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September 11, 2005

Tokyo: Weasel Town

Anka visited Tokyo last winter as well, with Weasel Keeper Dianna Tong and friends.

Anka among friends outside of Kiddyland, the most famous toy store in Tokyo

Along Takeshita-dori, following our noses towards...

Crepes! A favorite snack in Tokyo, at the moment.

The Japanese do not eat while walking, so here we (Dianna, Anka, and Daphne) pause for a moment.

Anka enjoying her snack

Anka meeting a neko who frankly looks taken aback by the forwardness of this Swedish-American weasel.

Tokyo does still have its fair share of earthquakes today, even if they're on the whole quite small.

Harajuku, in Omotesando, is certainly one of the most popular shopping districts - second only to Ginza. Standing here, outside of the Gap.

Next, we headed off to Hakone. Although not the shinkansen, this train moves quite fast!

Anka at the train station in Hakone.

We begin our travels - looking down at the homes along the slope.

We stopped at the Open Air Museum, Gora, and the Hot Springs (although Anka wasn't keen on having her fur wet.)

Viva Hakone!

The view from our hotel room, looking down at the garden.

Traveling by bus...

... by cable car...

up to the (admittedly stinky) Owakudani Valley.

And now, back again, by gondola...

...and ship, to cross Lake Ashi.

The ship is a vibrant green copy of a Spanish galleon taken over by pirates. Anka, with a modern pirate...right.

Hakone Checkpoint, the first stop on the road from Edo to the west of Japan.

In the Gobansho, Anka comforts a lady while being searched. Samurai wives and daughters were rarely allowed to travel away from the Tokugawa capital.

A museum showcasing life in Hakone during the Edo period, having little, in fact to do with actual materials.

In the Imperial Gift Hakone-koen Park, overlooking the lake.

Here stood a summer villa built for the Emperor Mejii, although a modern building now is at the site.

A map of the region (I believe. Anka can't read Japanese either.)

And, after a long trip, a worthy dinner at my favorite tempura restaurant, back in Tokyo.

Anka and friend, at the famous Tsukiji Fish Market.

Some of the most delicious sushi in the world can be found in the tiny stores right beside the market. Anka here sits outside the store we chose, beneath its noren

Down the busy avenue leading to the Sensoji in Asukusa, Anka pauses for a quick shot.

Outside the temple - a busy time of year, being just before the New Year.

Weasel - and sake! It's a traditional gift to the temple.

And, of course you can't have a visit to Tokyo without a trip to the pachinko parlour - especially with her (minor) gambling addiction.

Posted by dmd at September 11, 2005 4:19 PM