Trains, queues and views

Sunday 25 June

Day 6

Today was all about reconnaissance. We had a slowish start, after our later night out, but it wasn’t a concern. We watched the repeated BBC news, while having breakfast and gathering the things we would need. We then headed from the hotel to Shinjuku station. 

Our first mission was to work out where the elevators were hidden, so we didn’t have to tag team our suitcases down the myriad of stairs. It took a little bit of wandering, but we worked out how to get to the concourse. Next was to work out the line we needed to get to Tokyo. Realising the platform was upstairs, we had to find another elevator, thankfully it was nearby and we were soon on the platform, relieved that the first part was pretty easy. 

We didn’t wait long for a train, boarding with the crowds. The weekends seem to be just as busy as the weekdays. This will be the daunting part tomorrow, squishing on the train with our bags and the early commuters.

Once we reached Tokyo station, our next goal was to navigate to the Shinkansen (bullet train) gate. Again we had to find the elevators off the platform. Thankfully the signage is all pretty clear and we were soon following the pictures towards the gate. There were ramps to push suitcases up, when needed, so all in all it was pretty easy to navigate. Phew! That has eased the anxiety of tomorrow’s move.

With that sorted, we now wanted to see where our next Tokyo hotel is located, so with google maps up, we navigated from the Shinkansen gate to the exit. Again, we looked for elevators and escalators to get us to ground level and finally we popped out at Street level and began the 1km walk to the hotel. It was flat and level, so would be easy with bags. We passed some pretty high end hotels along the way and realised ours was just up the road, so it will be interesting to see how ours compares. We also passed a subway station, so figured we would see if we could use that rather than walk our bags. But first, we wandered the area.

There was an outdoor courtyard of restaurants, one being a craft brewery. We didn’t stop in, as we wanted tempura for lunch, but will remember for when we return. We searched for tempura restaurants, found one but it wasn’t suitable, so we returned to the courtyard and found a restaurant that was just what we wanted. We ordered the set menu and were happy with all of the little meals that we were presented with. 

Once fed, we were ready to continue the reconnaissance. This time we decided to check out the underground and see if there was an easy way to get back to Tokyo Station. We found an elevator to the underground then walked the underground malls. There are always so many stores attached the public transport. We reached the end of the walkway and there was another elevator, so we used this to see where we popped out and realised this was closer to our hotel. With that knowledge, we returned to the underground and took the Maranouchi line back to Tokyo Station. Once there, we needed to navigate to the Shinkansen to check for the easiest way to get our selves and our bags from the bullet train. We managed it, but I wonder if we will remember when we come to use it!

It was now 2pm and we needed to get ourselves to the Tokyo Skytree. After accessing google, I couldn’t see the train line we needed, so we needed to find an info bay to get further instructions. Thankfully the lady at the booth was fabulous, she gave us a great map and pointed out where we needed to be and we were off underground again. We were starting to feel like a pair of moles, popping our heads up from underground, having a look around and then scurrying underground again. 

We had to take 2 lines to get to the tower. Paul’s neck was out and bothering him, so he was finding things a bit difficult. We had to manage the best we could. We arrived at the skytree station and disembarked into a giant shopping centre. We climbed the long escalator and made our way outside to the heat. Our tour of the tower wasn’t until 4.00pm, so we had time to kill. We decided to do a lap of the block, to get a view of the tower. 

We wandered along a water channel that feeds into the Sumida river. There were people fishing and we watched a crane grab a couple of fish. It was a cooler spot wandering by the water and a chance for us to find some peace, before entering what would be Paul’s worst nightmare, crowds and queues. 

I had bought the tickets online, but you had to exchange this for a paper pass. We reached the 4th level, via a series of outdoor escalators and then you were met by an outdoor eating foodcourt, part of the shopping complex. This was when we realised how manic it was. We were still early, and wanted to sit, but everything was taken. We entered the forecourt and read the history of the tower, before joining the long, snaking line of 330pm and 4pm guests. It was a squash, but was moving. 

At one point we had to scan the QR code, that I received when I booked the tickets and our paper ones popped out. Back in the line, passed the security check and then wait to be ushered into a large elevator with 50 other tourists! The elevator was quiet and quick and we were soon 350m above the ground and checking out the views over wider Tokyo. 

I had booked the special ticket, which gave us the right to head a further 100m up the tower, by now Paul was really struggling, but he stood in the line and we slowly walked in the line once again, until we reached the next elevator, which was smaller, but we were still crammed in!

From here, there was a corkscrew ramp to follow. We looked out the windows, as we wandered with the crowd, that was smaller than at 350m. Unfortunately, it wasn’t super clear, as there was a giant cloud of smog filtering in on one side, but we could still make out some areas. Again Mt Fuji was missing in action.

After our trip around the top, we joined the line again and made our way back to the 350m level. Surprise, surprise, another queue. We shuffled along slowly until we made it to the glass floor. They have this at the elevator entrance. Stupid really, as you have no chance to really enjoy the experience. 2 steps and you are off, as you don’t want to miss your spot in the queue. Once crammed back in the elevator, we were wooshed to the 5th floor and off to find the station. This was a mission, as you entered the shopping mall and had to navigate the Sunday shopping crowd. 

We did finally make it. Found the platform and boarded the subway. Phew. Before long we were transiting to another line and heading back for our Shinjuku Station, over the crowds, queuing and the living underground. 

We needed time back at the hotel to get our heads back in a calm space, but were soon getting hungry for dinner. We wandered up Godzilla Road, chose a menu from a board and were whisked up stairs, where we were promptly given a window seat and a view over the street. We ordered a few bits off the menu, which we enjoyed thoroughly and then we promptly returned to our room.

We did a pack of all our gear, ready for our early departure tomorrow. Paul ordered an ice pillow and a neck massage pillow, to see if they would help ease his headache. Guess we will see tomorrow and then we sat back and rested up, ready for the next adventure.