21st July, 2007
This is only my second time in Tokyo and as Steve has been there quite a few more times than me he was our tour guide for the first few days and he showed us his favourite places. Steve was doing a weeks Japanese immersion class starting Monday and so had to find out where his school was so our first stop was Shinjuku. Mum, Dad and I browsed the streets and shops while Steve went and found his school. I couldn’t help but do a little shopping while we were waiting. I ended up buying a dress, 2 tops, a skirt and some leggings. It is Tokyo after all!!
Once we met up with Steve again we headed to Meiji – Jingu which is a popular temple to visit. It was absolutely beautiful and we were even lucky enough to witness a Wedding. Goodness knows how, but Dad even managed to have a photo with the Bride and Groom!!
The next destination was Yoyogi Koen which is a famous park. It is such an amazing place to visit as it is filled with lots of energy, fun, laughter and happiness.
There are literally thousands of people all doing their own thing. You have people doing yoga, people doing some kind of aerobics, people playing instruments, people tap dancing, people practising their hip hop routines, people juggling, people doing gymnastics, people practising a fight sequence, people relaxing, reading books, jogging, going for a stroll and then there was us just watching and taking it all in. It was such a great place to be with an awesome atmosphere – I would have been happy to sit and watch all day.
Just outside the park there was a guy holding a sign saying “free hugs”. I couldn’t resist…..
We then went to Shibuya to show mum and dad the busiest intersection in the world. They were just amazed at how many people there were crossing the road. Just incase you have forgotten what it looked like last time I was there – here is another picture……
Dinner was next on the menu – we decided to head to an Izakaya so that Mum and Dad could experience some Japanese style dining. Well this certainly was an experience for them and I am sure one that they wont forget in a hurry. We tired many different types of food – all delicious of course.
After tea we introduced mum and dad to the famous Japanese crepes. They sure got stuck into those. Who wouldn’t they are absolutely delicious!!
You all know how much I LOVE purikura so any opportunity I get I pounce on it. We squeezed into a booth and mum and dad were able to experience purikura. Check out the photos….
While Mum and I were decorating the photos Steve and Dad had a go on the drum game.
We then went to Roppongi and went into the Mori building. This is a really high building which gives you a spectacular view of the city. There was also an aquarium there which we got to have a look at.
We called it a night after this. It was a pretty full on jam packed day and everyone was tired so we headed back to the hotel for some much needed rest.
Everyone knows how much I LOVE theme parks, well…. Fujikyu Highland would have to be the BEST theme park that I have ever been to so far. Mum, Dad, Marie and I experienced lots of fun, excitement and thrills at this adventure park. Roller coasters are my favourite rides and this park consisted of 3 major ones. 
I am so glad that I was wearing my raincoat – dad was satched!! He had to walk around wet for half a day until he dried. 
We had a fantastic day though at the theme park – Marie and I were in our element. It wasn’t as busy as Disney Land so we were able to go on the rides more than once which was good. I would definitely recommend people check out Fujikyu Highland if you are ever in that area and you like rides!!
We caught a bus from Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchiko which is one of the ‘Fuji Five Lakes’ where you can see Mt Fuji. I have been dying to see Mt Fuji since I got here and now I was finally able to see it. Once we dropped off all our luggage we headed to the Lake. It was very beautiful and was surrounded by many mountains. Once we went for a bit of a wander we caught a bus up to the 5th Station to get a better view of Mount Fuji. 
We were not prepared to do the hike at all as we were not wearing suitable shoes or clothing and so we had to stop here and go back. It was a very hot day today and when we began the mountain climb it got colder the higher you went up. We were so high up that it felt like we were in the clouds. 
You definitely need good shoes and warm clothes. Seeing many people climb the mountain and hearing their stories made me want to climb the mountain right to the top. If I get a chance to climb it I will definitely give it a go!! By the time we came back down it was quite late so we went to Lawsons (a convenience store) and bought a variety of dishes to share. We were staying in a Japanese style room with tatami mats and futons to sleep on. We ate around a table sitting on cushions. 
t sure was an experience especially when the showers were communal (I didn’t realise that when I booked it). It was just like “Big Brother” where everyone showers together. Mum and Dad really are getting a taste of the Japanese ways.
We browsed the souvenir street which was decorated differently this time. I am guessing it changes with the season as last time there were cherry blossoms lining the streets and this time there were trees with green leaves. After we walked the street we headed to the temples and shrines. 
I still thought they were amazing even though I had seen them before. 
There are literally thousands of people all doing their own thing. You have people doing yoga, people doing some kind of aerobics, people playing instruments, people tap dancing, people practising their hip hop routines, people juggling, people doing gymnastics, people practising a fight sequence, people relaxing, reading books, jogging, going for a stroll and then there was us just watching and taking it all in. It was such a great place to be with an awesome atmosphere – I would have been happy to sit and watch all day. 
