Tokyo and Around

The flight from Heathrow to Narita was an interesting experience. We left at 1.00pm London time and arrived at about 9.00am in Japan having travelled in daylight for the whole trip. The wait through customs/passport check only took 30 mins despite the numbers of planes arriving almost simultaneously.
As this port of call was to be our last we treated ourselves to travel to our Tokyo hotel, 90 mins away, by limousine coach transfer (which in the end cost no more than the train would have cost). We arrived early at the Tokyo Dome Hotel checked in (to the 26th Floor with views across Tokyo)and killed some time with a walk through the immediate area: Tokyo Dome City. Very much impressed by the order and the cleanliness of the ground environment. Even the air wasn't too badly polluted. As usual we walked around the streets becoming familiar with the local shops: and food outlets. Its a bit difficult finding your way without street names, but throughout our five days people were only too helpful. If we looked lost (ie standing looking confused on a street with a crumpled and dog eared street map) people with only limited English would ask if we needed help. How often did this happen ...?? Can't remember! One couple was a Japanese man and Kiwi woman from Christchurch who had seen my 'Made in NZ' tee shirt.
Our first attempt to get into the Imperial Palace East Garden was made on our first afternoon but it was closed by the time we arrived. We had already walked through the Park to the Yasukuni Shrine and wandered around the ground floor of the War Memorial Museum and out into the Japanese gardens. And that brought to an end the first day in Tokyo.
The next day our plans were disrupted by an extraordinarily long sleep in - getting over the flight from the previous day. But we managed to squeeze in a full day before arriving back in Tokyo City where we wandered: through the bright lights and amusement park and people just out and about enjoying themselves. There is no daylight saving here (yet, anyway)so it gets dark quite early in the late spring/early summer. We were attracted by the sound of music coming from a stage in the courtyard and sat and listened to a young Japanese musician, whose music we liked. Clive decided to buy a CD and lined up to buy a copy and eventually ended up in a line with the other girls to have it personally signed at the end of the concert. We were then attracted by a Symphony of Light show by the water fountain which not only attracted groups of families but also helpedto cool the early summer air already around theearly 20s. A great way to end the day.
The next day (Monday)we tried again to get into the Imperial Palace East Gardens but 'Closed on Mondays' made it rather difficult, impossible in fact. That afternoon we took a bus trip through Tokyo City starting with a trip up the World Trade Centre with expansive views over both the city and the Harbour areas - and city as far as we could see in any direction. A 40 minute boat cruise along the Sumida River took us to the Asakusa Kannon Temple and from there we were bussed back to fashionable Ginza where we got off the bus and decided to walk. It was after this that we met the young (?) couple - she from Christchurch. It is impressive in Tokyo how each bit of available land is used: underneath the expressway supports we saw a small court area, fenced in where young kids could learn/play baseball; and under other expressways, canals and carparks. Of course, the ubiquitous highrises abound.
The following day took us south west to Mount Fuji, sacred conical mountain, reminding us of home. And the day was picture postcard perfect - great clear views of the mountain and later in Hakone National Park of the Lakes and Mountains from the aerial ropeway. (Unfortunately, by late afternoon, Fuji was cloud covered, and we never got to see it again. How lucky were we? And then a two hour journey back to Tokyo and eventually our first experience of the Japanese Metro. And just like the others we had used, a very easy to follow and use transport system. Nowhere in Tokyo is far from either a train or Metro station. And so ended our last organised day. Our last day was spent on our own. We took the Metro to Harajuku station from where we walked into Yoyogi Park and through the impressive gates to the Meiji Jingu Shrine, out and onwards to the Shinjuku-Gyoen Garden (Shinjuku National Gardens) and on to the shopping area of Shinjuku. Another upwards trip took us 45 floors up to the observatory floor of the H shaped Metropolitan Government Office building and again impressive views over Tokyo and as far back as Tokyo Dome (home of the Giants baseball team)and our hotel. From the Tower we headed back to Shinjuku station (again with help from people on the street) and a couple of Metro stops to our hotel area.
And thus ended our Tokyo experience: must come back to Japan one day and even a return to Tokyo is a possibility. These are very polite and friendly people: the streets are crowded but there is no rush: people respect people (there is crime, but it is generally safe - you leave personal belongings at your seat in restaurants to reserve space; we saw a young guy walking in front of us with his wallet sticking up from his back pocket - safe here, unlike in the other countries we had visited.
And as Tokyo(Japan)came to a close so too did our trip of a lifetime: an experience we have been very lucky to have been able to do. We are looking forward to going home. Its been a long time (Departed August 21st 2007; returned May 30th 2008)but it's nice to be able to head home to family and friends - and a change of clothes and colour!!