Fish, Rain and Rani

The famous Tokyo fish market was in the news last week because at the morning fish auction, a 457lb tuna sold for $1.76 million. You have to get there at 5 in the morning to see the auction action, so we passed on that, but we did see plenty of action and plenty of fish. This is a wholesale market that sells fish that is distributed throughout the entire country so it is very busy and very big. Everybody eats fish.  At every meal. Every day.

After leaving this vast space we decided to go visit Ueno Park, walk around, and because it was starting to rain, maybe spend some time in one of its half-dozen museums. Our preference was the Tokyo National Museum but unfortunately because of the coming New Year it was closed and the only one open was a museum showing art from the New York Metropolitan. We didn't come half way around the word to see that so we decided to push on through the rain and visit the Shinto shrines in the park but eventually the rain forced us inside. The Met show was fine. Crowded, but fine.

After the museum we wandered the park a bit more but then got in out of the cold and damp and went for lunch of steaming hot noodles nearby. Here are Bill and Daniela anticipating the food:

The rain kept coming and increasing by the hour. We couldn't go back to the apartment because first, what would we do in such a tiny place? (it was still mid-afternoon); and second, we had checked out from our place that morning for the next four days because tonight we were going to meet up with Rani and head on over to the bullet train (Shinkansen) for a 3-4 hour ride to Kyoto. 

We got the impression that people in Tokyo don't go home to get out of the rain either. They go shopping.

We finally met up with Rani and boarded the Shinkansen. Rani has been in Japan since September and she's such a pro. She really knows her way around. 

Getting to know the neighborhood

This next morning we got up early as one does after a jet-lagged night and decided to just wander  around and explore the neighborhood.

We are located between the famous Tokyo fish market (about a four  minute walk) and the ultra ritzy Ginza shopping street (about an eight minute walk). We are also quite near a large river/canal leading into the Tokyo bay. We are clearly in a not very crowded part of the city, but that is relative, walking down the street takes a lot of weaving and dodging to not bump into people and bikes coming at you from all sides. It's a lively vibe.



We found a peaceful Buddhist temple half a block away and once we reached the river/canal we were far from any crowds; just the quiet river, the skyline, and bridges criss-crossing.

Bill is always the first to brave new food, here unwrapping something from a convenience store for breakfast. (Since we hadn't done any shopping yet.) 

It is winter here in Tokyo and cold. Most of the trees are bare, all lawn grasses are amber. We were lucky to start off on a sunny day as we wandered the neighborhood.

This is a shot of the Ginza where many high-end stores like to be seen. Since 2013 is the Year of the Snake, this Bulgari (jewelry) store has draped around it a necklace in the shape of a snake. At night it is lit up like diamonds.

Arriving in Tokyo

It was nearly midnight as we stepped out through the Higashi-Ginza Metro turnstile and started to look around for exit #5. Cheryl, our host said she would be meeting us at exit 5 to lead us to the apartment we were renting from her for the next three weeks. Almost before we had a chance to even glance around, she came up to us, asked me if I was Ingrid and gave me a welcoming hug. She also correctly identified Bill, Alexis and Daniela. We had 'met' when I was searching online for a place to stay in Tokyo and chose to stay at her place that she had listed through Airbnb. Now here she was, middle of the night, temperature near freezing, cheerfully leading the 4 of us down the block and letting us in to what would be our home for our Tokyo stay.

It is a very small space for 4 of us, but a typical apartment size for a single or couple in Tokyo. Here Alexis and I are posing on the two single beds, and to Bill's right is the small couch that unfolds into a small double bed. To his left he can reach the wall where we will be putting our upright suitcases. No unpacking, no closet, no shelves.
                                                                   

 But there is a kitchen,With sink and electric burner, dishes, a pot, frying pan and kettle; and a little fridge, microwave and toaster oven stacked over it. Cheryl stocked the fridge with juice, fruit and even bags of potato chips!

There is also a bathroom with a tub and shower about the size you get on a small cruise ship.

Let the adventures begin.

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