Asakusa, Skytree, and a little bit of Akihabara
Because there are so many pictures, I consolidated them all at the bottom of this post.
Akihabara
Last week we went to Akihabara, which is a section of Tokyo that is famous for having a plethora of electronics shops as well as many cartoon-themed entertainment areas. Unfortunately I didn’t take too many pictures while we were there, but I plan to visit again before the summer ends. The interesting aspects Akihabara has to offer include 1) cheaper electronics shops, 2) anime shops and arcade parlors, and 3) maid cafes. I’m definitely going to explore #1 and #2 more in the future, but I don’t think I’m too interested in #3.
Asakusa
Asakusa is a district in Tokyo that is famous for its many small shops, older architecture, and a large Buddhist temple, Senso-ji. As such it is a huge tourist magnet. We went with some coworkers who knew the area, so that helped as we were navigating around, but it didn’t change the fact that it was outrageously crowded.
While we were in Asakusa, we ate at a Monjayaki restaurant. In this type of restaurant, you cook your own pancake-like dish with all sorts of different savory fillings. The base of the pancake is cabbage and egg, and fillings such as meat, seafood, vegetables, cheese, and spices are added. A griddle is built into the table where customers cook and eat their own Monjya pancake.
Afterward, we ate anmitsu, which is an agar-based dessert. It was served with red beans, regular mochi, fruit, and ice cream. It was okay… I’d call it an acquired taste.
Skytree
After the anmitsu we headed over to the Tokyo Skytree, which was a 10 minute walk away from Asakusa. The skytree is the tallest building in Japan, and supposedly offers a great view of Tokyo. However, we didn’t go up to the top: it was 3000 yen to get up there, it was windy so the elevators experienced delays, and it was cloudy so we didn’t expect much from the view. The lower levels had a bunch of shops and restaurants that we explored, though.
One of the restaurants was called the World Beer Museum, and had an astounding selection of beer. Their main focus was beer from Germany, Belgium, America, Czech Republic, and Britain, but they had selections from all over the world.
We went back to Matsudo for dinner where I had tsukemen, a type of ramen. Instead of being an integrated soup like normal ramen, this separated the broth from the noodles. You have to dip the noodles in a broth and then slurp it up. The noodles are cold, but the broth is boiling, so everything evens out as you eat.
Next time
I’ll probably post something new next Friday/Saturday, after the work week is done. On Friday, some folks from my department are taking me for a “welcome party”. I don’t know what that means, but I assume it will be at a restaurant of some sort. No plans for the weekend yet, but the following weekend I will be at the Mynavi International Job Fair in Tokyo helping Mabuchi recruit new hires.
And now for the pictures!
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| It's not usually this empty on the trains... | The first thing we saw out of Akihabara station: crepes! |
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| A quick look at the buildings in Akihabara | Tayaki, a cream filled cake that happens to be shaped like a fish. |
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| Of course the famous Asakusa outer gate is under construction | Inside Asakusa there were a bunch of shops. And tourists. |
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| In Asakusa, the inner gate before the Buddhist temple Senso-ji | |
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| A building in Asakusa | Another view of the inner gate in Asakusa |
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| A beeramid at the World Beer Museum in Tokyo Skytree | A view of the Skytree from below |
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| A view of the Sumida skyline. The golden thing there is supposed to be the foam from a poured beer. Doesn't quite look like it. | |
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| In front of the inner gate at Asakusa with coworkers and one of the other interns! | |