New Years in Tokyo with the boys

We took the bus from Fujiyoshida to Tokyo and checked into our hostel in Asakusa late on the 30th of December where we would stay for the last leg of our trip. For New Years I think we found the perfect balance between the Japanese and New Zealand New Years Experience (although we couldnt find a beach anywhere we still managed make the most of a two hour nomihoudai in Shibuya on the 31st). We also checked out the New Years Eve buzz at Meiji Jingu, were at Sensoji in Asakusa for 12 midnight, bought daruma and went back the next morning for hatsumode at Sensoji, explored around Toshugu, Gojo Tenjin, Yasakuni Jinja and made it to Ippan Sanga at the Imperial Palace - check out the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yrMQagmVMQ

Luckily I didnt have to be back at work until the 4th of January so I had some time to show the boys around some of the neighbourhoods in Tokyo which all have a distinct vibe to them. Heres just a teaser of the places we checked out: You can see more photos at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2028423&id=220000480&l=87d7aa89ee 

Asakusa (Kappabashi and Nakamise-doori)

Harajuku (Sweets Paradise, Takeshita-doori, Yoyogi Park, Crepes, Omotesando)

Shibuya (Shopping, Scramble Crossing)

Ueno Park (Flea Market and Swan Boats) 

Ebisu (Garden Place)

Roppongi (Roppongi Hills and the sidestreets)

Ikebukuro (Cat Cafe and Shopping)

Akihabara (Electronics Stores and Maid Cafes)

Sakuragicho (Landmark Plaza, Cosmo World, Akarenga)

I boarded my night bus back to Osaka on the 3rd and left the boys to their own devices for a couple of days - they managed to do a bit of final shopping, check out a Kabuki show, the night view of Shinjuku and spend a night in a capsule hotel before heading home on the 5th - was great to have them visit, hope they enjoyed their first taste of Japan.