Laundry in Japan

We want to make sure we start our motorhome trip with a clean set of clothes so we located a coin operated laundromat nearby our hotel (about 10 minutes walk with a full bag of clothes).

White Coin Laundry
〒103-0016, 3-18 Nihonbashikoamichō, Chūō-ku, Tōkyō-to 103-0016, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2ffEoRVjdVkfDZrR6

Thank goodness for Google translate

Washing machine only ¥300 a load

This one washes and dries in 60 minutes for ¥ 1000

 This one dries only for ¥100 for 10 minutes which is enough for most clothes

Shibuuya Intersection

We had to visit the Shibuya Intersection. It is famous for its multiple crossings at the same time.

More information:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/tokyo/attractions/shibuya-crossing/a/poi-sig/396831/356817

Our photos:

Videos:

Imperial Palace and Science Museum

Today we walked to the Imperial Palace and the Science Museum.

Here are some pics:

Walk-in registration (limit of 300) line for the Imperial Palace tour

Yanaka - Old Tokyo

We took the trip to Yanaka the long way.  We had bought ourselves a three day metro pass, but then realised that the quickest way to get there was to catch a train on the JR line which isn't part of the pass :-(.

Instead identified that the best "pass" station to get to was Sendagi and so walked a bit more, caught a train from Yushima to Sendagi on the Chiyoda line. From Sendagi, it was a casual walk to the east to Yanaki and Yanaki Ginza.

https://goo.gl/maps/vwY1EimvooCXWW3d6

Here are some pics.

National Museums, halal kebabs, groceries and mosque

Today we took a Hiniya line train to Ueno and walked through the park to the National Nature and Science Museum.

Then we continued our walk to Ueno Onshi Park, ate a kebab at Aras Kebabs, bought halal groceries from Spicy Food Network and then prayed Zuhr and Asr at Masjid Assalaam Okachimachi - apparently established by precious stone merchants.

Payphones, Phone SIM Cards - data only vs Voice and SMS and Data

This topic has seen some changes in recent years/months.  Through Google searches I was getting a mixed messages of where and how to get SIM cards for phones. This is what I have concluded (subject to lack of thorough research).

• Bring your own phone, which is already registered for WhatsApp
• If you want a SIM with Voice and SMS, it is only available at the Airport.  It costs about 5,500 yen and comes with unlimited voice and sms and 1GB of data. We didn't get these as it had been a long trip, my daughter wasn't feeling well so we thought we'll get them later. 
• If you are OK with data (and no Voice and SMS) then you can get pre-paid data SIMS at various places.  The best value we found was 3GB for 3000 Yen or 10GB for 4500 Yen at the larger 7/11 or 7i Holdings. They are also available near the markets near Ueno subway station.
  You will need to scan in your passport to register online.
  

Pre-paid Data SIMS at 7/11. Take the card to the counter and they will give you the SIM. 

• There are payphones available pretty much everywhere. Follow these steps.
  https://www.tsunagujapan.com/how-to-use-a-japanese-pay-phone-in-10-steps/

Walking and eating around Tokyo

We spent the first day in Tokyo walking around to things close to where we were staying.

Our walk

We covered off the Pokémon Centre and also visited the Takashimaya Department Store (well the supermarket at least) before heading off to a halal Japanese Restaurant Sumaiya found.

Tendon Itsuki

天丼専門 銀座いつき 

https://goo.gl/maps/jFQhzFtQ9ExJpfYQ8

Some pics along the

Fruits Factory - obscenely expensive

Tendon Itsuki Halal Restaurant

Returning home

Japanese Toilets

This requires a post all by itself.

I have to confess that of all the places that I have ever been to, including Australia, I don't as feel comfortable in attending a public toilet as I do in Japan.

Firstly they are always clean.

Secondly they all (mostly) have the bidet feature - that is a hose that swivels around and washes your behind (and your front is you so wish).

Here are some pictures of the toilet in our hotel.

When I first sat down, I thought I had broken it because water started running. But then I learnt that is a feature. All good!

Imano Fruits Factory

We found that, at least in Tokyo, fresh fruit and vegetables aren't all that plentiful. Our first encounter with a fruit shop was a bit of a shock. We'll, for the time being, assume that this is a designer shop for those who don't mind parting with their money easily.

Imano Fruit Factory

https://goo.gl/maps/A7YP5YLd7p6gnegy8