We were excited about returning to Japan to visit friends and take a cruise around Japan. It will be very busy but should be a lot of fun.

After an uneventful flight (that’s the best kind of flight) and the 70 km trip to Tokyo we checked in at Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Station, very conveniently right next to the station. We spent the next day just wandering around the station district, getting our bearings and getting used to the crowds.

Shopping near Tokyo Station

We had a wonderful sushi dinner with Toshi, Midori and her two children, Madoka (9) and Hayato (7). It was great to see them. The restaurant was within easy walking distance of the hotel so we could get amongst the locals as they live their normal lives. Already we are seeing the benefit of having Japanese friends.

Chatting with Madoka and Hayato

This weekend was a long weekend so on Saturday morning, as we walked around the neighbourhood, we could see that people were more relaxed than on a week day and there were not as many in the streets and shops. Toshi took us by train to the Sky Tree tower, at 600 m one of the highest in the world, where we met Midori, Nario and the kids. The lift took us up 350 m at 600 m per minute to an amazing tepanyaki restaurant amongst the clouds. The meal was great and the company was great but the view was mainly white cloud. Never mind, we still had fun.

The view from the tepanyaki restaurant at the top of the Sky Tree

Next stop was Asakusa, just a short train trip away. This is a very old temple that we saw 21 years ago and it is interesting to revisit attractions that we have seen before. Midi and Toshi found a tiny traditional bar where we had a fascinating range of dishes for an early dinner, accompanied by beer and sake.

With Toshi and Midi at Asakusa

On Sunday we found our way through Tokyo Station and caught the train to Mt Takao, meeting the others on the train. Some of us walked the steep path to top of the 600 m peak, while Jo and Toshi rode the cable car, through quite beautiful lush, green forest, different to the eucalyptus forests of Australia. Lunch was an outdoor buffet, all-you-can-eat and drink in 2 hours. We tried hard but couldn’t eat and drink for the whole time, although we did enjoy it.

With Midori’s family at Mt Takao, a National Park close to Tokyo

After returning to the hotel we had a light dinner and packed for the next stage of our holiday, then to bed feeling tired but relaxed.