Tokyo -- Part II with dinner

Trip Start Apr 10, 2012
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Trip End Apr 25, 2012


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Flag of Japan  , Kanto,
Thursday, April 12, 2012

From the shopping district, we went to Shinjuku Gyoen, the largest public park in Tokyo.  It was a fantasy land of cherry blossoms -- simply gorgeous!  A breeze brought the petals down like falling snow.  The ground was blanketed in pink and white.  We were stunned by the number of Japanese people soaking up the beauty by picnicking under the trees.   Many mothers were strolling their babies, fathers were carrying children on their shoulders, elegantly dressed women of all ages were carrying brilliantly colored umbrellas and wearing gloves to protect their skin from the sun.  Many people had their cameras out -- some with professional equipment -- and were trying to capture the image which tells the story of the glorious day.

 
After a brief rest in the hotel, we headed out for dinner in the Shibuya district
Blanket of Blossoms
Blanket of Blossoms
.  Coming out of the train station, you come up to the busiest intersection in the world.  Dizzying, incredible amounts of people, cars (mostly taxis), neon, and videos showing on the sides of tall buildings.  Think Times Square on steroids!  With all the movement, colors, sounds, and unreadable (for us) signage, it was very disorienting.

 
Brent left our dinner location a surprise.  And boy was it!  He took us down stairs from the street to a creepy looking door where we entered "The Lockup".  You descend into extremely dark and winding hallways with cold rushes of air and cackling and screaming sounds. Around one corner we were surprised/startled/scared out of our wits by coming upon a man strapped to an electric chair.  Upon reaching the receiving area, we were given the option to be hand-cuffed, and led to our "cell".  The Lockup is a theme restaurant.  The theme being "Haunted Prison." 

Each dining area was behind caged doors.  We crawled and wedged ourselves into a tiny, tiny room and sat on cushions on the floor.  I say "wedged" because our Western limbs were very difficult to get under and around the legs of the low table.  I'm sure it would have been quite amusing to watch us.

The menu was full-on with the theme -- the Frankenstein Flask (an alcoholic drink with smoke coming through it), the Devil's Handwork (a claw-like potato crisp reaching out of a piece of chicken), Cat Eat Your Hear Out, etc.  The highlight event came about 15 minutes into our meal.  Alarms sounding, lights flashing and then out, and the ghouls (restaurant staff) wildly shaking the bars and reaching in for you.  Susan nearly jumped out of her skin.  We were all screaming .... ah, a night to remember.

 
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