Family Vacation @ Tokyo - Day 5, Asakusa and Odaiba

It was the weekend in Tokyo. And my mum's friend, Aunt Shujun has kindly offered to drive us around. We planned to visit Asakusa and Venus Fort in Odaiba.

We have arranged to meet Aunt Shujun at 8.30am but we were late. The lil ones slept past midnight and it was a struggle to wake up early and got the ready. And we had to pack their necessities like filling up the water bottles, filling up the hot water flask, filling the milk powder into container, replenishing diapers, replenishing snacks, etc. Yes, you can imagine how heavy my baby bag was. I usually hang the bag on the stroller's handle. If the kids were not on the stroller, the bag has to be transferred to the seat or it will topple. My bag was that heavy.

Finally, we were ready by 9am and we set off to Asakusa. It was already very crowded when we reached there. And it was very sunny (hot but luckily not humid). We have just started exploring the Asakusa Nakamise shopping street when the kids got cranky again. So we had to find a place to feed them breakfast first. Well, we did feed them bread on the journey there but they have not had their milk. We spotted McDonald's and my girl insisted on having her breakfast there. Well, the intention of the vacation is to delight the kids so her wish was granted.

Thereafter, we continued to explore the shopping street as there were alot of food stalls and souvenirs shops. But we realised that we were not allowed to walk on the street or step into another stall if we were consuming food bought from other stalls. Initially I did not realise what the Japanese auntie was telling me when I was still happily munching on the food while looking through the souvenirs in her stall. Then the owner from the opposite food stall came over and dragged me back to her stall. And I saw many people staying within the stall to finish the food. Such weird rules! Anyway I was not too tempted to try other food then as we cannot have the luxury of staying put at one place to consume the food. There is no way that my kids can stay still so we just have to move on.

We gotten some food stuff as souvenirs and my hubs bought a fortune cat to be placed in his office (well, I guess people in sales line welcome any auspicious things that can bless them with more sales). There were alot of different types of fortune cat, fat and skinny, big and small, selling in many shops there. The one that we saw and eventually bought can only be found in one particular shop and it wasn't exactly the cheapest one. But we found that the nicest and cutest one. Too bad I have not taken any picture and it is sitting on my hub's office desk now, blessing him with more sales so that he can bring home more $$$. Hehe!

Towards the end of the shopping street is the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, known as Sensoji or Asakusa Kannon Temple.

Entrance of the shopping street

Crowded with tourists

It was a hot & sunny day

Shades for eye protection

The entrance of Asakusa Kannon Temple

With Aunt Shujun.

 

Actually I don't know if there is any particular meaning on this big red lantern

The passageway to the inner shrine

Before we stepped into the inner shrine, we spotted many people drawing lots and we joined in. 100yen for each lot.

The mistake that I have made, accordingly to Aunt Shujun. Drawing lots must be sincere and made personally. Janelle was having fun with drawing my lot and we shake the tin together, gigling and laughing away.

Thus, I ended up with a bad lot. Aunt Shujun told me that it was due to me not being serious while drawing the lot (Oops!). Hence I was advised to fold the bad lot and tied it on the metal bars as seen in the picture, while reciting something about bad lot go away, good lot come my way. I just recited after Aunt Shujun so I can't remember what was the exact words. After 2 tries, I have finally gotten a good lot. My lucky hubs gotten a very good lot in his first attempt. And we were told to fold and keep the good lot in our wallet.

We were told to sweep the smoke towards whatever part of the body that you want to bless. Eg sweep the smoke to the head and the kids will be smarter, sweep the smoke to the body and you will be healthy. How true is it, we are not certain. Anyway, it is always fun to learn new things about different cultures and it doesn't harm to try.

There is also a big well which we are supposed to cleanse our hands and mouths in 3 steps. First scoop to rinse left hand (or right hand? I don't remember. Oops! But there is a signage to guide you.), second scoop to rinse the other hand, third scoop to wipe your mouth.

We chanced upon a group of youngsters with bunnies. Apparently they are soliciting business for a restaurant nearby which you can have bunnies to dine with you. Sounds interesting but we did not went to check out the restaurant though.

Once again, the kids were getting cranky as they were hungry and tired. We went to a Japanese restaurant to have lunch. We relied on Aunt Shujun to place orders for us as the menu is in Japanese. Almost finishing his meal, Jayven was dozing off on his daddy's lap. My dad offered to carry him since he has finished his meal.

It was almost 4pm when we left Asakusa for Odaiba. Janelle fell asleep during the car ride and Jayven slept through from lunch till destination.

Odaiba is an awesome man-made island featuring shopping malls, leisure complexes, museums, hotels and office buildings. My plan was to visit Venus Fort hence I estimated that half a day should be sufficient but I was wrong.

We reached Venus Fort at 4.30pm and our first stop was to find a place to change the lil one's diaper. I was glad to find a baby care room and to my amazement, the baby care room was huge! When you entered the room, there are 2 drinks vending machine and one food vending machine and a resting area where parents can rest their tired legs or feed the lil ones milk / food (high chair are available too). Apart from the usual changing tables and nursing rooms, there is a parent-child restroom and it is a relatively big restroom (kids can run about in there).

Even the changing table is spacious

The all-in-one washing area that I was very impressed with. Put your hand at the right and water will flow out. Place on the left and you can lather your hands with the foamy soap. Once you are done washing your hands, move to the bottom centre (as seen in the picture) and your hands will be blow-dry. Convenient and no water spilling on the floor. 

It's a dog-friendly mall as we saw many dogs walking in the mall. Jayven was fascinated and kept following the dogs

Kiddy rides discovered within a mini amusement centre. 100 yen per ride.

Janelle's happiest find in the mall. Hello Kitty Kawaii Paradise (it's a mini Hello Kitty theme park)

Getting on board Hello Kitty Joyful Train. 300 yen per pax. We have to purchase the tickets at a nearby vending machine

My Melody appearance. We did not expect that there will be a character appearance. Just happen to be in the right place at the right time. Janelle was elated. They have invited all the kids to dance along with My Melody. Janelle was standing right in front and very focused on following the actions.

Receiving a big warm hug from My Melody

A picture taken for 500 yen. We get to bring the photo back

Spotted a small open concept casino at level 1

Spotted another mobile casino in the middle of an atrium on our way to dinner. And it was gone when we came out from the restaurant

Dinner time. Insisted on feeding himself. Amused with his dirty face

The kid's meal that we have ordered for the lil ones. It comes with a glass of orange juice and a scoop of ice-cream. Oh! and not forgetting a toy that they get to choose for themselves (presented in a basket)

A huge Dracula Mickey Mouse display at the entrance of a store

Nice touch to the mall: A Venetian water fountain

There is a Toyota Motor Corporation Showcase where we can go for test drive. But it was closed by 6pm. And we saw a corner for little car rides for the kids but it was closed too. Hence after dinner, we took a leisure walk around the mall. Actually the mall is huge and we did not manage to explore every corner. Then we rested our tired legs at Starbucks and I enjoyed a cuppa of my all time favourite Green Tea Latte in Starbucks before Aunt Shujun drove us back to Shinjuku.

It was a great day out and with Aunt Shujun bringing us around, we have saved much time in exploring and commuting via public transport. And we totally relied on her when it comes to communication in Japanese. Hah!

We had to rest early for the night as we had to set off at 8.30am the next morning to Nikko, 3 hours drive from Tokyo. But we ended up with lights off at 12 midnight again. Such privilege for the kids only during vacations.