cloudz (cloudz_axxess) wrote,
cloudz
cloudz_axxess

Tokyo Day 1: Gotemba - Shinjuku

Mount Fuji

Day 1 was supposed to be reserved for our trip to Ghibli musuem, but we only managed to get tickets for the last day. So we trooped up to Gotemba instead. Why Gotemba? Well, going up to Mount Fuji would take more than a day. And Hubby didn't like what he saw of Hakone on the web ("Nice meh??!"). Plus Gotemba actually has a lovely view of Mount Fuji, something Hakone doesn't have. Indeed we had a spectacular view of it when we got down from the bus, but we forgot to take a picture! Then we turned the wrong direction and made it to the bridge linking the 2 sections of the Gotemba Premium Factory Outlet only in mid day. By then, the sun was in the wrong direction and the fog was up. *Sigh!*

********

Shinjuku station and bus terminal landmark
On paper, the JR, Oedo, Marunochi stations, and the Shinjuku bus terminals are all clustered together, giving Shinjuku its edge of accessibiliy. In reality, this network of train stations and bus terminals is humongous and so confusing! Although locating the various stations for the various train lines was a mini adventure, there were helpful signs around. Locating the bus terminals however, could have sparked off our very own "Lost In Translation" movie, which would have been baaad. Sure, I knew buses to Gotemba departed either from Tokyo station or Shijuku station, but where EXACTLY?? Thankfully Shiho had come to our rescue! Our guide helped us find the Gotemba ticket counter and bus terminal the night before. Anyway, here's a helpful landmark. The cluster of lanterns look so beautiful at night.

Vendor for bus ticket to Gotemba
Ticket vendor for the bus to Gotemba. A return ticket costs 2800 JPY and would depart Shinjuku 9.30am and leave Gotemba at 3pm. A one-way journey would take about 90mins. Just out of curiousity, I enquired if we could take the bus to Gotemba from Shinjuku and take the returning bus from Gotemba to Tokyo station. Nope, not allowed, since the 2 buses are operated by 2 different bus companies.

Bus terminal for Gotemba
Bus stop for Gotemba.

Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower
View of Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower, one of Shinjuku's most significant landmarks, from the bus stop. The cocoon-like structure of this 50-story educational facility, was designed by Tange Associates, and won Emporis.com 2008 Skyscraper of the year.

Bus ride to Gotemba
Asia on the bus to Gotemba. Asia is wearing a Simply Kir hat, an unknown handmade dress and our fav BHC boots.

View en route to Gotemba
We passed by some tremendous views on the way.

Gotemba Premium Factory Outlets
And finally we're here at the Gotemba Premium Factory Outlets!

Gotemba Premium Factory Outlets

Eensy weensy spider...
This reminds me of one of Baby J's fav songs. XD

Croc push cart
We got Baby J his first pair of crocs here!

Crazy Crepes
Crazy Crepes is a popular snack in Tokyo. Wikitravel recommended the Harajuku crepes at Takeshita-dori, but we never made it there! Well, at least we got to try a different version here.

The hardworking photographer
The hardworking photographer. Yes, when hubby is around, he takes over behind the lens. =D

If you're not the photgrapher, then you're a photography subject
If you're not the photgrapher, then you're a photography subject.

Starting at Coach
This is such a lovely place to chill out on a lazy afternoon! There was such a nice expanse of space and there were greenery and park benches in the middle. It was a lovely spot for family excursions too! We saw quite a number of couples pushing along their babies in their strollers, and many were enjoying the space rather than doing some mad rush shopping. I thought this was be the most relaxed day of our entire itinerary, but I still walked till my legs turned jell-o. And nope, we didn't manage to cover all the shops, and we had already shaved off some time by skipping Gap at the beginning. (Gap has really awesome discounts during the GSS, and prices would have been comparable or cheaper than those at the factory outlet.) Nevertheless, this was a lovely experience!

Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower at dusk
Back in Shinjuku... Here's our fav Shinjuku icon at dusk.

Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower at dusk

Sunset
We manage to get to the Tokyo Metropolitan Observatory in time for the sunset view. The North Observation Deck opens till 10.30pm daily (except on 2nd & 4th mondays when it's closed), offering some splendid night views of Tokyo city.

Dusk
Can you spot our fav Shinjuku icon in the background?

Tokyo night lights
Entry into this amazing observatory is absolutely free, and there is a tourist information counter at the ground floor of the north tower.

Tokyo night lights
Although we didn't have time to do so, I would have loved to come back here on a sunny morning too. You coul supposed spot Mount Fuji from the Tokyo Metropolitan observation deck on a clear day morning (before the fog rises up).

Admiring Tokyo's night scene
Asia joins me in admiring Tokyo's night views.

Admiring Tokyo's night scene

8 Days' recommended gastronomia
Thanks to Gogglemaps install on hubby's trusty phone, we manage to locate this 8 Days' recommended gastronomia, Menya Muashi Ramen. We had our first culture shock here. This was our first time stepping into a restaurant where we had to place our orders with a vending machine! There's no English menu here. Just look at the pics available and pick. =)

Yummy yummy ramen!
Unfortunately, 8 Days recommended the wrong ramen. Not that the ramen with soft fatty pork slices weren't nice. It's just that this was so much more delicious! I have no idea what it's called though. Pick the 1000 Yen ramen (3rd item?) on the 2nd row. I ordered a more expensive variation of what 8 Days recommended and hubby ordered this one. And I kept stealing bites off his! As what I've mentioned in my previous entry, he just has an uncanny knack for ordering food.

The cute chefs
The energetic young chefs souping up all that delicious, surpilicious ramen.

And this satisfying meal wraps up our wonderful day!
Tags: asia, blythe, tokyo, travels
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