Asakusa, Hama Riku Gardens and Odaiba

Ok... before you start reading... please prepare yourself for what might possibly be the longest post I have ever done with LOTS of photos! We crammed a lot in!!!

Me and Matt headed to Asakusa to check out the Sensō-ji Temple and the surrounding sights. We weren't sure whether it was going to be crowded with it being the lead up to New Years, but it was really fine! There were decoration up for the New Year celebrations. This Temple is going to be completely FULL on New Years Eve!!!

Matt trying to cure himself by wafting the smoke on him - I wonder if he will feel better in a few days, hehe!

I wanted to take Matt on the River Boat from Asakusa to Odaiba... not really something you think of when you think TOKYO but you can travel right down the center of Tokyo from Asakusa to Tokyo Bay via the Sumida river. We were going to go straight to Odaiba, but when the boat stopped at Hama Riku Gardens, CHANGE OF PLAN we got off the boat there and went for a wander in the park!

It was so beautiful, the sun was bright and there was only a light breeze, there were red autumn leaves still and there was an odd stork here and there!!! It is a crazy feeling being in Tokyo where sometime you can't move for people and suddenly you pay ¥200 and you are surrounded by nature and peacefulness! The strangest thing I find, is that even though you have all these green trees and grass in the background, you can see lots of tall building! Amazing!

Look at those amazing red trees... at the end of December - crazy!!!

Matt wanted me to take a photo of this little tea room (which is standard within a special garden like this one), with the tatami mats covering the floor and the sliding translucent room separating doors with people sitting cross legged on the floor, drinking  cups of tea and enjoying the scenery.

We got to Odaiba in time for the sunset! WOOP! We took the special train line from the garden to Odaiba, which goes over the Rainbow Bridge which is a trip in its self, it really is an amazing site! We spoke about brass band stuff that was happening and he caught me up with everything that has been going on since I left England!!!! :-D It was sooooo windy there and sooo bitter cold, we had to find something to do.

We went to the Fuji TV building, which has an observation section on a globe shape where you can look out over Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo. It was a good thing to do with a spare 20mins but to be honest, I'm not going to go again, the view isn't really worth is compared to others, PLUS the FUJI TV building looks so cool and futurist from the outside... why would you wanna go in?!

Matt eating some Japanese fast food! It was really delicious! After this Fran came to meet us and we went to the Sega indoor theme park in Odiaba! Such a long and busy day... just checked my pedometer on my phone and we did nearly 20,000 steps!!!!