On to Tokyo

We took the Shinkansen to Tokyo. It was very comfortable, but it was the last day of a three day weekend so the trains were quite busy.  This wasn't an issue for us - we had reserved seats. It was more of an issue for our suitcases.  The limited luggage space was full by the time we got on.  Fortunately, there was just enough space to put them in front of us and not break our knees!

It was something of a challenge finding our little flat but we got there eventually. I have to say that we were a bit nonplussed when we walked in.  You can't fault the location - we are more or less where Shibuya runs into Harajuku.  However, the flat really looks like something of a dive. It has all the things that the photos said would be here, but they are not the quality that the photos suggested and the place is rather dusty. However, the kitchen is well equipped, the wifi copes reasonably well with the many devices trying to connect to it, the beds are comfortable, the hot water is hot. It has everything that we need and it's close to a convenience shop (mind you, pretty much everywhere is close to a convenience shop!).

Lindsey's friend Sandy arrived at Haneda Airport early yesterday so we went out to meet her.  It was my first experience with Tokyo commuter trains at peak hour. I do not feel the need to do it again :-D We found Sandy at the airport and went back to central Tokyo on the monorail. The monorail was much less crowded and went past bits of Tokyo I've never been to before.  Lots of water.

So.  Here we are at Shibuya station.  We were there when we got here on Monday.  On Monday we managed to find our way out and make our way up Meiji-dori Avenue with little trouble. On Tuesday we could not find our way out. Not at all. Every time we thought we had found an exit, we ended up on another platform. I think it took 20, 30 minutes before we eventually emerged on the outside. Then, we found ourselves here but we need to be over there.  There are building works at the station. The roads are being rebuilt. I think it took another 20, 30 minutes for us to get to where we need to be.  I think Sandy was beginning to think it might be a plan to go back to Perth!!

We spent yesterday afternoon pottering about in Harajuku.

We visited an Owl Cafe

We went for a walk in the park.

We had lunch.

We wandered down to Shibuya and found a David Jones style food hall at the station, where we bought lots of vegetables for dinner. On our way back we asked the internet where a proper supermarket was.  "It's be-hiiiiiiind you" said the internet.  We went to investigate and there was a little supermarket lurking at the back of the little courtyard we were sitting in.  Excellent. We can't keep eating with the stuff from a food hall, although it did make a very lovely vegetable curry last night. It's too expensive and rather restrictive.