Hanging out in Shiba and Hamamatsucho

For the first part of my March trip to Tokyo I stayed at the same hotel I've stayed at a few times before. In Shiba, which is a little area in Minato Ward. During the time I took a few photos seeing what had changed and what was the same. The Poko Bagels place was gone (I mentioned this last year), replaced by a pet groomer. The window had lost the wooden Dachshund dog but gained this little fur baby. There were other cats on other days, usually asleep. 

 The bowl with water plants and tiny minnows was still in front of a place, and so was this tank of fancy gold fish.

And the sakura tree was still there besides this building. I first saw it in 2011, next to the entrance. It's too bad they didn't just plant it by the building. It would look better. But it is still alive and blooming. 

Shiba's gained a sign! Now I have proof. 

Near there is another sign with a bit about the history of Shiba. Basically there were fishing villages here. At some time in the Edo period, tea serving servants for the castle lived in the area. 

There's even an ukiyo-e created by Utagawa Hiroshige, the first. One of Edo's famous sites at the time. 

The Furukawa still flows under the Inner Circular Route. Restaurant boats still moored there. On the right is Shiba, on the left is Hamamatsucho.

Despite all the concrete buildings, there are a few places where one looks up and sees green. 

Back at Sanuki-Kohaku Inari Shrine on the Hamamatsucho side of the river.

Lions and foxes still watching the place. 

Fox ema still being left. Someone left an omamori, a blue charm. Guess it was time to turn it in. 

More ema including the horse ones I mentioned in last year's post. Here's a link in case you are curious. I explained a bit about the shrines here. 

Not the same cat this year. I'm sure this shrine is nice for cats to hang out at.

A few more Inari foxes hanging out at the smaller shrine.

Just a few more random photos. Like this water hydrant manhole cover. The second firefighter looks a little shocked. 

Still a lot of eateries in Hamamatsucho. Being between Shiba where there are a lot of major companies, and Hamamatsucho and Daimon Stations, it makes sense that the dining business has grown there. There's even an Okinawan restaurant complete with red roof tiles over the entrance. I believe the name is Uru no Ya, but I couldn't find a review of the place. I think it is new.

 Me, while I was in Shiba I ate breakfast at the hotel since it was included and dinner was something from local konbini. I found myself eating lunch in different parts of Tokyo while I was out exploring. I did stop at MOS Burger in Hamamatsucho. It's a tradition by now. Sat upstairs this time so I could have a different view.

I had my shrimp burger fix. 

Along with their fries and onion rings. Those onion rings are so good!

Back to Japan

 Last year I did not know if I would ever be able to go back to Japan. But I was not going to just let that happen. So this year in March, I found myself on a half empty plane flying to Los Angeles International Airport. Where I would board my flight to Tokyo. Not only was this me being able to continue doing what I enjoy, but it was also ten years from my first trip to Japan. And my sixth visit there.

So I was up before dawn at Portland International Airport. Very early flight but it had one benefit. The back of the plane was empty so it was great to enjoy having a whole row of seats to take a nap on. And to be able to see the rising sun color the clouds outside the windows.

 Arriving at Los Angeles, I was hungry. As I walked the very long distance from my arrival gate to the international terminal, the smell of bacon was everywhere. I haven't eaten bacon in a very long time. But because I was hungry and tired, my willpower was weak. So I gave in to these breakfast tacos at Border Grill. Almost felt like a crime not to have tacos since I was back in L.A.

 I won't detail my flight because it's not the most fun. Fast forward to leaving Narita International Airport on an uncrowded train. Back on that Keisei Narita Express line. I don't remember if this was the front or back of the train.

Made it to my hotel in Minato-ku. After having to deal with a problem caused by my credit union, I got my room and headed out for food. Really hungry I found a seaweed daikon salad and this karaage bento. The bento was fine but it reminded me, why so much rice? Since I eat less salty food and less rice along with very little fried food or meat, this is one of the few konbini bento that I ate. As for why this salad, it is because salads in Japan tend to have a lot of cabbage and less lettuce and other greens. I rather enjoy the seaweed versions more. Plus they may be a little more healthy.

 Grey and rainy day but I wanted to get out and walk a little. Back to the canals that I last saw on my last day of my 2017 trip. It was nice to see them.

Even though the area is mostly commercial buildings and concrete apartments, it's still a relaxing view with the water and bridges.

And I was really happy to be back in Tokyo. A place where I feel centered.

Last Day in Sadness

One last look at the Furukawa in between Shiba and Hamamatsucho. Overhead? The Inner Circular Route, a toll way through Tokyo. I'm glad the old fashioned dinner boats are still moored on the river.

Hoping to enjoy my last moments in Tokyo with a pint I head to Devil Craft. Except it was not to be because they stopped serving lunch on Saturday. Probably closest to a selfie I've posted here. Odd shaped but then I'm holding my camera up. Medium height, black clothing, long brunette hair, yup that's me.

When I mentioned in a previous post that there were more places to buy food in this area since 2011, My Basket is one reason. There are now a couple of these markets in the area which is a very good thing. Fresh food for those who live here and more options for to-go food.

Checked in with the local Jizo. He's still well tended to although I noticed one of the bags was removed. I also stopped by the little Inari shrine, plaid my respects and hoped I would be back some day.

The pedestrian tunnel under the Daiichi Keihin, Japan National Route 15, still open and still a bit creepy.

I've noticed the more creepy places in Tokyo tend to be near places with activity. As though just out of the corner of everyone's eyes. Get's my imagination fired up. It's good, makes me want to be creative. This passage is one of those.

End of the Furukawa where it flows into the canals along Tokyo Bay and the Sumida River.

With the Inner Circular Route above it.

Pretty blue skies this March, unlike the last March I was here. Felt welcoming even on the day I was leaving.

Older hand painted map of the area. Once again surprised this wasn't replaced by something newer. But it is nice they kept it.

I walked along the canal taking in the feeling of the water and the area. One of the flood gates set up around Tokyo. Being a Saturday there were not many people out in the area.

Beyond that a bridge and more office buildings. Across the way may have been Shibaura Ungazoi Green Space, a much needed relief from all the concrete and glass.

I sat for a bit taking in the moment. I felt sad wondering if this would be the last I could be here. It does take a lot to make the journey but I also discovered during this trip that something was wrong with my eye sight. I realized at some point I could not read the signs in train stations. While I had previously noticed before the trip I was having a little double vision looking at things from a distance, I thought it was just my astigmatism getting a little worse. But now I was having trouble with even closer signs, especially with my right eye. I knew something wasn't okay and would need to see an optometrist. So I had this hanging over me also. 

One of the many tour boats that sail the canals and rivers around Tokyo. Really nice day to be out on the water.

Continued walking. I've been through this area before which is a bit of land between the canal and Tokyo Bay/Sumida River. With the brown grass this sculpture has an out of place look to it.

Always finding spots where Tokyo residents try to cheer up nondescript places. This time with pansies which a random pigeon was visiting.

Probably the best known building in this area is Toshiba. Company isn't doing so well lately.

Final stop was to get something to eat. Most places in the area were closed but Tully's was open. Except at that time of day there wasn't much to eat so went with their egg salad sandwich and cold tea. They do brew a decent cup of tea.

Picked up my bags, headed to Daimon Station and the Airport Express train. That express is one of the reasons I like staying in this area. Makes it easy to get to Narita Airport. This time I was able to get a photo of the seat covers. Pink for being on the Asakusa Line, jets for connecting both Narita and Haneda Airports.

And tea later on in Narita Airport while I waited for my flight to Los Angeles Airport. Won't say much except LAX now makes me appreciate Vancouver Airport. And I use to like going to LAX. At least my tea with Laduree Langues de Chat cookies was good. I noticed this time they used a nice velvet ribbon and charm around the box. Having tea makes me feel a little spoiled and is a nice way to take a moment in a busy day. Definitely the high point of my return trip.

And while I was sad to be leaving, there were amazing things I experienced. "David Bowie is", the two Moi dix Mois concerts, enjoying music things and window shopping with my French friend, that fountain and art at the palace, getting away to Okutama, and just being in Japan.

This isn't the end of my posts about visiting Tokyo. Because there are still Kit Kats and Calbee Chips to discuss. Along with an interesting food item I brought back with me. 

Shiba in Tokyo

Nope, this isn't about dogs. It's about a small area that is in Minato which is a bigger area in Tokyo. My third time staying here had welcoming blue skies above the concrete surrounds.

Back again to see the local Inari shrine.

The kitsune still look angry but really, Inari-sama here is helpful.

Shiba in Tokyo really doesn't have much that stands out. It's mostly businesses in concrete buildings mixed in with apartments in concrete buildings.

But here and there are a few shrines and cemeteries.

Along with a Buddhist stature or two.

 It was nice to see this place hadn't changed since March 2011.

Although the ume tree was taller. Which is a good thing.

That same ume tree back in March, 2011.

 It was refreshing to see all this lovely natural wood in the sea of concrete buildings.

Curved roof lines instead of straight.

Along with a little nature.

Something that has changed in Shiba was a street that has a little air of a shotengai. From what I remember in 2011 there wasn't much in the way of purchasing food around here. Now there are a couple small markets.

 The old fish shop was open.

Seeing this made me wish I had a kitchen available to cook up some of the lovely shellfish and fish.

Despite all the concrete people in Shiba still try to have a bit of nature around them.

 Gardens in pots still are popular.

I was delighted to see this little pond in a bowl was still there.

 Although the condition of this sakura tree made me sad. Seemingly tossed aside and still in the same pot it was in six years ago.

 Six years ago it was much smaller and in a place where it was appreciated.

I didn't expect to see an aquarium outdoors but there it was. Along with languid goldfish.

Just one photo of a local Shiba night spot Timer Bar. If I had been braver I would have looked inside. There aren't many bars right around there since just across the river there is a thriving nightlife in Hamamatsucho.

 I have no idea how old this map of Shiba is.

Or if there is actually a giant maneki neko in the middle of things there (I know it's a map decoration). I do know that I have come to feel like this little part of Tokyo is like a second home to me. I know there are many great areas in Tokyo to live. I'm just glad there is a little part that coming back to felt familiar to me.