It's been brutally hot. I'd had a notion of perhaps going to Disney, in case it might be bearable. With the typhoon affecting the weather, it seemed like a good opportunity, so we took it !
Supposedly only a 50 minute subway away, albeit with several changes, we set out. Google completely messed us up. Wrong track, changes from one company to another (Toei to JR) that didn't really work, incorrect pricing at the ticket machine, arguments with the men at the ticket counters, we eventually got there, paying more than double what it should have cost and taking more than double the time ... but we got there. On the way back, Google gave us a completely different routing, simpler by far, but I ignored even that. I know the system well enough at this point that I can manage by map and the maps at the stations have prices displayed; then I can purchase a ticket of the correct price. On the way back, we changed lines at Tokyo station ... holy crap ... Tokyo station at rush hour ... one line change instead of four; no break between subway companies.
The Disney senior ticket is about half price compared to Orlando and the full adult fare not much more. There are two options - Disneyland and DisneySea. Not really interested in a water park, we chose the former :).
Interesting. It wasn't very crowded, although there were long lines for a couple of rides (could be the typhoon perhaps). There are no electric scooters and I didn't even see any wheelchairs, but there were probably some. Some things are Japanese-ified (e.g. Main St USA is Center Street); other Magic Kingdom rides are as-is, e.g. Space Mountain. We went on a simulator ride that had a Star Wars theme, which was very well done. We also hit Small World, of course, which is the same since even the Orlando version is multilingual. A stage show "one man's dream" was not very good, according to Sandy, but for the not-so-educated (e.g. me), it was ok. Lots of Disney characters from over the years and dancers; interestingly enough many dancers with western faces.
We had a snack (ok, just me) in a restaurant shortly after arriving to avoid the rain. There was no good coffee to be found, not even middling like Starbucks. The Center Street is covered and we could see the rain outside. It was over by the time that we left the restaurant. We picked up a couple of souvenirs, had lunch along the way and went back to the train station after being in the park about 5 hours. We'd had our fill and then some.
Back "home" at our hotel, we relaxed a bit and then headed out for dinner, looking for something local this time. The night before, we'd traveled a long way and met up with Hamid and Shab for Bol Bol, a Persian restaurant. It was interesting and good food. Last night, however, was something special. A totally Japanese place, cell phone translation, picture of entrees to choose from, we had baked fish with all the fixins. It was excellent. I should have taken a picture ...
The area is crowded with business people, well, mostly men. Busy little restaurants, lots of adhoc food, shoulder to shoulder, we'll try something else along those lines tonight, I think, but I wonder how the character will change on a Saturday ? Coming back from Bol Bol the night before, after 10 pm, the subway and the streets were still filled with commuters. It really is fascinating.
Lawson convenience stores are everywhere, often just a block apart. With a good selection of fresh but pre-packaged sushi, sashimi, salads, rice thingies, non perishables, wine, beer and non alcoholic drinks, often yakitori, deep fried chicken etc. they are busy little places and often 24x7. The other main convenience stores that we saw (and used as Controls on the bike ride) were 7-11 and Seicomart. None of these have auto fuel as part of their offering. I've seen 7-11's here in Tokyo but they aren't as prevalent as the Lawsons.
Bag it up, add pre-packaged damp napkins, chopsticks ... bow, then bow again, then again ... such a polite society. I remember that from the James Clavell novels. That wouldn't stop a Samauri from cutting off your head, however. Bow first ... :).
Today is our last full day. Perhaps we'll hit an art gallery. I don't expect a terrifically busy day. The sun is out; it'll be hot.
Onward.
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