Tokyo - January 4/5/6

We began or second last morning in Japan with a Japanese breakfast of fish, pickled vegetables, rice and miso soup.

We decided to explore the nearby grounds of Imperial palace where Emperor Akihito and wife reside. The original capital of Japan was Kyoto until 1868. The 5k perimeter of the estate is a perfect track for a multitude of runners. Anytime of day our night, there's a neve ending stream of runners. The pictures will speak to the magnificence of this property.

More photos to come...was without internet last two days and now hotel Wi-Fi not string enough to download all the photos...

I will write you what we've done before I forget and then post the photos.

After touring the grounds, we thought a great way to see Tokyo with comfort for Norm, was to do a bus tour.w e saw the city from a different vantage pointand covered more ground quickly. While we waited for the tour, we had coffee and snack across the street from the terminal in what we were told was a new mall called Kitte! Beyond our price range but very pleasant to enjoy window shopping. We would not do the bus tour again because we were the only English speaking tourists and the automated speech was not very informative, our Japanese friends were ooohing and aaahing....they leaned do much more..and we were cold sitting the open aired  bus. We felt our Canadian suffering yet another storm.

On our way back home, we stopped into a hotpot ( 'name'  in Japanese)restaurant.the food was amazing!!! We looked ridiculous trying to figure things out but in the end, we were so happy to have had that experience and the food was so good..

That evening, Natsumi took us out for a traditional Japanese dinner of fish, rice and miso soup...just like our breakfast!!! We loved seeing her.she is such a refined and gracious young lady. She took us to Akihabara Electric Town after dinner. It was yet another world of another type of young people...the graphic/video game lovers.

January 5, our last day in Tokyo was jam packed!!! We were going to do as much as we could no matter how we felt, we covered...going to the 100 yen store back in takeshita...I loved that store. Maureen, has recommended it to me when were Kyoto 3 years ago...norm liked it too.  We then went to the end of the subway line to Akusara/Skytree. Both those areas we were worthwhile checking out! Surrounding the Senhi? Temple, we're crowded and  traditional  Japanese market.

We rushed back to pick up our luggage to board jetstar and head to AUSTRALIA!!!! (Photos to come)Yes...We are actually Here....It's surreal!

Good luck to all my friends starting back to school today. <3