Japan 2016 Part 7: Asakusa Temple, Ginza, Enroute to Manila
July 29, 2016
Before I write about the last part of my Japan 2016 trip, here's a short clip that Jj made to give you a glimpse of what we did in Japan. We were actually lacking in videos but Jj's editing skills made up for it! Lesson learned: take more videos while traveling.
Anyway, this final entry for my Japan 2016 travel stories will be shorter than the usual. Our last day mainly consisted of waiting in Narita airport and traveling back to the Philippines so it was pretty uneventful. Well, here it goes!
DAY 6 (March 15, 2016) | Asakusa Temple, Ginza, Enroute to Manila
The morning of March 15, I found myself running late because I slept at around 3AM the night before. Well, after arriving in the hotel at around 11:30PM, I had to pack my things and wash up... plus, the typical stalling! It was also difficult to pack ok! In the end, I had my 2 luggages and my backpack (all filled to the brim) to bring back home lol.
We left the hotel at 9:30AM then went to Asakusa/Senso-ji Temple, one of our last stops before flying back to Manila. Senso-ji Temple is the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo. I am no temple expert but Senso-ji Temple really looks magnificent in real life. I may not know what the different parts of the temple are exactly for but it was amusing to see the rituals people do when they visit these places of worship. "You learn new things every day" especially rings true when you're traveling.
There is a part of the temple where you can get your fortune. This site perfectly discussed how this is done. Actually, after reading what was written on that site, I didn't know that most fortunes in Senso-ji temple are bad fortunes. I felt much luckier now because I got the "No. 68 Regular Fortune", which is generally good fortune for the person. Some of the things stated on my fortune paper/omikuji are the following: "any request will be granted to you, the lost article will be found, marriage of any kind, new employment are both well" YAY!!
Mandatory temple photo in Japan
I didn't have a solo photo so just appreciate Jj's!
While we were waiting for our tour bus, we saw this school with Japanese school boys and school girls playing around. It was probably their break time. They're so cuuute~
This school clock tower reminded me of the Asian dramas I love watching! And yes, it made this sound!
After Asakusa, we headed to Ginza district for some last-minute shopping. We should've went here during our first days in Japan because all the major stores are clustered here! And to think Ginza is near Tokyo Station, which was where we stayed for Days 1-2 in Tokyo. I'm pretty sure I would've found Papa's running shoes immediately if we went here first. Anyway, what's done is done. I'm sure there will be a next time. :)
Hello Ginza!
We were only given around 45minutes to explore Ginza so I rushed into buying my pasalubong for Mama, which were Shiseido make-up products. I also went inside this adorable toy and stationery store. I think I only saw less than 1/4 of the shopping district because of the time constraints. Aww. Again, next time!
For lunch, we ate somewhere in Ginza. As expected, I didn't get to take a photo of the restaurant's name. Sorry~
Salad, chicken strips and french fries!
Beef with veggies which tasted guuuh-reeeaaat!
After lunch, it was time to go to the airport. Our flight was scheduled at around 5:30PM Japan time so we needed to be in the airport before 3PM.
In the airport, we bought some last-minute (AGAIN!) pasalubongs. I bought the famous Tokyo Banana and Royce chocolates. Even in the airport, the price of Royce chocolates are affordable!
Since it's my goal to eat at least once in a McDonald's in every foreign country I visit, Jj and I ate in the McDonald's branch in Narita airport. We shared this teriyaki burger (with egg) + Fanta grape juice meal because we were still full from our lunch. It tasted ok!
Dinner in the plane while watching Orange, a Japanese movie in ANA's movie selections. Yes, I just had to watch a Japanese movie going home because I was already missing Japan :(
Sayonara, Japan! I cannot wait to go back!
Gaaah, writing these blog entries just made me miss Japan more! After this trip, I sincerely got more interested in Japanese culture because I was really amazed at how polite and accommodating the Japanese are, how Japan is the perfect mix of modernity and culture, etc. I am actually now searching for Japanese dramas/movies to watch. Also, one of the reasons why I bought 1Q84 (currently reading it!) by Haruki Murakami is because its setting is in Japan. I am that attached!
When I go back to Japan, hopefully in the near future (claiming it!), I'll definitely eat in Yoshinoya (they said the Yoshinoya there is 10x better in taste and price ;) ), buy clothes (I didn't buy any clothes for me in this trip btw), buy stationery and pens (!!!), go to grocery stores and hoard Japanese goodies, attempt to bring home some melon soda, explore Harajuku, Akihabara and other parts of Tokyo, etc. Maybe go there during the autumn/winter season as well for a different atmosphere.
But before all that, need to save up first! ;) Thank you for reading all of my Japan stories and wait for the future ones... because I'm sure I'll go there again! (Yay to positive thinking!) :D
Doumu arigatuo gozaimasu~
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