Asakusa and Sensoji Temple

We traversed Tokyo's canals via water taxi, traveling under 12 unique bridges and disembarking at Asakusa. We headed for Nakamise Dori, a narrow street lined with small shops, mostly selling waving cats and bobblehead dolls. We stopped for lunch at the restaurant with the most appealing plastic food in the window, which turned out to be a great find. We sat on tatami mats (after removing our shoes first, of course) and enjoyed sushi, rice bowls (egg and chicken), and boxed lunched (tempura shrimp and vegetables).

We then visited Tokyo's oldest and most popular temple, Sensoji, with a history dating from 628. A local Tokyoite who was also visiting took a shine to us for some reason and was nice enough to explain the temple's purpose and history. We washed our hands in the fountain (pictured above) and watched visitors throw 5 Yen coins into a big pachinko contraption.

When our new friend insisted that we watch an entire 30 minute television program that he had recorded on his mobile phone, Monica was forced to dismiss him, which appeared to hurt his feelings a little.