Tokyo Off the Beaten Path Tips by Wild_Orchid

rice field outside Tokyo

On the drive from Narita airport to Tokyo, I was pleasantly surprised by all the greenery. The trees were in lovely shades of green and had unusual roundish shapes that were almost bonsai-like. Coming from the equatorial region of Malaysia, it was so pleasingly different.

You will also encounter quite a lot of parklands in Tokyo itself, especially around the Imperial Palace and Yoyogi park areas.

On my drive back from Hakone to Tokyo city, I came across this ricefield and I couldn't resist but to take a picture of it (from the moving coach!).

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People and Life: Browse at the Ameyoko Wholesale Market, UENO

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Updated by Wild_Orchid

on May 20, 2005

Ameyoko

ScbAt every city that I visit, I always love to drop by at the local markets. This is because I find that shopping and browsing at local markets to be far more interesting than shopping at typically nondescript supermarkets, which are not particularly inspiring replicas of one another, and not too different from what you can find back home.

Indeed, I do enjoy poking around, taking in the sights, hearing the sounds and breathing in the smells of the markets. By observing what the locals buy and eat, you get a sense of their culture and their wonderful lifestyle-a slice of life, as it were!

If you�re like me, and enjoy visiting markets, don�t miss the Ameyoko Wholesale Market at Ueno district, which is located on the street covering the area from the JR Ueno Station to Okachimachi Station. It is not at all messy or smelly and was overall a very pleasant experience, with dried goods, fresh fruits, clothing, fresh seafood, sashimi, sliced fruits available for sale.%f*

What to look out for:
Dried Goods
Wooden Blocks of tuna (not sure what this is for or how you cook it!)
Dried seaweed, I especially liked the slightly spicy variety
Snacks eg. savoury rice crackers, rice crackers with wasabe flavouring
No bargaining is necessary, although some traders may throw in some free samples if you buy more.

Directions:
JR Ueno/Okachimachi Station,
or
Keisei Ueno Station on Keisei Line

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Website: www.ameyoko.net/
Other Contact: (website in Japanese only)

Experience: Traditional Onsen Experience (Part 1)

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Written by Wild_Orchid

on Oct 12, 2004

enjoying the outdoor footbaths

At the Oedo Onsen Monogatari, the Edo Period is recreated & those who come here will feel like they�ve been transported to the Edo era.

When you arrive, you will be greeted with shouts of welcome outside the complex. Once inside, take off your shoes & leave them at the small locker (wear the key around your wrist). Pay the entrance fee, & get issued with a layout map in English, another set of locker keys, plus a special tag to wear (use this to pay for your purchases, no need to carry any money). Then move on to select your yukata (casual cotton kimono-in different colours, different designs and in different sizes) & matching sash.

From there, enter (different entrances for men & boys and women & girls) the first set of change rooms and change out of your clothes and into your yukata. Place all your belongings into this locker. Then proceed onto the main area. The entire surroundings is like a scene out of a period Japanese movie. There are food stalls, souvenior shops, simple games for children and a stage where shows were carried out. I found it graceful, and yet bewildering at the same time, with the entire complex, a hive of activity, as men, women and children wander the streets, eating, drinking or simply relaxing. Photography is permitted here.

After a quick tour, find your way out to the footbath gardens (see pics). This is where you can walk on the foot reflexology path or bath your feet while seated around a square footbath. This area is co-ed. Nearby there is the hot sandbaths where you can get buried from toe to neck.

Getting back inside, I was momentarily disorientated by the darkness inside & found myself inside the Men�s Only area as indicated by the blue curtains! Making a hasty retreat, I then managed to find the red curtain which showed that the area was for women.

If you don't speak Japanese, it may be quite difficult to manage, but please don't let this put your off from this unique experience.

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Phone: 03-5500 1126
Website: www.ooedoonsen.jp/

Experience: Onsen Experience (Part II)

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Written by Wild_Orchid

on Oct 12, 2004

relaxing