When in a big city I always think it’s a good idea to stay in different areas if possible.

This time we had 3 nights at the beginning of our holiday with our friends and more we’re have 4 nights on our own.

I was told Asakusa was a great area as it contrasts with Ginza where we stayed at the beginning.

Ginza has good trains to all the sights we wanted to see at the beginning Skylab, the markets, the big crossing, also up market shops! And some nice restaurants.

Now in Asakusa there are markets, beautiful walls up back streets, close to Ueno Park, the national museum and a huge selection of restaurants. We’ll never cover it all.

We started out exploring by walking to Ueno across the river dropping at a great coffee place / you only find the great coffee in off Main Street places!

They were setting up for a festival so with my handy Google translator I worked out that it’s in Saturday – and that’s when we leave.

We crossed to the impressive national gallery. A beautiful building and so well set out.

We looked at things that interested us / the clothes, painted screens, and bronze works

We stopped in the ‘create’ area and made a print. Such a great activity You got a little card, and put it in and out of little boxes where you used a big stamp to print. The picture was revealed by the 5th stamp.

We went to a near by gallery cafe. Always quiet and well presented. Though I missed the ‘book in’ section when you as you name to a list. I thought you just say in order along the wall. the salad was delicious!

We headed to the Children’s Literature centre. It was very much a reference for literature. Not too much in the way of hands on.

I looked for Australian books and spied Hairy Maclary.

Back to the hotel to drop things off then onto the Japan Blue Jeans company. Run by a very trendy Japanese man, he helped Steve achieve a new level of trendiness. He bought two pairs of jeans and they did the hem in a few extra minutes.

I then headed into Don Quijote that house of plastic and everything else. It’s what our $2 shops are like but on steroids. Floors of stuff with people carrying huge baskets filled to the brim. You have to know what you want or you could get lost in there forever.

Then a quick trip to Uniqlo. Steve managed a small haul. Not me. I can get it in Brisbane at the same price. Though I was tempted by the cashmere cardigan. But they make them short now so too short for me and the moths might eat it while I wait for next winter.

Back to the hotel again. Very centrally placed ! Before heading out for dinner.

Turns out Wednesday is the night lots of restaurants close. Still a great choice and we found a bbq grill place and it was great. We had bbq octopus & pork and an okonomiyaki with prawns. Delicious.

Back at the hotel we went to their 10th floor lounge for guests. It’s got all kinds of snack food and sweets, coffee, juice but no alcohol ! So we took some whiskey and wine in water bottles. We are bad people!

The view is straight to the Tokyo tower.

Another good day.

Tomorrow off for a big day in Kamakura and Enoshima Island.