On to Tokyo

Had a good nights sleep in Hakone-Yumoto in the ryokan, on a futon on the floor.  Breakfast was Japanese-style sitting on the floor, but with the low tables you can furtively stretch your legs out under to ease the pain in your knees.  A mix of Japanese and Western offerings - scrambled egg, fresh tomatoes, buns, coffee, and little sausages.  There are little burners sitting on the tables, and the Japanese diners used these to cook a small fish each, at their table.

Shinkansen decor

A 9 am departure gave us a little more time to relax.  James got lost in the maze of corridors on his way to the foyer, and arrived some minutes late.  Caught the local bus at the stop across the road for the short ride to the station; local train to Oragawa to catch the fast train.  During our 30 min standing on the platform about four Shinkansen trains went past - the first at fairly high speed.  They pass on separate line away from the platform, which is probably essential.  I am struck by the great length of each train (400 metres).

Our last Shinkansen ride took just 30 minutes, delivering us to Shinagawa in Tokyo.  Our "Shinagawa Prince Hotel" is just across a busy road, and boasts movie theatres, swimming pools, a dolphin aquarium (and show), a bowling alley, and an indoor golf driving range!  We parked our bags (too early for check-in)  and rode one quarter of the way around the local loop line to Shinjuku.  The attraction there was the (free) view fom 45F of the ... building.  Back on the train for a ride to Harajuku, a trendy little shopping street crowded with fashion shops for young japanese, and with people.  We lunched on sandwiches and waffles in a lunch bar place, and watched the weird and wonderful people walking past.  The 100 yen shop looked interesting, but we didn't actually buy anything.  I tried on a 1200 yen shirt - looking for one for dinner tonight since all my clothes are dirty - had to remove my shoes before I could enter the changing booth.

James and I waited in the baking sun by Harajuku station (under a tree actually) while Sue supported Lisa's more leisurely progress back up the street.  She came away with a nice little dress.



We made it back to the hotel about 4, and checked in.  Were able to upgrade our next 3 nights for just 6000 yen, which saves us having to move in the morning.  Blobbed out until it was time to meet in the lobby at 6:30.

Tokyo's "Times Square"

Minji took us to Shibuya, the Times Square of Tokyo.  It was rush hour on the train so our most crowded ride - but still not too bad.  We watched the crowds and huge screens around the square for a while, posed for photographs, then went to an "all you can drink" restaurant for dinner.  Ordered everything off a portable touch-screen at our tables, and had some beer.  We had a nice big ceasar salad with egg, and chicken wings and grilled chicken on skewers.  Sue learned that "hot melt cheese cake" does not mean cheesecake - it means cake with melted cheese on top!  Ugh.

Dinner scene

The party then moved a short distance to a small club (so small we filled it ourselves) where there was very loud music and expensive drinks, and everyone had a good time.  Us old folks said goodbye to the younger stayers at 11:30, and with James found our way back though crowded streets to the station, and onto the right train to take us home.  Even at that time of night the stations were still crowded, and there seemed to be quite a few city workers still on their way home.