Our third and last day in Tokyo for the moment, and we still had a lot to do. We walked a different route to Ueno station, coming across this well advertised cat refuge. Unfortunately!! it was early and the cafe wasn't open
First port of call was the Tsijiki fish markets, site of the famous tuna auctions. As we definitely didn't want to get up at 3:30 am on the chance of being one of the 120 only allowed in to watch, we arrived at a very civilised 9:30.
After several stops for directions ("sumimusen" or excuse me is our most used Japanese word) we skirted the outer retail and food stall area and went into the market proper
It was still bustling, though winding down somewhat.
There was still plenty to see. Pornographic shellfish - or is that just us?
These quite beautiful squid.
And really every sort of fish you could imagine - some you might not. Too many too include here, but we were quite taken by this guys knives...
..and the old hand carts, rapidly being replaced by motorised mini vans.
It was then back to the outer market. Lots to see. Perhaps this tuna not so thrilled about things...
...particularly watching a cousin get flame BBQ'd
This was interesting. A dried bonito flaking machine.
Anyway we scored plenty of free samples ranging from seaweed soup to fish omelette and all sorts of dried fishy things. We weren't so lucky with our purchases. Both the nice looking golden balls on skewers and the freshly deep fried bacon wrapped golden rissole being quite strange. We did however find a good coffee place.
Next stop was Harajuku. A nice old station facade, and huge crowds. There were several places to visit...
....the first for us Meiji shrine. Along the way was an impressive display of sake barrels..
...then the shrine...
..and then some bonuses. A wedding procession...
..a Christening (of sorts)
...and some calligraphy
Next stop was next door Yoyogi Park. It was picnic central with a couple of buskers and a lovely rose display.
A short walk and we were at the top of Takeshita Dori, the teen culture shopping street. Again thronging..
..with some out there shops.
It was then on to Omotesando shopping street - quite upmarket...
...but with the odd cosplay dressers...
After a surprisingly short queue we got into Harajuku Gyoza Ro, the big reputation gyoza spot in the area. We started with iced cucumber in a miso sauce plus some cold sake. Both were great, and the gyoza that followed were pretty good also.
Next up to Shinjuku. We headed for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for expected great Tokyo views from the free 45th floor observatory. Alas, due to electrical problems it was a no go.
We headed back to Ueno. There was a mini fair in the park with some entertainment...
..and food stalls, including BBQ fish on a stick
On our walks we had seen a nice little bar near the hotel so decided to try it for dinner. The owner had very little English and no English menu. We decided to stay having a couple of rounds of drinks and what turned out to be a tapas sized serving of beef each. We left $60 poorer and still hungry so it was off to the supermarket for some prepared sushimi and a tub of pineapple to have at the hotel. An expensive learning experience.
Back at the hotel they had arranged a rakugo, or classical one man comedy story performance in English, for the guests. The guy tried hard, but the stories were quite childlike. Anyway, another experience chalked up.
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