Japan May 2019 Sharing

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Due to Covid-19, now we can't enter Japan for the time being.
Initially, I planned to visit Japan in May-2019, done most of the planning with a huge amount of restaurants booked but got to cancel everything.

I got some photo which Previous May-2019 trip (around 2 weeks length covering Tokyo + Kyoto in the main from 11th May 2019 till 27th May 2019).

Day 1 - 11th May

Flight was via SQ to Haneda. this time was via Economy but got the bulkhead extra legroom seat so got to sleep pretty well throughout the whole red eye flight.

Was also lucky that the middle seat was empty during the flight so not only got extra room for leg but also extra width. Much cheaper than premium Economy and more room!

After landing, went through custom etc and reached Tokyo Station at barely 7am. Tokyo Station always my first place to go after landing since

May last year was very warm. constantly 30+ degree throughout my 2 weeks stay. It was a bit out of normal compared to usual. This year was much better 20+ but then such a pity can't made it to Japan.

Early Morning in Tokyo, not much stuff to do. Gardens typically open at 9am.
Fish Market is available or alternatively Shrines also open quite early

Went to Yasukuni shrine

 

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Day 1 - 11th May

Next, i went to Koshikawa Korakuen. Japanese garden near Tokyo Dome, which is also near Yasukuni or Tokyo Station.

After the sakura in April, in May you get to see the most green and fresh leaf.

 

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Day 1 - 11th May

After that, went to Ginza for Lunch

 

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Day 1 - 11th May

One of my favourite lunch spot in Ginza, Esquisse
https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1301/A130101/13142530/

They did some refurbishment and redesign of the menu (Their pastries chef also went to Sugalabo)

 

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Day 1 - 11th May

 

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Day 1 - 11th May







After long lunch, back to hotel to check-in



some free snacks




From Esquisse as well

 

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Day 1 - 11th May

View from the room. In my next trip during Autumn, they added an Olympic Clock to countdown to Olympic...



Went to Yokohama for some Yakitori at Ribatei





Very famous Yakitori Place in Yokohama
https://tabelog.com/kanagawa/A1401/A140104/14001650/

 

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Day 1 - 11th May





The style of this shop is omakase and will keep on flowing until you inform the chef to stop then he will calculate price to charge.



Cold Beer to go with Yakitori. Not sure which alcohol goes best with Yakitori. There are some places like Toriki which serve Whisky

 

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Day 1 - 11th May

 

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Day 1 - 11th May

 

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Day 1 - 11th May




Their special curry rice. this is must order (Separate from their omakase)

 

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Day 2 - 12th May

I went to the imperial palace which is just outside of Tokyo Station.



Although i visited Tokyo so many times but this is my first time visiting this place









Can only see from outside


However, there is a garden which is FOC

 

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Day 2 - 12th May



This is the base stone of the Edo Castle (Already burned down long time ago)







All the prefectural donated trees in this garden

 

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Day 2 - 12th May

Kanda Matsuri. Held every two years in May

Kanda is an area near Akihabara, famous for the Kanda shrine.




But before going to Kanda Shrine, went for lunch



Yotsugi Station with the Captain Tsubasa decor



Lunch at Unagi Place. Uomasa
https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1324/A132403/13035339/





Reservation only

 

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Day 2 - 12th May







Unagi bone, crispy and unagi liver



I ordered two different unagi. One is their farmed Bando Unagi and another is market price Natural unagi


The natural unagi with less sauce. in order to have the best natural taste of the unagi

 

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Day 2 - 12th May



The farmed unagi



With the usual unagi tare.





Signature of famous people who visited

After lunch, to Kanda Shrine for Kanda Matsuri. Surprising not so many tourists, mostly local crowd

Best is to watch from Kanda Shrine or alternatively those float will actually travel to Akihabara as well

 

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Day 2 - 12th May



The person with the wooden clapper in front is aligning the float to the middle












Mini float carried by children

 

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Day 2 - 12th May

As usual with Matsuri, got Yatai outside





After the float visited the Shrine, it will go down to Akihabara

 

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Day 2 - 12th May





Float and the procession resting on the street of Akihabara. During Weekend, they closed the street of Akihabara similar to Ginza



Close up look at the golden float





Continue, people standing on top of the float

 

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Day 2 - 12th May








The mini float







Police bus