It was a whirlwind of a vacation. Each day was packed full. We all had such a great time together. Next time, we've decided that they must stay a minimum of 10-14 days. Here's their itinerary:
DAY 1: Asakusa Shrine and Hanayashiki Amusement Park.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asakusa_Shrine
http://www.tokyowithkids.com/entertainment/asakusa_hanayashiki.html
This is us at the shrine gate.
We started off their first day by doing what we do best...eating. We had a yakisoba lunch together near the shrine. Even Rhett liked the noodles.
The dads looking fine.
The mother and child reunion.
Near the shrine Conner bought a fortune. You pick out a chopstick from a canister and match it to a little drawer with fortunes in it.
Luckily the fortunes are in Japanese and English. He got a "good luck" fortune.
He then tied it on to a symbolic tree branch so it could be blown to the heavens.
I guess he did have good fortune because after the shrine, I took Conner and Mia to the amusement park. Conner was brave enough to ride this twirling roller coaster by himself.
Afterwards we ran into a dried squid vendor. David McGrath, a sworn seafood hater, actually gave the squid a try. I was so surprised that I had to get it on film. He even liked it.
Oh---back to the amusement park. For the first time ever, the "floating houses" ride was open. I've been wanting to go on this one for awhile. You go higher than the surrounding buildings, thus getting a fantastic view of the shrine and gardens.
Mia and Conner thought it was "pretty cool".
Day 2: Visiting Mia's School--Matsumura Youchien, Walking Tour of Shibuya, and Roppongii Hills Observation Deck at night and Mori Art Museum.
Sadly, from here on out I don't have as many pictures. Sorry it's a little sparse. Here's Aaron and his two biggest fans. You can faintly see Tokyo Tower glowing in the background---Japan's version of the Eiffel Tower. The view was spectacular.
Day 3: Old Edo Walking Tour, including Hama-Rikyu Garden, Tsukiji Fish Market and Tokyo Edo Museum
Sorry, but since I didn't go on the tour, I've got no pictures.
Day 4: Meiji Jingue Shrine and Harajuku
This shrine is close to our house. Afterwards we had ramen for lunch. On the way to lunch we ran into a TV comedy show that was being filmed. They challenged us to join them in their act and we did. David, Wendy and I all put chopsticks in our noses and played along in the shenanigans. They asked for our permission to put the footage on television...to be aired sometime in November, on their Sunday night show. If we make it on the show...I'll try to do a link to it. We looked like total fools, but boy was it fun.
Day 5: Kamakura
A mere 45 minute train ride from Tokyo, Kamakura has splendid shrines, beaches, and fresh air. Elena and Conner look perfectly at home in front of the 37 foot Buddha.
The last place we visited in Kamakura was a little temple with a bamboo forest called Hokokuji Temple. We arrived right before they closed. It was stunning. I've never seen a bamboo forest, let alone such an old one. I felt like I'd been transported back in time. This is really big grass! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo
The motley crew at the end of our walking tour of Kamakura. Homeward bound.
That night David and Wendy played around with Rhett. I swear I've seen a picture like this one with Wendy and Aaron as a baby. I love Wendy's expression of pure joy. Rhett on the other hand is being a total wiggle monster. Sorry for the baby talk, but it's true.
David and Rhett sharing and "Easy Rider" moment between men.
Day 6: Nikko
We drove to this World Heritage sight to see the most impressive temples and shrines around.
We had been there before and it was nice to get another view of it.
We had been there before and it was nice to get another view of it.
A 5 storey pagoda on the rain.
We got home from Nikko late at night. Elena and I snuck out for a peak of the busiest crosswalk in the world, Shibuya Crossing, as seen on a rainy night.
Day 7: Komaba Park, Shoto Museum, and video games with the kids
http://www.jgarden.org/gardens.asp?ID=552
People went on different outings this morning as they all had to catch the airport train around noon.
We just wish we had more time together. On their next trip to Japan, we're thinking about heading south of Tokyo to see Kyoto, Nara and Kobe region. Fingers crossed!
1 comment:
Many, many thanks to our wonderful hostess/host and tour guides extrordinaire. Such a grand trip. We can't wait to do it again.
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