The day started when our guide Junko met us at our hotel. We met Junko through an organization called free japan guides. She was with us for half of the day and showed us the less touristy aspects of this touristy town. It was a great introduction on our first full day here. The weather was perfect and we headed out to Asakusa (pronounced Asuksa) first.
The buildings behind us are (from left to right) the Sky Tower and the Asahi building (Japanese beer). You might notice that the building is of the shape of a glass of beer - the golden glass is the colour of beer and the odd shaped roof is the foam on top of the beer once poured. Next to them is another interesting building. Im not sure what it is but it was designed by some famous French architect and was supposed to have that golden thing (behind my head) stand verrtically. Due to some permit issues, they wont allow it to stand and so it was layed horizontally. It now takes on a diiferent shape.
Next was the Thunder Gate and the Fortune Gate outside the senso-ji temple.
Junko taught us how to purify ourselves before entering the temple. Its all very ceremonious. Japan is all about presentation, and tradition and order.
We also saw the five storied pagoda. Very beautiful. Apparently, the architectural technique used on building the pagoda was immitated when they planned out the Sky Tower.
The above photo was taken just outside the grounds of the temple. It is interesting for a number of reasons - the top left box contains persimoned, the rest of the boxes contain orange tomatoes. The next interesting thing is that in Japanese, the word for persimone is KAKI. This brought out the five year old in us as we giggled every time we saw a persimone.
Just cause we're on vacation. we think this might have been an ad for something, but who cares, its cute.
Coolest drink EVER !! Basil Seeds and white grape juice. The seeds are covered in some kind of jelly, and they pop in your mouth. It comes in many different flavours. We bought it in a store called Don Quixote - cool in and of itself.
Lunch was great. Junko took us to a fabulous little Soba place. I've decided I like Soba better than Udon. Its lighter and more gentle. Its worth a repeat.
After Asakusa we went to Yanaka, a part of Ueno. During the World War, much of Tokyo was bombed and destroyed. For some reason, this area of Tokyo was left unharmed. It is made up of tiny little streets (somehow cars still manage to go through) and many little temples. I couldnt stop taking photos and Ori and jUnko stood patiently by. 
After more than twenty different temples, and galleries, and cafes, and little shops with cool names, we said thanks to our fabulous guide and continued on our own to Shibuya - the biggest and buisiest intersection in the world! We did what every tourist there does and went to the Starbucks overlooking the intersection and watched. The thing is nuts!
We stayed there past dark to see the lights go on and headed out for a walk in the area. But before actually leaving the area, we went to visit the sad little doggy statue. The story goes to tell that a many would come back from work every day and his dog would meet him at the station after work. One day the man dies and the dog didnt understand or know this and so he continued coming to the intersection. I think he continnued every day for 12 years.
What's around Shibuya you ask? everything. Inluding an entire area dedicated to Love Hotels. Its called Love Hotel Hill. Its the seedier side of town, but still quite interesting. I think the coke Zero Ori got out of the vending machine there was the cheepest we found in Japan yet.
After such a long day, we dragged ourselves bag to the hotel. I saw dragged cause I seem to have done something to my knee and it kinda hurts. Who knows what, but Im hoping it will go away soon. We got back to the hotel, and zonked out.
Tomorrow is another day (actually, it was today, as I was too tired to write yesteray, which I already stated, but today was another day, so hopefully Ori will get to writing it while I go take a shower.
Bye for now :)
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