Sunday, July 26, 2015

Japan Spring Time 2015: Day 9

Day 9 was one of the coldest days we spent in Japan. Cold with the combination of light rain didn't make things easier for us. We only brought spring clothing. My Dad was the first one to have breakfast and he had the chance to read that morning's headline. The unusual weather happened 5 years ago as well. Winter lasted longer than it should. We had to prep ourselves and wear extra clothing than what we were wearing, about 2 layers of clothing and a jacket. With our umbrellas we then headed off to Shinjuku National Garden.


6:30 AMWake Up
7:30 AMBreakfast
8:30 AMETD Shinjuku

1. From HATAGAYA Sta. take
Keio New Line
bound for SHINJUKU(TOEI).
2. Get off at SHINJUKU(TOEI).

Buy Narita Express Tickets @ JR Ticket office (Tokyo to Airport)
From Shinjuku Sta. take Maronouchi Line to Shinjuku-Gyoemmae Sta.




First off, we needed to buy our train tickets to Narita Airport. After arriving at Shinjuku Sta. to transfer to another subway line, we went to JR Ticket Office to buy the Narita Express Tickets. After that we boarded the subway for Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.


10:00 AMETA Shinjuku-Gyoemmae Sta., take Exit 1

Explore Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden



It was quite difficult to explore the whole garden because o\it wasn't just a garden, but a huge park. Together with the cold weather and the light rain somehow dampen our stay at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. My parents stayed in a sheltered area while I explored the garden, just a part of it. The cherry blossoms were almost gone in most parts of Tokyo, partly due to the early spring season and the rainy weather. But, at least we got to see the famous garden. :)
















11:00 AMETD Imperial Palace

1. Go to Shinjuku-Gyoemmae Sta.
2. Take subway bound for Otemachi Sta
3. Follow the signs going to Imperial Palace.

The underground pathway from the station to the Imperial Palace was so vacant. From the pictures below you can see that the place is well maintained plus there aren't lots of people. It didn't feel eerie it just felt wow, like the maintenance that goes to this place is just wow!
Underground path


View from outside the Imperial Palace

Monster Fish!
You can't really explore the Imperial Palace itself since it is off limits but what you can see is the Imperial Palace East Gardens.








There's no entrance fee so you're free to roam around the garden. It did stop drizzling during the afternoon. We warmed up by getting some coffee in their rest area before heading out again. This time we were off to see the Nijubashi Bridge.

Tokyo Station
Empty parking lot

Nijubashi Bridge


Nijubashi Bridge

Trees!

2:30 PMETD Asakusa

1. Go to Nijubashimae Sta.
2. Take subway line to Asakusa(Tobu/Subway). Use Hyperdia to take the
correct subway line and trains to Asakusa (Tobu/Subway) Sta.
3:00 PMETA Asakusa (A very late lunch)

Explore Asakusa Sensoji Temple, Kaminarimon (Sensoji)

Explore Nakamise Shopping Street

Explore Kappabashi (for Kitchenware)

It was way past lunch time and we were very hungry. Like so hungry but there are no restaurants around. Only restaurants I know are in the Asakusa District which was our next stop. So we had a quick lunch/rest then explored again.

Entrance of Asakusa Temple

Nakamise Shopping Street


Asakusa Temple



Around the temple

Pagoda


We had dinner somewhere nearby the station and then we went to Harajuku to find more stuff to buy at Takeshita-Dori! :) More pasalubongs and then headed home.



5:00 PMDinner at Asakusa

8:45 PMETA Hotel

Expenses:
Shinjuku Garden Entrance Fee: Y200/pax
Narita Express Tickets: Y3,190/pax
Shopping: Y968


No comments:

Post a Comment