Fishy business and cherry blossom - Part II

April 6th, 2013 - Day 2
Bought a one day pass Tokyo Metro for JPY710. The plan is to hop and of as frequent as possible around Tokyo.

First stop on Day-2 is the famous Tsukiji Fish market. We did not booked a tour (be reminded that we are on a shoe string budget) which start at 3am! Walked around the market and am amazed + a bit jakun looking at those aquatic species from Pacific Ocean. There a lots of sushi restaurant inside the market area itself. Fresh seafood from the sea straight onto your plate. The que is just unbearable at the moment.

After all the fishy business, I searched for nearby 7-11 to buy some onigiri's to go. Found it, buat sadly no place to lepak for a cup of hot coffee & maggi in a cup moment. Ivy pointed out the self-service cafe across the road and so we went in. Few tables and chair occupy the small space shop with plenty of drinking water vending machines. 

From Tsukiji station, took the metro to Otemachi station where the Tokyo Imperial Palace is. The sky was grey and its start to drizzling a bit by the time we reached there. We are in luck as the garden is filled with cherry blossom sakura. Had our lunch (packed onigiri from 7-11) then walked towards the main gate of the Imperial Palace. Sadly, no visitors are allowed inside. We didn't stay long since its started raining heavily.
It is still early to call the day, so we stopped by at Akihabara, the electronic district. Can't walk around much due to the rain. A colleague of Badyah, Yuki (a local girl) is coming to meet us over dinner in Akihabara. Went into one of the fancy restaurant around the block. Order some sushi, sashimi plate and some other menu. It was quite a nice meal despite of having onigiri and maggi. Fine dining do come at a price at a total of JPY30,000! Thank you Yuki for treating us such a wonderful dinner. *No photo of the food as we are busy eating instead of instragramming :D
With full stomach we board the metro to Asakusa station. Just before we split our ways, Yuki did advise us when it start raining in Tokyo and you see the locals walk faster then usual, that means some train service may be disrupted due to the strong wind. It was still raining heavily! On our third night here, we experience strong wind & rain in Tokyo. Thank God no train service was delayed.

7th April, 2013 - Day 3
Ginza station to Shinjuku station to purchase our bus ride return ticket to Mt Fuji for 8th April, 2013. The express bus website (http://highway-buses.jp/). The bus station is located outside Shinjuku station west exit. We waited in the line when the front desk told us to go upstairs for advance purchase ticket. The bus fare is JPY1700 one way (about 1hour 45 minutes) towards Kawaguchiko station. Got our tickets and next stop is Harajuku station!

Here in Harajuku, I've bought yet the best takoyaki ever from The Gindaco [period]! 8 takoyaki balls for JPY550. Explore around harajuku while searching for our favourite shop which is 7-11. There were too many weird people around. And yet, my eyes set on the big Outdoor shop located across from the metro station. Went in and I've spent a few thousand yen in there, with no regrets.

Meiji Jingu Shrine located very near to Meijijingumae station (Harajuku). To reach the beautiful shrine it was actually quite a walk, surrounded by beautiful big trees & fresh air. For more info, visit http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/english/. We witness the sacred ceremony as few couples getting married, wearing the traditional Japanese wedding clothes. Bride in white, while the groom in black. Amazing garden wedding, surrounded by your love ones.

We walked around Harajuku for another round, but not for long since our happyfeet has turned to swollen feet (note that we walked pretty much everywhere). Shibuya station is the next station after Harajuku (Fukutoshin line). Since our foot has given up on us, we took the metro (to fully utilise the daily metro card)

Tonight we are in the mood for Briyani, the Japanese way. There is a little halal briyani shop in Shibuya (google map location : 35.6591, 139.6969). Ordered lamb briyani cooked with local sticky rice (not basmati rice) and lots of safron, and free drinking water. Just something we need after few days activating vegetarian mode.
Head back to Khaosan Tokyo Smile hostel for a good rest as tomorrow will be going to view the spectacular Mt Fuji!!!

Part I - http://goo.gl/KAGj7
Part III - http://goo.gl/tw1YA