Wandering Around Asakusa and Akihabara

 Sumi started her jet lag recovery a little early this morning, so we didn't get moving until...well it was still morning, This was fine, as it gave me time to get stuff in order, do a little work, take a shower, write a novel, etc. We didn't do much exciting: souvenir shopping, eating, lots of walking. But, being Japan, there was plenty to see.

On our way to Ueno Station for brea...our first meal of the day, we took a walk through some of the Asakusa neighborhoods, like Orange Road and Kappabashi.

Brewers font, Beavers poster

This road has a whole series of these lamps with a continuing folk tale and art

Until the curry burger, this place actually looked legit. Still might give it a try sometime.

I don't...you have to see the video to understand

Is that a burger waiting to be eaten or Ponyo?

Orange Road's mascot, Orante, in his house.

A Kappa that has seen some stuff. And has a belly button.

Even Kinko's is getting into the whole Panda thing in Ueno.

So the red thing with hands? Yeah, no idea. It was in front of a shop that sells anime gods and the like. It sings and talks. And claps.

At Anderson's Bakery, we grabbed some food. We are really loving NOT eating convenience store food for meals now that we're back in "civilization". 

The walnut pastry (upper left) is amazing

Today was a day to hit the thrift stores of the Off chain. Book Off, Mode Off, Hard Off, and Hobby Off. They always have good selections of stuff at good prices. I scored some cheap game guide/information books at the Book Off in Akihabara (the best place in the world for this type of thing)

Ultimania Anniversary all three for less than one volume new

We then headed up a ways to a few of the Hobby Off stores. Sumi likes to find cute things there.

Hard Off has electronics and appliance hardware, hence the name.

Ultra discount used original Famicons and Super Famicons (NES for the rest of us)

This is what they call their discount bins.

The second Hobby Off was back up in Amaya Yokocho in Ueno, a long stretch of niche and discount shops and restaurants stemming from post-war rationing black markets. 

Shortly after we encountered the first of Sumi's desserts this afternoon.

Ice Cream, not Soft Cream.

After that, we headed into Asakusa for one final Book Off and the shopping road in front of Sensouji. There were markedly less tourists today (Monday) than over the weekend, making it a much more enjoyable walk.

Japan's IP laws are followed...interestingly

A Starbucks Japan exclusive: Banana Brulee coffee. 

Pandaful Days in Ueno's Parco

Dunno what the truck is carrying, but a cute mascot is a requirement.

A much more relaxed Ueno Station

Hanko Ojii-san. He's been here for as long as we've been coming here.

That's quite a paint job.

The walk down Sensouji's shopping mall was good. Plenty of tourists, but not overcrowded like it was over the weekend. This is where Sumi got her second dessert.

Strawberry parfait for her and Chocolate daifuku with (already eaten) strawberry.

For those of you wondering about dinner, so was I. It was our last dinner here for the trip, so the opportunity could not be passed up. We headed towards Asakusa Station

The rain was just starting to come in

and found ourselves at a surprising place

Well, maybe not all that surprising

We celebrated our last evening in Japan with a return of Sumi's favorite Natsu Nasu Curry, which was absent from the menus when we were up north, possible due to the calendar.

Shiawase dayo

Due to the lack of...well the lack of anything up in Tohoku, we were only able to visit CoCo Curry three times during our trip. While this still averages once per week, I would have gladly traded a few of those convenience store sandwiches and trail mix meals for some curry. The rain really started coming down as we were eating, so no more pictures as we covered everything in plastic and raincoats and run back to the hotel.

We still have a little time to explore tomorrow, as we have n afternoon flight, so tonight is laundry, packing, and organizing things for the long check in process tomorrow. Long only because there is always an unreasonably long line at the terminal. The Japanese love for hour long queues is on full display at the airport.