Farewell Kyoto - Hello Tokyo - Sunday 13 October

Beautiful cool weather to farewell us from Kyoto this morning and it was very pleasant sitting on the platform (yes we actually got a seat to wait on!)

Kyoto platform and breakfast

until our 7.29am Shinkansen left. Breakfasted on some savoury treats from the bakery while we waited and then were joined on the train about 1 hour later by Kumiko and her daughter Marika.

Very clear view of Mt Fuji from the train - lucky Kumiko was alert and let us know.

Mt Fuji from the Shinkansen

Arrived at Shinagawa Station and rolled our luggage to our hotel - Shinagawa Prince and left it there to head off to the Meiji Shrine and catch a glimpse of some of the young Japanese in outlandish costumes. Well the crowds were certainly present in the Harajuka district but we didn't catch sight of any dress-ups. Apart that is from many children - both boys and girls - in traditional dress.

Very proud mum and dad with their little boy at Meiji Shrine

Also lots of young mothers and fathers taking their babies to the shrine as a dedication ritual.

One of the many babies at the Meiji Shrine for dedication

Then to top every off we witnessed a full Shinto traditional wedding parade with every one done up to the nines and the procession led by Shinto priests and the bride and groom covered by a large traditional red bamboo umbrella. The bride is wearing a fancy head-dress and spectacular kimono. Kumiko said that we were very fortunate as she had never seen such a thing herself in real life.

Wedding procession 

Some traditional dress for guests and some not so traditional!

Lunched in a chain restaurant called Jonathan's where you had to record your name on a sheet at the door and wait for a vacancy.

Waiting for the lunch call

Whilst we waited we were able to watch the crowds milling up and down the street below us. We enjoyed a very filling lunch of noodles, pork and vegetables.

Chubby cheeks Philip enjoying lunch noodles!

Then headed back to the station via a narrow side street lined with the type of shops that young people like to frequent for their fashion purchases.

Know some people who would like one of these!

As bad or worse than 5th Avenue NYC in the week before Christmas.

Everyone wants to shop

We did manage to capture a photo of a young dress up girl at the beginning of the walk, looked for all the world like Alice in Wonderland, she even had a rabbit, but it wasn't white.

Alison gets herself a walking, talking, living doll!

and a grim reaper look alike at the rail station end.

The Grim Reaper

Back into Harajuka Station and on to Ueno to change onto the subway to reach Asakusa Shrine and the associated shopping street. Arrived "safely" in spite of Philip taking a tumble on the stairs in the station while the other three members of the touring group continued on in front of him blissfully unaware of his mishap. Fortunately he landed bottom first with his camera well cushioned by his sixpack or twelve pack or slab and only a slight straining of his left hand and wrist. Yes well, tomorrow might bring on bruises!

Wall to wall crowds again in the walk up to the shrine but found a store with door hangings as we wanted to replace the one that hangs across our bedroom door at home. The current one has lasted since Jessica and Philip's trip in 2008. Alison was really pleased to get one showing a maiko and the Golden Pavilion. Also found a vendor selling Takoyaki but Alison could not be convinced by Marika that they were in fact delicious and she should try some!

No takoyaki for Alison!

Tried a small doughy sweet filled with Japanese plum along the way. Finally broke through the crowds at the shrine end of the street and looked around to see the Tokyo Sky Tree just off to the "who knows what direction".

At Asakusa with Tokyo Sky Tree in background

We left Marika and Kumiko at Asakusa

as their hotel was nearby and we journeyed back by subway and the Yamanote Circle line to Shinagawa. Reclaimed our luggage and joined a long queue for check-in and then to our room on Floor 28 of the Main Tower and on opening our curtains we found that we were looking out to Mt Fuji bathed in a golden sunset.

Mt Fuji and sunset from our hotel room

Hotel does not have an ice machine so we are finishing off our Pepsi Nex without cooling!

Will settle in for the night with the plan to meet up with Kumiko and Marika tomorrow morning near the Tokyo Sky Tree.