Another busy day, this time back in Tokyo as we returned to the city to visit the various sites we didn’t have time for when we first visited almost a months ago.

Our first early morning stop was a visit to Tsukiji fish market. While the inner market has moved to Toyosu, the outer market is still packed with stalls selling fresh seafood, snacks and produce. It’s a fantastic spot for seafood lovers with the most amazing array of sushi and all manner of fish and sea life!

Needless to say the fish market was packed, mainly with tourists and their Japanese guides as well as a few locals. Despite the relatively early hour, a lot of people were digging in for a sushi ‘breakfast’ which Michelle was keen to try, less so for the squeamish Andy.

The seafood that was being cooked, was fried on mini bbq’s creating this most wonderful of smells.

The range of food on offer included oysters & sushi, fresh from the morning’s boats and expertly prepared to draw you in for a purchase.

After manoeuvring our way around the tightly packed lanes of stalls, we headed away from the fish market and on to the nearby Hama-rikyū Gardens.

Hama-rikyū Gardens is a metropolitan garden in Chūō ward. Located at the mouth of the Sumida River, it was opened to the public in 1946. This landscaped garden includes a Shioiri-no-ike, and is surrounded by a seawater moat filled by Tokyo Bay.

It was remodeled as a public garden on the site of a villa belonging to the ruling Tokugawa family in the 17th century.

It was such a lovely place with lots of flowers even in early November.

Trees, paths and tranquility, so great to have this place in such a huge city as Tokyo. We saw many quintessential Japanese buildings and plants and walked along the river as well. 
After the crush of people at Tsukiju Fish Market, it brought some pleasant respite.

Hama Rikyu features seawater ponds which change level with the tides, and a teahouse on an island where visitors can rest and enjoy the scenery.

The traditionally styled garden stands in stark contrast to the skyscrapers of the adjacent Shiodome area.

After a busy morning we walked on to Ginza, for a brief shop in Uniqlo’s flagship 12 level store and a purchase for Andy and one for Amelia.

After a coffee stop at City Bakery in Ginza, possibly the best selection of cakes and desserts in Tokyo, we made our way to the Imperial Palace East Gardens to take in the views and enjoy the scenery.

As we headed up the hill to the raised gardens we were drawn to the nearby Nippon Budokan, often shortened to simply Budokan, an indoor arena.

It was originally built for the inaugural Olympic judo competition in the 1964 Summer Olympics. While its primary purpose is to host martial arts contests, the arena has gained additional fame as a musical performance venue.

Keeping with our busy theme, we then took the subway to Shinjuku in search of materials for Amelia who is looking for Japanese Shibori. We had found a college and store that sold the fabric, but when we arrived it had closed for the end of the term!

Determined to find the fabric materials we moved on to Hands department store where we had been told we might find something across this six stores old school department store.

Keeping the walking levels up, we decided to wander down from Shinjuku to the Nakameguro district, it’s a picturesque area with cafes, boutiques and a famous cherry tree lined river. This proved to be a monumental walk of close on 4 miles passing through Yoyogi Park.

The route took us through Shibuya and the Crossing before we eventually arrived next to the river Nakameguro River where we searched out a restaurant for a late lunch, early dinner.

We found a great little cafe and sat outside enjoying a chicken katsu curry with a healthy salad.

With just one day left in Tokyo & Yokohama tomorrow, we headed to the main train station to purchase our train tickets to our final city stop in Japan, the northern coastal city of Kanazawa. We will be spending 3 nights before returning to Tokyo for our last night.

We will then fly on to Auckland to start our New Zealand leg.