My in-laws were also having a hard time adjusting to the jet lag so we were all up early and decided to go down to breakfast at 6:30....and no we weren't the only people up and eating breakfast that early! Apparently, all of us on the tour were having a hard time adjusting. We had another great breakfast :) I loved sitting at the large windows and watching the people commute to work every morning. Shinagawa is much calmer than other areas of Tokyo. Of course Shinagawa Station is bustling at rush hour but from the windows of the restaurant you could easily people watch for hours. Charles joined us after his morning run and when we were all through eating breakfast I went up to the room to Skype Thomas and my mom, and then my in-laws and I met up with Charles back in the lobby (Noreen was on an optional tour through our tour company but the four of us would be exploring Tokyo on our own today and tomorrow.) At 9:00 a.m. we left the hotel, walked to Shinagawa station which was only a 5 minute walk. Literally -- you walk out of the hotel, down the street to the corner and the station was directly across the street. I would love to stay at the Grand Prince New Takanawa again some day. I really loved the area. We purchased our train tickets and headed up to Ueno park. Charles headed off to the National Museum to see the Samurai Sword Exhibit and my in-laws and I went to the Shitamachi Museum where you can see actual homes and artifacts from 100 years ago - you get to see how the people of this area really lived - How their homes/storefronts functioned etc. We had a wonderful tour guide who spoke fluent English and escorted us through each exhibit and explained everything to us. This was a great way to learn more about how people here had lived. The price for this museum was only ¥300 which is just over $3.00 When the tour ended we walked around a bit and I found a great place for lunch on our way back to the train. Margarita pizza and ginger ale....¥800 yen! Perfect!
After exploring Ueno Park we took the train to Ginza. This is very high end shops and restaurants. Like NYC 5th avenue. actually, it felt exactly like 5th avenue! We walked around and popped into places like Chanel, Tiffany, Barney's, Cartier, etc. just like being home! At this point my father in law had enough shopping so he took the train back to the hotel and my mother in law and I pressed on! Our last stop was 0101 which is an upscale department store. I purchased a beautiful fan for my mom. You see cheapy ones all over the place in Tokyo, but this one has wooden handles (not plastic) and the colors are beautiful...and notice the name of the brand...From Jennifer!
Yes, I'm obsessed with plastic food! This was the selection from the restaurant we had lunch...
The lovely fan that I purchased for my mom
I Loved the view from my little balcony. I would stay at that hotel again in a heartbeat!
After shopping....oh and I can't forget to tell you that I encountered ANOTHER kooky toilet....this one you had to wave your hand on the wall over a picture of a hand and the toilet would then flush.....yeah it took me 10 minutes to figure that out - my mother in law didn't do much better as she kept hitting the button for the flush noise - but that's just a sound effect it makes?? Then the sink wasn't any better...it's crazy! Doesn't matter how smart you are, the bathrooms here are tricky!
After this we hopped back on the train and went back to our hotel. My in-laws went swimming in the pool but I ended up taking a stroll around the gift shops and I bumped into Charles, who told me about how he spent his day. Then I picked up a snack and just relaxed in my room for a little while.
We went to dinner close to the hotel in Shinagawa and then walked around the station at night which was cool! Watching people commuting from work crossing the busy streets. I could have people watched all night long.....but I was EXHAUSTED! Back in my room I took a nice long shower and Skyped my mom and then Thomas before going to bed. I took my father in law's advice and forced myself to stay awake until 11:00 p.m.......how do you think that worked out for me?
Here's the snack I picked up for myself in the hotel conbini.....
On our way out to dinner
A few night photos near our hotel (which have I mentioned I LOVED?)
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