After spending days outside Tokyo — mostly Kyoto and Himeji — I was back in Japan’s impressive capital city. I was staying in the Asakusa area, popular for being close to many of Tokyo’s attraction — namely Nakamise Street, Sensoji shrine, Asakusa shrine and Sumida River. It’s why I chose to stay in Asakusa and booked myself at the Khaosan Tokyo Laboratory hostel for a few days.
Toshiba toilets, who would have thought 🙂 It was nice to sit on these on a chilly morning — because the toilet seat would warm up!I went upstairs to the kitchen to have my breakfastThe kitchen isn’t very big but I didn’t find it very crowded either. It has all the essential appliances.I got ready and went downstairs to check out the information the hostel had put up about attractions in Tokyo and how to get to each one.First attraction on today’s sightseeing list was Senso-ji temple, so I headed out in that directionGood thing there was a Mos Burger outlet nearby 🙂
I walked towards the end of the road Senso-ji was situated on just to explore the surroundings. There are quite a few banks around, so I got some US dollars exchanged.
Past the bridge over Sumida river is the Asahi Beer Hall (the building with the ‘golden turd’ on top of it)This is the entrance to Senso-ji Temple, one of the most popular Buddhist shrines in Japan — because it’s the oldest in Tokyo. Therefore, it’s also one of the most popular attractions in the city.This large lantern is called a KaminarimonLeading up to Senso-ji temple is Nakamise Street, choc full of small shops
Nakamise Dori, as its known in Japanese, has seen many shops come and go since it first came up in the 18th century.
After the morning disappointment of visiting Himeji Castle, I decided to explore Himeji city a bit more before leaving for Tokyo. I considered visiting one more attraction, and chose the Nadagiku Shuzo Sake Brewery (sake is a Japanese rice wine). Looking at a map of Himeji city, it didn’t seem that far from the JR station.
Loved seeing well designed sidewalksAnd seeing the traditional with the newI walked past the other side of the JR station, which has some hotels like Tokyo-Inn.com and a Japan Airlines buildingI kept admiring the pavements because all this good planning is a rarity back in India
I tried to locate Nadagiku Shuzo Sake Brewery on Google Maps but I still ended up a bit lost after I followed the route the app showed me.
I arrived in Himeji city yesterday and I woke up today freezing just as much as I was yesterday night before going to bed. It was bloody cold! I got out of my capsule bed, brushed my teeth in ice cold water and had my breakfast.
I wanted to finish seeing Himeji Castle as early as possible and leave Himeji city by noonThere were a lot of people heading towards the castle. Himeji Castle is the biggest attraction of this city.Himeji Castle is also the biggest castle in JapanThey had set up chairs on the ground and I saw banners for some sort of event by the Japan AirforceI walked to the ticket counterAfter paying the 400 yen entrance fee, I entered the castle groundsHimeji Castle is over 400 years oldBut I was devastated to learn at the ticket counter that the main tower has been under restoration for quite some time and is off limits to visitors!
