Japan Holiday Tokyo - To Do (Tokyo Holiday 14-19Jan 2014 continued in Hokkaido)

Tokyo - To Stay
Tokyo - To Do
Tokyo - To Eat
Japan - To Buy 

Tokyo - To Do
14-19Jan2014 continued in Hokkaido 19thJan-24thJan
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 Day1
Tsukiji Fish Market
 Tsukiji Fish Market (Starts Packing up at Approximately 1030hrs)

Tsukiji is divided into two major portions, the outer market and the main wholesale market, both of which are located in the same area.

Tsukiji Fish Market Main 

*pictured from left, giant scallops, a half processed blue fin tuna, Ankimo*

Wholesale Area opens to visitors after 9:00am but on our early visit, this didn't seem to be enforced. It could also be because of Tsukiji impending relocation in 2014. Tuna Auction are open to visitors from 5:25am to 6:15am (now restricted to 120 visitors/day) 

 *pictured in the center is whale meat.*

It's has always been a pleasure to see the daily trading of, super fresh seafood. Uni sold by the boxes for cheap, monk fish livers and live octopuses for sale for cheap. Makes one wonder, why one should ever pay full retail. Only if you go early (before 7.30am) one might still be able to see skilled fish mongers process the giant blue fins tunas with their dedicated tools. A surreal and mesmerizing experience. Rest of the daily fish sales start winding down at about 1030hrs.

Tsukiji Outer Market
opening hours varies by shop, typically 5:00 to 14:00

The Tsukiji outer markets are a network of alleys and road stalls who sell largely processed and Pre-packeted seafoods, vegetables and kitchen ware. Take a walk through the various alleys to thoroughly enjoy the bustling atmosphere and the amazing street eats they have to offer. Nothing short of quality stuff here.

Tamago

¥100 Each
*Loads of Tamago stalls by the roadside. A labour of love, with the sweet egg dish rolled over itself over and over again, until you get this beautiful layered dish. Freshly made and hot is always the best! A cheap and great snack to have.*
Scallop trifecta

¥800 Each
*We were pleasantly surprised to see this served as street food. An already quality product and the base, but adding oysters and Uni! Let's make something great even greater. BBQed over a charcoal stove and charred with butane torches. A thing of beauty.*
Tuna Jaw

¥400 Each
*I now know why they call Tuna the chicken of the sea. A relatively meaty dish within this teriyaki BBQedmpiece of Tuna Jaw. The chunkier bits tasting almost exactly like chicken breast. A nice char, but could be better served hotter and with more sweet sauce. Perhaps the winter's cold, drained most of it's heat quickly.*

Chutoro free for sampling

Fresh Oysters at ¥300 Each
*Fresh oyster, crisp, sweet and cold, with a squeeze of ponzu sauce, an equivalent to salt and lemon mixture to accompany it.*

ABBATip:
- For current and future location of Tsukiji Fish Market - Go Early! Super worth the effort and the trip. Fish mongers had already started packing up at approximately 10.30am.
Click here for ABBA location of Tsuikiji Fish Market, from Tsukiji Station.

Akihabara

Akhiabara is the electronics, anime collection and maid cafe place in Tokyo. 

Maid cafes offer unique experience for patrons to have a 'maid' accompany them for a paid duration playing games and providing conversations. 

Click here for ABBA location of Akihabara from Akhiabara main station

Day2

Ueno - National Museum of Nature and Science
¥600 for Adults and college students

A very large collection spanning 3stories up and down. All of its displays are very recent and kept up to date. A Comprehensive collection spanning from fossil records, to present day biodiversity, rocket sciences and covering aviation history.

 

*pictured from Left, Shark Chasing a seal, The Intestines of a cow, Stuffed Animals, Teaching the next generation.*

Displays were creatively put and with a few rooms, having that wow factor, leaving you in awe. Spent a solid 4hours over there covering every level of the two displays, favoring the global wing over the Japanese one. Well worth the ¥600.

Dining is available within the Museum itself, but perhaps better dining options exist outside of Ueno station. A short review: Food average and a stomach filler. Nothing to scream about. Perks were that it beat having to bundle up and seek food outside.

 

Click here for ABBA location of National Museum of Nature and Science, Taito, Tokyo, Japan

Kappabashi-dori - Kitchen Street

An off the beaten path tourist attraction/by-the-way. A 600m walk from the museum of nature and science, this is the, go to place for restaurant owners and cooking enthusiasts.

 

Behold the beauty of knives with precision Japanese engineering. Most shops come with complimentary engraving services, with any knife purchase. Here, one could purchase whole sets of Japan table wear for all occasions and dishes and presumably wholesale prices.
 

Perhaps the most entertaining were the few 'fake food' shops, selling ultra realistic wax creations.(Counted about 5 in total). A feast for the eyes. Literally. Some pieces, costing double, triple or more to their real counterparts. Incredible level of detail, as well as creative expression of food. How could one say no to a Sushi Clock? 

 Sushi Clock bought at ¥7875.

Click here for ABBA location of Kappabashi-dori a.k.a Kitchen Street

Asakusa

Asakusa - shrine

One of Japan's oldest temples, Senso-ji is a must icon of Japan. The walkway towards the shrine are framed with the iconic lantern and lined with various shops selling snacks, trinkets and souvenirs.

*pics below visited on 17Dec2017*

 *pics above visited on 17Dec2017*
You maybe interested in Blue Ramen that is located 1km away towards Tokyo skytree

Day visits are great with all shops open, however one has to contend with the hordes of tourist and shoppers. Shops start closing at about 1730-1830hrs)

With a twilight visit, you get a relatively nice balance of both worlds and a different view of the temple. Crowds start to thin down and lights start to come on. Fugu (puffer fish) is avaialble over here. Click here for Genpin Fugu review at Asakusa.
Click here for ABBA location of Asakusa Shrine

Day3
Hakone Day Trip
Getting there:

- Get Hakone Free Pass ¥5000 (Jan'14) from Shinjuku Station.
- Tickets can be bought from the Vending machines located outside of Odakyu Railway line. I followed tour as per sight listed in Free pass detials. Click here for more details and latest pricing on the Hakone Free Pass

With Hakone Free Pass, doing the classic Hakone round trip prescribed below poses significant savings. As compared to other tour packages for a similar Itinerary, it may cost double or more as compared to a self guided tour.

Timings for the day trip from Shinjuku Station: Departed 0920hrs and returned by 1920hrs

How to go about the Classic Hakone Round trip. Pictures and reviews.

- Shinjuku - Odarawa 90min on express service. (Train service)

Try to look out for the express service, which does skip a number of stops, saving you travel time. As you near Odarawa, you get momentary views of Mt Fuji in the distance.

- Odarawa - Hakone-Yumoto Station (15mins)

A short shuttle through the country side.

- Hakone-Yumoto to Gora 55mins
(Train service which goes round the mountain side.)

ABBATip: In the direction of travel towards Gora, it'd be best to get a seat on the left side, to get the best views of the meandering valleys, as you slowly make your ascent towards the peak.

- Gora- Souzan by Hakkne Tozan Cablecar (Cablecar ride)

Similar to Hong Kong's Peak tram ride, this steep ascent, brings you rapidly to higher altitudes. A great view of what is assumed to be Onsen resorts seen in the distance along the mountain side. The scenery really starts to pick up along this route.

- Shouzan to Owakudani via cable car.Definitely the most fun in getting to any place is by cable car. Not to mention the amazing 360degree view that comes with it. The view of Owakudani "Boiling Valley" provides the setting for a sight to behold, when it finally reaches the peak to reveal the natural sulphur pools below. The view right there is totally worth the lengthy journey.

 

at Owakudani (1044m+ elevation)

Owakudani cable car interchange is the must stop tourist location to see the natural sulphur springs and where one gets to try their famous black eggs. Unfortunately one cannot purchase only one but a minmum packet of 5 at ¥500.

The eggs turn black when they are cooked in the boiling, sulphur waters. *Consuming the eggs is said to increase longevity. Eating one is said to add seven years to your life. You may eat up to two for up to seventeen years, but eating a whole third is said to be highly unadvised.*Wiki entry.

Off course, one cannot over look the amazing view with Mount Fuji in the backdrop.

Eating options though limited, do range from street eats, the famous black eggs, ramen stall and several diners. We ended up eating at the large diner located just outside of the station.

 

approximately ¥1500 per pax for buffett

*Value for money. A great place to keep warm and out of the strong winds and cold. Serves up a variety of dishes as pictured and even desserts. Good tasting spread, and fueling up before going back into the cold windy mountains.*

 Click here for ABBA location of the diner located outside of Owakudani station.

When done with, Owakudani interchange station, one needs to switch to another cable car lines to get from to
- Owakudani- Togendai (for the sight seeing cruise on Lake Ashi) via the Hakone Ropeway.


- Togendai to Hakone-machi every 30mins (By Boat over Lake Ashi)

An enjoyable ride in the tranquil lake which stands 300m in elevation.

- Hakone-machi to Hakone-Yumoto (via Bus)

The bus gets you back to Hakone-Yumoto in approximately 30mins and under. There is a bus which brings you back directly to Odarawa station, but it's a non-express and may take longer.

From Hakone-Yumoto, its the reveres process to head back to Shinjuku station.

Although a lengthy day trip, the journey, sights and sounds were well worth it. The journey, being more important than the destination would be the most apt description of the classic, Hakone round trip, self-guided tour.  

Shinjuku - Robot Show
(located in Kabukicho (redlight district))

The robot show is located inShinjuku, Kabukicho, the red light district of Tokyo. Getting to the Robot Show in itself is an attraction, as you see the varid hosting services, pretty boy and girl bars available to would be patrons.

Shinjuku's Robot Show
(PG rating)

The frontage is unmistakable for the Robot Show. The psychadalic entrance, and pseudo robot band playing in the front are but a mere tip of the iceberg of things to come. 

One has the option of going to their newly built, special waiting room which in essence is to get you to buy drinks whilst playing with a sophisticated electronic dinosaur?!!?

Robot Show Waiting Room

Robot Show

Heart pumping, non-stop action. About 5 different sets, with each set lasting for about 5-10mins for a 1.5hr show. 

The Robot show, is perhaps a representation of all that is Japanese. Whacky, fun, anime, fascination with electronics and music. Incredibly entertaining, with some segments having ,simple to follow story lines. In your face entertainment in a relatively small enclosure. Shows are packed and they aren't shy to tell you to scoot off to make way for the next one.

An overload of the senses and really good fun. Definitely not there for the food. Dry and horrible.

 

Overall, a little over priced perhaps, but hellya fun. Like Del Toro's Pacific Rim, Robots, Light and Girls, a boys dream. Too bad not much eye candy for the girls. 
- Tickets at varied times are priced at ¥5000 per person. Comes with a bento box meal. 
- Try making a reservation before hand.
ABBATip:
Sitting the back row, probably gives you the best view, as stage props come right up to the front row. It like sitting at the front row of a movie cinema.
Click here for ABBA latest show times and ABBA details of Shinjuku's Robot Show.

Click here for ABBA location of Shinjuku - Kabukicho Robot Show 1-7-1 Kabukicho, Shinjiku Tokyo, Japan

Day4 (A Free Day)
Tokyo Sea Life Park
Entry ¥700 for adults
(Half day sufficient to cover exhibits)

A somewhat 'forgotten' establishment by way of no-frills presentations and exhibits. A large collection of marine and freshwater life, without the glitz and glamor of Sea-world. The,

exhibits were very well maintained  and it is the only place that one would be able to see the giant blue fin tunas.

 

 

The sea-life park has a respectable spread of fishes in well kept and beautiful displays. The highlights were definitely the blue fin tuna tanks and feeding session, as well as the touching pool for sharks and stingrays.

A recommended go, especially if you are pairing this with Tsukiji fish market tuna trading. Amazing to watch these giant fishes swimming about, alive and well.

Click here for ABBA Location of Tokyo Sea Life Park, located 6-2-3 Rinkaicho, Edogawa, Tokyo, Japan

ABBATip:Eat outside before arriving at destination.
Cafeteria food review. Don't bother. Eat before or after or skip meal entirely.
Ordered:

 
Seafood Curry ¥850Karagae (Fried Chicken) ¥350

Seafood Noodles ¥780Looks worse in reality than in the editorial pictures. Pretty much all sauces were from microwaved packages and globular in nature. Worse than automated, food dispensing machines. Avoid if possible or eat elsewhere prior visit.

Click here for ABBA Location of Tokyo Sea Life Park, located 6-2-3 Rinkaicho, Edogawa, Tokyo, Japan

Day5
Tokyo Disney Sea

The only one of its kind in the world. 

In true Disney fashion, be immersed by the various worlds with their eye to detail on every set design. A not to be missed experience, and especially so for their large scale water stage shows which Disney Land cannot offer.

Although by comparison, Disney Land does have more worlds and rides that ties to their entourage of movies and cartoons. However, in no way is Disney Sea outdone. It stands as a unique experience and still brings that special Disney magic to everyone. a definite must go.

Even this particular park cleaner is part of the great Disney tradition.

ABBATip:
- Go for the Fast Pass. Using your entry ticket, you can collect a quick access pass allowing you to beat the queue for selected rides. Although you are limited to one fast pass within a given 1 hour-block, with some planning and loads of walking back and forth, you can fully maximize the Fast Pass benefits. Click here for ABBA details on fast pass.
Some of the more popular ones are listed below, with their Fast Pass tickets either at really late timings or completely gone by midday 
> Journey To The Center Of The Earth
> Raging Spirits
> Tower Of Terror
> Toy Story
Some rides which have fast pass option but aren't that long a wait.
> The Magic Lamb Theater (approximately 30-40min wait)
> 20,000 leagues under the sea (approximately 30min wait
- Looking for Turkey Leg?

 Once used to be sold everywhere amongst food vendors, the only place that serves it now is at the Nautilus Galley (Jan2014)
- Note the shows that are being shown. Night shows and fireworks are often reserved for the weekends. They are well worth it, but the trade off, is likely not being able to ride all the rides due to the increased patron numbers as well.

Click here for ABBA Location of Tokyo Disney Sea
Click here for ABBA Prices and Details on Tokyo Disney Sea 

Day6

Travel day and continued in Hokkaido
Travel to Hokkaido
Departure 1015hrs on ANA to Chitosse airport.
click here to read ABBA reviews on Hokkaido.

14-19Jan2014 continued in Hokkaido 19thJan-24thJan

 6Day Itinerary
Day1 
Arrival from Singapore. Arrival at hotel 0730hrs. Check-in not allowed till 3pm. 
Tsukiji Fish Market

Akihabara

Day2

Ueno - National Museum of Nature and Science
Kappabashi-dori - Kitchen Street

Asakusa

Day3
Hakone Day TripShinjuku - Robot Show
(located in Kabukicho (redlight district))

Day4
(A Free Day)
Tokyo Sea Life Park

Day5
Tokyo Disney Sea

Day6

Travel day and continued in Hokkaido
Travel to Hokkaido Departure 1015hrs on ANA to Chitosse airport.
click here to read ABBA reviews on Hokkaido.

14-19Jan2014 Tokyo, continued in Hokkaido 19thJan-24thJan