So - all in all, today was a good day and a bad day. Good - because we are still in Tokyo and we have been to Ueno and had a good day out . . . . . Bad - because this is our last day in Japan and we are flying home tomorrow!!!!
Our final day in Tokyo was spent in Ueno Park and the surrounding areas. The last two times we had been to Ueno Park it had rained (very heavily), however today . . . . . it was hotter than the surface of the sun! I'm not too sure which is worse now??
We got to Ueno and it was packed. It seems like everyone is getting the last of the Cherry Blossoms in before they are go. The Cherry Blossoms are now falling at an alarming rate and apparently this will be the last good weekend for them. The ground is covered in petals . . . .
Everyone is still out sitting on their tatami mats and tarps under the trees and partying - and at 11am this morning . . . . partying a little too hard!!! Yeah - I was a little jealous. Everyone looked so comfortable and cool sitting under the trees with their family and friends.
We spent a good while just wandering round the park, looking at all the small shrines that are dotted around and checking out all the fantastic food stalls that have been set up around the park.
After finishing with the park, we went off to Ameyoko . . . . this is the large market street that runs along side the train lines and was initially a 'black market' area after World War II.
After a chat with the incredibly friendly owner and a taste and smell of a lot of his teas, I bought a lot of different types of tea . . .
- Green Tea and Sakura (Cherry Blossom) - Just had to!!! It was a limited edition and in season!!
- Green Tea and Apple
- Green Tea and Rose
- and a BIG bag of Green Tea Leaves
- I have also bought a new Tea Pot!!!
Oh - yes, I am spoilt!!!
I have to apologise at this point as there are no more photos to share! I was so involved looking at everything that I forgot to point and shoot!
We don't know what it is here in Japan . . . but the fruit is HUGE! An Apple costs about 250Y, but it is big enough to feed a family of 4. Scott was completely fascinated by the size of the grapes - they were like basketballs! I stopped by one stall and had a bowl of Strawberries . . . . they were also huge and soooo very sweet and lovely. We did notice at one point - that a Watermelon was going to set you back about 1350Y (around about a tenner!)
It was like Nishiki Market in Kyoto all over again . . . . there were some amazing food items out on the stalls - some we recognised . . . crab, squid, octopus, tuna and salmon . . . . and some we couldn't even put a name to!!!!
So - it was one more last bit of shopping - I have to be careful as Scott is now trying to work out if we can get everything I have bought so far in our bags!!!! He's got a point a I have bought a LOT of stuff but I'm sure we'll manage!
One quick stop off for ice cream . . . . well it is VERY warm! I had green tea and vanilla and Scott had Strawberry and Vanilla . . .. nice!!
We needed to make one stop before we went back to the apartment as we needed food for tonight. All this week, we have been using the 7-11, the Lawson's and the Convenience Store and picking up bits and pieces . . . and of course on our last day, we find a huge supermarket that is a meat heaven for Scott!!! He is absolutely gutted! He's been paying a fortune for meat, where in this supermarket, there were packs of fresh chicken on sale at 2 for 500Y!!!!! Oh well - at least we know where is it for next time!
We now needed to make our way back home as we need to organise the apartment and pack . . . and try to get all my stuff in our bags.
So - as I do this final entry of the blog . . . we are all packed (yes, everything went in our bags!) and I am typing with a huge pet lip!
We have had the best time ever . . . we have seen loads of new places and re-visited some of our favourite places.
Some of the highlights of our two weeks have been . . . .
- I have seen real life Geisha singing and dancing and also seen Geisha walking to work
- I have never used a bus so much since I was a teenager and couldn't drive
- The weather in Japan in March is very unpredictable . . . . we have experienced ever type of weather these two weeks from blistering sun to snow
- CHERRY BLOSSOMS!!! Finally got to see them and Love them!
- Cherry Blossom Hanami parties look like fun
- Scott is too tall for traditional Machiya houses
- We have had a full on Japanese meal in a traditional restaurant (with thanks to Haruna san)
- Scott had eaten tofu (I'm still stunned)
- We have been squeezed onto a subway train during morning rush hour
- We have been squeezed onto a subway train during the evening rush hour (though it was 8pm!!)
- We have given our JR Passes a real good bashing and have definitely got our money's worth
- We have been on the real bullet train (Nozomi) even though we weren't supposed to haha!!!
- We have seen some amazingly beautiful shrines and temples
- There are a lot of weird food available from stalls in parks on sticks (remember the octopus on a stick???)
- I have bought a LOT of stuff
- I think we may have walked about 500 miles in total (or at least it feels like it)
- We have climbed a million steps (both in Kyoto and Tokyo) . . . who needs a thigh master???
- Scott's sense of direction is second to none
- My sense of direction is non-existent
- Japanese television is hilarious . . . .nuff said!
I could go on for ever. I love Japan and can't wait to come back again. However, for the time being, we are coming home tomorrow with some fantastic memories . . . . and a serious aversion to steps!
So this is Scott and Nic signing off (until next time) . . . . . with love n hugs xxx
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