2024 Grand World Voyage with The Inside Cabin

[The-Inside-Cabin]

TWO DAYS IN TOKYO – YARN, FOOD AND KNIVES (POST #39)

MARCH 6, 2024

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We spend two days in Tokyo – checking out local yarn shops, enjoying a secret food tour and shopping for knives in the Kitchen District

Tokyo Arrival – Day One – 28 February 2024

Mt Fuji stood out against the bright blue sky, 60 miles to our west, as we passed by Haneda Airport.

Shipped cleared around 8 am.

Since we planned to stay out late, we slept in and stayed onboard till 1 pm. We will be here overnight.

Tokyo Internation Cruise Terminal – opened in 2020

Tokyo International Cruise Terminal Map showing area around cruise terminal. You are allowed to walk out of the terminal – shuttles are available.

 

There is not much here – Lots of empty space – room for shops and expansion in the future.

Terminal has – Wi-Fi, Shore Side Security during the day, Tourist Information Desk, Restrooms, Taxi Stands

The port offers two shuttles: One will be a loop around the immediate area, with stops at a nearby mall and Hotels. The other shuttle goes to the Tokyo Teleport Train Station which is on the Rinkai Line. The Tokyo International Train Station is closer – a little over 1/4 mile and is on the private Yurikamome line, which is close to central Tokyo.

This sign shows the shuttle that goes to the further metro stop. While you will save walking by going here, your train ride to Tokyo may be longer. Plan your route first. If you don’t want to go into Tokyo, this shuttle will take you around the local area.

 

Here is a video that shows us walking to the Yurikamome line station and buying a ticket.

 

Please spend some time on YouTube learning about the Tokyo Subway station. You can get anywhere in Tokyo quickly, but you must familiarize yourself with it before starting. The system doesn’t take credit cards for one trip passes – cash only, but they take bills and make change. Buying a day pass is possible, but Day passes don’t work on all lines and aren’t sold at the Terminal. If you have time, you can investigate downloading an app that will allow you to use your phone as a payment method. Figure this out before your cruise starts. I won’t discuss the details of navigating the Tokyo Subway and Train system here. There are numerous resources available on the web and on YouTube.

This is a list of all the subways and trains in the Tokyo area. Day passes will work on the Subways and JR LIne – all the Private lines require separate tickets.

 

A day pass may be a good value if you can complete your travels using only public lines. They weren’t for sale at the Cruise Terminal in Feb 2024

Official brochure on the Port Shuttle HERE

TOKYO YARN CRAWL

Walked about 500 yards to Tokyo International Train Station

Shuttle to Tokyo Teleport station will save a walk but add time to your train trip as it goes further west initially.

We took the Yurikamome line to Shimbasi Station and transferred to the Ginza Line towards Shibuya Station. We took some time to walk across the Shibuya Scramble, a massive pedestrian interchange where everyone crosses the intersection from all directions.

Shibuya Scramble

 

PUPPY YARN

We transferred to the Private Inokashira Line at Shibuya and got off at Shimo-Kitazawa Station. The Puppy Hand Knitting Yarn Shop is across the street from the Station’s west exit. You can check out their online store HERE. You can find directions using Google Maps—Search for Puppy Yarn Tokyo.

The shop is small but has a nice selection of yarns. Judy picked up Puppy’s DENIM yarn in white and dark blue. The people working in the shop are friendly but speak limited English.

Puppy Yarn is easy to find Inside Puppy Yarn

 

WALNUT TOKYO

We took an Uber to our next yarn shop: Walnut Tokyo. Check out their website HERE. Search for Walnut Tokyo on Google Maps, and you will find their location and get directions. Uber works in Japan but will call you a taxi—you end up paying the fare on the meter, but the payment is on your Uber app, and you don’t need to have cash. Walnut Tokyo is on a small side street, and the Taxi will drop you off on a larger street nearby.

This shop is much larger than Puppy Yarn with a wider selection. If you can only go to one yarn shop in Tokyo, Judy recommends visiting Walnut Tokyo. She bought some dark blue Alpaca, Silk & Merino blend yarn and a sweater quantity of Nomad Noos a 100% camel wool that is hand spun by women in Nepal.

Walnut Tokyo is not easy to see until you are right in front of the shop. It’s on a small street on the nearby larger street where a taxi may leave you. This is one section of Walnut Tokyo. It is the largest shop of the three we visited.

 

AMIMONO SPIN

We took a taxi to Kinkos in Shibuya, thinking they would offer DHL or FEDEX service so we could return our absentee ballots, but they don’t. We walked to Amimono Spin from Shibuya, again crossing the scramble.

Amimono Spin is on a narrow street and was easy to find. They have one large room filled with yarn, floor to ceiling. All the yarn in the shop had the ‘Amimono Spin’ label. Judy bought some white linen blend and one cake of white lace-weight cashmere.

Amimono Spin is on a quiet street by itself. It felt like we were in a residential area This wall contains almost all of the shops inventory Judy models her hand-knit Hana sweater. – Hana is the sweater pattern name

GINZA

Walking back to Shibuya, we took the Ginza Subway to Ginza, looking for a place to eat. We found that most places were closing at 9 pm, so we were too late and decided to take a Taxi using UBER back to the ship.

The Ginza area wasn’t very busy at 9 PM

 

LOCAL CULTURAL SHOW

We arrived back at the ship around 9:45 pm. We were able to watch the last half of the local cultural show – titled JAPANESE FUSION: A VIBRANT CELEBRATION OF CULTURE, which was a small group of performers who danced and played a variety of Japanese instruments, including O-Daiko, Shime-Daiko, and Kane to the occasional accompaniment of American pop tunes.

Here are the spots we visited today

 

DAY TWO – SECRET FOOD TOUR/ KITCHEN DISTRICT

Our plan today was the Secret Food Tour HERE

Our group left the ship at 9 a.m. and walked to the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal Station, where we caught the train to Shimbashi. We transferred to the JR Yamanote line and arrived at Ueno station around 10:20 a.m.

Our group of ten, eight from the ship and two Americans visiting from the USA for the Tokyo Marathon met our guide outside the Hard Rock Café, and we were on our way. The tour started at 10:40, but we had to wait until 11 a.m. until the first restaurant opened. The tour was over around 2:30.

Here is a map showing the location of our stops.

Sushi Tsune (Atre Ueno 2F, 7-1-1 Ueno)
– Tuna
– Salmon
– Boiled shrimp

Sushi Tsune (Atre Ueno 2F, 7-1-1 Ueno) Making the Sushi Tuna , Salmon and Boiled shrimp

Gyoza Ichigoro (6-8-14 Ueno)
– Gyoza, Japanese Dumplings

Gyoza Ichigoro (6-8-14 Ueno) Gyoza, Japanese Dumplings Our group inside Gyoza Ichigoro

Kanoya (6-9-14, Ueno)
– Yakitori
– Negima(Chicken’s thigh with green onion)
– Torikawa(Chicken skin)
– Tsukune(Minced Chicken)
– Edamame

Kanoya (6-9-14, Ueno) Inside Kanoya Yakatori

Oyama (6-13-2 Ueno)
– Japanese Kuroket
– Curry Kuroket

Oyama (6-13-2 Ueno) Tom and Shelly enjoy Japanese Kurokets

OtoOto (2F, Bamboo garden, 1-52 Ueno Park)
– Tempura

OtoOto (2F, Bamboo garden, 1-52 Ueno Park) Tempura

Karutaya (3-29-5 Ueno, Taito-ku)
– Miyako Manju (Sweet bun with white beans)

Karutaya (3-29-5 Ueno, Taito-ku) Miyako Manju (Sweet bun with white beans)

Kiminoen (3-29-5 Ueno, Taito-ku)
– Macha and Milk ice cream

Kiminoen (3-29-5 Ueno, Taito-ku) Macha and Milk ice cream Our Group after the tour – There are never more than 10 people on a tour

 

At each stop, we reviewed the menu, but our choices were preselected and served quickly. Secret Food tours are a great way to visit an area and sample the local food. A bonus is the chance to interact with the local guide and the other guests.

KAPPABASHI Dougugai Street (Kitchen Town)

This large sculpture sits on top of a building at the southern end of Kitchen Town

 

After our food tour, we walked about one mile to Kappabashi Street, where we enjoyed browsing through many of the very specialized shops selling everything from storage containers to plastic food displays, cutlery, and Japanese knives. After our cooking class in Mexico, where our chef used a very nice Japanese knife, I decided I needed to get one in Tokyo. Several stores along Kappabashi sell knives, and after some research online, I settled on a 21 cm Chef knife by Tojiro – The Tojiro Pro Damascus – Model F1032 for ¥34,650 or about $235.

This is where Tokyo restaurants buy the sample food you see in many of their windows This is the shop where I bought my knife The Tojiro Pro Damascus – Model F1032

We took a taxi back to the ship.

Security was shoreside and I declared my knife to the inspectors. The inspectors gave me a receipt and turned the knife over to the ship’s Security and I will retrieve the knife in Fort Lauderdale.

Shoreside security was ready with this sign for people bringing knives onboard.

 

WORLD STAGE

Comedian and Ventriloquist Mike Robinson was on the World Stage this evening. He was very funny and put on a great show.

Mike Robinson

Edited March 7 by The-Inside-Cabin

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Arrived Shanghai 7am

 

Ship cleared at 8:30.   people going overland had passports returned.  Others used copy of passport with a stamp.   Took 40 minutes to get thru health check (imaging temp check). Immigration then customs.   No issues.  Immigration was slow.   They looked at every page in my passport.   
 

We are starting our overland.   We spend tonight on ship after touring Shanghai -then take early train to. Xi'an tomorrow to see Terracotta Army.    
 

There are 6 people in our group.  Nice size 
 

Google and Facebook work fine without using VPN.  T mobile works fine.   

Todays Schedule 

 

 

 

Edited March 7 by The-Inside-Cabin

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Great Visit to Master of the Nets Garden and Tongli water town in Suzhou, followed by an evening in Shanghai's Nanjinglu, Tianzifang areas and finally The Bund.   More later.   Right now we are on a high speed train to Xian as we start our 5 day overland.  

overlooking a Tongli canal 

Our group in Tongli 

We had dinner here -no English menus.  No one spoke English but we managed with a little help from our guide 

 

 

Beautiful night on The Bund

 

Here is a short video from the train ride - currently in progress.   

 

 

All websites working without a VPN

 

 

[cunnorl]

Have a wonderful time! Sounds very exciting! 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

VPN update.   
 

VPN not required while using Tmobile data in China. 
 

VPN required to use Google and typical news sites while in Xian hotel.   Surfshark has worked for us. 
 

Nice train ride to Xian.  Recommend paying extra for first class.  Gives you 2x2 seating vice 3x2.  Less crowded.  Not that much more. 
 

We see Xian city wall, Muslim street, Great Mosque, Bell Tower with Dumpling Dinner and Show.    
 

Spent the night at new Marriott hotel.  
 

We see the Terracotta Army today then off to Bejing.  
 

A few pics 

 

Dozens of young girls dressed in traditional clothing all over the city taking pictures of each other.  They are not camera shy.   This is a trendy thing to do and has no special significance or ceremony

 

Bell Tower

 

Ready to enjoy our Dumpling Dinner.  Classic tourist restaurant and show.    90 pct Chinese tourists. 
 

Performers posed in lobby after show

 

Edited March 8 by The-Inside-Cabin

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Enroute to Bejing from Xian.  Fantastic overland.   Saw the Terracotta Army today.  
 

Visited all 3 major pits containing warriors.  Most warriors were in pieces, buried under 2000 years of dirt until discovered in 1974.   The pieces were painstakingly pieced  together over last 50 years.  3D jigsaw puzzles.  They have discover over 8000 warriors. 
 

it was crowded but weather was cool and only half the crowd size you will find in high season. 
 

more later 

 

This was the condition most of the warriors were in when found 

 

This is a panoramic photo.  Click and zoom in to see how the crowds in the viewing area around the warriors 

 

This was taken at the other end of the pit.  Less crowded.   They call this area the Terracotta hospital since they reconstruct many warriors here. 
 

We spent 3 hours here

 

Afterwards we visited the Hanyangling Tomb were many similar terracotta figures were discovered.  


inside the tomb

 

 

more later.  
 

we are in Bejing now - 4 hour train ride.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 9 by The-Inside-Cabin

[*Miss G*]

1 hour ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Click and zoom in to see how the crowds in the viewing area around the warriors 

 

Whoa.  😮

 

How wonderful you were able to visit the terra cotta warriors.  I find them fascinating.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Here is our plan for today. 
 

[Wehwalt]

When I went to Xi'an in 2016, I made very sure to get there as soon as they opened and I was able to view the army and take lots of pictures. Fifteen minutes later, the crowds of Chinese groups descended. They never let up.

[cccole]

How amazing to see the Terracotta Warriors in Xian.  I have only seen a traveling exhibit.  Fabulous report and photos.  Cherie

[The-Inside-Cabin]

6 hours ago, Wehwalt said:

When I went to Xi'an in 2016, I made very sure to get there as soon as they opened and I was able to view the army and take lots of pictures. Fifteen minutes later, the crowds of Chinese groups descended. They never let up.

Our guide said it would be twice as crowded on the summer, plus it would be over 100 degrees inside.  You could get to the railing but had to put your shoulder down and get pretty aggressive.  
 

Our temps were in the 50's so pretty pleasant in the crowds. 
 

The Hanyangling Tomb was almost empty and is air conditioned.     Lots to see here.     Escape the crowds and heat in the summer.  

[Sea42]

10 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Here is our plan for today. 
 

That sure is a full day! How fun!

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Hotel Breakfast - 200 RMB 

 

Nice selection 

 

Met guide at 8 AM

 

 

Drove a short distance toward tian amen square - can’t get close because of high security 

 

You can't get very close to Tiana men square due to the meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) being held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing,

 

http://english.scio.gov.cn/m/in-depth/2024-03/05/content_117036152.htm

 

This is as close as we could get to the Great Hall

 

Within 100 yards we had to produce our passports twice , with one officer checking my photo page and then looking to see that I had a visa, and a bag check once.   

 

The street running around Tian amen square was surrounded by soldiers and police.   A no-mans land was created using yellow “crime scene” tape. 

 

Normally you could walk up to the Great Hall of the People, but not today due to the Conference in progress.

 

We continued walking North, up the east side of Tian amen square

 

Walk under Mao's memorial 

 

 

Go through security and ID check to enter Forbidden City.   18 minute wait. 

 

Spend 2 hours exploring Forbidden City.   Exit North

gate 

 

Many young women enjoy dressing up in rented costumes to take pictures at historic sites

 

Enter  Beihai Park - South Gate

 

Lunch at    Gongjingli restaurant - Peking Duck is specialty - Great food.  Cost per person, Including beer $11.   

 

 

Visit Red Theatre and watch Sichuan Suining Acrobatic Troupe.   Incredible Show.  Outstanding. 

 

 

Visit Houhai Lake area -see huge dragon, lighted.   Walk through busy streets filled with shops and people.   Great nightlife 

 

 

 

Details later - 

 

This post composed on my phone while enroute to Summer Palace.  
 

Today's highlights:

 

Summer Palace -  Great Wall

 

 Note:  English signs not nearly as prevalent as in Japan.  Finding English speakers, even in tourist areas - not common.  Bring maps.me and Google translate to enjoy a much better experience 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 11 by The-Inside-Cabin

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Enjoying six different Chinese teas served in a traditional ceremony 

 

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Great day touring Bejing 

 

Summer Palace:

 

Marble Boat

 

Mutianyu section.  Great Wall of China 

 

 

Great weather.    Great Wall almost empty.  We had the place to ourselves.  

Heading back to Bejing to tour Olympic venues at night. 

 

 

 

[tjcox9]

2 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Great day touring Bejing 

 

Summer Palace:

 

Marble Boat

 

Mutianyu section.  Great Wall of China 

 

 

Great weather.    Great Wall almost empty.  We had the place to ourselves.  

Heading back to Bejing to tour Olympic venues at night. 

 

 

 

Nice to see you getting some use from your Seabourn Antarctic jackets! Love the picture of the Great Wall. It's been a long time time since our visit there. Looks pretty empty.

[Toad]

You two are amazing! I am exhausted just following you on the boards. Looks like an unforgettable journey.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

1 hour ago, tjcox9 said:

Nice to see you getting some use from your Seabourn Antarctic jackets! Love the picture of the Great Wall. It's been a long time time since our visit there. Looks pretty empty.

We were surprised how empty it was.   We arrived at 1:45 pm.   I think it was more crowded in the morning.   But the forecast was for much colder weather and it's a Monday so most people are working.    Most of the people we ran into were tourists from other countries.   A nice couple from Germany took the picture here. 
 

Those Seabourn jackets have been with us since 2018.    HAL sells an orange version but it looks like a human traffic cone or should be directing traffic. .   

[The-Inside-Cabin]

20 minutes ago, Toad said:

You two are amazing! I am exhausted just following you on the boards. Looks like an unforgettable journey.

We are tired!   We get back to the ship tomorrow then we have 3 sea days till Hong Kong -   I will be posting more details and China travel tips  later.    Our tour company, The China Guide did a fabulous job.   Highly recommended.   

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Last night we visited the 2008 Olympic Venues

 

Birdnest -National Stadium

 

 

 

Olympic venues are brightly lit every night 

 

City is very modern.   People friendly.    Many people  understand English but are self conscious about speaking.  

[tjcox9]

23 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

We were surprised how empty it was.   We arrived at 1:45 pm.   I think it was more crowded in the morning.   But the forecast was for much colder weather and it's a Monday so most people are working.    Most of the people we ran into were tourists from other countries.   A nice couple from Germany took the picture here. 
 

Those Seabourn jackets have been with us since 2018.    HAL sells an orange version but it looks like a human traffic cone or should be directing traffic. .   

Yes, we have the Seabourn orange waterproof jacket that goes over the black jackets, two in fact.

 

Wow, it has been a long time since we were there. As I recall, the Bird Nest was under construction when we were there so it has been a long time.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

We are back on the ship, headed toward Hong Kong.

 

Great visit to China. 

 

Today's Highlights

 

Temple of Heaven

 

Qianmen Street shopping area

 

This is a Chinese hawthorn berry,  a tiny, tart sphere that looks a bit like a crab apple and is a popular street snack known as tanghulu.   The berry is coated with caramelized sugar - It was just OK.

 

The 110 miles drive from Bejing to the port took 2 hours and 45 minutes. Traffic was fine—people here don't drive as fast as they do in the US.

 

Our tour group at the Tianjin Cruise terminal.   The guide is on the left - driver on the right.

 

Tianjin Cruise Terminal - Big, but not much inside.

 

 

 

 

 

[cunnorl]

 Happy to hear that you are safely back on the ship. Looks like you all had a very exciting time!

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Highlight for Today will be another Block Party - They have one after each new segment.

 

The new feature for today's Block Party will be Group Pictures on each Floor - There could be a crowd!   We'll see what happens!

 

 

Edited March 13 by The-Inside-Cabin

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Here are some pictures from the Block Party - Fun Time!

 

Cheese and wine was passed by the room stewards

 

The Captain and Henk rode the elevator from floor to floor posing for pictures on each floor.

 

 

The Captain spent a few minutes on each floor before moving on

 

This is what the group pictures will look like....

 

Great time!

 

The Zuiderdam Ball is tomorrow.