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Last full day in Tokyo and Japan so we tried to make the most of it.
We finally got up early (6am) enough to make it to the Tsukiji Fish Market. It's the biggest wholesale fish market in the world and there is a crazy amount of fish that comes in and out from all over the world everyday. I went and checked it out last time I was in Japan but Shannon hadn't seen it so I wanted to treat him.
We got to the market at around 7:30am and I think we may have missed the peak activity. Or I at least remember it being heaps busier last time. There were apparently no tuna auctions running this time so I don't know if that made a difference. Still, we wandered up and down the long aisles for 40mins staring at all the different kinds of fish available. There were huge tunas that were being cut up with a band saw and lots of squid and spider crabs and clams. Basically every single kind of seafood was represented. It really is quite incredible. And most people are dashing around from seller to seller trying to get the best products so it is very hectic.
After escaping the fish market we took the train to Ueno, a lovely suburb that has a huge park with several museums throughout it. After a coffee and pastry we made our way into the National Science Museum. There was a special chocolate exhibition as well so we got to see about how chocolate is made etc. The Science Museum has lots of cool exhibits on animals and people and the creation of the earth. My favourite thing was the real life stuffed Hachiko.
After that museum we were both starving so we trailed back towards the station to find some noms. Unfortunately it was the lunch time hour so everything had huge waiting times. We ended up having a haphazard standing lunch at a bakery.
We went to the National Museum afterwards and much to our dismay discovered a nice looking (and empty) cafe that was part of the museum. Our feet were sore from all the walking and no rest time so we went in for some cake and tea. Very civilised.
The National Musuem is a very nice musuem. It has a great layout so it's easy to navigate around and there are heaps of different exhibits on all aspects of Japanese art and life. Definitely worth the trip. We spent about 2-3 hours going from room to room before quickly making a dash to the Ueno zoo for their last hour of business.
Ueno zoo is far more impressive than Himeji zoo with well sized and stocked enclosures. We got to see two giant pandas eating their bamboo which was a first time panda sighting for us both. Other highlights were the playful polar bear who was enjoying a swim and play with a log and also a sassy owl.
After the zoo closed we went back to Akihabara for one final shop around. I think Akihabara has been one of our favourite places in Tokyo. We had some tasty ramen for dinner and then shopped around for a few hours trying to get together some last minute souvenirs.
Our dogs were definitely barking by then so we hurried back to the hostel to pack our bags and enjoy our final night in Tokyo. Sigh...it's ended so soon.
- comments
tony Garay Dogs??
Katie Garay It's some saying that Shannon said exists which I'd never heard before. It means that your feet are sore.