Day 6 - Adventure through Japan "Kyoto, Odaiba and Shibuya"

It was our last day in Kyoto, so we were trying to make the best of it.  Our Shinkansen back to Tokyo was reserved for 10:30 a.m., giving us a little more touring time before departure.  This morning we purposely began early and were out the door by 7 a.m. for our first destination.  It was the only day (half day...) of pretty weather we would see in Kyoto with temperatures rising near 50F and partly cloudy to sunny skies, it was a welcomed break.

Part I - Heian Jingu:  After a short discussion, we decided taxi's for the morning commute would be the quickest method to get where we wanted to before our departure time.  The taxi ride to Heian Jingu was rather short (maybe 10 minutes?), so we were off to a good start. We were dropped of by the taxi straight in front of the entrance, driving right under the main gate.  The reasons for going here were the large Torii (gate) at the entrance, one of the largest in Japan, and because of the great reviews for the gardens inside. 

The entire place was constructed on the 1,100th anniversary of the establishment of Heiankyō (the old name of Kyoto), so even though it was old and historical, it seemed much newer then places we had been to in previous days.  Unfortunately, once inside we learned that the gardens were actually not open until 9 a.m., so we wouldn't be able to get inside before having to leave.  After walking a bit obtaining another medallion we head back out to the main gate to get a good look.  After, we stop at the Taxi Noriba to hop a ride over to our next destination.

Part II - Kiyomizu Dera:  Once again, the taxi was much quicker then a train, however this time instead of taking us straight to the entrance, we're dropped off at the end of the street where the entrance is located.  It turns out to be another 10 to 15 minute walk (uphill) in order to reach the stairs that would eventually lead up to the entrance of the Temple.  Once at the top of the stairs, we all realize there is no way there will be enough time to make it inside and tour around, now nearing 8:30 a.m.  Instead we opt to just walk around the area before the admission gate, as there was still some sites to see, the most important being the long overlook of Kyoto.  It was much prettier then the overlooks we had been to previously, for both the cherry blossoms were almost in full bloom and that it was actually a nice rain-free morning. 

On our way out, we run into a large group of school kids that were entering the Temple.  They were all thrilled to see American's, most of them smiling and waving saying "Good Morning" and other small English words they could remember.  It was entertaining to see such a large group and, unlike the adults, they were all so thrilled to see us and speak English.  We had pretty good timing, getting there in the early morning hours, as most of the tourists (including a lot of foreigners, ugh) were on their way uphill as we were decending.

Instead of hopping a taxi back to the apartment, with a little time to spare, we decide to just walk back.  It wasn't that long of a walk, about 20 to 25 minutes, but it was mainly downhill.  You would think downhill to be a good thing, right?  Well, not when you blister your feet the day before by decending a mountain for 20+ minutes.  A little sore and ready to leave, I was glad to make it back to the apartment for our luggage and hop in a taxi to arrive at Kyoto Station, well before our 10:30 shinkansen reservation.

Part III - Shinkansen:  Once at the station, I realize that my reservation ticket had gotten away from me somewhere.  Luckily we were there around 9:45 a.m., well before the line for non-reserved cars started to form.  Brandon, myself and Jason all wait in line for a non-reserved car, since they were only able to reserve smoking seats the night before. Matt and Donnie easily hop into their reserved seats for the ride back, since they had the pair from when I also reserved my seat in a non-smoking car.  We were able to get seats without an issue and it turned out to be another smooth ride. I was able to catch up on some journal writing, postcard writing and finally have a window seat to carefully observe the scenery flying by.  Sitting with Matt, I never get a window seat, so I was happy to just sit there and stare out for awhile. 

Shortly before our arrival, after the 2 hour ride back to Tokyo, we start to gather our luggage as done on the trips before.  Being in the car behind the reserved seats Matt and Donnie were in, we decide to start the walk to the front of the car, about 15 rows back instead of the back, about 5 rows, in order to get off at the same location on the platform.  Little did Brandon and myself realize that a few people had bags sitting in middle of the aisle.  After some maneuvering to get around everybody's stuff in our path, we make it to the doors to exit... or so we thought.  Jason had made it off the train in front of us, as he did not have a rolling bag, however we made it JUST as the door shuts in Brandon's face.  With the rest of the group off the Shinkansen at the stop prior to Tokyo Station (our original plan) we were on our way to Tokyo Station itself, against our will.  Apparently my face was priceless as I realized we were stuck on the train with no way to re-open the doors, being separated from the group.  Luckily I had all the maps on me, so the situation became funnier once we realized it did not matter so much.  Brandon and myself just figured they would have to make do, we all knew what hotel and the general location it was in, so hopefully we'd meet somewhere along the way.

Once off safely at Tokyo Station, we are able to navigate to the proper train without too much hasle.  On the platform at the tranfer station to Odaiba, we are trying to figure out our fare amount before purchasing a ticket, and there they come down the escalator.  Everyone else met us right there, without more then 15 minutes of time passing.  Apparently 5 minutes of their travel time was spent on Matt and Donnie rolfing at the prior station, though Jason kept a serious and horrified look on his face.  It was pretty funny and I thought so too once the realization hit me that they would be fine, as I was never worried about getting lost myself.  We purchase tickets and proceed to talk about the experience on the short train ride to Odaiba from there.

Part IV - Odaiba:  We arrive in Odaiba somewhere around 1:30 p.m., after leaving our bags in the hotel (check-in was not until 3 p.m.) we head across the street to a large complex that resembled a business structure here.  Luckily this was Odaiba and this business structure also had a 3 story mall, of sorts, located under it complete with food courts.  On this short walk, we come to the sudden realization that we are cursed with bad weather as the winds on the bay were blustery and clouds were starting to form overhead. 

Once inside the buliding, we end up at a Japanese fast food place for lunch, which turned out to serve the best Katsudon I had ever had.  It was fast food!  Or at least what they considered fast food, so for ¥600, I am treated to the best, which is sad being that I've paid up to $20 in the States and never had pork that melted in my mouth like that, it was memorable.  After that we walked the mall for a bit to kill time, hitting up our first ¥100 store and a Kasuri-ya to buy something to help heal the blisters that had developed on my feet from the prior day.  The ¥100 store was very surprising as they had a lot of useful everyday items like winter gloves, umbrellas, T-shirts and socks, all seemingly good quality.  We purchased a few things and went back to the hotel in order to check-in and relax for a bit before going back out for the night.

Part V - Aobadai: With a little bit of relaxing done in the hotel room, we decide to venture back out for the night. With some spare time, our first place in Tokyo to visit would be Aobadai to stop by a book store I read about in my travel guide called Cow Books.  Luckily we had perfect timing to catch the Cherry Blossoms in full bloom on the basin, it was gorgeous!  This actually turned out to be our best catch of Cherry Blossoms the entire visit, so I was very glad we came.  Unfortunatly Cow Books turned out to be a very very small store that had absolutely nothing of interest in it, the atmosphere of the city was great though.  On our way back to the Subway we stop the first Book-Off we had time to go into.  Book-Off is a chain of used book stores that also deals in CD's, DVD's, Video Games and, in some of the larger stores, clothes.  Everything here, especially the books are at really great bargain prices and normally still in very good condition for being used.  We pick up a few things here (Matt finally got his Initial D video game) and then move on to the next destination.

Part VI - Shibuya:  With just a little shopping accomplished, we decide to head to Shibuya, I just had to see the famous Hachikō!  After seeing Hachi, I was once again smacked with the reality of where we were and what I was doing.  The experience of crossing the street in front of Shibuya station on a Friday night with hundreds (thousands?) of people was amazing.  With the glaring lights, huge television screens and advertisements blaring, we attempted to find dinner somewhere.  After some pacing around, we end up in a 2nd story Japanese tavern, of sorts.  We struggle with the menu, mainly to find something vegetarian for Donnie, for awhile (even with our translator) and finally end up with a good meal and plum wine (which was rather tasty).  The only down part was the smoke, which is apparently a larger issue in Tokyo then Kyoto, as I had yet to see the "smoking problem" I was warned of before our trip until this point.

Once finished with dinner, Matt, Donnie and Brandon were feeling worn down and decided to head back to Odaiba.  However, I was much too hyped to finally be in Shibuya to just turn around and go back, so myself, Jason and Sirena decide to stay out for a bit longer.  We walk the streets for awhile, which was amazing enough to entertain me, ducking into just a few shops and arcades along the way.  By this point, we were starting to get rained on again, but I didn't really care.  We stopped by another Book-Off here, at which point I had the great idea to look for art books.  I found a little bit of gold (a few that were ¥300, that go for $100+ on eBay) and was happy with my shopping experience for the day.  I was surprised at how many shops were closing up come 9 p.m., though the arcades were open until 1 a.m. or later.  It was great fun going to my first arcades of Tokyo, playing a few UFO catchers (not winning anything yet, more on this in later days) and playing games like Taiko Drum Master with nobody around (the few chances I've had in the States, there has always been a huge line).  Once tired enough and unable to find a lot of shops open, we head back to Odaiba to rest for the rest of the night.

Prices:

• ¥1,300 - 1st taxi ride.
• ¥300 - Medallion at Heian Jingu.
• ¥2,100 - 2nd taxi ride.
• ¥1,000 - Misc. subway fares.
• ¥1,600 - Lunch (for two w/ drinks)
• ¥1,200 - Misc. goods from ¥100 store.
• ¥2,000 - Bandages and antibiotic cream for blisters (pretty expensive!)
• ¥20,000 - Pasmo cards to cover remaining subway fares (for both of us).
• ¥6,000 - Video game and books from Book-Off.
• ¥3,000 - Dinner (for two w/ wine)
• ¥1,000 - Misc. arcade money.

Lessons Learned:

• Heian Jingu's gardens don't open until 9 a.m., though the rest opens at 6 a.m.
• The bad weather follows us.
• Shinkansen doors close quickly and have no mercy.
• Hotels will generally give you a non-smoking room, even though most reservation sites don't have the option.
• Shibuya is great, one of my favorite places.