June 13th Tsukiji fish market -Sushi hits the spot

Today Alivia and I woke up and made our way to Tsukiji Market. (www.tsukiji-market.or.jp/tuskiji_e.htm)This the famous fish market where if you get there between 5am and 7am you can see the world renowned tuna auction...we did not make it :-), regardless there is still plenty to do. We arrived around 10am and found ourselves already lost. You would think you would see an open port but like in most places in Tokyo there are very tall buildings everywhere. We finally found a warehouse so i just walked in. Alivia was very embarassed, as only a teenager could be but I figured this was the one time we could get away with the excuse that we were tourists, so i plowed us forward.

Once through the warehouse you saw hundred's of stalls, where they sell beautiful sushi knives (i may have to go back for one), clothing (handmade purses (I got one), fresh fruit, snacks and of course sushi. We were very hungry and I guess so was everyone else because there were lines for every "restaurant". These eateries are about the size of a large walk in closet thus the need to wait. We finally got a table about a half an hour later and it was worth it. Some of the freshest sushi i have ever had. Alivia had unagi (eel) on rice and it was yummy.

After the market, we made our way to Hama-rikyu Gardens, where alivia just fell in love with the Irises. I had no idea she loved flowers so much. She had never seen them so big and open and either had I. They were the most splendid colors of purple and white...some solid royal purple, some all white and then one that had almost a tiger print that was more light purple. So great my favorite color everywhere! I am really learning a lot about alivia. she is quite the outdoorsy girl. She loves flowers and quiet places. I do too. That is one thing we have in common. It is also something that Japan has a lot of as the city is full of places, outdoor to worship. The buddhist, shinto and confuscious influence is everywhere which is a wonderful respite from the hectic city. Wish new york had more of these.

We walked through most of the garden and saw a lovely geisha in an obi on a photo shoot. We took some great pictures as she strolled across the bridge. It was picture perfect and couldn't have been staged any better. As we walked by the water, small fish started to jump out of the lake, I assumed it was to catch insects that rested or flew over the water. In addition to the fish in the garden we saw lots of feral cats. Reminded me of greece as they were everywhere like pigeons. (in greece they call them rata, like rats) Alivia just loved seeing them. We also saw lots of temples and shrines. Which prompted alivia to say that she had seen enough temples for the day.

We then made our way back to the metro. At this point I wanted to make our way back to Asakusa as I had read about a famous cosmetics store which is one of the last places that sells kabuki and geisha products. they also have special make-up that is made out of nightengale droppings which Posh Beckham swears by. Can't wait to try bird pop on my face. (See more information below) We went back through Namikase arcade and bought some of the best mocchi i have ever had. they had some with bean past, some without. Loved, loved it. I especially like it without the bean paste, just gooey, chewing sweet rice paste. honestly yum!

From Asakusa we got back on the train and headed home. We were planing on going to the famous ferris wheel, but we were exhausted so just went back to the hotel and watch a lot of 24 the first season. (so glad jack's wife died, she was so annoying as was kim and sen. palmer's wife.) We ordered pizza in bed. Actually you can only have it in bed as there is no where to put food. The pizza was delicious. In fact the only restaurant in our hotel is an italian restaurant (how funny is that.) makes sense though as it is primarily a hotel for foreigners and the japanese love their noodles so it is a perfect fit.

Hyakusuke

	Address	2-2-14 Asakusa
	Location	Taito-ku
	Transportation	Station: Asakusa (3 min.). Just east of Nakamise Dori; walking toward Sensoji Temple, turn right after the last shop on Nakamise, pass the two Buddha statues, and turn right again at Benten-do Temple; the shop is on your right, across from the playground
	Phone	03/3841-7058

Frommer's Review

For traditional Japanese cosmetics (kesho hin), come to Hyakusuke, a 200-year-old, family-owned shop. During the Edo Period, it did a brisk trade in teeth blackener (white teeth were considered ugly), but today it offers rather mundane products, as well as such traditional treatments as kombu to funori (a seaweed hair treatment), tsubaki (camellia) oil for healthy hair, and -- perhaps most interesting -- uguisu no hun, nightingale droppings that are said to leave your skin soft and smooth. Simply mix it with a little soap to wash your face. A purchase of ¥1,000 ($8.30/£4.20) will give you about a month of daily use. Makeup used by geisha and Kabuki actors is also sold here, attracting customers in these traditional professions, but I'm partial to face paper, used on humid days to blot away perspiration and grime. Open Wednesday to Monday from 11am to 5pm.