Day 16 Yuri's Tour of Tokyo

Day 16 Yuri's Tour of Tokyo.........

by Donna Charles on Monday, March 15, 2010 at 6:16pm

Marlon and I arrived at the air port early to meet a friend I had first met on My Space. Hubby and I found the lockers at the Ueno Train station to store our luggage for the day. I am feeling so so anxious to meet Yuri hoping that she shows up at the Hard Rock Cafe. : -) Thought we had better eat breakfast at a bakery right across from the Hard Rock Cafe so we could keep an eye out if she came early. I sure didn't want to miss her arrival. I got a croissant with egg and ham OMG it tastes so good, was Leary about buying this but took a chance and so glad that we did. Cappuccino's were great also. I sat staring out the big window at the bakery in hopes of not missing Yuri. We had just finished our pastries and walked out the door and i hear Yuri calling my name. We each take off running towards each other and hug each other. I felt like I had found a long lost friend the feeling was relief I had finally got to meet her in person.

After some hugging and talking about how anxious we were to meet each other Marlon finally got to take our pictures together. I will cherish this meeting for the rest of my life, my trip was a once in a life time trip and never did I ever think I would get to meet my internet friend from Tokyo.

We talked and decided to head towards the location to buy tickets for the Tokyo Bay Boat Cruise. On the way we stopped and I gave her a present that I had brought for her. She opened it and I explained to her that it is a handmade basket made in USA in the state where I live OHIO. I told her that the basket is collapsible and is shaped like the state I live in OHIO. She loved the present and said thanks and we hugged again. Now on to the boat docks to purchase our tickets for the cruise that leaves at 11:15 for the Hama-Rkyu Gardens. Yuri explained for us what the lady talking was saying about the things we were passing while on our cruise. thank Goodness she is here to explain what we were seeing out the windows.

We saw Rainbow bridge and some gold object on top of a building which the guide said that is was fire shooting. yuri told us that Japanese say its called the golden poop, which we all laughed when she told us this. Fire ~poop what ever I'm with Yuri looks more like a golden poop on top of the building you can be the judge of this when you look at the pictures.

Our arrival at the gardens was magnificent, the first thing we saw unloading from the boat was a grove of beautifully bloomed cherry blossoms. Wow so beautiful we enjoy the view and smell of the cherry blossoms and move on to see the rest of Hama-Rkyu Gardens.

Other things we saw was a Japanese Tea House which was open and serving people. They had several weddings being performed at the gardens also. What a beautiful place this garden is considered to be one of the best gardens in Tokyo. The gardens have been marred some by the giant skyscrapers in the back ground of the gardens. I tried to keep those skyscrapers from my pictures because they seem to take away from the beauty of the gardens. I saw a field of radishes bloomed with lots of yellow flowers on top of them. Wow the smell in the air and the sight took your breath away; so beautiful. Also in the gardens there was a 300 year old Bonsai Tree. The tree is just like us when we get old it needed a little help to stay healthy. Many of the branches had crutches holding them up so they did not break off. The tree was a sight to see.

As we headed out of the gardens we saw a field of beautiful yellow flowers. Yuri told us they were radishes that had bright yellow flowers on them. The fields were bright yellow and many people were there viewing the field also. Found our way back to the boat and bought tickets to go back to Ueno. When we arrived at the boat dock in Ueno the line was believably long waiting on us to arrive so they could get on board. We were in shock at the number of people waiting to board, but if you think about it the weather was gorgeous and the temp was around 60 degrees just perfect for a day of sight seeing.


We are now on a train heading to Asakusa where we are going to eat lunch and shop and visit the Senso-ji Temple. Once off the train again the streets were very crowded but we stuck together and made it to a restaurant that was considered to be a famous old restaurant that sold tempura. We were directed once inside to follow the elderly lady which was dressed in traditional style clothing. We went up a set of stairs and was seated next to a window. The menu was in Japanese with no English translation so Yuri told us what was on the menu. She ordered us a fabulous meal which consisted of soup, rice and tempura. We ordered a large beer and made a toast to our friendship and many great times together. Waiting for our food to arrive Yuri showed us how to make swan chop stick holders, very nice. I will practice latter on this as it looked difficult to make, the swans turned out nice and we will take them home as a souvenir. I will never believe that I picked up a lightly breaded fish with the tail still on and ate it. I'm really not that adventurous when it comes to food. The place was run by a group of very able bodied elderly women, who made the place such a fantastic place to go. : -) Bellies are full and we are now going to Asakusa Outdoor Mall where I am eager to visit again. I bought something for my sis Jennifer while I was there hope she likes it. : -) I wanted to know what the people were doing over by these boxes that were lined up on a wall. She told me that the drawers hold your fortune and if you receive bad fortune you tie the paper on the ropes and leave the bad luck there. Sounds good to me.........!!!

Yuri wanted to know if we had time to visit the Meiji Jingu Shrine which is 30 minutes by train away. We said Yes and away we went to the train station to catch the next train to see the shrine. Off the train and Yuri is leading us towards the location of the shrine. On the way to the shrine we saw some people dressed very oddly can't explain so you will have to see for yourself by looking at the pictures. The path leading back to the Meiji Jingu Shrine took my breath away. The gravel lined road was filled with big shade trees and a dense woods. Along the gravel road were huge lanterns made of cypress wood, at night these are all lit and I bet it is lovely. : -) I told Yuri I am so glad we made time to do come to this shrine it is well worth our time. The entry gate is made of cypress and is 1,700 years old.

My computer just lost what i wrote and I'm tired of rewriting this journal....ugg.......

The walk to the Meiji Jingu Shrine was fabulous with all the trees that line the road, I am glad we made time to visit this shrine. : -) When we reached the entry to the shrine there was a wedding in process with all the traditional clothing and ceremonies. I videoed the best I could of what was going on. I can't believe this was my 3rd wedding to see today. I told Yuri this is good luck she will soon find a wonderful husband that will love and cherish her just like mine does : -) I saw some people standing around tables and a big board that held many small boards on it. Yuri said they are writing down their wishes, I told her to write her wish on the paper so her wish could be hung up also. We walked over and she wrote that she wished for a good husband. She put the $5 in the envelope I gave her, maybe that is to pay for the time and the board of whoever has to write on the boards and hang them up.

it is getting late and we must be heading back to Ueno which is a 30 minute ride from the Meiji Jingu Shrine. The sun had started to set so all the lanterns were on along the pathway back to town. OH my what a neat thing to get to see, the lighting put such a beautiful glow on our surroundings. : -) Once out of the shrine area we ran into some more people that were dressed up in odd costumes. I could not help myself I had to stop and stare at them. They were out there as entertainers and must just love the attention or why else would they be dressed up like this. Lots of people were taking their pictures.

Back on the train and am now arriving at Ueno station. Yuri follows us to go get our things from the locker at the station. First time we have ever done this it was only $3 and well worth not having to carry around our luggage all day. We have had such a wonderful day with Yuri and plan on the first week of April going back on the boat cruise to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom. Said our good byes and gave each other big hugs. Thanks for a grand time Yuri I had a wonderful time with you.
If the links do not open the pictures please contact me so I can repost the picture link.