After riding the bullet train from Osaka to Tokyo and a full day of exploring the day before, we were finally able to get to our hotel and crash into bed. But we were up with the dawn, as another packed day awaited us as we continued to explore Tokyo. Check out this first slide show that shows some of the various parts of the city of Tokyo as we drove through on our bus:
Views from the bus:
Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower is an iconic structure originally built (and still used) for broadcasting various signals across Japan. Until the larger and newer Tokyo Skytree Tower was built in 2011, it was the tallest manmade structure in Japan. The tower was finished in 1958 and was the tallest freestanding structure in the world, taller than the Eiffel Tower. Fun fact….a third of the steel used in the building of the tower was repurposed from damaged US Tanks that were brought back from Korea during the Korean War.
Here’s my pics of our time up in the tower, check out the slide show last of the views from the tower.
Odaiba (Unicorn Gundam, Lunch, Shopping)
After finishing our time at Tokyo Tower, we headed back to the bus and off to lunch. But our guide threw in a few surprises along the way. Off the bus we went, as we walked along not really knowing where to go. Soon, it became obvious as we started to see the giant Unicorn Gundam seemingly guarding the entrance to a mall building. He was enormous, and so fun to take pictures of and hear the kids talk about.
After spending a few minutes with selfies and pics, we continued around the very modern Odaiba area, seeing various venues and onward to the mini-statue of Liberty. Along the way, I was able to get some pics of the building you saw in the earlier slideshow from the bus…part office building and part hotel.
Once again, it was hot and muggy so we needed some A/C for lunch and wanted some great views, so inside the very modern mall, we opted for a quick lunch with our guide…at a TGI Fridays. I know…American food but it was a nice treat with A/C.
National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan)
Spending time and exploring the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation was relaxing and fun, the highlight of which was a separate exhibit of Japanese Swords and the science of how they were made and what’s in the swords, as well as a giant globe (ball) in the middle of a giant room with light displays on it.
Here’s my slide show of the Japanese Sword Exhibit:
And the Museum pics:
Dinner and Shopping in Akihabara
Akihabara is a shopping district in Tokyo surrounding in very large and busy Akihabara Train Station. After our time in the museum, we board the bus again and headed to this bustling shopping and entertainment district. The area is filled with stores, video game arcade and various maid cafes.
[A word about the Maid Cafes and the “maids” found all over the streets of Akihabara. These cosplay characters act as maids to various clients who visit the maid cafes. To the Western mind, I think we immediately jump to the worst and assume there are sexual services offered but since Japan is a different mindset and culture, this isn’t the case. The maid cafes are for entertainment. And, Akihabara is full of the cafes and the young ladies offering maid services…which really just means they sit and talk to you and get you the drink of choice.]
While we were in Akihabara, we found a 5-level “dollar” store and proceeded to shop. We also dodged the various maids who were all around and found the floor offering both regular and naughty anime. I didn’t even really know this stuff existed, but it’s everywhere. Here’s pics:
After shopping till we were exhausted, we split from the group and met Japaneses friends for dinner. Since our friends knew the area and knew the lingo, they took over and we followed them as they led us through warrens and back alley’s of Tokyo to a nondescript building. Once inside, they simply took us through a hallway to an unmarked door…that opened when they knocked and let us into a bustling restaurant where we were the only non Japanese. I could not get back to that place if I wanted to. The restaurant served all you could eat over your own grill….for an hour. (So…the whole thing about not much red meat in Japan and only seafood…..is totally untrue. We found meat and chicken all over the place, but it was more expensive.). Here’s a few pics of dinner:
Things to know…..if I could do this day again:
– Tokyo Tower- Yes, for sure I would do this one again. It was fun, great views and allowed us to see more of Tokyo that we would have never seen instead.
– Odaiba Shopping Area- Yes, with a group. Not sure I’d go do this one on my own unless I needed to hit the mall, but I understand why we took a group here. There are a variety of sights and it’s very walkable, even for a large group.
– Miraikan- Yes, I would love to go back to this museum because I feel like there’s so much I missed…and we had such a good time checking out the displays. The globe is one of a kind and the chance to see Japanese Sword making is sweet.
– Akihabara- My kids loved the shopping and the video games, but this area wasn’t my jam. But, the dinner with friends was wonderful and it was so cool to see them in their own country, in their own environment. Funny, they admitted that they rarely or never came to the Akihabara area either…and they live near Tokyo.
We hope you like this blog series about travel with kids in Japan, I’ve had fun putting these posts together to publish. It’s funny, I’m finding that the more I research some of the places we visited, the more I wish I could spend more time back there in those same places. Lessons learned. More next Saturday.
Here’s the rest of the series (that I’ve written so far) about our trip to Japan with kids:
Travel With Family- A Summer Trip To Japan- 1
Travel With Family- Osaka, Japan- Day 1
Back to Japan…in a most unexpected way- By The HelmsMistress
Travel With Kids: Osaka, Japan- Day 2
Travel With Kids: Nara, Japan-Day 3
Travel With Kids: Kyoto, Japan-Day 4
Travel With Kids: Tokyo, Japan- Day 5
