Hamarikyu Gardens, Tsukiji Fish Market, Mitsukoshi Department Store, Sensoji Temple

 by Glenn 

April 3, 2023 

Today started with breakfast at the hotel.  Cauliflower rice with vegan sausage and the buckwheat pancake with bacon and parmesan cheese.   We then met Hiroko who was our tour guide for the day.  We headed to the subway.   She provided us a few quick tips on how to use the subway.  Hopefully we were paying attention   We visited the Harmarikyu Gardens built in the 17th century and learned the difference between a temple and a shrine.   One difference?   You can clap at a shrine.  Never clap in a temple.  And we saw cherry blossoms!!  They are at peak or past peak, depending on the area. They bloomed earlier than average this year. 

 

Then it was a visit to the fish market. So many places to see with interesting food.   And so many people! Long lines!!   Reminded me of the Beijing street market. We went to a less crowded food court and had the number 5 and number 7 (tuna sashimi and fried shrimp in curry sauce). Both very good. I ended the meal with a milk and coffee soft serve. 

 

Then a bus ride to the oldest department store in Japan and the Ginza Food Hall.  Reminded me of Harrod's In London.  So many places with prepared foods.  This is very popular for people who work in the city to stop here and pick up meals for their family.  So many options!! 

 

We then headed to an observation deck in an office building.  Great view of the Asahi brewery and a temple.  And of course we needed to sample a beer from the cafe. 

 

We then headed to the temple. The original was destroyed in the WWiI air raids so this is a replica. And is it really an authentic temple unless there is a gift store with charm bracelets?

 

After seven hours of touring we took a taxi back to the hotel.  They have a social hour from 5 - 6 each evening with wine and snacks.  We both had some delicious sake and also tried the rose. The sake is served in a small wooden box. Sip about of the corner. 

  They had small bites of fried chicken, snapper ceviche and parma ham.   We headed back to the room to regroup and ended up staying in for the night. 

(Angie here - We had to cut our tour a bit early because I was having a lot of trouble with my knees and ankles after all the stairs in the subway stations. It was a bummer.)