Fish Market and Making Sushi

One of our last major events on this trip was a visit to the Tsujiki fish markets. It is here that each morning the tuna auctions are held where massive tuna are sold. After some incidents with tourists in the past this part of the market is now closed (probably a blessing as the auction is at around 5am) however there is still the outer market to explore. In a warren of alleys and stalls all sorts of foods and cooking related items can be found.

There is no better way to follow a trip to the fish markets than to go and make your own sushi. A completely delicious experience the end results is a certification in sushi making. However we had nothing on the sushi chef teaching us. From a flurry of rice, fish and hands emerges a whole plate in under 60 seconds!

Fog, autumn colours and ancient temples - Nikko

Nikko is a smallish town a couple of hours north of Tokyo. It is a popular tourist spot because of the amazing autumn foliage and the beautifully crafted shrines and temples that adorn it's hill side. Sadly our visit here was slightly marred by heavy fog which obscured the more scenic vistas across the steep rocky valleys.


What we didn't miss out on was the huge shrine complex which includes the famous Tosho-gu Shrine. By far the most stunning, detailed and amusing shrine yet. Amongst the detailed gold scroll work and beautifully carved statues are carvings of monkeys, elephants (apparently carved by someone who had never seen an elephant) and a totally over rated sleep cat.

Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.

Part of the Tosho-gu shrine complex

A bridge that costs 600yen to cross

A visit to Studio Ghibli (the museum)

If you you love, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro or any other film produced by Studio Ghibli then this museum/gallery/experience is a must see.

Even the building itself is quite a sight, the huge atrium has balconies, a spiral staircase, cross walks and references to all the major films. The exhibits themselves although not numerous were entertaining and beautiful. Some of the original artwork and film cells especially. Entry also included admission to one of the special short films viewable only at the museum. Sadly you didn't get to choose or we would have seen "Mei and the Kittenbus".

Sadly photographs were not allowed inside but we did manage to get a couple of the outside (through the rain).

Interestingly, on our way to the museum, just near the hotel we saw this  building facade which is based upon "Howles Moving Castle.

Halloween Part 2 - Crazy Hats!

Pikachu

Delicious rice cake

Tokyo in Pictures

Shubuya - Amazing night life, giant LCD screens and lots of lights

Odabia - Mini statue of liberty, man made island and museum of emerging technology

Asimo waves hello from the Museum of Emerging Technology

Smaller version of the Statue of Liberty

Fuji television building

Akihabara - Maid cafes, electronics and toys

Trying my luck in an attempt to win a t-shirt depicting a teddy bear beating to death a small child.

The locals hiding from the very light rain shower.

Halloween in Japan

Japan, totally crazy for Halloween. All over the place are signs, banners, people dressed up and pumpkins.

Welcome to Tokyo

Finally made it to Tokyo, our last stop on this Japan holiday. We have an amazing hotel in a pretty swanky part of Tokyo. The entry "foyer" is something like 11 stories high inside all lined with huge glass windows, granite and steel. We have an interesting view from our window of a spot where four train lines come together.

We are also near a fantastic park area right on the edge of Tokyo Bay. Originally the site of a holiday palace it is now a green break from the ultra modern Tokyo. In it's center lies a tea house perched over the lake, here is the closest we have come to a Japanese tea ceremony.