Moving to Tokyo
I woke around 0530 and met Alice for breakfast at 0700. We wanted to have a somewhat early start so we could get to Tokyo to meet Jacqueline who had come from Vancouver, so she wouldn’t be alone all day.
We hopped on the 0917 JR train to the city and got us to our APA Hotel around 1045. Jacqueline was waiting there, having been to the wrong branch of the APA chain which had a very similar name.
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- Beautifully-presented side-dishes.
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- Beautifully-presented side-dishes on the left. Buffet selection on the right.
Visiting Senso-ji
We left our bags with reception and headed to Senso-ji, one of the most important Buddhist temples in Tokyo. Even though it dates back to 645 AD, it was largely rebuilt since WWII.
The place was brimming with people, some tourists but plenty of worshippers as well.
We had a good wander around the place and I found the Asakusa Temple, which I had not noticed last time.
The girls bought some good luck charms. We figured that “May all your wishes come true” was better than something like prosperity as it was more all-encompassing and can include happiness and health too!
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- Crowds in the stalls, located in Nakamise-dori, between the outer gate and inner gate.
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- Hozomon, the inner gate at Senso ji.
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- Senso-ji’s main hall in the background.
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- Five-storreyed pagoda at Senso-ji.
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- Wefie at Hozomon.
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- Wefie at Hozomon.
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- Hozomon, the inner gate at Senso ji.
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- Senso-ji’s main hall, Hondo.
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- Looking down from Senso-ji’s main hall, Hondo.
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- Rides in the Senso-ji complex.
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- Ladies in kimono.
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- Fountain.
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- Akasuka shrine.
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- Purification fountain.
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- Sumida River area.
Lunch, rest and dinner
While the Senso-ji area was crazily busy with queues for eateries, the Sumida Park riverside area was dead quiet with no food outlets. Our idea of walking along the river back to the hotel with a lunch stop wasn’t working. Fortunately, we found a MOS burger to stave off our hunger till dinner.
We got to our hotel soon after 1500, the official check-in time. Despite that, we had to wait a little before getting our rooms.
We took dinner at Matsuya (not sign-boarded in English) which did beef bowls, similar to Yoshinoya. It was a great choice and just steps away from the hotel. We finished the day with ice cream from the convenience store before returning to our rooms around 2000.
Our simple but delicious beef bowl at Matsuya.