Day 13 in Tokyo: Tomorrow we take off for Shimoda on the Izu Peninsula for a beach getaway…and none too soon. Our younger daughter was in full revolt. She did not want to walk anymore. She refused to leave our serviced apartment this morning. It took a lot of coaxing. Our girls are growing up wimpy in the American suburbs. They get chauffered around everywhere. They complain of their legs hurting. Yes we are walking a lot and we are out all day and it is hot and humid…I do feel for them but shouldn’t they be stronger than they are???
We decide on a mellow day and visit Tocho, Tokyo Municipal Government Offices, which are actually at least two huge skyscrapers in Shinjuku. From the 45th floors of the North and South Towers, you can get a 360 view of Tokyo. On a clear day, which it wasn’t today, you can see Mt. Fuji. Even on a cloudy day, it’s an impressive view. The entrance to the observatories is free.
For lunch we visit my favorite tempura house, Tsunahachi in Shinjuku behind Mistukoshi department store. I make it a point to visit it every time I visit Tokyo. The best place to sit is at the counter where you can watch the tempura being fried. The tempura is served as it is done to you…talk about fresh! Our chef has been working at the restaurant for 50 years! He started when he was in junior high school. It is hard to find tempura like this in the States, certainly not in the Bay Area where there isn’t (as far as I know) a restaurant that specializes in tempura. (see restaurant recommendations in Tokyo)
http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/TMG/observat.htm
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