Tokyo

For the last couple days of their trip, we took everyone down to Tokyo. A trip to Japan is not complete without a trip to one of the world's largest cities.

We started off downtown at the famous fish market. Apparently you have to get there around 5am to see real craziness. But it was around 11 by the time we got there. 

This was the outside area of fish shops and restaurants.

Fresh fish

This egg creation was all over down there.

I did not Try! and Taste! this stuff. Mike and Annabelle did, however.

Meg

This cute old man

Annabelle actually tried one of the things in the dishes above.

I have no clue what this was, but it did not look good at all. Fish jello?

Stuffed blowfish or panda anyone?

This was the indoor section where they pack and sell fresh fish every morning and have the famous tuna auction every day at 5:00am.

Giant tuna head

Later that night, we took everyone down to Tokyo Tower. We have been before during the day, but it was neat to see the city at night.

Can you see the purple Ferris wheel out there by the bridge?

At the very top of the tower they had this lounge singer guy and his dancing girls, complete with helmets, goggles and scarves. Not sure what the theme was, but pretty hilarious show.

The next day, we went down to Asakusa. This has to be one of my favorite places to take people.

I love all the vendors. You can buy any Japanese souvenir you are looking for here.

Some kind of snow cone, with fish flakes and mochi
.

Love these dragons.

Mike and Annabelle bought some incense which is burned as a wish or prayer.

Don't worry... the swastika is a sign for temple in Japan. 

Here, you can pull a stick out of a canister and you find the drawer with the symbol that matches with the symbol on the stick you pulled out. Inside the drawer is a fortune.

I think I want a mailbox like this. =)

The new Tokyo Skytree is super close to Asakusa.

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After Asakusa, we went to Kappabashi street (the restaurant district) for a bit. In the restaurant district, there is anything and everything you need to start your own restaurant and just cool stuff you might want for your own home. Matt, Megan, and Catherine all bought sushi knives and we looked at some shaved ice machines. We'll have to go back without the kids. There was so much fun stuff here.

The little cigarette looks pretty sad about the smoking ban.

Coffee grinder

All over Japan there is plastic food displayed in windows so you can see what a restaurant serves. This plastic food store made this plastic piece with "The Scream". 

Giant plastic shrimp

I would have loved to of bought this sign. =)

We even found C3PO in the restaurant district.

And a Jaws and a Jurassic park prop.

Annabelle wanted a picture with Santa.

And of course Eedie couldn't be left out.

We then went to Takeshita Street in Harajuku where all the people were crazy outfits. Apparently you have to go on Sundays to really see the craziness. Oh well, at least Buzz Lightyear was there.

We found one girl with the pink hair.

This is an example of a lolita outfit that you might see on Takeshita St. I found this picture on a blog here.

We are going to miss it here. We will have to try and make the most out of this next year.