Thursday, January 7, 2016

Day 5: Faster than a wish (Odaiba, Kyoto)

Anna and I woke up early to watch the sunrise over the Tokyo Bay. After taking several pictures and after getting tired, we decided to take a nap. After our nap, we went to the hotel's ocean view restaurant for brunch. After eating, we went back to the room to pack and plan our route to Kyoto.



Our Breakfast Coupon














Our long journey for the day

After checking out of our hotel, Anna and I went to Diver City for a few last minute things before our trip. On the way out, I decided to grab some Curry. Anna and I took the Yurikamome Line out of Daiba Station to Shimbashi, along the way we crossed the Rainbow Bridge, I made a video (I'll link it and other videos later). After stopping at Shimbashi Station, we bought our Shinkansen tickets to Kyoto. From Shimbashi station, we took the Yamanote to Tokyo Station and caught the Nozomi 47 to Kyoto. Despite all the clouds, we managed to catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji.

Rainbow Bridge from Odaiba

Aqua City and Fuji Television

Venus Fort





Chicken Spinach Curry


Anna stole my window seat

Apparently the Nozomi is the fastest Shinkansen

Mountains near Mt Fuji

Mt Fuji behind clouds


It looks to have less snow than my last time here


 After arriving in Kyoto, Anna and I checked into our hotel. Fortunately, our hotel is very close to the train station. We skipped dinner and went to bed early.


Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Day 4: Gundams in Japan (Tatsumi, Odaiba)

Anna and I started the day off as usual, but packed our bags to check out of our Shibuya hotel. We decided to leave our big bag at Matt's place in Tatsumi. We met Matt at the Tatsumi station and decided to buy some souvenirs and another suitcase at the AEON. After repacking our day bags and carry-ons, we left Matt's place and went to our hotel in Odaiba.

Shibuya to Tatsumi station.

Lunch at Aeon, Beef Curry Udon

We stayed at the only Hilton that would accept my hotel points in Tokyo

After a few nights in a very cramped room, we finally checked into a large hotel room that had a great view of Tokyo and a Jacuzzi. After watching the sun set, Anna and I decided to go explore Odaiba and grab dinner in Diver City and ride the Daikanransha in Palette Town.

Sendai hamburg steak from Hiro


Odaiba's Statue of Liberty







We rode the Daikanransha

Shenron inside Diver City

Gundam in Diver City

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Day 3: Visiting the Ghibli Museum (Nakano and Kichijoji)

Anna and I woke up around 7 am, we packed our day bags, and plotted our route to Kichijoji station to meet Matt around 9:30. Matt had acquired tickets to the Ghibli Museum at 10 am for us. From Shibuya, we took the Yamanote to Shinjuku. At Shinjuku we transferred to the Chuo Line heading toward Mitaka.

Our Route to Kichijoji

Our tickets

Once inside we could not take pictures. We saw an animated short about My Neighbor Totoro, several exhibits about the history of film and animation, and a model of Miyazaki's studio. Once outside we were able to take pictures. Before leaving we stopped at the gift shop for a few souvenirs.











After leaving the Ghibli Museum, we parted ways from Matt. Anna and I decided to go to Nakano Broadway, as she did not go with me the day before. Anna and I grabbed lunch at Yoshinoya and then explored Nakano Broadway. We found a few more souvenirs, before returning to Shibuya.

Cosplaying in the shops is acceptable


A Gashapon store

A Cat Cafe in Shibuya

My favorite desert