1) During rush hours, from 7:00am to 9:30am weekdays, the first car of the train is for “Women only”. Apparently the reported groping incidents over there is very high.
2) Commuters have to switch off their mobile phone sound when entering the metro station, once on the train, it not allowed to make or received phone call.
Riding the metro train you will find the majority of passengers playing with their mobile phones. And they won't be making or receiving voice calls. Texting, receiving or sending, is the most likely activity, followed by playing a game or checking the news. Once out of the train and walking along the platform and up on to the street, the same commuters will still be staring at their phone screens like zombies.
Reached the Imperial Palace in Tokyo at 10:00am. The Imperial Palace in Tokyo lies almost entirely out of view, secluded behind a complex of moats, bridges and fortifications.
(Darn it closed with a capital C)
Nevermind, next on our itinerary list is Kite Museum. Took train to Nihonbashi Station and we had a hard time locating the place.
(This is my smoking area)
Getting around in Tokyo can be extremely confusing. A good map covering the JR Line and subways and planning your journey is essential. Getting lost can be expected even for a local. The street addresses in Japan can be very misleading.
(As we navigate our way to Kite museum, we took pictures)
The museum occupies the 5th floor of Taimeiken of a well-known restaurant, located in downtown Tokyo. The museum's floor space is rather small comparing but its collection reaches up to 3,000 and the museum is known as one of the unique museum in the world. The Japan Kite Association has its head office in the museum.
(Entrance is 200 yen)
The Kite Museum has enough to stimulate the dullest imagination into trying to design something beautiful to fly.
Explanations are in Japanese, but the visuals are all you'll need anyway. You'll notice that the museum also sells ripstop nylon, struts, glue and everything else you'll need to make your own kite.
Japanese kites are famous the world over for their beauty and craftsmanship. Some incorporate designs so exquisite and so striking that they might as well be called works of art
.(During our tour inside, there were nobody else but the 3 of us.)
(Taken one of the train station)
Our next stop is Mega Web.
Mega Web is one of the major amusement parks in Tokyo located in the Odaiba district. Primarily a Toyota showroom, this huge complex has a number of halls where a large number of exhibitions related to motorcars and car accessories are held from time to time.
(One can get to Mega Web by taking a train to the Aomi Station which we did after several changes of trains.)
(Outside Aomi station)
Palette Town is a multi-faceted entertainment and shopping experience like no other. Palette town is made up of several attractions with a large shopping center known as Venus Fort. Venus Fort was opened in 1999 and is designed to look like 17th century Europe, there even is an artificial sky painted on the roof that transforms the sky from day to night regularly.
We decided to try on the Ferris wheel first. The Giant Sky Wheel is Palette Town's most conspicuous attraction. With a diameter of 100 meters, this is one of the largest Ferris wheels in the world.
(Tickets are 900 yen per person.)
(We took the clear glass cabin, mum and sister settle quite well)
(Some great views in the 16-minute trip)
(Great view including the Boso Peninsula on the other side of the bay and the planes taking off and landing at Haneda Airport.)
I have always been afraid of height. I suffered with every turn of the Big Wheel especially as it went up giving me the feelings that scared me to no end. I felt like I was doomed going up. When the ferris wheel reached its peak height, I could hear almost myself screaming hysterically and calling for my "mama". I look down and realize just how high and vulnerable I am.
The moment I boarded the cabin until it reached it peak height, I did not make any movement or maneuver any of my legs. They were exact the position when I board it as if it was pin down. Yup....I was scare.
(It was my legs. They did not belong to me anymore)
Just a short distant away, was Odaiba Fuji Television which was known for its eccentric architecture. It was one of the attraction so we're on my way there in no time. En route there are some great views so it pictures time for us.
(Along the way......pictures time)
(More pictures)
(Odaiba Fuji Television, there a ball on top of the building weighs a colossal one thousand two hundred tons!)
At 4pm, we went back Palette Town for shopping. Brought myself a “GAP” slipper at 300yen. So yes, Gap bermuda only cost 1,900yen. Who says shopping in Japan is expensive?
There's one place highly recommended in Palette town. That's the Tokyo Joypolis Sega's Indoor Amusement. Pick from more than 20 attractions such as the thrill ride Speed Boarder and the exciting simulator Wild Jungle. We spend from 5pm-9pm, a solid 3 hours inside of fun.
Took train to Shimbashi station, by chance we came across this restaurant, known as “TAPA”. If you're looking for Sushi, this is not the place. This joint does offer a lot of interesting dishes that are good, though not unforgettably great like pizza.
Order 2 pizza, fish, veg and 3 glasses of beer only 4,976yen. In my book, one of the best place to eat in Japan and it's value for money.
Verdict: ***** (Die die must try)
