Tokyo is such a huge city that is made so manageable with a fabulous transportation system. Greg went off to explore pickleball so Jack & I explored. Went to a great local park with fabulous gardens – Japan is filled with amazing landscapes. The fish market for Japanese egg snack. Ginza for some strolling & window shopping / brief. On to Tokyo Station for more hiking around Imperial Palace surrounded by huge stone moats. All of this touring has us starved and we meet Greg for lunch at one of Tokyo’s fun cafes right at train station. A bit of nourishment before collapsing for a nap💤.

Tokyo Tower at sunset gives us an appreciation for the size of the city.

Our travels take us to our first – restaurant – automated ordering system. Boy are we confused! We find a cute little ramen shop & go in. We are immediately escorted outside to an electronic board where we insert money & push buttons to order food. Not so crazy until you remember the menu is in Japanese. Google translate to the rescue! the Ramen was excellent & we were so hungry & we get another cool experience in Tokyo!

Team Labs Planet had light displays. Walking through knee deep water. Orchid displays- sounds crazy – was a great experience in Tokyo

Shinjuku crossing – ok – there are lots of people here. Crazy busy intersection in a city of 36 million.

Trains, subways, buses make this huge city manageable. That – and very courteous citizens- it works!

Jack has arrived! Tsukiji Fish Market. Ginza. Tokyo Station. Imperial Palace.

We have been thinking about traveling to Japan for years and now we are here!

So much to discuss.

Our monorail ride into Tokyo introduced us to a very industrialized port city and as we got closer to ‘town’ 36 million / we started to understand the population density. Getting off the train we are surrounded by skyscrapers and a neat & orderly neighborhood. No trash – no junk – all very neat & clean. Checked into our hotel – no nap!!! Time to explore. We are steps ftom Tokyo Tower. Beautifully lit. Next is our first Shinto shrine. Stunning.

Now it is time for dinner. After trying to get a table – and striking out – we find a tiny cafe-10 diners, no English menu -and ravenous appetites- we get beers, dumplings & ramen – so good! All on a tiny alley. Yes! We have arrived in Tokyo.