Our last day in Tokyo so we thought we’d finish our stay with another trip up a skyscraper.

This time we were going for free up to the 45th storey of the Tokyo Metropolitan Govt Building, or Tocho as ifs affectionately known, in Shinjuku.

Thankfully the weather was back to blue clear skies and as we arrived at the observation deck of the 45th floor of this iconic building the views were spectacular.

We had been told that on clear days you can see Mount Fuji, and on this morning that proved to be the case. With a good eye we could see the mountains and a peak within the clouds that we were informed was Fuji.

The building had two observation deck in each towers, some 665ft up, that provided views of the other Tokyo landmarks, including Tokyo Tower and the Skytree.

Inside the decks we found lots of info about the city and a few shops selling souvenirs.

The views across the city were stunning and offer a peaceful less crowded alternative to the busier observation decks we’ve previously visited in Tokyo.

It’s a must visit spot if you’re exploring Shinjuku or even looking for some of the best panoramic views in Tokyo.

Next stop was a visit to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.

This was another peaceful oasis in the heart of the city and offered beautiful Japanese, French and English styled gardens. It proved a relaxing stroll and we got to see the greenery of the park at its best.

We got chatting to a local Japanese guy who despite being the wrong side of 60, is a YouTube influencer who recommended a few places for lunch and what we should see in the park.

After our time at the park, we went back into the city for lunch and had a bento box, with a meal comprising rice, meat and some tempura. Added to this we had pickled vegetables with some gyoza and yakitori. The depachika delicacy was found at the barely of a department store where we got high quality ingredients.

After our lunch break in Shinjuku, we picked up our luggage and headed to Tokyo to get our train north to Nagano and on to Shibu Onsen up in the mountains.

The train to Nagano was one of the infamous bullet trains, known as a Shinkansen, that travels at 250kph+ and within 1hr 15mins we were at our destination.

After a subway train, bullet train, local train and eventually a local cab, the last with the aid of the local constabulary (the very helpful Japanese police) we eventually arrived in Shibu Olsen, a traditional Japanese spa village where we will be staying for the next two nights.

Our first Ryokan is a Japanese-style innfound throughout the country, especially in hot spring resorts such as Shibu Onsen. More than just a place to sleep, ryokan’s are an opportunity to experience the traditional Japanese lifestyle and hospitality, incorporating elements such as futon beds, Japanese-style baths and local cuisine, which makes them popular with foreign tourists like ourselves.

Staying in the village was also to take the opportunity to experience an Onsen, or local bath, to rest and relax in the hot springs in a communal environment. As we got here relatively late tonight we intend to take the waters tomorrow.

Instead we decided to head to a local bar for drinks and found a great standing bar or tachibomi, where despite the name we got to sit and were able to drink and relax.

Tomorrow we go in search of Snow Monkeys, the Japanese macaque.