The typhoon came to nothing overnight and for that both everyone in and around Tokyo and us are truly grateful. Although it rained on and off all day it was never that heavy and it kept the temp and humidity down.

First stop was the Mitsui Memorial Museum . This is the collection of the fabulously wealthy family that founded Mitsui, once textile merchants but now more know for banking. Some amazing lacquered and painted folding panels, beautiful ceramics and porcelain.

Our visit also coincided with the 100 year anniversary of the construction of the current Nihombashi Bridge.  Mitsui has gathered woodblock prints and other artworks and memorabilia related to the bridge. Some of the woodblocks were fabulous.

Next we visited Idemitsu Museum of Arts.   This collection is mainly based around ceramics and porcelain so if they don't interest you, maybe give it a miss. Fantastic view across the southern end of the Imperial Palace Gardens as well.

Then the Mitsuo Aida Museum. This was the most beautiful space in the basement of the International Forum Building, itself a fantastic building/complex. Al found it hard work but I enjoyed it . Mitsuo Aida was a very famous modern Japanese poet who died n the early 90s. As famous for his poetry as for his brush and ink calligraphy, his poetry translates beautifully to English. The poetry is very human and is about life and his family. Some very moving poems about his own perceived failings that he saw being displayed by his son.

Decided we'd visit the Kite Museum and just like Lonely Planet says, it's tiny, cluttered and wildly colourful. Well worth the huge (not) sum of JPY200 (less than $3). Loved it.

Got a bit confused as to the direction back to the station and while we're stood there looking at the map a little old man comes over and asks if he can help. When he wasn't sure, he went and knocked on the door of a kitchen and when the lady chef couldn't help she shouted out to someone walking towards us. Eventually we were pointed in the direction to Kanda Station. The funny thing was we kinda knew where to go but were just too embarrassed to say we were ok when everyone was so nice.

Decided we should go see the Shibuya four (five?) way pedestrian crossing. Came out the wrong exit and we both looked at what was in front of us and said it's sure not this one. Turned around and could see it through the underpass behind us.

Like with everything we've experienced in Tokyo, it wasn't as manic as we thought it would be . Tokyo is crowded and bustling and a bit crazy but no more so than any of the other big cities we're visited in our travels. We've avoided the subways here but maybe we need to buy tickets just so we can go down and watch rush hour. No way in hell we want to actually get into the mobile sardine can though.

Bought some sushi and other stuff over at the Family Mart to prepare our stomachs for a night of drinking.

Went downstairs to the hotel lobby bar where they have an all the Kirin you can drink in one hour for JPY980 or two hours for 1960. We went for the one hour package. Bargain.

Put on the glad rags, read jeans and shoes instead of shorts and sandals and walked over to the Shinjuku Chome 2 and 3. Should have left the shorts and sandals on like everyone else was wearing.

Had a fun if unusual night. Met a young Korean guy who had come over to visit his Canadian boyfriend. Drank beer, and awful cold tea and clear spirit drink, a long island iced tea and finally pre-mixed mojitos. We should have started and stayed on them cos they were the lowest alcohol and tasted damn good.  

Might head back over there Friday night, our last night.