Day 7
The exciting part of going to Tokyo for me was getting to
ride the Shikansen. For me, the Shinkansen is one of the greatest modern
machines invented. It can run more than 230km/h, getting you to your
destination in half the time than the regular train.
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| One of the Shinkansen trains in the station |
There are different types of Shinkansen trains depending on
the speed. The one we took was the Nozomi train. It will take you about less
than 2 ½ hours from Kyoto going to Tokyo.
 |
| Our Nozomi Shinkansen Train |
6:00
AM
|
Wake-Up
|
7:00
AM
|
Breakfast then Leave Hotel
|
|
Go to Kyoto Station
|
8:45
AM
|
ETA Kyoto Station
|
9:05
AM
|
Ride Nozomi Train to Tokyo
|
Inside the Nozomi Train, the seats are spacious as I can
still put my big luggage in front of me. There’s also an electrical outlet
below the window so you can charge your devices. We reserved our seats on the
left side of the train, hoping to see Mt. Fuji. The weather that day was not
good; it was raining, cloudy so there was no chance to see the snow-capped
mountain. L I
checked the forecast for the next few days in Tokyo and saw that the day after
tomorrow, the day we were set to go to Mt. Fuji, will be raining. I checked
with my parents when we arrived in Tokyo that we can see the Mt. Fuji the next
day instead, as the weather was much better.
11:30
AM
|
ETA Tokyo
Buy PASMO Cards
|
We weren’t able to buy the IC cards back in Osaka. So this
time in Tokyo, I bought the IC Card Pasmo Card. A reloadable card for subways
plus you’ll get a refund when you return the card. The initial load to buy the
card is Y5,000. To know more about PASMO, please visit their website:
http://www.pasmo.co.jp/en/buy/
 |
| Pasmo Vending Machine |
About Tokyo’s vast subway system, we used Hyperdia to check
the train schedules, transfers and stations to get to our destinations.
Tokyo Station is a huge station, well for me it was. The
station was very busy; you could see people walking quickly getting to their
desired platform. Also, there were a lot of tourists as well, looking at
signboards or any information boards, just like I did. It was quite gloomy when
we got to Tokyo.
Going back to my
conversation with my parents about the plan for Mt. Fuji, we went straight to Shinjuku
Station. I reserved tickets for the Shinjuku Highway Bus for the day after
tomorrow, but the weather will be rainy. So I decided to check if the Shinjuku
Highway Bus has available tickets for tomorrow. Sadly, they said it was fully
booked.
We had our lunch at the nearby KFC restaurant. I researched
if there was any alternative by subway or train to get to Mt. Fuji. We can take
a JR Train from Shinjuku to Otsuki, and then transfer to another train going to
Fujikawaguchiko Station, jump-off point to see Mt. Fuji. So I bought our JR
Tickets at their Shinjuku Ticket Office. We booked the reserved seating which
we could have the option of free seating, less expensive, however, it wasn’t
offered to us and I didn’t know about it. :|
After buying our tickets we went to Sakura Hotel Hatagaya
for our accommodation. It was one bedroom with 1 double bed and 1 single bed. I
took the corner room as they said it was much bigger. In reality, it was only
good for 2 people but nonetheless, we just needed a place to sleep.
2:30 PM
|
ETA Sakura Hotel Hatagaya
|
|
Check-in
|
3:00 PM
|
ETD Harajuku via Meiji-Jingumae
Sta.
|
My Mom wasn’t feeling better that afternoon, so me and my
Dad explored the Harajuku District
 |
| Entrance to the Meiji Shrine Grounds |
 |
| Barrels of Sake as offering to the shrine |
Meiji-Jingumae Sta. is near the entrance of Meiji Shrine. On
the way to the shrine, is like a big park in the middle of the city. It was
cold and somewhat drizzling that afternoon.
 |
| Meiji Shrine |
 |
| Meiji Shrine area |
And right next to Meiji Shrine is Yoyogi Park. Most of the leaves have fallen so there was not much to see, also it was very cold that day.
 |
| Fountain at Yoyogi Park |
 |
| Leaves haven't fallen yet |
I planned to go shopping at Takeshita-Dori, and since we’re
in the district where all things cute and anime clothing, Lolita, cosplay and
what not I decided to stroll some more of this famous street.
 |
| Entrance to Takeshita Dori |
 |
| Lots of people!!! |
 |
| Cosplay store |
 |
| Stylish pirate costume |
Takeshita-Dori is just outside of the JR Harajuku Sta.
I bought some cute socks and this mary jane-ish shoes then
we went home.
The whole afternoon was spent on visiting Meiji Shrine,
Yoyogi Park and Takeshita-Dori.
I hoped that the next day the weather will be much better
since we were really looking forward to see Mt. Fuji. :)
Expenses:
Food: Approx Y1,500/person
Pasmo Card: Y5,000/person
JR Ticket to Otsuki:
Y2,770/person (Reserved seating)
Sakura Hotel Hatagaya: Y53,600 (4 nights for 3 people)
Shopping: Approx Y3,000
