Tokyo take 2

 On Wednesday, May 27 we took the train from Hakone to Tokyo. We came back to Tokyo since Celenes flight back to Vancouver was on Saturday.

We arrived early enough on Wednesday to leave our luggage at the hotel and explore a bit. We are at the same hotel near the Akasaka area, so we walked through Akasaka, had something to eat, and then took the train to the Ginza area. I had never been to Ginza, and Celene had heard a lot about the high-end shopping district. After looking around for a bit, I decided to sit in a place and have a beer while Celene looked around some more. Afterward we went back to the subway station.  On the way to the station, we stopped in a Seiko store since I'd like a new watch, but the watches there cost over $10,000! We went back to Akasaka for dinner and then back to the hotel.

The next day we went to the Yanaka area in northern Tokyo. It is a little off the beaten track. It is supposed to be an older, 'retro' area.  Indeed, the rows of small, simple stores and restaurants looked like they were from the 1970's. 

There were many small temples, all of which had grounds that were full of grave markers.

We went down some sidestreets and found a slightly different aspect of the area - little artist-run galleries - and it gave the feeling that Yanaka might be an up-and -coming artistic area.

We also found a place that served the most enormous shaved ice.

At dinner time we met up with my friend Kanako, her husband Joel, and their daughter Anna. I've known Kanako for over 10 years now, since the time we used to meet for a language exchange in Vancouver. I met with them last year as well, and it's great to keep in touch.

Afterward we were on our way back to the hotel, when we decided to explore the area around the subway stops where we got off. We ended up in a very high-end bar on the 36th floor of the Prince Gallery hotel. We really splurged and had a couple of drinks there, but the environment and the view was amazing.

The next day, Friday May 29, was Celenes last full day in Japan. We went to the over whelming Shibuya in the day for some shopping.

In the evening I thought it would be cool to go to Roppongi, since I remembered it as a lively nightlife area. However it was very quiet, even on a Friday night. I don't know what happened, but it was kind of disappointing.

Saturday, May 30, I went with Celene to the airport. Then came back to Akasaka sit in a craft beer place to read and blog.