12.10.10

4 days in Tokyo



Ask me the first and last impression of Tokyo, Japan. "EXPENSIVE". The world biggest metropolis is also the worlds' most expensive. Direct nepali translation of Tokyo is 'to bite'. It bites as if you are soft bread and might just engulf you with a burp. We spent just four days, me my wife and my daughter.

It was a run for visa to Tokyo. It is not much of a hassle and will be done in three business days after getting a visa number from the Immigration office of Korea. Finding a Korean consulate is not an easy job since official embassy website does not have proper location information in English. Anyone looking for this information should refer to Intrepid information here in this link

And that’s why I went to Japan. To make a new visa, a useless exercise enforced on me. This was our first family trip together in other foreign country beside Korea. My wife was quite excited, my daughter had a least idea of what was going on and I just wanted my job to be done at the earliest.

We took a Weekly Manison hotel, nearby Akasaka station, probably the cheapest around that area. There are other schemes if you want it for a week. Do not expect any free services except towel cleaning. Dirty towels must be returned to the counter for the service by you. People are kind, speaks good English but you might hardly like them thinking about the amount you are paying. Still, they are nice staffs, who will ask 150 Yen if you want to rent a plastic umbrella that you can buy in around 2-400 Yen in stores few minutes from the hotel. 10 Yen for making a photocopy of a piece of paper. A coin phone in the lobby is hardly successful.

From Narita airport on 25th of September, we took a rail, limited express to the downtown Tokyo where our hotel was located. Rail is the cheap, best, and only recommended transport medium, unless you are in emergency. Tokyo subway system is cool and easy to travel around. It might initially look complicated with lots of lines and naming conventions, but you will get used to it in no time. There are instructions and notices in English. Every station you might have to do fair adjustment depending upon how long you are travelling.  Tokyo metro guide is in the link and it is the best.

Odaiba city is a lovely place. We would not have visited there, had we not met Nami's friend. Thanks to Sunil and Dilip, who were kind enough to spare entire day and choosing a right place to get a real good feel of the city. Rainbow bridge and the science building and the Tokyo bay, all at the same place was amazing, added with the Mexican festival. Beautiful landscape of the city from any point around had a breath taking view gelled well with mexican food and corona beer.
Next day we visited Akihabara electronic market. Nami finally got her dreams fulfilled to own cannon in relatively cheaper price. Next was a visit to Tokyo Tower, a visit by chance since it was close to the Korean consulate. The best thing I remember was visiting wax museum with descriptive history about electric guitar. Rest it was nothing but the views of the city around Roponggi hills (a downtown to Tokyo), imperial palace and the Odaiba city. 

Finally at the end, Nanu was happy to be back again in Korea. 

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