day 2 - tokyo

Introducing our group of 12 -

Back Row: Will Callum, Paul Callum, Clive Gaunt, Jack Callum, Justine Young, Andrew Coombs, Sam Gaunt, Verena Coombs and Jeffrey Coombs

Front Row: Lee Callum, Ally Coombs and Claire Gaunt

First stop for the morning, Outside the Imperial Palace Gates. Yes outside! The gardens are closed until 3 January. We will come back later in the month.

Hibiya Park - A lovely display of large bonsai trees.

The famous Nijubashi Bridge next to the Imperial Palace. Apparently, the most photographed bridge in the world.

Paul, Lee and Verena making alterations to our itinerary on the fly, now that the Palace Gardens are closed.

A government worker had just scooped rubbish from the moat outside the Palace and fed the swans. We are watching the massive carp fish beat the swans and ducks to the pellets.

First family photo with the Nijubashi Bridge and Fushimi Tower as backdrop. Let me introduce you to the man on the right...Jeffrey!  You probably remember him as the hired help from our Europe Trip.

Just some randoms we came across shooting a Levi's advertisement.

Not the best shot of Jeffrey's photos of a shogun warrior in Hibiya Park. The birds had made a lovely nest in the flowing hair or his tale. 

Very interesting mix of building architecture in the city. This one is a lower arcade of shops connecting entry to the large tower behind.

Internal level of the Tokyo International Forum (convention and exhibition centre). An architectural wonder the same age as Ally. Outside there were already queues for a late afternoon concert.

Claire and Ally with Seiko (as in the watch), the information attendant at the Tokyo International Forum. Seiko was just beautiful and very helpful.  Even called ahead to check the Sony Building was open for us and gave us directions.

High tapering trajectory or glass and steel, aptly named the "Glass Hall". Cantilevered skywalks are amazing.

Up on Level 7 where we could look down on Tokyo Station and watch the bullet trains arrive at the platforms.

Andy resting with the Bundy Bear in the foyer of the Sony Building.  Everyone had a fun time here trying out all the new Sony products over eight floors.  The favourite was the camera that automatically shoots when you smile. 

Justine and Claire having Mummy and Daughter time.

Up until we arrived at the famous scramble crossing at Shibuya we were commenting on how quiet Tokyo is! Electronic billboards, loud music and lots of shops.  We made a meeting point on the other side of the intersection just in case all 12 didn't make it together.

Note Paul is pointing to where this meeting point is and Claire is confirming she understands the instruction.

Did we tell you Jack locked the keys in the boot of the car when loading the luggage in Brisbane on the day of departure? Well, the lovely beanie he is wearing in this photo didn't make it home with Jack last night.

You can probably just make out Ally, Claire and I watching the chef make pork buns in a restaurant in Shibuya.

Make sure you think of us while you are eating your rockmelons at home.  I guess we won't be having any here! Approximately $250 each.

While some of the group opted for lunch at a restaurant. Clive, Jeffrey, Claire, Ally, Andrew and I decided to dine at the food hall at the bottom of the department store. We had a lovely selection of sushi, tempura, beautiful salads and icecream for about $5 each.

The idea is you just go around and make your selections from the many displays and counters and pay on the way out. The lockers shown here are refrigerated so you can shop and pick up your food at the end of the day.

Peter, what do you think of these crab claws?

The seafood is just amazing, and reasonably priced. We are in heaven!

We then walked a good half an hour to the Meiji Shrine in Yorogi Park. Shown here is the entry gate.

Justine managed to arrange a personal guide to get us here from the main shopping area. Cooma and Giro walked with us after Justine accosted them at an intersection.

Lantern at the entry to the Shrine buildings.

The Shrine was being decorated and set up for the masses of people who visit a shrine on New Years Eve to celebrating the arrival of the New Year.

Ally and I looking at Votive Tablets that have been hung on boards by students petitioning for divine help in passing exams.

The famous Takeshita-Dori. A very long, skinny street packed with garish boutiques selling costumes and clothes for Japan's extreme youth.  You see some amazing sights.  Kids wandered along and after a while the adults found a coffee shop and engaged in people watching.

Sam, Claire, Andrew and Ally posing with one of the "Victorian" dressed girls that hang/shop around this street.  Not only a lot of effort is put into the clothes, but the makeup is detailed, right down to amazing contact lenses.

The man on the left of me kept us all amused on the 23 minute metro trip back to Tokyo Station on our way home.  He did not move once while holding his mobile phone open in his hand the whole time.  What you can't see here is the dribble coming out of his mouth. Jeffrey thinks he was talking to his mother-in-law.

We ended the day at the cute little restaurant opposite our hotel. The staff did not speak English at all, but we managed to get very nice meals. A couple of Kirins to help us relax.