Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo, Japan

The hostel we stayed at was called Hikari House and was close enough to walk to Shinjuku and near a Korean area of the city with many of the restaurants in the area serving Korean food. The rooms were separated for men and women and the bathroom signs were very.... interesting. Luckily in Japan the stall walls go all the way to the ceiling so this doesn't actually happen.

We could walk to the Tokyo Government Building to get a nice view of the city from the top. The lines were very long because we went around sunset so I guess it was a popular time and it took over half an hour to get up to the tower. We didn't get in until it was already dark and we couldn't see Mt. Fuji in the distance. We did get to see the city lit up at night, which was quite spectacular. It is almost like the sea of lights is never ending.

Tokyo Government Building

Shinjuku is the area of Tokyo known for Kabukicho or the famous red light district of Japan. At night it is bustling with people and neon lights. The area was packed with bars and hostess clubs. People on the streets try to get you to go into whatever place they are working for b saying"are you looking for a party" or some other catch phrase and although they can apparently get quite persistent with drunk guys they are actually really nice to women and will give you directions, free wifi, etc without pushing you into any scams. At least this was the experience of me and the three other girls I was traveling with even when we got separated and some got lost.

Shinjuku

Shinjuku

The area didn't really look much different from the rest of Tokyo but had pictures of hosts on the walls. We didn't actually go into any of the hostess/host clubs and actually just drank on the street while people watching and meeting people. I guess we didn't experience the red light district the way most people do but we had a great night all the same.  We sat at an intersection where we could see Godzilla climbing over the building in the distance and drank with all the friends we made.

Shinjuku

Shinjuku

Shinjuku

Shinjuku Golden Gai (新宿ゴールデン街) is a famous drinking area of Tokyo and is just a small area of walking streets packed with small bars. We went into a packed karaoke bar and had a great night with all the friends we had met on the streets of Shinjuku the nights before.

Shinjuku Golden Gai (新宿ゴールデン街)

Shibuya is a shopping district of Tokyo and just outside of the station is an intersection that is absolutely packed with crowds crossing in all directions.

Shibuya

Tokyo anywhere near the time of rush hour is absolutely insane on the trains and although there are designated lines that bring order into chaos it is incredibly packed with people and the most crowded I have ever felt in my life.

Shibuya Station, Tokyo

Tokyo Eki aka Tokyo Station is a sight to see in itself with a huge building that links the various rail lines. The architecture of this building really stands out against the reflective windows of the skyscrapers surrounding it.

Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station

The Tokyo Imperial Palace sits on the previous location of Edo Castle and is surrounded by large moats and parks. The palace has been occupied bu Japans imperial family since the shogunate was overthrown and the palace moved from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1888. The palace has only been rebuilt once after its destruction in World War 2.  

Tokyo Imperial Palace

Access to the palace is limited but guided tours of the palace grounds are offered, although no buildings are entered. The tours take about 75 minutes and are held in English and Japanese daily at 10:00 and 13:30 except on Sundays and Mondays. You caqn sign up for the tours day of at the Kikyomon Gate.

Tokyo Imperial Palace

The main gate and the two bridges, Meganebashi and Nijubashi Bridge, form an entrance to the inner palace grounds. The stone bridge in front is called Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) for its looks. The bridge in the back was formerly a wooden bridge with two levels, from which the name Nijubashi (Double Bridge) is derived.

Main gate and Meganebashi of Tokyo Imperial Palace

Nijubashi Bridge or Tokyo Imperial Palace

Nijubashi Bridge or Tokyo Imperial Palace

Nijubashi Bridge or Tokyo Imperial Palace

Meganebashi Bridge of Tokyo Imperial Palace

Meganebashi Bridge of Tokyo Imperial Palace

Meganebashi Bridge of Tokyo Imperial Palace

The area nearby the palace has parks with gardens, including a fountain garden. Hibiya Park and the fountain park are beside the palace are quite nice for a relaxing walk through. The Imperial East Garden is much larger than these but I sadly didn't have a chance to visit it on this visit.

Tokyo Palace Fountain Garden

Hibiya Park

Hibiya Park

Hibiya Park

Tsukiji Market (築地市場) or the Tokyo Fish Market was previously famous for its  tuna auctions but is also well known as a place where you can get really fresh sushi.  It might be about 800-2000 yen for a small box or bowl of sushi but it is incredibly fresh and worth it to try it in such a famous place.

 Tsukiji Market (築地市場)

 Tsukiji Market (築地市場)

 Tsukiji Market (築地市場)

 Tsukiji Market (築地市場)

 Tsukiji Market (築地市場)