Day 4 in Tokyo Shopping and Tokyo Tower

Day 4 was Monday and we had planned on going to the Gundam front where there was a Gundam museum and shop and then to Tokyo Tower. When I was researching the Gundam front I printed out a PDF of information about in 2 months before we left for Japan and planned the journey there. I did not however check the website again before and when we arrived we couldn’t find where to go at all. 

Yeah so, it turns out its gone and closed down with plans to reopen it in a few years. I’m was pretty annoyed with myself and Matt was pretty disappointed. However there was nothing to do about it so we headed off to Tokyo Tower.

When we got off the train we debated if we were in the correct place as we seemed to be smack bang in the middle of the business district. There were hundreds of men running around in business suits looking super busy. The walk was quite long around 20 minutes and it was pretty warm and sunny. Eventually however Tokyo Tower came into sight and the skyscrapers got less and less and we found a little park to walk through.

We arrived at the foot of the tower and followed the signs to get tickets to get in. The top floor was shut for maintenance and there was the option to get tickets to another floor where there was a big One Piece exhibit but it was quite expensive to get in and as we don’t watch One Piece we gave it a miss. But it was really cool to look at the art outside and around the entrance hall area.

We got our tickets and headed straight into a lift which took us up to the observational deck area. The views up there were amazing and you could really get a feel of what Japan looked like. There were windows in the floors as well that you stand on and look directly below you which was super cool. We had a really good look around the 360 degree view of Japan and I can’t really sum up in words looking out across Tokyo so here have some photos!  

After we were done on the observational deck we headed downstairs to the area that was open to the public where we finally had some lunch. Matt had a Tokyo tower themed burger and I had a regular one and it was super tasty.

As the day was still young we decided to head back to Akihabara to have another look round the shops. On our travels back to the station we came across and Shrine and decided to take a look around. It was beautiful and we were able to go inside and watch some people inside.

One thing that really struck me was the fact they had this really traditional area seeped in history smack bang in the middle of this modern built up business district. Once we were done we headed towards the train station to go back to Akihabara.

My lack of sleep and days of walking started to catch up on me, and as we started to have a proper look around the shops I soon realised how huge the shops were. Some of the bigger ones were 10 floors high packed with merchandise. A lot of them were second hand and display cases which I assume you rent out to display and sell your items. I had soon had enough and as the night was fast approaching we made our way in search for food. However that was easier said than done. We couldn’t find anywhere to eat that had an English menu. I really fancied something rice based but the only places with English menus were ramen places and my feet started to give out and I just wanted to sit down so badly.

Eventually we came across a curry place that had English and we went in there. It turned out to be a big chain that even had restaurants in America. It was an Anime themed place (although I wasn’t aware of the Anime) and inside they had private booths as well as seats are the counter. There were shelves and shelves of Manga that you could pick up and read while you eat which was so cool, I wish they had something like this over here.

I loved the fact that you had a bell too that you pushed when you wanted to be served and I order a Katsu Chicken Curry. It was sooooo good I really enjoyed it and my body thanked me for finally allowing it to sit down and rest.

After we finished we paid at the front and then made our way back to the Airbnb. I was so ready for some sleep and thus day 4 came to an end.

Day 3 in Tokyo Harajuku and Proposals

Day 3 was Sunday and we headed off to Harajuku, although I’m not that interested in the fashions there anymore I had to go and have a look around as I know teenage me would be furious if I didn’t at least go and look there.

It was only one stop on the train, to be honest with you we could have walked but as we were doing so much walking we decided that the train was the way to go. We arrived really early and got to walk up and down Takeshita Street which was directly outside the train station. The shops weren’t quite open so we had around an hour wait until everything was open. It was nice though it gave us chance to have a look up and down the street while it was fairly quiet and we also found the awesome fluffy clock that I had seen in so many photos online.

Once the shops were open Takeshita Street was buzzing with people. You could hardly move and the atmosphere there was exciting and alive. There were crepe stalls everywhere so we stopped to try one and oh my goodness they were so good. We sat down and were surrounded by a swarm of sparrows that were so tame Matt was able to feed them from his hand. I found a cool shop selling some anime products lots of Free!, Haikyuu!! And of course Yuri!!! On Ice products.

After walking around and looking at all the shops we headed to find some food and to have a look around Yoyogi Park. It was absolutely stunning and we walked along up to the shrine. Although they were doing maintenance on the shrine it was still beautiful and we looked around there.

Because my converse were rubbing so badly the day before I choose to wear my Toms, but they are NOT walking shoes and the bottoms of my feet were so sore and hurting so much. There was a little park area that had a sacred well at the end of it and I think it was about 500Yen to go into it and we decided to do that mostly so we could find a seat to sit down for a while.

It was a beautiful area with a pond and gardens inside. We stopped for a while and enjoyed the view and the rest. Afterwards we followed the path round to the sacred well and then back through the gardens.

I then stopped to use the toilets and when I came out Matt was sitting in a small secluded area. I went over and sat with him. We shared a cuddle and a kiss and the suddenly he asked “I was just wondering if you would like to marry me” and pulled out a beautiful diamond and blue sapphire ring. I was so surprised I hadn’t expected it at all and I squealed, teared up and said “YES of course I want to marry you!”.

I couldn’t believe it and it was so perfect in a beautiful location on the trip of a life time. I very excitedly put the ring on which was perfect as well. It was so me and after years of talking about what I would like he had listened to me and I just loved it.

After I had calmed down we made our way back through the gardens and it even turned out that he had rang my Dad and asked the night before we flew. I had to wait a little while to call my Mum and Dad as I think it was about 7am in the morning in the UK but I called them and showed my Mum, she had no idea!! 

After that I was on cloud 9 and in my own little bubble and we made our way back towards Harajuku. I was so excited on a real high that we still hadn’t had lunch so we walked past a Takoyaki stand and as I had seen them everywhere I said to Matt “lets try them!!”. Turns out they have octopus in them, but as they day and trip so far had been so perfect I was feeling super brave so we got some to share….. now insert the the picture of me excitedly about to try them (look at the happiness on my face before the doooom!).

The first one I ate the octopus fell out so I didn’t eat that, and then the next one a tentacle flopped out as I bit into it. It was too much for me with its little suckers and UUUGH it was just no, no absolutely not. They then went in the bin, but I was proud that at least I was brave enough to try and try them ha ha!

We settled for 7Eleven and had rice balls and melon bread instead, and although a little small and bland considering how hungry we were (although I had lost some of my appetite since the tentacle incident) they were nice and filled a hole.

After a quick look round the shops once more we decided to head back, but first Matt talked me into popping into Sketchers. Now I have never been a girl who had bought shoes based on practicality ever! However my feet were so sore and we still had 5 days of solid walking ahead of us and I was in agony. So as it was a day of many firsts I bought myself a pair of memory foam trainers based on practicality alone. I changed into them as soon as we were outside and they were like a hug to my feet. They saved me for the rest of the trip and allowed me to walk all day for the rest of the holiday!

On our way back I did some googling and found a shop called Mandarake in Shibuya. It was full of Anime and manga related products a lot second hand so stuff that was no longer available. However what made me want to go was apparently the HUGE selection of doujinshi they had. I was pretty excited to see it was just down the road from our Airbnb, it was a dark shop and we had to walk down several flights of stairs, but when we got inside it was absolutely massive and doujinshi stacked from floor to ceiling thousands and thousands of them. Matt said to take my time and I probably took way too long and bought WAY too many doujinshi. My fujoshi heart was content and eventually we left with many purchases made!

Again I can’t remember where we went to eat that night, I have a feeling we tried another ramen place which was the same system as the previous one (you bought a ticket on the machine outside) but this one you took a seat round a bar so it was more sociable. It wasn’t as nice as the previous one but we still really enjoyed it! Afterwards we headed home and ate pudding (we kept buying pudding cups to eat at the Airbnb) and day 3 came to and end!

Day 2 in Tokyo Yuri!!! on Ice Cafe

The plan for day 2 (Saturday) was to attend the Shrine festival. This was one of the reasons we had picked the dates we had picked. The plan was to watch the parade and then follow it to the shrine where there was a big festival. We wanted to immerse ourselves in Japanese culture and really experience a proper festival. However the plans changed as the weather was not on our side!

The forecast was much cooler than Friday and rain, so much rain. We ate breakfast before we left again and then headed out. I checked where the parade was meant to be at the time we were arriving and we headed there. I suggested Matt take one of the many umbrellas that were in the air bnb but he said he was ok and I had my little foldable one. However once we got out the station we became very aware that it was not a light shower. Now I am British so I am plenty used to rain its second nature to us over here on our little island. But this rain was unrelenting and so heavy. It was literally bucketing down and it did so all day. Matt was soaked through in minutes so we made a dash to a convenience store to get ourselves more sturdy bigger umbrellas. It’s amazing that they literally sell umbrellas everywhere and they are cheap and amazing quality! Once we were suitably protected we headed out towards the parade.

We found it quickly and followed it along where it stopped for a break. That gave us the opportunity to find a nice spot to stand and watch it go past so Matt could get some pictures. After a half an hour rest the parade started up again, unfortunately though due to the weather everything was covered in plastic wrap as well as the people. I don’t blame them, they would be soaked through and their outfits looked beautiful and full of intricate details which would be ruined in the rain. We watched everyone go past which I did enjoy and once they had gone we debated if we should follow and go the shrine or take shelter inside somewhere. Akihabara was just 10 minute walk away and we decided to go and have look round the shops there than stand outside in the rain. I was a little disappointed we didn’t get to do the full festival experience but the rain just wasn’t letting up!

I was really looking forward to going to Akihabara as it is the anime and manga shopping central. It is full of maid cafes and more anime related shops than you can shake a stick at. I was also very aware that there was a Yuri!!! On Ice café in Anime Plaza and I was also very aware from my research that getting into said café was quite difficult. From what I understood you had to queue early in the morning to get a lottery ticket to get a time slot to go to the café. I had come to terms with the fact that I mostly likely wouldn’t be able to get in but as I was there I wanted to go and have a look. 

We found Anime Plaza pretty easily and they had a stand outside for the café. Using google translate (seriously portable wifi and google saved me so many times) there were two slots in the day that still had spaces. I of course freaked out and after some confusion with going to the wrong floor and then a slight language barrier with a lovely and helpful cashier we had two tickets to the café and only 40minutes to wait. I was so excited and I seriously couldn’t believe that we had gotten tickets there.

We queued up just before our time and were let in I think it was around 13:40 and took our seats at our reserved table. It was amazing inside, from the minute you stepped into the 4^th floor the walls were decorated in Yuri!!! On Ice artwork. Yuuri, Viktor and Yurio each had their own wall and they had the first 2 episodes playing on loop in the back ground. 

The menu was all themed with Yuri!!! On Ice food and drinks but it was all in Japanese and google translate came to save the day again. I ordered Viktor’s drink ‘Living Legend: Apple Juice’ and Matt went for Yuuri’s drink “Glass Heart : Blue Soda’. Of course we ordered a Pork Cutlet bowl each and then pancakes to finish it off. People had said that it was expensive in there and they just ordered a drink and dessert but we went for full course off the entire menu because hey when will I ever get to do this again!

The drinks came first and they were so pretty and delicious and then the food and desserts came out. It all tasted really good and just sitting in a Yuri!!! On Ice café eating Yuuri’s pork cutlet bowl my heart was so content!

I think you had an hour to an hour and a half and we stayed there most the time. To be honest with you I was so fixated on watching the show on the TV I kept forgetting to finish my food. The atmosphere was great and I really enjoyed all the food and drink.

Much to my dismay the time to leave came around and we made our way over to the counter to pay. The front desk was decorated in more artwork and cute trinkets and posters. We got to take home some drinks coasters that came with the drinks and also 2 posters each. Even the lift was decorated with Instagram style pictures! We then headed back to the 3^rd floor where I bought a few limited bits including a blind packet badge (I got Viktor yay!) .

After that we had a look around Akihabara and that is when I got my first idea of the shops there. They are huge and vary between 2 to 10 floors tall. The Animate there I think was about 8 floor high packed full of Anime and Manga merchandise. It was a dream world! We decided to call it a day after a small selection of shops as it was still pouring down and my converse were rubbing really badly my poor pinky toes.

I can't remember now alas if we went out to try another ramen place that night or went to Wendy's (they had loads of American chain shops and fast food restaurants out there!). What I do remember though is that I was still totally on a high of going to the YoI cafe and my feet were super duper sore!

I do remember the rain finally started to let up though and day 2 came to an end!