With the help of google maps and the detailed signage in stations, we have got the hang of transport here. Day passes are available for the metro, but we worked out we wouldn’t do enough journeys so just used transport cards to tap on and off each trip.
We are travelling back on the Odakya Romancecar, an express service direct to Tokyo.
We got our final glimpse of Mount Fuji and farmland before the urban sprawl began.
Our last few days are definitely focused on the more modern as temple fatigue has set in.
We arrived in Shinjuku, the busiest railway station in the world handling over 3.5 million commuters but fortunately we made our way out safely … only to find ourselves face to face with Godzilla shortly afterwards!
A short walk through through busy buzzing streets …
… brought us to La’gent, our final hotel of the trip. Check in for all hotels seems to be 3 or 4pm so we left our luggage again and went for lunch.
Ain. Soph is a small vegan chain and Chris opted for savoury heavenly pancakes, while I had the teriyaki soy rice bowl.
A train ride and we were at MOMAT, Tokyo’s modern art gallery and we went to see how Japan became modern in art, but despite good reviews, it seemed a bit disjointed. One of the oldest exhibits was my favourite, with monkeys and rabbits with such expressive faces.
Others that caught our eye were this Buddhist image painted in the western style …
… a tree painted by a Japanese artist who went to Norway for its detailed brushstrokes …
… and a couple more modern that also showed a Japanese influence.
Things shiny still appealed …
… and Gormley was here too!
Maybe the most interesting thing was how quiet the visitors were and how interested they appeared in the art, really looking rather than just walking past or taking a selfie with it.
We saw the moat and wall of the Imperial Palace from a balcony.
Our walk back took us past the local shrine …
… and through the alleys of Golden Gai, crammed with tiny shanty-style bars and clubs which are likely to be a lot busier and noisier later.
Neon lights were starting to come on …
… and groups of young people were already gathering.
We had planned gyoza for dinner, but again we were thwarted by the small restaurant/long queue phenomenon and ended up eating ramen at Ippudo in a food hall!
After dark, the neon lights are everywhere …
… and I understand that this is a famous kitty!
