JAPAN – Tokyo Day 1 (Asakusa, Ginza, Shinjuku)

We are finally here in Japan’s capital city, Tokyo after 8 days of traveling!




The Tokyo Skytree was still under construction while I was there in 2010. It is a new television broadcasting tower. It is the tallest building in Japan, measuring 634 meters.


Sensoji also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple is one of Tokyo’s most popular temple. This Buddhist temple was completed in 645 which is the oldest temple in Tokyo.


Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) is the outer gate of Sensoji Temple. Every visitor must enter through this gate to visit the temple inside.


This is Nakamise shopping street which stretches from Kaminarimon to Sensoji Temple’s second gate, Hozomon.



Various Japanese souvenirs can be bought here.


I bought a yukata here. There are lots of design to choose from.


Approaching Hozomon.




A five storey pagoda in the temple’s compound.


Sensoji Temple’s main hall.

A pair of eye-catching huge straw sandals called “O-Waraji” hanging on the temple gate. It was made by 800 citizens of Murayama City in a month and devoted to Sensoji. It is 2500 in weight and 4.5m high. They are the charm against evils. Many people will touch it, wishing for goodwalkers.



A bunch of fashionable school children walking by as we waited for our tour bus to pick us up.


After visiting Asakusa, we headed straight to Ginza, high fashion centre in Tokyo.


Burberry Blue Label boutique is our first stop. Its merchandise can only be bought in Japan.


Needless to say the price tag is out of my budget.





San-ai Building is at the heart of Ginza. Its huge neon sign and cylinder glass building has been the image of Ginza on postcards and travel books.


Nissan Gallery is just across the street of San-ai Building.




Lots of police standing guard.




A cute cupid statue peeking at the corner outside a boutique.


Our last stop of the day is Shinjuku. Shinjuku Station is the busiest railway station in the world with more than 2 million passengers every day! It is a major entertainment, business and shopping area in Tokyo. You can’t miss this neon lit gate which marks the area of Kabukicho, Japan’s largest red light district.




We had an awesome beef sukiyaki dinner here.






The hotel that we stayed is near Tokyo Dome, a baseball stadium.



It seemed like there’s a carnival outside the hotel.













This is just the beginning of our tour in Tokyo. Our next stop is Tokyo Disneyland!


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