life abroad.: Japan the Series: Day 5

Despite an afternoon departure flight, on our fifth and final day in Japan we still managed to engage in a couple of touristy activities that resulted in two of the best views in Tokyo. Views that served as the perfect lasting memories of an unforgettable trip.

Our first view came via the sea from a morning riverboat cruise down the Sumida River into Tokyo Bay. We had stumbled across the riverboat cruise terminal from our first day in Asakusa, but we didn't explore further as we thought it would be too expensive. However, as we found ourselves again in this area on our last day, we decided to check it out and found it surprisingly reasonably priced. For just about 10 dollars Canadian, we were treated to a (somewhat) guided 50 minute tour of the river, highlighting the diversity of architecture along the riverbank and the importance that these waterways serve in Tokyo's history. It was quite stunning, and a certainly more relaxed way to travel compared to the bustle of the subway system.

Our second view of the city came via the sky on the observation deck at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. The towering office building stands at 243 metres high and with an observation deck on the 45th floor, it provided some amazing panoramic views of the city and at no cost! Mt. Fuji stands in the distance from one window (of course it was too foggy to see), while from another you can see Tokyo Tower and the new Sky Tree Tower, which when it opens will be the tallest tower in the world. No matter which way you look, the city seems endless; building on top of building, most only existing as a micro speck of space in your line of view.

When travelling almost exclusively on the subway system, it is easy underestimate the sheer volume that these mega-cities encompass, as you never see just how much distance you can travel underground. These two incredible views gave us the chance to put Tokyo into perspective: a city so immense, so diverse, and so unique, only Tokyo.