First we planned to go on 26th of Dec, but the air ticket is less expensive when we go on 28th, so the date is decided to be 28th. We had preparation for the itinerary, and wardrobe (it's winter in Japan), and since I might not stand with cold weather I bought few packs of heat pack, undergarments for winter, socks and a coat.
Our flight that day is at 6.20 am with Delta Airlines, I woke up around 3.30 am that day, got ready and took a cab to the airport. Mori was not feeling well the previous day and her lips are a bit swollen because of eating pempek that caused slight allergy. - I was hoping everything is going to be all right. The flight would take around 6-7 hours. Slept most of the time, or watching movie, the food and service are normal, so far so good.
When we arrive the first time, we went to buy train tickets to Ueno, our first stop is Mitsui Garden Ueno Hotel. Checked the price of the tickets, if I recall correctly it's 2400Y per person. Tried to find a place that sell phone cards, seems we can rent the cards, but the ones with internet are quite expensive, is around 1050Y per day, 1000Y cost around 17SGD...and Mori's phone doesn't work dunno why. FYI in Japan phones that can work are Japanese phone or smartphones with 3g. My stupid phone somehow not really stupid, hehe..., we decided not to rent a phone card, as we might be able to use internet in the hotel.
We took the train to reach Ueno Station, the nearest station near our hotel. First drink Mori bought in the train, is actually a regular apple juice. :)
After we reached the station, the weather so cold so I stopped for a while to wear my gloves and add a layer of sweater before we go out. The hotel is not that far away, and we checked in. The hotel and the room is nice. It's not as cramped as I imagined.
Nice toilet with bathtub
We checked in around 4.30-5 pm that day.
Our first stop will be Ameyokocho (Ameyoko Street), but before that, we felt very hungry, and found a place that shows their selling udon/soba with large noodle bowl as a model.
To order, we need to put the money in the machine and choose the type of sets that we want, a coupon will be printed out, give the coupon, then they will serve as what in the menu. Very practical...hehe
Mori's food, curry and hot soba
Mine, Kakiage (vegetables fritters) with rice and Udon.
The food looks very simple, but it's delicious! That day I was thinking I might be so hungry that everything can feel very tasty...hehee, but overall in Japan, all the food tastes very nice, I love the rice so much!
Then we headed to Ameyokocho, is just nearby from the eating place. The receptionist in the hotel said some shops will be closed starting at 6 pm, so we don't have much time to see around, oh and it's darker very fast, when we arrive is not yet 6 pm, but it looks like 7.30 or 8 in Singapore.
The street are crowded with people
Giant octopus...
Pachinko place that is newly open, seems the game is very popular in Japan.
Wandering around then decided to head to Akihabara, and look around, and go to the mall (forgot the name), they sell range of electronic devices, and it looks like Funan. After some time, headed back to the hotel and take time to refresh ourselves, and we realized funny sign on the door.
Oh, btw, the toilet door or any common door would open when we press the handle and pushing in, but the toilet door should be pulled, hehe causing a bit of confusion for some time. To be continued...
