Akihabara and Shibuya.

I walked around Akihabara and all I could think was, "My father, uncle, and boyfriend would really enjoy this." There are so many gadgets and computer things and newfangled machines. No wonder they call it "Electric Town."


Yodabashi Camera is a 6-floor department store that has everything under the sun. Including these capsule toy dispensers.


Cha, this one's for you!


Yeah, I could probably spend a full day in this store alone.




We also visited Shibuya, where there exists an iconic crossing.

We're about to participate:


It kind of looks like we're about to run into a huge mob of Japanese people.

The statue of Hachiko, the legendary Akita dog who came to Shibuya station everyday to greet his master, even after he passed away.

Tokyo bus tour.

The half-day bus tour was on one of the rainiest days of the trip thus far. Our tour guide was a endearing older man with a dry sense of humor. He talked about how KFC's Colonel Sanders has become somewhat of an iconic character in Japan, more so than Ronald McDonald (and I believe it -- I think I saw a comedy show where one of the characters dressed up like Colonel Sanders). Then he said he wished he had maybe "10 percent" of Colonol Sanders' success, but "when you're older, it's not so easy." And then he laughed to himself. It was awkward.


We stopped at Tokyo Tower, built in the 1950s as a TV broadcast tower supporting a giant antenna. Sorry I don't have better photos of the actual tower.


Views of Tokyo from inside the observatory.




On clear days, you can apparently see Mt. Fuji in the distance. Since it was so cloudy, I still have no pictures of Mt. Fuji.

There are look-down windows that were creepy because I am afraid of heights.


On the way out, I took a picture with this guy. And I hugged him. I have no idea what he was.


The next stop was Tokyo Imperial Palace Plaza. It started pouring and I was not dressed properly. But I was able to borrow an umbrella.



The statue of General Masashige Kusunoki.


Next we visited Sensoji/Asakusa Kannon Temple. There was a marketplace with lots of shops that I didn't get a chance to explore because I was really cold by that time.




Afterwards I changed into pants.

Biking through Kyoto.

I severely miss my bike. The couple weeks leading up to the trip, I wasn't able to ride it at all, so I was absolutely thrilled to learn that the backpackers' hostel we're staying at offers bike rentals for only 100 yen per hour.

I rented a bike the first chance I got. Multiple adventures through town ensued.


While my bike back home is far superior (I miss the cushioned seat, ergonomic handles, and GEARS), I had a lot of fun with this rusty fellow. I love the wind rushing through my hair, I love covering so much ground, I love being able to explore the city on my own and taking all the time I need. I love being able to park just about anywhere.

My first night on a bike I ran (er, biked) into a couple friends who were headed to eat a local ramen restaurant.

That seriously hit the spot.

It had started raining by the time we got out, and I biked back in the rain. It was so freeing, so cleansing.

Sorry, I must sound like a total hippie right about now.

The next day, I took the bike out for about three hours. I biked to Kyoto Station (we had only breezed through it before), and explored the shops and food markets.

Completely overwhelmed, I had no idea what to buy. But then I noticed a bunch of people in line for something that smelled sweet and divine.


I waited about 15 minutes for these treats, and they were completely worth it.

After that I started heading over to Nishiki Market, where one of my travel books claims is a haven for cooks and chefs.

I biked past a couple temples, went through residential alleys, and dodged crowds of Japanese people on the way there.


Oh, and apparently my family owns a chain of hair galleries.


I found Nishiki Market, but it had closed by that time. I stopped into Circle K for something cold.


Balls of fruity sorbet. Check.

I was about to head back to the hostel and stumbled upon a gigantic shopping center.



Again, I was overwhelmed and did not make any purchases, but made the decision to return. I'm going back tomorrow morning before we leave for Tokyo.

That was fun, no?