Japan Day 4 - Tokyo

Although I had already been to the Tsukiji Fish Market on Saturday, I decided to see it again with the group, then take the tour I had missed yesterday by going to Mount Fuji. 

By going to the market earlier and with our guide, I was able to see a major area I had not visited on Saturday. Open to the public only after 10 AM, there is a huge building filled with various vendors preparing their fish for market. We saw every kind of sea creature imaginable being chopped, packaged, and sold.

The level of activity was hectic and one had to always be mindful of staying out of the way of the men working. The forklift and small vehicle traffic outside of the buildings and inside kept you on guard. I was fascinated by the sheer variety of fish, squid, shellfish etc. that were being processed. 

Rather then having to wait in long lines and eating lunch right at the market, we went a little further away and had a great experience at a revolving sushi bar.

Everyone sits at the counter and the food revolves around on a conveyor belt. Not being a sushi fan, I wondered if I would maybe take a pass on lunch, not that that would hurt me much! 

The first thing I chose was a lovely cream-filled cake dessert.

Then I found out I could get the fish grilled so I ordered the salmon wrapped around rice. When it came it looked like it had been on the grill for maybe 30 seconds or so - not quite what I was expecting! But when in Rome, or Tokyo as the case may be, I decided to go with the flow and try it at least.

With soy sauce it was quite good actually. I wanted to order another one but our guide wasn't nearby and I didn't know how to get the waiters attention, never mind order grilled salmon so I took one that wasn't grilled. Not bad for somebody who doesn't like sushi!  I quite enjoyed the tea that was available. There was a tap between every two people and you pushed your cup against it to get hot water.

I couldn't see any teabags but I noticed the older gentleman beside me definitely had green tea so I asked him for help. Well, asked isn't quite the right word,  more like pantomimed. He pointed to one of the containers on a very small lazy Susan in front of me. It had green tea powder which I had never tried before. I really liked it and have to bring some home! It has the taste of green tea without having to dispose of the tea leaves afterwards. It is akin to instant coffee which is kind of cool. 

After lunch all of the group wanted to do different things so my guide took just me on the subway to Yoyogi Park to visit the most important shrine in Tokyo –  the Meiji Shrine.

Otorii, the great gate to the park, is built from massive logs that came from a 1500-year-old Japanese cypress tree. The surrounding trees are also huge and it was a peaceful place to be despite the many people wandering around.

Before we entered, Susie showed me how to 'purify' myself before entering the main shrine. There are long handled bamboo scoops which you fill with water. First you pour a little on your left hand to wash it,  then your right hand, then you wash your mouth by putting water in your hand and rubbing it on your mouth (without drinking any of it). Finally, you dispose of the leftover water by letting it run down the handle back into the pool of water from which it came. 

I saw quite a few children dressed up in exquisite traditional costumes and realized it was because of Shichi-Go-San. That is a festival day in Japan for 3, 5 and 7 year olds to celebrate the growth and well-being of young children. My guide asked the parents of these two beautiful young children if I could take their photo.

I was needing a break from walking and standing so Susie told me of a place she knew where we could have some refreshments. We walked quite a ways then went up three escalators to a place called the Kawaii Monster Cafe. Google tells me that Kawaii is an adjective in Japanese meaning " pretty; cute; lovely; charming; dear; darling; pet" It's origin is two kanji meaning "can love" and is commonly used by anime and manga fans. 

I had absolutely no idea that such places existed. We were given the choice of four different cafés and we went to the "Milk Room". To say that the decor is over-the-top is the understatement of the year. Pink was a dominant colour and the room was girly and filled with wild, imaginative sculptures, lighting and seating arrangements. The menu was on this iPad thing stuck in a thick weird case. The prices matched the decor, meaning they were over-the-top so I just ordered a dessert as Susie said it was her treat. 

Suddenly the music got louder and Susie said to come to the centre where there was a 'show'. Three women dressed in the weirdest get up you ever did see danced on this big plastic thing about the music was playing. They also came down to the audience to encourage them to clap along. Some people were chosen from the audience to participate by dancing along with the performers. I couldn't believe my eyes and ears. I still can't! To go from the quiet of the park and the ancient shrine over to this café was as opposite as two places can possibly be. 

After that experience, we separated as I wanted to do some shopping. I found a 4 floor variety store with all kinds of amazing things and bought some interesting art supplies as well as household items. My plan was to do more shopping but my feet could hardly take one more step. (It was a 16,600 step day.)

I grabbed a quick bite next-door at a McDonald's. I know there were lots of interesting choices nearby but I was extremely tired again and had to sit. McDonald's is clean and has free Wi-Fi. Sometimes that's all you really need. 
After four nights here in Tokyo we are leaving tomorrow morning so I must pack up as I have really settled in here, haha!