Japan (Tokyo) April/May 2008 D-12

Travel Highlight - Tokyo (Tsukiji Honwanji Temple, Tsukiji Market & Disney Resort)

We started our day early and took a Tokyo Metro / JR subway train from Asakusa to Tsukiji station. On arrival, we visited the Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, which was built in 1617 and burnt down in 1657. The present temple with a new Indian architectural design was rebuilt in 1931. Inside the temple, a group of monks was doing their morning chanting. The Japanese community here practices a common faith in Amida Buddha.

Next, we visited the Tsukiji Central Wholesale market. This large market handles the distribution of fish, fruit, vegetables, meat and flowers for the Metropolitan Tokyo. As the timing of our visit was close to 08.30, we were not able to see much action except the fish section area. We did see some frozen tuna placed on some shop floors and trucks hurrying around in the area. We were told the best time to visit the fish wholesale market is around 05.00 when the tuna auctioning is on.

However, there are a number of small retail shops and food stalls selling groceries, sundry items, knives, and native vegetables that cater for the public in business. We concluded our visit with a fantastic sashimi with noodle breakfast at one of the onsite restaurants. I paid Y880 (RM28) for this yummy sashimi meal topped with mixed slices of fresh salmon, red tuna, mackerel, salmon roe, and prawn! I added some wasabi on to the sushi. The fish slices we tasted were super fresh, as we believed the restaurant drew their supplies of raw fish materials from the nearby Tsukiji fish market.

We took a subway train back to Asakusa and our next visit was the Disney Resort, the most popular theme park in Japan. As today is the last day of their stay in Tokyo, Hitomi and Artem had to check out of their hostel this morning and carried their backpacks to the Disney Resort. Their intention was to leave the Disney Resort at closing time – around 22.00 and take a JR train from the Maihama station to Narita Airport. They were prepared to slog at the airport overnight.

From Asakusa, we took a JR Train to Hatchobori and then to Maihama station. At around 11.30, we arrived at the Disney Resort and after storing their backpacks in the locker rooms; we headed to the ticketing counter. We paid Y5,800 (RM185) each for the admission ticket. After hardly 15 minutes of walking, we got separated so I was on my own for the rest of the afternoon.

The Disney theme park is divided into 7 sections ie World Bazaar, Adventure land, Western land, Critter Country, Fantasy land, Toontown and Tomorrow land.

I commenced my tour of the Resort at the World Bazaar, where there are a number of arcades and galleries selling confectionery, pastry, gifts, camera, fashion wear, toys, magical items etc. As this year marked the 25th Anniversary of Tokyo Disney, everywhere we could see decorations highlighting the anniversary. In front of the Bazaar, there was a large floral arrangement with flowers of different colors forming a large number of 25 sitting on the courtyard. In the background, we had a row of colorful Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck figures greeting the visitors. What a great place to take pictures!

At the adventure land, I joined the Western River Railroad, Mark Twain Riverboat and The Tom Sawyer Island raft rides. I wondered for sometime visiting shops selling crystal arts, perfume, candy and handicraft items.

The Critter Country section has the Splash Mountain water boat and Beaver Brothers Explorer’s canoe rides but I shown no interests in both activities.

I spent sometime at Toontown watching kids having fun in playing the Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, Goody Bounce House, Gadget’s Go Coaster and Donald Boat.

At the Fantasyland, I enjoyed seeing the Mickey Mouse Revue and went on a ride on the Pinocchio’s daring journey and it’s a small world boat ride. I also enjoyed the Micro Adventure movie and Star Tours at the Tomorrow land.

At around 18.00, I bumped into Hitomi and Artem at the Mickey’s House and Meet Mickey pavilion. We said goodbye to each other and parted our way at around 19.00. I stayed on until 20.30 to watch the 25th Anniversary Electrical Parade. Over thirty vehicles, beautifully decorated and lighted with bright colorful bulbs, participated in the motorcade. All the passageways were lined with people carrying their cameras ready to snatch at each of the passing vehicles.

I took a JR train from Maihama station on a return route to my hostel at Asakusa and arrived around 21.15. My dinner tonight was at a nearby restaurant in Asakusa and I paid Y530 (RM17) for a bowl of rice topped with cooked pork and salted onions.

Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid. Food glorious Japanese food! When in Japan, you must eat steamed Japanese short grain rice with soy sauce, Gyudon (beef bowl), Sushi and Sashimi, street food and drink Japanese green tea!