I had time to explore the Ginza area before heading to Tochigi. I walked around looking at building Saturday morning. As I was walking to Nissan Crossing, I couldn’t help but look up and love the buildings.
I started to walk further west and came upon Godzilla at Hibiya Square!
As I was exploring when I came near the Kokyogaien National Gardens. I only stayed in the lower part and headed back to the trains shortly after.
As I was heading to the train station and going through an underpass, I couldn’t help but enjoy these spots that set up underneath.
We decided to go to another spot near the water. There are 2 Shorebird parks just a couple of miles away from each other. The one we went to was the one that is furthest north.
We walked around for a good 30 minutes. The park area was pretty busy and even had a huge group of families without face coverings… so we stayed out distance.
Ground squirrels are everywhere and friendly. Tons of people were out and kids were playing at the playground (Jacob and Lucas didn’t).
Joaquin Miller Park is pretty big like many in the region. This will only focus on the steps. With Covid shutdowns going on, people are exercising more and this place is no different.
A few years back, Jacob, Jasmin and myself were here. The water was flowing and it was very gorgeous.
As we went there during the weekend, it wasn’t as “nice” because the water that flows down has stopped.
Nonetheless, the focus was this was to get some walking in and it was great.
The staff told me the observation room doesn’t open until 9:30am. So I had 45 minutes to look around. I found the promotional spots for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and took pictures with the mascots.
I was part of the 1st group to go up. Before I could check the views, I saw a ton of souvenirs for sale, but Godzilla captured my eyes!
Then I started to check out the views!
I’ve been going up high buildings and take photos. At least this observation experience was FREE!!!
Afterwards, I headed down to the subway system to get to Meiji Shrine.
I am a fan of the LePetit Prince and was fortunate to see cool stuff in Paris relating to him.
When I was planning for Hakone, I wanted to see what was around where we were staying and I couldn’t believe a 10 minute walk would be at the Petit Prince Museum in Hakone!!!
When I arrived to our hotel, I decided to go check it out quick… unfortunately, it was closed. I had arrived at that time where maybe they closed up early?
Nonetheless, I still took a couple pictures of the outside.
I was going to Hakone, but a different route as Mt Hakone erupted, there was closure of some of the roads.
Kuze-san said he would pick me up at Gora station.
I took the Shinkansen from Nagoya station to Odawara station At Odawara station, I had get on Odakyu’s Hakone Tozan line.Hakone Tozan line
Once on, it was about a 20 minute ride to Hakone-Yumoto station, in which we get on another train for Gora station.
If you see the sign, it says that we mus transfer at Hakone-Yumoto station to get to Gora Station
Hakone Freepass… hmm.. Next time!At Hakone-Yumoto station, there was a welcome sign.
Since everyone was transferring, there was a small line, but nothing too bad.
Sorry for the fingers.I had to stand as I was one of the last people to get on. But at least my luggage was stored in this small spot.
As we were going up, I didn’t realize that Gora Station was on the mountain side, so there were a lot of switchbacks, meaning, changing direction as we were getting higher.
After going up hill and switching directions, I finally get to Gora station.
I didn’t get on the cable car, but as you an see, it goes straight up hill.
Kuze-san picked me up and we headed to Forest Hakone hotel, where we were 2 years ago.
