All Over Tokyo

We decided to make the most of our last day in Tokyo and Japan by going to a few places we had missed on our previous visits. We visited Nippori, Tokyo Textile Town, but unfortunately today was also a public holiday in Japan so most places were closed. What was open was still very worthwhile. Nippori is also the only place in Tokyo you can see Mount Fuji from ground level, however the clouds once again obstructed our view.

Back on the train to the Tokyo World Trade Centre and a view from 42 levels up. Again we had never really been to this part of Tokyo do the view was quite different to our expectations. Especially the Tokyo Tower that dominates part of the skyline here.

Finally back to Tokyo station for more shopping, dinner and our hotel. I did sneak back out for one last bowl of ramen before we head off early tomorrow morning to the airport.

Nippori 

Tokyo World Trade Centre 

Tokyo Station

Osaka to Tokyo

Once again we boarded the shinkansen, this time back to Tokyo for the final few days of our Japan Journey. The 3 hour journey is a wonderful way to see rural and small town Japan; yet Mount Fuji once again eluded us behind clouds.

Returning to Tokyo, and to a place we had stayed our last visit to Japan, gave us a chance to visit familiar places for some last minute shopping. We also returned to Harajuku to collect some items we saw last week. The result was a lot less walking today but a much heavier suitcase heading home.

If anyone can tell us about this "egg" character we've seen everywhere in Japan this visit, please add a comment:

Himeji and Osaka at Night

What we thought would be an easy day of strolling ended up being a very long day out. Our journey took us to Himeji,  around an hour from Osaka, to visit its enormous castle and the Kokoen gardens. Both were wonderful, and the town itself has a certain charm. We ended up spending much of the day there before joining the peak hour commute back to Osaka. Not a great idea with an overtired 9 month old but an experience we wouldn't of had otherwise. 

After a feeding, bathing and changing pot stop at our hotel we ventured back out into more peak hour chaos to visit the Osaka lights in Dōtonbori and sampling some Takoyaki. Osaka really is such a different place once the sun goes down.

Back to Tokyo tomorrow for the last part of our Japan Journey before we fly home on Thursday.

Himeji Castle

Kokoen

Dōtonbori

Osaka

An early departure and goodbye to Kyoto  as we headed to Osaka for the first time. The weather was clear, sunny and warm that made it ideal for walking. With our short day we managed to cover Osaka Castle, Osaka Zoo and Shinsekai with its Tsutenkaku Tower. It is a city of lights so after our day trip to Himeji Castle we will go in search of the famous Osaka lights.

Osaka Castle

Osaka Zoo 

Shinsekai and Tsutenkaku Tower

Nara

Our time in the Kansai area took us to Nara today. Nara is famous for the numerous deer roaming everywhere and the Todaiji temple that houses the largest bronze Buddha in the world. Our visit extended to beyond this to included Kofukuji, Isuien Garden and Yoshikien Garden. Tomorrow off to Osaka for the first time.

Kofukuji

Todaiji

Isuien Garden

Yoshikien Garden