Tokyo, Japan 2015: Minato (Part 8)

Day 3 (3rd stop): 

Minato Observation Deck. May 13, 2015.

This is my favourite stop out of our entire six-day trip. 

It felt as if I had all of Tokyo in arm's length. 

From the street market, Ameyayokocho, we took some time to go back to the hotel to rest and freshen up for our sunset to evening tour of Minato-Ku and Shibuya (to be posted). I never expected that the view of the city could be so mesmerising! We stayed at an observation deck for a good two hours or so and I still didn't want to leave. 

The observation deck is located at Minato-Ku, which houses several embassies and domestic companies such as Honda and Fujitsu. Although Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower are the most famous observation decks in Tokyo, this one is lesser known, but provides the same magnificent overlooking view of the city with less crowds. 

From its 360 view, you can see the romantic red tower as it lights up at night and on a clear, sunny day, you can even see Mt. Fuji from there! 

Tokyo Skytree is farther from the deck than the Tower, but you can also see it. I was just unable to get a good shot of it because I was only equipped with a cellphone for all the documentation I did haha!

Tokyo, Japan 2015: Ameyayokocho (Part 7)

Day 3 (2nd stop): 

Ameyayokocho. May 13, 2015. 

From Yamashiroya that morning, it's finally shopping time! Ameyayokocho is a street market located alongside the Yamanote Railway Line. Ameyayokocho (Ameya Alley) is a long street selling all kinds of goods from bags, shoes, and food! 

The name "Ameyayokocho" stems from two origins, the first one is that it means "candy alley" for the rows of shops selling traditional candies in the past. Secondly, the "Ame" comes from "America" because it used to famous for selling American products when World War II ended in 1945 and the United States earned rulership over Japan after the horrific Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 

Tokyo, Japan 2015: Yamashiroya (Part 6)

Day 3: Yamashiroya, Ameyayokocho, Minato, Shibuya

May 13, 2015. 

The first stop for our third day in Tokyo was a visit to Yamashiroya Toy Store because we couldn't get enough of toys from last night's trip to Akihabara.

Yamashiroya is a 5-storey toy store filled with all kinds of Japanese and Western pop culture merchandises. It's small, but jam-packed with goodies for any otaku, regular mainstream geek, or hobbyist. 

Tokyo, Japan 2015: Akihabara (Part 5)

Day 2 (4th stop): 

Akihabara. May 12, 2015. 

I swear, my legs were killing me by then, but what does it matter? From Tokyo Skytree, Akihabara a.k.a. anime and electronics central was the next stop. 

I've been hearing about the place since I was a child and I'm finally there! 

Akihabara is Tokyo's otaku hub with displays of recognizable anime characters and merchandise, video game shops, maid cafes, manga stores, and electronic goods everywhere.  Cosplayers can be seen and various anime cafes such as Gundam Cafe and Naruto Cafe are all located in this area. Japanese girl group, AKB48, even has a shop there!

Tokyo, Japan 2015: Tokyo Skytree (Part 4)

Day 2 (3rd stop):

Tokyo Skytree, Asakusa. May 12, 2015. 

From Sensoji Temple earlier that day, we can see the iconic Tokyo Skytree looming in the background. Plus, that's my mom, dad, and bro in the pic below too. 

And that's where we're headed next. 

For Day 1 (Arrival) click here

For Day 2 (Ueno Zoo & Park) click here

For Day 2 (Sensoji Temple) click here

The Tokyo Skytree, along with Tokyo Tower, the red tower similar to France's Eiffel, are the two most famous viewing decks in Tokyo, although there are dozens of other lesser known buildings scattered around which all offer a magnificent view of Tokyo city from above.