Tokyo Trip - Day 2

Touristy places for the tourists. But that came with a price because we were so gladly contributing to the Japanese economy that we had nearly spent all our money by today. With a konbini origini in the stomach, we headed to three main touristy areas with no rest.

Day 2:

Tsukiji Market, Odaiba, & Tokyo Tower

We were staying near the metro interchange so we had direct train to Tsukiji Market. Bad choice though, because we came from the opposite of the outer market and missed all the action there (╥_╥)

We reached the Tsukiji Market around 9am, when tourists/ visitors are allowed to roam around the inner market grounds. Apart from seeing some types of unknown seafood and vegetable, it was all but an Asian wet market for us. We then chance upon Umai Sushikan, which we chose because there was no queue, unlike it's neighbour, Sushi Dai. We ordered the mixed sashimi rice bowl, the roasted unagi rice bowl, and a standard platter of sushi. The sushi and sashimi rice bowl came with free prawn miso soup, too bad we needed to prompt the waiter for it. Overall, the seafood is fresh and tasted great. The unagi rice bowl is worth mentioning because the eel is actually grilled with crispy edges?! THE BEST I EVER HAD!!! All the above is 880 yen each if Im not wrong. The bro then ordered a single piece of fattiest tuna belly sushi and he exclaimed that it was creamy and melted in his mouth.This shop seriously lived up to it's name - Umai!! (translated as 'good')

While the Tsukiji Market will be demolished end 2016, Umai Sushikan is apparently a chain store (after some Google help), so do give it a try for affordable yet delicious sushi/ sashimi!

We then moved off to Odaiba, which is a large artificial island off Tokyo Bay mainly for tourist activities and residential purposes. It can be compared to Singapore's Sentosa, in my personal opinion.

We needed to transit at Shiodome, and had walked through this building in the Shiodome business district en route. This shop specialises in take-away bento meals! Microwaves are also available for heating up the boxes according to preferences. I totally buy this idea of efficiency!

In fact, all the restaurants on this level had boxes of food placed by their entrances for convenient "grab-and-go" when lunch time approaches. Of course, dine-in is still possible.

While the train will enter into Odaiba, we decided to drop off at Shibaurafuto Station and walk in inside. We walked alongside speedy traffic in lower level of the suspended "Rainbow Bridge", and it was not the safest feeling ever. Considering that it was drizzling and hazy, we should have just taken the train in.

Bad weather :(

A long walk later, we finally located the main photo points of Odaiba!

I then spent most of our travelling budget in this mall, at Uniqlo specifically, for my work clothes.

Another long walk later... we finally reached our resting place!!!

Oedo Onsen Monogatari!!! Yes Japanese hot spring experience!!

So both of us has never been to an actual hot spring before, so it was exciting and terrifying at the same time. A mini walk through of sorts:

1. Take off shoes at entrance.

2. Find empty shoe locker and place shoes into it.

3. Approach counter to get a belongings locker key tag. 

4. Choose your yukata by telling the staff your choice (there is a size chart and samples on a rack), your size, and pick a belt of your choice.

So many to choose from!! (｡♥‿♥｡)

5. Enter into the changing room (gender segregated). 

6. Find your belongings locker according to the number on your locker key tag. The lockers are huge enough for my large shopping bag and still had some space. You need to change into the yukata here, preferably in front of your own locker because there is no better suitable space. There is no need to get naked because you can always wear a singlet and shorts inside the yukata anyways. There are trilingual posters (Chinese, English, Japanese) all around to educate first-timers on how to wear the yukata.
7. Enter into the entertainment area, which has traditional street game booths, a food court, resting areas, and an outdoor foot bath.

The house in front is actually for "fish pedicure" whereby little fishes will bite off the dead skin on your feet. Extra charges apply, but the queue was long so we didn't try it.

Food court

Food!!!

8. The actual bath area is also gender segregated. It is on the opposite side of the entertainment area. 

9. Go in, and you will be issued with a big and small towel. Locate any empty bath locker, strip down naked, throw in everything except the small towel. You should be armed only with a small towel and this bath locker key.

10. Shower and get soaking!!

11. There is an area for after bath pampering with free hand/face/body/hair creams, many other toiletries, and hair dryer! Take your own sweet time here before getting dry and dressed.

12. Retrieve everything from bath locker, return the towels.

13. Get naked or get dressed again, depending on mood! :)

The onsen is opened 23 hours a day, with sleeping areas too, so it can be a place for long hang outs. According to some online vlogs, there is direct transfer to and fro Narita Airport from the Onsen too!

We then went back into that mall to buy souvenirs, before giving the Rainbow Bridge another chance. Actually the bridge was only lit into rainbow colour for some special event previously. It will be white mostly. 

Pretty now that the sky is clear!

Attracted by the Tokyo tower from afar, we then moved off to the Tokyo tower.

Even the lamp post is decorated with the Tokyo tower!

Scenery from the tower.

Ending the night with food from different supermarkets. Japanese konbini for the win!