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DSL
Keeper of the wheelie bin

Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72797

Couple of days of pics all in one. Weather has turned a bit wet due to the pesky rainy season.

Back to see the Imperial palace area, this time the E Gardens. A nice short walk from Tokyo station and free!!

Nice thick walls.

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Nice tea house, beats your MickyDees.

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Then over to the Ginko shopping area, via the underground walkways as it was raining. In Ginko they close off the roads for Sat & Sun, it was interesting that there were not that many peeps walking down the middle of the road. Not sure if trust issues or too well trained.

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Here’s the UNIQULO main flagship store. Now if this doesn’t give you weird dreams nothing will.

Not often you have to use pano mode on a concept supercar.

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Front & back, still can’t get side-by-side.

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Random crossing, no idea why I took this pic.

SWMBO spotted it first.

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And there seems to be a theme park out there dedicated to Thomas the Tank Engine!

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Bit of ancient & modern juxtaposed.

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And got to Hamamatsucho just in time to see our hotel’s shuttle bus head off into the distance.

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Lots of walking, hoofed it back to the hotel from Tokyo station so sore feet this time yesterday.

And today we went t’other way to the Odaiba area, just the other side of Tokyo Bay. It was overcast/drizzling, lots of tourist things to do, so it was hooching. We bombed out of some things because of the queues, will head back tomorrow when it will be a lot quieter.

My fave sign of the trip on the way there, one I deffo obey.

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Maritime museum, closed.

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Someone has a screw loose.

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And an icebreaker to wander around. Head was banged a few times and clown cap has had its baptism by paint & rust.

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Then to the shopping/ent area, guarded by this chap.

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Lots of shopping, sadly nothing in my size, but had a good wander around the amusements hall. Lots of ¥100 (67p) grab attractions for the usual cuddly but slippery cute toys but also pizzas, biscuits, all manner food things. Even curry pot noodles.

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All set up to make what looks easy really difficult in reality. Resisted the urge.

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For the first time we saw pachinko. Really interesting to subtly watch but the tokens were going in and out at a rate of knots. Much machine feeding was going on.

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We read in Japan News today that Hokkaido are looking to set up casinos, most gambling is illeagal in Japan, I just hope they google the fiasco & complete waste of money that was the race for Supercasinos under Blair.

Lots of eateries, many with long queues, we decided to queue here. Well once we realised that our queue wasn’t a queue but a load of peeps standing in a vague line.

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Diet starts when we’re back home, not today. Mine is strawberry & melon icecream, SWMBO’s rum & riaison & chocolate. Expensive but worth it.

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Remember that transformer type dude above? We went out timed to see when it moved, expectations were high.

That’s 90 seconds you won’t get back, sorry.

Final pic from the Toyota car museum, the car in there I’d like to cruise down Cobham High Street in. If it would fit.

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30th Jun 2019 9:55 am

Moo
D3 Decade

Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 13932

2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 S Manual Zambezi Silver

Looks good. I have Friday, Saturday and Sunday there next week to amuse myself. Thought I might to Hiroshima for the day as well. New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)

Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)

Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)

No longer the Old Buses original owner

231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control

30th Jun 2019 10:55 am

DSL
Keeper of the wheelie bin

Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72797

We really liked Hiroshima, unfortunately only had one night here before we had to fly back for my uncle’s funeral. But bare in mind it’s a 4 hour Shinkansen ride away. Plus the further S you head at the mo, the more you’re going into the rainy season. We’ve used the NAVITIME app in the phone and it’s been brill. It will give you costs and times, with or without JR pass. You can rely on transport here being on-time to the minute, I know a strange concept for Brits, if the trains are late it make the evening news.

30th Jun 2019 11:07 am

DSL
Keeper of the wheelie bin

Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72797

Greetings from the Tokyo Dome. GOOOOOOO Giants.

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Or is it Dragons.

2nd Jul 2019 7:06 am

Moo
D3 Decade

Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 13932

Is that where they play rounders? New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)

Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)

Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)

No longer the Old Buses original owner

231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control

2nd Jul 2019 7:44 am

DSL
Keeper of the wheelie bin

Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72797

Kind of, but main thing is we won 6 - 0. Reeeeeeeesult, pics tomorrow.

2nd Jul 2019 1:51 pm

DSL
Keeper of the wheelie bin

Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72797

Ok, bit of an update from the last coupe of days.

Monday was a lot quieter on Odaiba island. There was a festival thing happening, there were peeps under these brollies! Looks a lot less muddy than Glasto.

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Firstly the museum we abandoned due to the crowds. Much science, a lot a bit weird. A few scientific things were explained in what can only be described as "science by pachinko”.

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Talking of robots, which we weren’t, but there is the cute.

The plain weird, guaranteed to weird peeps out.

And the Borg Queen has found a home in Tokyo

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Then to the mahooooooosive Toyota showroom to kick some tyres. I liked this, plenty of room once the seat is fully back.

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And really liked this, though decided not to order one as it didn’t include a radio. Nice colour.

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Not a lot more on Monday, bit of a lazy afternoon.

And then Tuesday. We did most of it on foot as we’d been too lazy so did almost 15km hoofing it around in high heat & humidity. Deffo a sweaty day.

On the “Weird 50” list they have the Mario Cart excursions, managed to catch them on the major road near the hotel. I thought it looked fantastic, SWMBO wasn’t convinced.

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Once we’d walked to the electronics area we had to visit the Yodobashi electrical store that is 8 floors of tech & toys. It’s massive as great to just wander round.

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Chinese commercial spooks well represented.

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SWMBO thought liquor might be printer ink via some weird translation app.

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But no, it was booze!

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Found this setup and it was fab. I’ve never crashed in a driving sim quite so realistically. SWMBO had to remind me there was a brake pedal but where’s the fun in that.

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Note sweaty shirt, as I said it was a mite hot & humid.

Then a bit of a hike through the electronics are to the Tokyo Dome. Few pics to set the scene.

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And the Tokyo Dome heaves into view.

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Before we hit there clocked this fantastic rollercoaster that rapped itself round the top of the buildings and through the Ferris wheel. Unfortunately didn’t get to see what it was like as we didn’t see it run.

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And to the ball game.

It was fantastic. We had booked seats, hoping to be squeezed in besides some nice skinny Tokyo peeps but no, the Japanese chap on the right made me look slim and an equally sized American dude the other side. Once we’d moved to unclaimed seats all was well.

When we went off in search of scoff we came across this lovely lady in her Giants shirt, she was a bit worried but was doing a fantastic job and loved showing her assistance skills.

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Good to know, though not sure we’d hear or feel an earthquake with the background noise.

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Lots of merch to purchase, though the shirts were ¥10k, £80 with tax. Declined their offer.

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Scoff merch as well.

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As well as the two shirts modelled below we also got free 2 pencil cases. Eclectic but useful.

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We watched the Dragons practice, boy can they hit that ball into the stands. The ball on plastic thwack is quite loud. That area was going to be filled with the Dragon Army shortly after, the loud contingent.

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This gives a feel of the atmosphere, it was fantastic.

We’ll deffo do another ball game next time we’re back. SWMBO had just said she’d like for us to be in the outfield bit next time for the atmosphere. That’s where the home run balls land. Better bring a crash hat!

Everybody received a free Tokyo Giants shirt. Some peeps made them look good, some little ‘uns would grow into them eventually, like in 10 years. I knew I was in trouble when I saw under size it had ONESIZE, however I had to show my allegiance.

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Re the match, it was a bit of a case of watch and learn but it wad fascinating. “We” (go Giants) hit a few home runs and the crowd, incl us, truly did go wild.

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There were restrictions on the cheering impliments and flags etc, not sure this complied but it was fab.

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The end score was 6 - 0 to the Giants so they didn’t bother with the bottom of the 9th (note techie terms), just piled out with thousands of peeps and crammed into the trains. My phone beeped me to ask me this question.

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Crowded? Google doesn’t even know the meaning of the word.

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So great end to great stay in great country, we’ll deffo be back.

Now in airport hotel at Narita ready to fly to DMK Airport in Bangkok tomorrow. Transport into the centre of the city looks a bit of a bun fight but have resisted the urge to book a car or do a Grab, back to 3rd world buses & trains.

Catch y’all in Bangkok.

Last edited by DSL on 3rd Jul 2019 1:50 pm. Edited 5 times in total

3rd Jul 2019 12:35 pm

RLD
Uncle Ray

Member Since: 18 Jul 2005
Location: all ways some where
Posts: 11928

2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto Zambezi Silver

Home of RLD Hidden winch mounts Spare wheel Locks Trailer Body Fabrication [email protected] D3/4 sump plates MY 14 sump plates and the Discovery Sport wheel protectors Discovery 5 wheel locks
more Helsport tents and other things for camping

Law of Mechanical Repair:
"After your hands are coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee!"

3rd Jul 2019 1:03 pm

kajtzu

Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6577

2005 Discovery 3 4.4 V8 HSE Auto Cairns Blue

Had to lookup what field DMK is in Bangkok.

turns out I’ve just been there when it still was known as BKK

3rd Jul 2019 2:05 pm

DSL
Keeper of the wheelie bin

Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72797

The new BKK airport, still haven’t worked out it’s pronunciation, has proper links to the centre, DMK has been left behind. Saying that the flights to & from DMK are a lot, lot cheaper. Got 3 nights in the IC Bangkok to recover from the journey in, and we’ve been upgraded to a corner suite. Happy days.

Oh, and in the Crowne Plaza at Narita atm, free on IHG points and have been upgraded to a lovely suite from basic room.

Last edited by DSL on 3rd Jul 2019 2:21 pm. Edited 1 time in total

3rd Jul 2019 2:16 pm

kajtzu

Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6577

APAC is magical as they always seem to hand out operational or complementary upgrades when one goes to IHG, Starwood or Hilton properties

also all Asian properties tend to be really nice compared to, say, Hilton McLean Tyson’s Corner

3rd Jul 2019 2:21 pm

DSL
Keeper of the wheelie bin

Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72797

Agreed, deffo magical. Will be interesting comparing hotels here cf Europe & Americas.

3rd Jul 2019 2:26 pm

Pelyma

Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Patching, Sussex
Posts: 15496

Looking at this https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-48850111 it seems there is some rough weather about. DS3 TDV6 HSE - Silver with Alpaca (old one) Gone
DS3 TDV6 HSE- Silver with Alpaca (new one) Gone
D4 HSE Lux - Montalcino Red Gone
Porsche Cayenne V8 Diesel S

3rd Jul 2019 3:16 pm

DSL
Keeper of the wheelie bin

Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72797

Certainly is a tad wet here, more like it’s chucking it down. We’re hoping Scoot is a quality operation and they have a jetway, not a crappy bus out to the aircraft.