This was one day that had to be scheduled way in advance. Our daughter, Tiffany and family wanted to go to the Ghibli Museum.
Wikipedia:
The Ghibli Museum (Mitaka no Mori Jiburi Bijutsukan, Mitaka Forest Ghibli Museum) is a museum showcasing the work of the Japanese animation Studio Ghibli. It is located in Inokashira Park in Mitaka, a western city of Tokyo, Japan. The museum combines features of a children's museum, technology museum, and a fine arts museum, and is dedicated to the art and technique of animation.
We haven't watched a lot of Hayao Miyazaki's animated films and didn't even know about this place. Interestingly, all our younger friends and relatives are familiar with Ghibli and know how difficult it is to get tickets. Tiffany asked us to get tickets for all of us many months in advance at JTB (Japan Tourist Bureau) in Ala Moana because it was known to sell out.
We took a train to get to Tokyo Station and transferred to Mitaka Station. Once there, we boarded a Ghibli bus to go to the museum.
We were able to walk right in. Seeing the building, we knew it would be a very whimsical place. No photos were allowed inside the museum.
When we looked down later from the top of the building, we could see a long line of local people waiting to get in.
On the rooftop was a Robot soldier.
Wikipedia:
On the museum's roof is a garden with a life-size, five meter (16.4042 feet) tall statue of a robot from the final episode of Lupin III and Castle in the Sky. The Robot Soldier was made by the artist Kunio Shachimaru. The statue is formed from hammered copper plate and took 2 years to create.
The soldier was quite impressive. KC and Ed had fun trying the water pump.
We loved people-watching on trains. Young girls had the most interesting clothes and we were absolutely amazed to see very young elementary school children all by themselves (carrying these leather backpacks) going to school and returning home.
Can you tell which were the Americans?
We knew that most adult Japanese men do not wear shorts.
My nephew's Japanese wife did tell us it would be OK for Ed to wear them but Art did not want to bring any.
Art did break down and buy a pair to wear once we experienced how very hot and humid it was in Tokyo during the summer.
We are always amazed at the cost of special fruit in Japan. Three mangos for about $63.00?!?
Grapes and an apple for about $43.00?
No, we didn't buy any fruit while in Japan.
Dinner that evening was at one of Ed, Tif and Kalani's favorite restaurants, Din Tai Fung.
We were surprised to see it in Japan. We did have several baskets of the soup dumplings.
They didn't have the green beans that I like so much though.
By the time we headed home, it was rush hour crunch time. We were squashed like sardines in the train cars and I worried how I could push through to get out. Not to worry, they let me out. I didn't even have to hold on to the straps because everybody else held me up. Incredible!
Wikipedia:
The Ghibli Museum (Mitaka no Mori Jiburi Bijutsukan, Mitaka Forest Ghibli Museum) is a museum showcasing the work of the Japanese animation Studio Ghibli. It is located in Inokashira Park in Mitaka, a western city of Tokyo, Japan. The museum combines features of a children's museum, technology museum, and a fine arts museum, and is dedicated to the art and technique of animation.
We haven't watched a lot of Hayao Miyazaki's animated films and didn't even know about this place. Interestingly, all our younger friends and relatives are familiar with Ghibli and know how difficult it is to get tickets. Tiffany asked us to get tickets for all of us many months in advance at JTB (Japan Tourist Bureau) in Ala Moana because it was known to sell out.
We took a train to get to Tokyo Station and transferred to Mitaka Station. Once there, we boarded a Ghibli bus to go to the museum.
We were able to walk right in. Seeing the building, we knew it would be a very whimsical place. No photos were allowed inside the museum.
When we looked down later from the top of the building, we could see a long line of local people waiting to get in.
On the rooftop was a Robot soldier.
Wikipedia:
On the museum's roof is a garden with a life-size, five meter (16.4042 feet) tall statue of a robot from the final episode of Lupin III and Castle in the Sky. The Robot Soldier was made by the artist Kunio Shachimaru. The statue is formed from hammered copper plate and took 2 years to create.
The soldier was quite impressive. KC and Ed had fun trying the water pump.
We loved people-watching on trains. Young girls had the most interesting clothes and we were absolutely amazed to see very young elementary school children all by themselves (carrying these leather backpacks) going to school and returning home.
Can you tell which were the Americans?
We knew that most adult Japanese men do not wear shorts.
My nephew's Japanese wife did tell us it would be OK for Ed to wear them but Art did not want to bring any.
Art did break down and buy a pair to wear once we experienced how very hot and humid it was in Tokyo during the summer.
We are always amazed at the cost of special fruit in Japan. Three mangos for about $63.00?!?
Grapes and an apple for about $43.00?
No, we didn't buy any fruit while in Japan.
Dinner that evening was at one of Ed, Tif and Kalani's favorite restaurants, Din Tai Fung.
We were surprised to see it in Japan. We did have several baskets of the soup dumplings.
They didn't have the green beans that I like so much though.
By the time we headed home, it was rush hour crunch time. We were squashed like sardines in the train cars and I worried how I could push through to get out. Not to worry, they let me out. I didn't even have to hold on to the straps because everybody else held me up. Incredible!
Surprised at the lack of decently priced fruit in Japan. Maybe it's produce in general, if your restaurant didn't have the green beans. I would've taken the next train: hate being smashed in crowds. Linda in spacious Kansas
ReplyDeleteMe too, Linda. And I too am from Kansas.
ReplyDeleteBeyond interesting post Kay, I would travel with Tiffany anytime, some to do the research and planning.
ReplyDeleteWhat aa fascinating day. Did you enjoy the museum? I can tell you enjoyed the gardens. Our nephew is an animator with Laika, and we are awfully proud of him.
ReplyDeleteThe price of fruit blew my mind. You could pay for your trip if you could smuggle in a few bushels of mangos.
ReplyDeleteCrowds for a prairie boy are something to stay away from.
ReplyDeleteDid you see Totoro?! I really appreciate you bringing us along on your trips. We have decided that after our California adventure, we want to come home to Hawaii when we come "old." Give it maybe 5 years, LOL
ReplyDeleteTotoro is everywhere! LOL
DeleteAnd you'll never be old, Cloudia.
That's a museum I'd really like to visit.
ReplyDeleteSuch a good day …
ReplyDeleteIsn't fruit expensive though!
All the best Jan
Am enjoying your photos and narrative asi I visit Japan vicariously since I think it’s unlikely i’ll ever get to visit there.
ReplyDeleteThe cost of fruit surprises me too. No wonder fruit growers in Washington ship their products to Japan.
ReplyDeleteWe were stuffed into a bus like that in Rome. It was quite amusing for a short distance.
My favorite Miyazaki films are Totoro and Spirited Away!
ReplyDeleteHolly
Now that is a crowded train! I would love to have gone to that museum, too. :-)
ReplyDelete