Japan Diaries [Day 8]

Day 8 [October 3rd]

* Our last full day in Tokyo, we plan to relax but also revisit some favourite places, and pick up gifts for friends and family.

* Once again, free Internet rocks ;)

* Purchase bento (boxed lunch) at Tokyo Stn, and we take a train to Hamamatsucho station – to eat in one of Tokyo's beautiful parks, which is absolutely gorgeous! I was very excited about fulfilling one of my most-wanted things to do whilst in Japan (bento in a park), and made Matt take some pictures, heh. Oh, and the bento contained a variety of cured/smoked fish, rices, seasonings and sweet vegetables (I posted a picture above). Despite the food coming from a station (Melbourne’s has a dodgy reputation), this stall was very popular with locals and I wasn’t sure what to choose (there were about a dozen different bento options). I end up observing others and choosing the same as three consecutive people ordered – good enough for me!

* The park is immaculate, as all the gardens/parks in Japan so far seem to be. The lake is full of turtles and carp, all appearing at the surface for a feed.

* We visit ‘The Pokemon Centre’, a big Pokemon store near the park/station (oi, no laughing :P). So much awesome stuff, we spend ages looking at little figurines (I buy two plush toys).

* Back to Tokyo station (only three stations away) and off to the Imperial Palace & Gardens. Free admission and HUGE expanses of space (though only ¼ of the grounds are actually open to the public). We purchase a map and spend a couple of hours just exploring, finding out more about the grounds’ history along the way (most of the building have been standing since the 16th century!).

* The Garden closes at 4:30pm (I’m guessing they don’t have evening lighting set up there), so we train to Akihabara for one last time before leaving Tokyo. We hunt down Mister Donut again for a sugar/caffeine fix, and go to Animate (bug anime store) to buy (more!) figures and other such things.

* I see a (teen) schoolgirl while in Mister Donut, purchasing donuts and a big glass of milk, while in school uniform (blue and white, floppy bow tie, high socks, pigtailed hair with heart ‘bobbles’ on the ends). So stereotypical ‘anime’, I gawk for a while. Also later see they women dressed as maids on a street corner, advertising an upstairs ‘maid café’ – we decide not to go in though.

* Packing! Ugh, however did we ever manage to fit everything back into our bags properly tonight?? Thankfully we shouldn’t have to repack again before leaving back home for Melbourne. I also attempt buttons on the scary high-tech toilet in our hotel room, for prosperity’s sake… was funny for a laugh, but not something I’d make a habit of doing again! *yelps*