Japan Adventures – Day 8: Navigating Uncertainty and Exploring Asakusa

Morning: Typhoon Alert and Shinkansen Challenges

Our day began with a sense of uncertainty as we discovered a typhoon was heading towards Japan. The Shinkansen (bullet train) services were suspended, and the operator would decide if they would resume today. Adding to our worries, we hadn’t reserved tickets, assuming we would buy them on the day.

Despite the uncertainty, we packed our luggage and headed to Kyoto Station. To our delight, the trains were running, but due to the prior day’s suspension, all trains were fully booked or packed. We were fortunate to secure four seats in the Green Class, albeit at a higher cost and with seats scattered within the same coach. The choice was a later train around 4 PM, which would have left us with less time in Tokyo.

Lesson Learned: Always pre-book the Shinkansen train to avoid last-minute stress and guarantee a smoother journey.

Early Lunch at Matsuba

Knowing we wouldn’t be seated together and and try the famous self-heated bento box, we decided to have an early lunch at Matsuba. The food was average, and the prices were slightly higher, which was expected given its location. My impression of the Green Class was that it offered larger seats but no extra benefits that I was aware of.

Arrival in Tokyo and Taxi to Asakusa

Upon arrival at the massive Tokyo Station, we were overwhelmed by its size and the complexity of navigating to the right metro entrance. We opted for a taxi to our hotel in Asakusa, finding the fare reasonable compared to prices in the United Kingdom.

Afternoon and Evening: Exploring Asakusa

After checking into our hotel, we spent the afternoon and evening exploring Asakusa. Our adventure included visits to iconic attractions like Sensoji Temple, Kaminarimon, and Nakamise-dori Street. A highlight for our daughter was the Sanrio Gift Gate Asakusa, her favorite character shop.

Dinner and Evening Stroll

For dinner, we enjoyed a meal at the Kura Sushi Global Flagship Store Asakusa. Afterward, we had enough time to browse Don Quijote Asakusa before walking back to our hotel, concluding a day filled with unexpected challenges and delightful discoveries.