**Tokyo with the Family: Part 3 Asakusa**

So, this is my last post about our Tokyo ITT tour we did last weekend.
It was Amazing, and we had such a Great time!

Asakusa was OVER CROWDED... and CRAZY. Next time we go? Weekday!


I hope you enjoy reading/looking through the photos!
If you want to know more about the Asakusa Temple/Shopping district click the following link----> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asakusa







When we were in Asakusa we were excited to see Another Wedding!
It was Beautiful, and we even had a chat with one of the gentlemen in the crowd about the bride! (I think he was family/friends... and spoke good english!)






While we were in Tokyo we saw our 1st Cherry Blossoms!
So, of course i got the kids photos...




~the lighting in this area was ... ugh... oh well...~




We stopped and watched a little monkey show.
The kids Really loved it...






These lanterns were just huge... just HUGE!



(The Crowds were crazy!)


This lantern was at the beginning of the Asakusa Shopping Street.
We did not get any closer, as it took forever to reach this point.
The crowds were just so awful, we had to carry Evan on our shoulders the whole time.


After Asakusa we took the bus home.
I loved these 2 photo's of our drive.
It was a long long day, and i was ready to go home at this point.




As with the other places we visit... we let the kids buy something they want... and we try and buy something for the family.
Here is what Olivia and Evan chose--->


Here is what We chose.
Of course... we hung it from the pantry, as a way to show you what it looks like.
What is it?
It's a Noren-->traditional Japanese fabric room/doorway divider
We will use it in one of the 3 doorways downstairs here.
This Noren repersents Long Life. ( i asked the shop owner... they spoke A Little English)



I hope you enjoyed the photos! ;)

::Tokyo with the Family: Part 2 Tokyo Tower::

So, after we visited The Meiji Shrine we took a short bus ride over to Tokyo Tower. We were dropped off in front of the tower, and walked directly inside and got in line.
Our Tour Guide collected our tickets, and we were set!
The line was Very Short IMO, and we worked through it in about 10~15 minutes.
There are '3' big Elevators to the Observatory. They are FAST, and boy... you sure do get crammed inside! There are 6 windows in the elevator, but the view is not good, as all you see is steal! But, that's ok, as when you get off ... the Main Viewing areas are BIG and Beautiful!
I was Amazed at How Big and Spacious the Observatory was. :)

Tokyo Tower (東京タワー) is a communications and observation tower located in Shiba Park. At 1,091 ft, it is the tallest self-supporting steel structure in the world and the tallest artificial structure in Japan. The structure is an Eiffel Tower-inspired lattice tower that is painted white and international orange to comply with air safety regulations.

Guests can visit two observation decks. The 2-story Main Observatory<------- Where we went~ is located at 492 ft , while the smaller Special Observatory (We did not go, as the line was Very long... and the kids would not handle it.) reaches a height of 820 ft.

Located in the base of the tower is a 4-story building known as FootTown.
The first floor includes the Aquarium Gallery, a reception hall, the 400-person-capacity "Tower Restaurant," a FamilyMart and a souvenir shop<------- Where we bought our take home memory.
The second floor is primarily a food and shopping area. In addition to the five standalone restaurants, the second floor's food court consists of four restaurants, including a McDonald's and a Pizza-La <----(Where the kids and I had Lunch)

Here are some of the photo's of our trip.
I also have one video... so look for that on the next blog post!
The video is gives Really Good views/idea of what it is like to Actually BE AT Tokyo Tower!
Be sure to check it out! (Ethan and the kids are also featured! LOL)
(You may have to visit The Blog --->HERE<--- to view the video if you receive this Blog Via E-mail)

We saw the Tokyo Tower on our way to Meiji Shrine, this photo was taken from the bus.

WE HAVE ARRIVED!

The 3 Elevators, as we walked in.
Lets get in Line! :)

Our Tickets were included in the price of the trip.

Crazy Kids, in line.

We were VERY Aquished in the elevator.
The ride was Smooth, and Quick!
I loved the Lights inside, they changed as we went higher and higher!


Olivia & the View.
So amazing!


Evan, and his View.
We lifted him up often, but i did love how they had the lower area for viewing. ;)
He enjoyed himself too, although this is when he started to go 'down hill' behavor wise.


This is my Favorite Photo of the Views @ Tokyo Tower!!!



Ethan suggested that we get Coins made. So, we did! ;)
You 1st buy the coin (prices range from 400~600 Yen) and then you put it in the machine, and pay 50Y for Stamping.
You can enter up to 20 something letters/numbers.
We decided on the kids names & ages. As the years pass, we will go back and get a diffrent coin, and add their NEW age. If we put them in a shadow box w/ a photo of them @ the tower, it will make a Very Nice Keepsake! ;)
So, thats the plan.


Evan, just chill'n on the Glass Floor . He did not have any sort of fear whatsoever!
It was funny.
He was crawling ... laying...dancing and sitting on this floor!
:)
CUTE!

Olivia on the other hand was a diffrent story, but we were very proud of her!
She tried it, and was no afraid!


We walked out of the tower and ... look up! This is what we see!
I still can not believe where i live! It's so FUN!


We let the children ride Thomas (Olivia was not thrilled, but wanted to ride too). Evan was so excited to see this ride.
We did not spend that much time up here... but, next time we will!
Lunch was next, and i was NOT expecting the crowds... and the lack of seating, and the lines.
This was the biggest dissapoinment of the Tokyo Tower, but we made the best of it.
We got seating, and had a nice lunch.




After lunch and a QUICK shopping trip we bought a Dessert Waffle (2). Ours was this Carmel/Almond and the kids had Chocolate Dream! It was super BIG, so we shared!
Delsih!


When in Sasebo we happened (by chance) to 'collect' a few of these tea cups.
I love them so very much ... and when Ej was at SUMO in February he bought me a tea cup.
I thought, wouldnt it be nice to pick up a few more on this (3 yr)tour... so for my Quick (we had no time left) 'take-home memory' I bought a Tokyo Tea Cup. ;)

!~Tokyo with the Family: Part 1 Meiji Shrine~!

Sunday March 28th, 2009 was our ITT Yokosuka Tour to see Tokyo Highlights. This ITT Tour has been planned/booked for almost 2 months, and we have been looking forward to it.
For those of you living in / moving to Yokosuka or any family wanting to visit... this ITT tour was WELL WORTH the $$$ spent!
Be sure to Click the Word-links to give you more information about the places we visited. Meiji Shrine was very interesting to learn about...
Reading/researching your trip before you go... helps you understand and enjoy your trip much better, IMO. I think that the ITT Tour Guides dont give you much info... so, if you want to make the most of your trip,... be sure to read up!
Just for information purposes i will give you a $$$ rundown.
For Adults it was 37$ PP and Olivia (7) was 29$ and Evan(4) was 23$ for a total of 126$ for our family. This does not include food. This price is fair, and for all we got to see/do? I gladly paid the price! I will also say that for age 7... GREAT trip. For age 4? It was a little hard, twards the end. There was much to look/see/do... so, he got tired real quick. Tired in Evan = Turd-like behavior! With that in mind, i really do think this is a Child Friendly Trip.
The Tour includes a Bus Transport to Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Tower & Asakusa Temple/Shopping area.
Our Bus left Ikego Base at 715 am and arrived @ Yokosuka Base at 745am. We loaded up and headed out for Tokyo @ 800 am. There was a lot of traffic, because of the New Japanese Interstate ETC Discount on the Weekends, but I made the best of the traffic by taking a lot of photo's.
Let me end by saying... I would bring No Less than 100$ in Yen on your trip. This is of course if you want to shop and eat. We shopped at the Meiji Shrine Gift Shop, the Tokyo Tower area and again in Asakusa. We also had a Small Lunch at Tokyo Tower. Lets not forget the Vending Machine Drinks and Snacks. Also, While at the Tokyo Tower Level 1 we bought both Children a Coin (1100 Y for both) and they had it stamped w/ their name/date (100yen). Olivia and I also did a Japanese Photo Booth for 500Y. Both kids also got to shop for a souvenir in Asakusa and so i would say we spent about 9,000Y (about 90$).

I will say that my Favorite was Meiji Shrine by Far!
2nd was Tokyo Tower and 3rd was Asakusa. My reasoning was Asakusa was the most crowded and was no enjoyable with a 4 yr old. Other than those reasons? I loved Every place we went, and feel even more inspired to see all Tokyo has to offer!
2 placed i CANT wait to go see? The Tokyo Ginza and The Imperial Palace Grounds!
Ok... on with the tour.......>

We boarded the bus right in front of Club T.


The kids got setled in right away, but them sitting together only lasted until we arrived at Yokosuka Base.


Daddy and Evan had fun riding together for the rest of the trip.


This is a view from inside the bus (for those who have never taken a ITT tour)


As we drive past Yokohama, i saw this Wind Turban... Actually this is One of a few we saw. I think they are so big and amazing!


Yokohama City Skyline, with Japan's Tallest building off the left of the photo.


This photo was taken as we are entering the Tokyo Area.
I got Many Many Photo's of the Tokyo Skyline, so i will be doing a 'SLIDE' -show of those photos soon! So, look for that! :)


I SPY TOKYO TOWER!!!!!

We have Arrived @ Meiji Shrine in Tokyo! :)
Meiji Shrine's Main or 1st Torii Gate.


After the Main Torii, you walk upon the Sake' Gift Barrels.




Us, under the Biggest Wooden Torii at the Shrine.


What did i like most about this Shrine?
The fact is was Very Wooded and just plain ole' Beautiful!
The grounds are big, and lush... All right in the middle of Tokyo.
You would never guess it... if you did not know.
Very Mature Tree's, all Green and just so peaceful!




Another Wooden Torri Gate. (There were Many at this shrine!)


Ethan & the kids.


Evan




Big... BEAUTIFUL tree next to the main shrine area.











Just a Photo I felt was beautiful, peaceful and very Japanese!


While we were visiting Meiji Shrine we were treated to a Wedding! (Wow~!)




In this photo, they were walking inside the shrine.
They were inside for about 30 minutes.


They Just came out ......


I am so amazed that they took photos outdoors, and they let about 50 people take all the photo's they wanted.... while the professionals took them too!


And, as we are walking out of the Shrine, twards the gift shop area... i just could not believe those beutiful wooden Torii Gates, and i thought this photo would be neat ---->


And, we will close out with Evan waiting with Daddy outside the gift shop, while Mommy & Olivia shopped.


I dont know if any of you know this but ...
I told myself that i would buy 'something' on each trip we take.
When we lived in Sasebo for 3 years, we bought VERY little, and if we did buy something it was food... so we ate it and it was gone. (haha).
I always wished we had more Japanese things in our home to remind us of our Sasebo Tour/Places we went... so this time, ... even if it's little ... we buy something.
This is what we bought @ the Meiji Shrine Gift Shop.


A Wind Chime!

A bag of Goodies to try... they taste Very Crunchy....


This is part 1... look for part 2 & 3 soon!

Tokyo Tower & Asakusa!!! :)