying at least one of these. The first magazine i brought was Mina magazine.<3
The bright and colorful lights in Ginza at night. We took a quick walk around the area before eating dinner which just happened to be near the Shimbashi station.
At the back of Shimbashi station. The ramen restaurant where we ate is just around the area.
For our dinner we headed to this ramen joint which was suggested by a local. Her name was Yoko-san and she walked us from Ginza to Shimbashi area just to make sure we wouldn't get lost.:) The joint is called Ichiran and it's very private since you have your own booth to enjoy your ramen in peace. It's also a well-known ramen spot so it's not advisable to go on weekends. The verdict? It's delicious! The firmness of the noodles and the egg-rich soup broth with the spicy sauce was tasty but not to the point that you will lose appetite because of the strength of the flavor. Other ramens i'd be tasting in the future will now have to measure up to this one.O__O
Short walk again before heading back to the hotel.
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