Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Asakusa, Tokyo



Asakusa became our second home for our nine (9) days stay in Tokyo.  We were accommodated at Sakura Hostel which is only two (2) minutes walk away from the well-known Senso-ji Temple.



place your predictions here if you drew a bad fortune

Senso-ji also known as Asakusa Kanon temple, is dedicated to bodhisattva.  It is Tokyo's oldest and grandest temple, and one of most significant.  There are lots of picturesque areas and opportunities.  You can also get your fortune told.  We arrived here in January 1, and to celebrate New Year in Japan is so festive, especially when visiting a temple.


Senso-ji temple is also near Nakamise Shopping Street where you can enjoy lots of Japanese street food and souvenir.   Entrance to Senso-ji temple is free.




When visiting Tokyo and you are on a budget, always search for Saizeriya, an Italian cuisine family restaurant..  We ate in Saizeriya branches in Asakusa, Odaiba, Shinjuku, and Urayasu.  They have 1.553 branches all over Japan. Food here is superb in taste and so affordable.  Also it is open from 10am to 12 midnight.

random photo in Asakusa




New Year celebration in Sakura Hostel

Places to visit in Asakusa are:

1. Hozomon

2. Tokyo Skytree

3. Nakamise Shopping street

4. Asakusa oldest theme park, Hanayashiki

5. Thermal Spas, Akebono-yu

6. Dembo-in Temple garden

7. Kaminarimondori Shopping street

8. Engei Hall

9. Kappabashi

10. Ride a rickshaw



 

Shibuya, Tokyo

 

Shibuya is popularly known as the beating heart of Tokyo.  It is also the center for youth culture,  fashion and shopping experience. Shibuya is located in the southwestern part of Tokyo and is accessible thru walking, by train or by bus.





The famous Shibuya crossing is located in front of the Shibuya station Hachiko exit. In its busiest hours, a total of 1000 to 2000 people are crossing this scramble every two minutes. This spot is often used in movies like the "Fast and the Furious, Tokyo Drift", "Resident Evil, Afterlife", "Jumper", "The Amazing Race" - to name a few.

To get here, take the JR Yamanote Line.  Also you can be here by taking JR Saikyo, Tokyo Metro Ginza, Tokyu Toyoko, Hanzomon, and Fukutoshin lines.

Visiting Shibuya will not be complete without taking a photo with Hachiko.  Hachiko, a Japanese Akita dog,  came to Tokyo with his owner, Hidesaburo Ueno.  Hachiko with his owner will always go to station every morning and return every afternoon everytime his owner will come back from work. Then one day the professor did not show up because of hemorrhage.  It faithfully waited for his owner for more than nine (9) years until its death. Hachiko taught us loyalty, patience and persistence and Japan kept him alive by means of this bronze statue.

commuting in Tokyo



Things to do in Shibuya:

1. Shibuya scramble

2. Hachiko statue

 3. Takeshita Street

4. Meiji Shrine 

5. Ebisu Garden Place

6. Shibuya Sky

7. Yebisu Beer Museum

8. Takashimaya Times Square

9. Togo and Yoyogi Hachimangu Shrine

10. Parco

Shinjuku, Tokyo

Shinjuku is one of the twenty three (23) wards of Tokyo.  Shinjuku is popular for its entertainment, shopping and nightlife district. 

It is also renowned for their towering skyscrapers located at the central Tokyo.

Shinjuku is also known as the world's busiest and largest train station. You can get here thru JR Yamanote line, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi line, Toei Oedo line. It is the most connected at readily accessible areas in Tokyo. It also has more than 100 exits.








The Godzilla head is Shinjuku's landmark and a tourist attraction in Kabukicho. It can be easily found as it is towering in over Toho Cinema.  His eyes also lights up in blue color.  The godzilla structure is just a head and a claw but it can be seen better and up close if you will check in at Hotel Gracery or be a customer at the 8th floor cafe Cafeterasse Bonjour.



Places to visit/Things to do in Shinjuku:

  • Kabukicho - the largest red light district
  • Go Karting 
  • Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory
  • Go see free art in Nishi Shinjuku
  • Hanazono shrine
  • Don Quijote
  • Shinjuku Central Park
  • Toho Cinema Godzilla
  • Isetan Shinjuku Store
  • Golden Gai
  • Kagurazaka
  • Hanazono Shrine


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