TOKYO DAY TWO:
Today I was to met my travel friend at the domestic terminal in Haneda Airport. After a good night’s sleep I felt rested and super ready to take on the new day three in Tokyo! I went to the hotel buffet breakfast and my eyes were bigger than my stomach as I loaded up on all the oozy gooey seaweed salads. Getting the hang of things – by following the rules – I checked out and grabbed my suitcase, heading over to Terminal 2 to meet Paulina on her arrival.
There was a lot of waiting involved, but she did happily arrive! It took us more than a while to figure our way, as this being a domestic flight terminal, as opposed to International Terminal 3, we had a few false starts. But finally after having to go back to Terminal 3 to purchase our PASMO cards for the Tokyo Metro- and we were on our way! It ends up we had to get back over to the International Terminal to purchase our PASMO tickets for the Tokyo Metro. After a few false starts, we transferred to Nihombashi area via Tokyo Metro with our Pasmo tickets we purchased at Haneda terminal three international terminal.
Our main goal or first goal was to get to our Hotel Smile which was located in Nihombashi district. We took the Tokyo Metro and ended up after and via tracking our stops and asking along the way, not having to change trains. The Google Maps app is very helpful, however in routing public transportation as it also indicates which part of each car number you are boarding. For example line color, letter and number, and car number with car compartment number all in a neat circle ⭕️.
We had to walk 2-3 stops as we got off early, but nonetheless made it safely and securely to check in and drop our bags at Hotel Smile. Then off we went to explore a sunny warm cool partly cloudy week was in store and perfect for us, as we plunged ourselves into Japanese culture and into a 7-11 Store where Paulina wanted to show me how to make a smoothie.
She inserted the plastic cup and lid into and breaking the smoothie machine, which was watched by a Japanese customer behind us. The lady clerk at 7-11 simply came over, turned off the machine and brought the next customer behind us over to the counter. Done. No dissing us, no reprimanding or shaming.
Onward we continued, walking to the Imperial Gardens, less than two miles away. Or less than two kilometers. The garden entry was closed so we enjoyed the surrounding area, sitting near the moat. I called hubby we FaceTimed and chatted.
It was a walking day! We walked about 19,000 steps this day! Pop up shrines we saw popped up all over the city neighborhoods. It was so neat! We found out that we were there on the weekend of the 500 Years Old Sanno Festival in Tokyo. That was amazing.
We spent part of the afternoon sitting along the moat at the Tokyo Imperial Palace Gardens. The gardens were closed for entrance but open for walking around along the moat.
Heading back to Smile Hotel, we checked into our small, dark, semi-clean room with mostly just dirty carpet; unpacked and I out all my shopping and unnecessary clothes into my red “shopping bag” for check in. Turns out I wouldn’t need my denim or sweatshirt jackets at all! And two pair of black stretch pants instead of three would have been enough.
On the way to the Imperial Gardens we stopped at the Palace Hotel underground pastry shop where I loved looking at all the amazing pastries.
For dinner that evening, we selected this three floor box restaurant and I wrote about our experience there.
When it came time to look for a suitable dinner restaurant, things really got interesting. We walked up a quaint street near our Hotel Smile and after casing out the vibes, picked out a three story box style restaurant on the other side of the street. Coming back at it from the opposite direction, we walked into the place just before that and headed upstairs. But the lady working there told us, “No. We have no place for you.” Pauline tried asking if we could reserve a place or come at another time, but the insistent “No,” rang in our ears.
Okay I said, “Let’s go downstairs.” Downstairs was full of men drinking and eating, quite small but crowded. A bartender/ owner looked up from the back and showed us crossed hands and fists indicating definitely “No” in any language. We took to the exit, and found our intended destination right next door, where we proceeded to have one of several best and wonderful meal experiences.
The gatekeeper at first here too was hesitant to offer us a seat, however using Google translate we found she could accommodate us if we didn’t stat past 19:30. So in and up to the third floor we trudged up wooden small staircases. There a server already had been alerted to our arrival and was ready to seat us.
It was a small place, mostly wood, seats and tables, filled with mostly all men, except not a weird vibe like the last place. A Japanese woman sat amidst a table of men presumably work colleagues out on a Friday night. All the diners were in fact Japanese, as was the menu however it had some photos and Pauline used Google Translate for us to order.
I ordered a peach wine which turned out to be peaches pieces in a sake. We ordered mackerel which turned out to be raw – amazing! See photos. It had a sauce and finely shredded bed of onions and chives. Delish.
One of the dishes we ordered was a maceral fish, which I thought would be cooked, however it arrived at our table raw and with the skin on. Now I am not an “eat the fish skin” kind of diner. Much to my amazement, it was so buttery and delicious, not fishy tasting at all. It was served with a thinly sliced either onion or ginger, I am not sure. I think it was actually something that I saw in the Japanese market on Convoy upon my return home. Overall an excellent dinner – surprisingly delicious and perfect pairing of presentation.
We ordered a “yam potato cake” which tasted yummy but more taste and texture like a pounded flat smoked “fish cake.” We also had amazing tasting “best tofu I ever had” which we suspect may have been a soufflé.
That pretty much concluded our first day together. We left the restaurant by our appointed 19:30 time and called it a night- both slept silently and well.
Friday, June 7, 2024
