Asakusa - Tokyo Rewind

A while ago, I mentioned in a previous post that I was going to continue posting about my trip to Japan Tokyo . Well here it is, a little late, but as the saying goes...better late then never.

We arrived to Tokyo after our trip to Toyama via train. We couldn't find the hotel that we booked and it was fairly late at night. Dragging our large backpacks and luggage, we gave up looking for our hotel and just got a room at a random hotel near the train station.

In the morning we headed to the Kannon Temple or Senso-ji in Asakusa. Through the big gates of the Senso-Ji we walked under the large 400kg lantern. Instantly you could see the rows of stalls selling souvenirs, crafts and food. The smell of fresh dorayaki's being made and other sweet smells filled the air as we made our way to the main area.

After walking around, admiring the great architecture of the temple; as usual I got hungry. We headed to a hundred year old Tempura shop called Tempura Daikokuya (tendon).

We entered the shop around noon, just before lunch time and we had to wait for a few minutes as there was 3-4 people in front of us waiting to get in. I thought to myself, this place must be pretty good to be this packed at noon. We walked up stairs and the decor was all wooden; sort of Edo period style. Seated on the tatami mat, we ordered their famous tendon. There was a reason the place lasted for 100 years +, this has got to be THE BEST tempura I had. So crispy , not too oily and so fresh...

After devouring the food , we headed out and realised how short the line we had before. As when we got out the line had gone around the shop.

Do you know of any places like this? Do share..

Where: 8-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Toei Asakusa Line,Tobu Isezaki Line and Tsukuba Express(TX).

Restaurant :Tempura Daikokuya

Address;1-38-10 Asakusa, Taito-ku

Phone; 03-3844-1111, (for reservations; 03-3844-2222)

Hours; 11:10am-8:30pm(weekdays & sunday), 11:30am-9:00pm(saturday & national holidays)

Taste: OMG!

When the goings tough the though gets going

On the 11th of January 2011, Brisbane and many other townships were flooded due to the heavy downpour of rain weeks before the date. The floods came into roads, houses , shops and businesses which was located in lower grounds and which was close to the river and creeks. I was fortunate to not be effected by the floods, but many suburbs close by had gone under.

West End.

Brisbane CBD.

UQ Tennis courts.

The flood had destroyed many belongings of those effected, some only managed to save guard small personal items and had to leave the rest for the mercy of the flood. I could only imagine the grieve they must have gone through leaving all those things they've been collecting for so many years behind.

Although the floods had taken away and destroyed so many things, the people here are tough, they stayed strong. As soon as it was save to go to the properties, the clean up began. We Queenslanders weren't going to let those effected do it alone, people from all around came to help their friends, neighbours and just about anyone who needed help.

And if you want to lend a hand too, or if you have some spare coin; Follow the links below

Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal

Volunteering QLD

Also For the people in Brazil

Brazil Flood Relief