All of the temple and outer buildings including the pagoda had been destroyed during the war and subsequently rebuilt following donations from benefactors. Before going into the shrine both Karen & Neil donated 100 yen and selected at random a lucky drawer to open to be granted either good or bad fortune. They were both lucky enough to randomly pick sheets with good fortune on them which they took away with them. We then did the ritual cleansing and went up to the temple. This time there were figures and other objects that people were paying their respect to. Could this be the difference between a shrine and a temple?
We then wandered out of the temple grounds and along Senso-Ji shopping street, which was like a permanent market. Some of the stalls sold just 'tat' whilst others seemed quite up market. Karen & Neil both had ice creams. Karen chose another Green Tea one whilst Neil went for a Sweet Potato one with a flake of raw sweet potato.
At some point yesterday both Karen & Neil had been bitten by something. Neil is adamant it must have been a snake or something equally dangerous and venomous. By now Karen was in a lot of pain and her lower leg was turning dark red and throbbing. Neil’s ankle where he had been ‘attacked’ was also starting to swell although it was not until much later in the day that his started to become sore when he twisted it. Karen was taking antihistamines and pain killer as well as rubbing in some topical cream to take away some of the pain.
Anyhow after a quick turnaround we decided to explore Ikspiari, this is the Japanese Disney Downtown. The nearest entrance to us was through one of their hotels. We explored the Hotel first and had some drinks and snacks for our lunch.
We then bought a day pass for the monorail and headed for the posh Disneyland Hotel which is just feet from the park entrance. Neil was now in peak form telling us what every building was and the history of how and where it was all constructed. It was lovely to see and hear his enthusiasm which was infectious. The Disneyland Hotel was very nice and had a feel of the Grand Floridian. We shuddered to think how much it would have cost us to stay here.
After this we went back on the monorail to the Hotel at the entrance to the Tokyo Seas Park. This was all built in an Italian style. Whilst it was nice it wasn’t as posh as the Disneyland Hotel. It did have one interesting feature in that it’s back wall was actually the perimeter of the park. Therefore looking out of the back windows you could watch the people in the park below you.
After a quick wander round we hopped back on the monorail and completed the loop round. Back at Ikspiari after visiting the official Disney store for the parks we headed to the conveniently situated Outback restaurant situated in the main hub. I had steak as usual whilst both Karen & Neil had the burgers. As usual the food was tip top. We had the most attentive waitress of the trip who was constantly fussing over us and refilling or replacing drinks even if you hadn’t touched them. I almost got a sore back from the amount of bowing that took place on the way out.
We were back in our rooms by around 9.30pm as we knew we had an early start the next day going into the actual theme park and wanted to be ready for it.
As usual Karen made cups of tea when we got back which brings me to grumpy old man moan with Japanese Hotels. Why don’t any of the mugs they provide you with in your rooms have handles? The cups get so hot it is almost impossible to pick them up. And on the same subject, in a country which is so obviously conscious of looking after rubbish why do they use so much plastic? Even in Starbucks the drinks wrappers to protect your hands are made of plastic, rather than cardboard. Don’t get me started on banana’s - why do I have to buy them in many places here laid on polystyrene wrapped in clingfilm?