Sunday 8th May 2016 (updated)

Jools likes to make beaded jewellery, and the centre of the beaded jewellery universe is Japan, and in particular a corner of Tokyo where there are a cluster of shops. With it being another glorious day in prospect, we decided to go there so Jools could shop and shop for beads.

We had breakfast before the rigours of the day began, more bacon and French toast with plenty of coffee. We had learned from the previous day that it is packed before eight, so we are lazy and wander down for half past.

We also had the first of the holiday tasks; sending our luggage to the next hotel in Kyoto. It is easy and cheap to do, and also means that you are not travelling carrying heavy luggage, mnd being so much relaxing. Or that was the plan. The receptionist fills in the forms, attaches labels, and that is it, we hope to see them again the next evening. We had a change of clothes in an overnight bag.......

It was, so I waved to Jools and Jen to come over and together we walk down yet more steps to the platforms to the other line. This line had what seemed like 'proper' trains running underground, which is fine by me, and being a Sunday, it was lightly used so we were able to get seats for the 5 stops to Beadtown.

Maki also told us about a viewing platform at the World Trade Centre down near the harbour area, so we think that would be a great thing to do, and as the World Trade Centre was just a couple of stops down the line from Beadtown, a plan formed where we could go from there to the centre.

As before, the crowds for the Thunder Gate were already forming, so we made out way past them and down into the subway station, only to not be able to find the platforms for the other line we knew we wanted. I looked at the map, and both lines were showing coming to this station. I then noticed a sign to the other line pointing up another set of steps back up to street level. We climbed back up, and with the temperatures rising, I said I would go to search for the entrance and wave to them at the intersection in case I did. I walked past more rickshaw drivers arriving at their garage to collect their vehicles, and I can confirm all buns were indeed tight.

I spotted a sign, and going over it pointed down a narrow set of steps to the other line, so I wave and wait whilst Jools and Jen make their way over to me.

We go down and find a platform lined with pillars, it seemed to be the right one, so we climb on board the first train and go for the 5 stops down the line to Asakusa-bashi.

Jools had a list of the shops she wanted to visit, so said that she needed 45 minutes, and not wanting to bore us, she said to meet her back at the station later; Now, what to do with 45 minutes? Sit on a low wall watching the world go by, especially on a hot morning, seemed the right thing to do. Being a Sunday, the main road was quiet, but there were people about, walking and cycling; some with face masks on, some without, the seemed to walk past me without looking, so I snapped them when I thought they were not looking.

After a while, I went to walk round the block or so, and found many bead shops, as well has others including a hat shop, two rows of shops were built under the elevated railwaywhich seemed to be the Tokyo version of under the arches (you'd have to watch Eastenders to understand that!). It seemed vibrant, even on a Sunday. I went into a shop that I thought might be a toy shop, but just sold stationary, not pens and folders, but just the paper and other paper goods too.

Jools reports that the beads don't seem to have their sizes marked, so she was reluctant to buy too many in case she could not use them, so with a couple of bags of shiny things, she said she was happy and we could go somewhere else

We had an ice cream once Jools came back, before all agreeing that the metro station for the trade centre was just two stops down the line.

A short tube ride along the same line, and then finding signs for the building comes the search for the elevator to the viewing area. You would think it would be signposted, but hey, this is Japan.

We wander round and round for half an hour past shops and bars and more shops and bars and restaurants. We spined a noodle bar for Jen, as she loves them, so a plan for lunch was forming.

We finally see signs, pay our entrance money and get into the lift and go up.

Where we find just three other people had made the effort to get up there too, and there were hundreds of seats in which to slump and admire the view. I sat for nearly an hour watching the bullet trains come and go down below, in fact they could have left me there all day and night and I would be happy. We could see over the harbour area to where more skyscrapers rose up, and towards the famous Tokyo Tower.

After an hour, we were happy with the hour spent, not least because it was so cool with the air conditioning apparently on full, we were like people-shaped popsicles.

But we were hungry, and Jen wanted to eat noodles, and we thought there might have been a noodle bar down below. We all ordered noodles and tempura prawns by pointing at the menu; it worked and they were happy enough to serve us. And the food was fine, and I even worked out how to use the chopsticks. Kinda. In fact, it was good to be able to almost get them to work, and each time I did I felt the thrill of triumph.

Just down the walkway, there was a bar, and after just iced water with dinner, I fancied something stronger. As did Jen and Jools to be honest, so the sight of the neon lights in the shape of the names of the usual breweries drew us in, and I ended up ordering a bottle of what turned out to be whisky and coke, which is very popular indeed. Popular with me too as I have a second bottle, making my head spin.

Despite it being early in the afternoon, we were pooped; and Jen's legs had swollen, which was giving her some gip, so it was decided to retire to the hotel for a few hours then walk to the Sky Tree in the early evening.

And seeing as we were now experts on the Metro, we got back with no trouble, however, getting to the street level, we got split up, with me taking the stairs and they taking the lift, I waited for them for 20 minutes before deciding to go back to the hotel, and they found themselves nearly two blocks away and a long walk back to the hotel.

At half five we meet in the lobby and go down to street level, and to me, it seemed simple enough to walk to the tower, it seemed to be just the other side of the river, how far could it be? Twenty minutes far as it turned out, down narrow streets and with twists and turns.

Over the bridge with the tall building in the shape of a glass of beer in front of us, but lit by the early evening sun, casting a fine golden light on everything. There seemed to be a road right ahead which lead to the tower, but after two junctions, we came to what looked like a dead end, but was a winding street through some small houses, coming out on another main street, corssing that walking down to the next junction, and we were nearly there. I was relieved, as Jools had wanted to take a taxi, and so I felt my sense of direction was being questioned.

But we came to the shopping mall at it's base, then riding up the four escalators into it's base and then the usual two mile walk past all the shops to the ticket booth and queues.

Up in one lift to the first platform where it was crowded as hell, so buy more tickets to go to the 145th floor or something, where I hoped to be able to get some shots. It was busy, but shots could be taken, but as dusk fell there were reflections on the glass from the interior lights, and some ass monkey hogging the best view towards the Tokyo Tower and they refused to move, so, hey, fuck em.

I suppose the whole trip was worth it to see the full moon suspended over the neon lit city, not the most dramatic part, but it seemed serine, so I snap it and decide we should leave.

We were hungry and had had enough of the crowds, so took the two lifts back down to the ground, where began the hunt for a taxi. Or the taxi rank.

The signs were confusing, so we walked round and round until we finally found it, foot sore and hungry. We walked round and round the centre, with signs pointing this way, then back again. At last we walked through what seemed like a large empty hall, and outside waited for a taxi to arrive.

One did, and after showing him the address for the hotel, and we sped off into the electric city. From the hotel we walked down to the steak place we ate at the first night.

We have the same as the first time, and it was just as good, washed down again by a bottle of red. People go about their lives, eating, meeting, talking, and it seems to fabulously exotic, and yet so everyday. If that makes sense.

As it was our last night in Tokyo for a while, we went up to the roof garden again to play cards, drink beer and admire the view of the sky Tree, which we had been nearly to the top of you know..... Take a look around.