JUST THE WRONG CLOTHING.
WITH THIS OPTION WE CONTINUE AS PLANNED AND WEAR OUR SPECIAL RAIN JACKETS. FOR THOSE WHO COME FROM AREAS OF THE WORLD THAT EXPERIENCE LOTS OF RAIN WILL BE COMFORTABLE WITH HEADING OUT INTO THE DRIZZLE. FOR US WE WILL RIDE IN ALMOST ANY WEATHER SO WE ARE FINE WITH A LITTLE RAIN.
OBVIOUSLY IF CONDITIONS TURN FOR THE WORST WE WILL ALTER OUR RIDE AND MAKE THE BEST OF A RAINY SITUATION.
NOTE: ROAD CONDITIONS ARE MORE DANGEROUS WHEN WET. WE DO HAVE STORAGE AT THE SHOP FOR ITEMS THAT SHOULD NOT GET WET.
A BACKSTREET WALKING TOUR TO FIND THE QUIRKY, ANTIQUE, AND ONE-OF-A-KIND TREASURES THAT ARE IN STORE FOR YOU ALONG THE WAY TO COFFEE SHOPS, USED-CLOTHING STORES, AND ART GALLERIES. LOSE YOURSELF IN JAPANESE CONTEMPORARY CULTURE.
A WALKING TOUR OF THE MANY LAYERS OF SHINJUKU. WE TRAVEL UNDERGROUND TO DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE CITY TO FIND HIDDEN PLACES AND TO GET SNACKS AND LEARN INSIGHTS ABOUT THE AREA. WE FINISH OUR JOURNEY WITH A DELICIOUS SANDWICH.
IF POSSIBLE WE WILL HELP YOU RESCHEDULE YOUR BOOKING TO ANOTHER DATE THAT WOULD WORK FOR US AND THE WEATHER. WE KNOW PEOPLE HAVE VERY BUSY ITINERARIES FOR THEIR TRIPS BUT WE HOPE SOME THINGS CAN BE MOVED AROUND TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS DUE TO THE WEATHER.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO CANCEL WE GENERALLY DO NOT CHARGE A WEATHER RELATED CANCELLATION FEE.
SHOPPING
Harmonica Yokocho Kichijoji
Just off the “Sun Road” shopping arcade there are little old back alleys that have all sorts of treats like yokan, pork cutlet and taiyaki. The atmosphere is eclectic and it is fun to wander around the Kichijoji area.
Nakano Broadway
For the Manga/Anime lovers out there visit this shopping arcade for five-stories of interesting collections of second-hand manga, collectable action figures, and much more. It is an interesting experience even if you are not a huge geek.
MUSEUMS
THE ROPPONGI TRIANGLE
I would suggest starting at Roppongi Hills where you have some public art and also the Mori Art Museum. They have a nice view from up there but on a rainy day don’t expect to see very far. From the hills you can pop open an umbrella and walk around over to the Midtown shopping complex and visit the museums there. They have the Fuji Film Museum, Suntory Art Museum, and 21_21. From the back garden outside of 21_21 it’s just another short walk over to the National Art Center. You can hop on the Chiyoda line at Nagizaka and you were barely out in the rain.
OKAY ODAIBA
This is a shopping / Museum place to go but expect to do some walking. Things are very spread out on the reclaimed islands that make up Odaiba. When you get there you have your choice of classic tourist traps like the Madame Tussauds wax museum or Legoland. They also have a Japanese style “trick-art” place and a shopping center that is designed to look like Venice but is called VenusFort. To complete the day, you could take the monorail over to the museum of the future “Miraikan” and experience emerging science. If the weather calms down and the bay is not too choppy I would also recommend taking the ferry back to town.
CHILL
It Had Crossed My Mind
Go to Shibuya. Pop open your umbrella and flow across that famous scramble crossing with all the other bellas. If you can find a coveted seat at the Starbucks window that over looks the crossings it is a fun sight to see all the goofy things people try to do while they “cross” the intersection. If you enjoy watching people and thinking of all the personal stories that they all must be adding to by visiting this place you will have a great time just sitting and slowly consuming your double-ristretto-venti-half-soy-nonfat coffee.
Meow
Maybe you like cats or owls or reptiles or even the maids who clean up all that mess… Don’t worry Tokyo has a cafe for you. Trust me… just google up a few cafes like “cat cafe” or “maid cafe” or “ninja cafe” or “robot restaurant” or “hedgehog”, “reptile”, “fish”, “railroad”, “kawaii monster”… who knows what you might find. Just be aware that these things come and go really fast so confirm they are still open before you walk all the way over to them and find out they are closed.
