Japan Trip 2008
Day Twelve

Decided to head back to Asakusa to see how it looked like in the day.

Asakusa’s main attraction is Sensoji, a very popular Buddhist temple,
built in the 7th century.

This row of streets was quite special.

Yep, Hello Morning spot! lol.

Ok no seriously, it’s actually called the Nakamise shopping street,
leading from Kaminarimon to the temple grounds.

No idea what festival it was. Can’t read the lanterns xD

Here’s the Kaminarimon Gate, the second of two large entrance gates leading to Sensoji Temple. First built more than 1000 years ago, it is the symbol of Asakusa.

The temple is approached via the Nakamise, a shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and tourist souvenirs for centuries.

These huge lanterns were under the gate.

Same for these golden handles. I wonder if they’re cleaned maintained daily.

Lots of Japanese come from all over to get blessings and take photos.

Lots of school tours as well. Must be one of their heritage education sites.

Huge incense pot.

You’re suppose to ‘bath’ yourself in the incense.

Like they’re doing here. xD

Closer view.

View from the temple steps.

Inside the temple. You can buy a candle for 100yen,
light it and place it in the green glass thing you see in the middle of the photo.

Looking up, this is what’s on the ceiling.

Closer view. See the bars at the bottom of the photo?
That’s where you throw your donations in.

Closer view.
This Sensoji temple is Tokyo’s most famous and popular temple. Built in the 7th century, it is also one of its oldest, although the current buildings are postwar reconstructions.

More charms for sale. Luck charms, health charms, relationship charms. I bought my fill of charms in Kyoto. So no more for me. Wilson bought some from here too xD

Another view from the steps.
The longer we stayed there the more crowded it started to become.

Lots of people taking photos.

Like, lots.

It can’t be explained why Japanese teens have the urge to
do the ‘V’ sign when taking photos.

On the way back to the exit i was just snapping people photos.

Japanese people have great complexion.

Wilson says it’s the weather and the majority of non oily food they eats.

Quite true. With all the fresh seafood around, good for skin ya. xD

Super china man!

This guy stopped there for quite a while, waiting to cross the human traffic.

You can buy swords and various ninja weapons…

Quite cool ya? Tempting, but with Singapore customs… nope.

Only 6300yen! That’s about S$100 ya?

Tried this sticky riceballs with sugar peanut coating. This store was special.

Hello Morning spot! Wilson tried the same drink above. I should have tried one too :(

This was the actual main entrance to the shopping street.

See! You can’t explain the ‘V’.

Even guys do it!

\/ ^-^ \/

I thought this guy looked super cool with the straw hat.

Saw these huge Sake pots? You can find these along City Link too at city hall MRT.
That was it for the Sensoji Temple. Walked around the nearby streets after that.

Found this Asahi Building. Golden… thing.

At this point we were wondering where to go.

Had the whole afternoon to kill before heading back to Tokyo Tower for the night.

Took the metro back to…

Shibuya!!

This guy’s job, was to make people smile. Sounded like some sort of smile campaign?

Shibuya’s a great place to check out people in nice color cordinated fashion.
Red boots + red scarf ya.

Finally found a nice place at Starbucks, overlooking the busy cross street.

Wilson ordered these, just to chill and people watch.

The guy beside us, reading comics. Super chill place la this place. Good music, good view.

Walked back into HMV for more japanese music shopping.

Spent over S$200 here.

I loves francfranc! Awesome designer store.
I so need to come back here to get their table lights and soundtrack.

Finally it was dark, and we’re back at Tokyo Tower! It looks spectacular at night.
Wilson says the Effiel tower had better lighting though.

Went to chop a seat at the Cafe-la-Tour.

S$4.50 strawberry ice-cream.

Wilson blogging, 150 metres above ground. xD

We sat here for a good 2 hours i think. Just taking in the view, enjoying the music.

There was this uber cute live DJ playing song requests just beside the cafe.

No there weren’t any Morning Musume songs in the request book :(

Decided to head up to the special observatory. 250m above ground!

it was quite small, just a circular room. There was a long wait at the elevator.

But the view was, wow.

You could see the rainbow bridge, and the entire Odaiba island from here.
See the blue ferris wheel on the left?

We could see the fireworks from Disney land too. Everyone was like ‘sugoooii!’

Nice twilight lighting. The place was practically lit from the outside.

But it was a bit stuffy though.
Maybe they weren’t able to install proper air-conditioning this high up?

Back at the base.

The surrounding buildings all looked orange because of the tower.

Took a while to get this shot with the 2 of us and the tower in the background.
The light was coming from a parking lot sign xD

That was it for Day 12, just lots of shopping and walking around :]