Having had a late night, we were slow to get started today. We lingered over breakfast until quite late, and then headed out for the day.

Subway day passes successfully purchased from the ticket machine, we caught the subway to the main station where we worked out how we would catch the train to Kyoto the next day . The main railway station interconnects with the subway station and shops inside a huge modern building. It is reasonably well signed, and so we figure it should be quite easy to retrace our footsteps when we actually depart for Kyoto.

We then began strolling down the streets, eager to explore the city centre. It was very hot and sunny -- it didn't take long to feel the weight of the oppressive heat bearing down on us! Once we hit the river, the cool breeze enticed us to walk along the riverbank. There was very little shade and I was concerned about exposing myself to too much direct sunlight, despite being heavily plastered with 50+ sunscreen and my broad-brimmed hat. (I have a BCC on my nose that will be removed a week after we get home, and having had a melanoma and BCC removed last year, I am wisely paranoid about the sun these days!) After walking past a few government buildings we came across the Nakonshima Rose Garden -- I am sure it would look lovely in the spring or autumn, but in the heat of the midday sun ...well, a few shady trees would have given it greater appeal. Quite a number of gardeners were tending the roses -- perhaps they could head over to the gardens around the castle when they finish their work there! 

Having had quite enough of the heat and sun, we headed to the nearby subway station, discovering that there really is a world of interconnecting tunnels underground. You could walk around all day down there and never see daylight! Eventually, the empty spaces and plain tiled walls changed into shop-lined walkways and the hustle and bustle of a busier subway station. Here, we logged into Michael's iPad to consult TripAdvisor. The market seemed like a good option, and so this became our next destination.

It's always interesting exploring a country's markets -- you get a great sense of the similarities and differences in food tastes. Some of the different ones stimulate one's curiosity; others make your stomach churn and your taste buds retreat! We sat at a small store and enjoyed cake and a pastry stuffed with ice cream (not quite as tasty as the one I'd eaten in Tokyo, but not bad) -- we'd usually stroll around eating such snacks, but we don't want to be seen as too barbaric!

Feeling rather weary, and obviously carrying a significant sleep debt that had been gradually increasing over the week, we decided to head back to the hotel for a nap -- after all, we are grandparents! We stocked up on supplies of soda water and nibbles at the local supermarket, observing that customers are provided with plastic bags and are expected to carry their shopping baskets over to a nearby shelf to finish packing their own goods . We also noticed a couple of microwaves available for customers to use -- the other night, we could have actually heated some of the meats we bought for dinner!

We were both so tired, we slept for quite some time. Michael might have even slept for 2 hours! I luxuriated in a hot bath after sleeping for an hour or so. It was about 7:30pm when we emerged from the hotel again. It was another warm, balmy evening. We expertly caught the subway to the Dotonburi area that I had read about -- a shopping area near a river with lots of neon lights and billboards - apparently worth visiting at night. We wandered through the covered 'streets' of shops, checking out the cameras in one large apartment store along the way. Not having any idea of our bearings, we just kept going until the shops and restaurants almost petered out. Unable to locate our position on the small map we'd been given, I asked a couple of people if they could direct us to the river. The second person was able to assist, and we soon found ourself walking along the waterfront of a canal . In the heart of it, there were people everywhere, many queued up to get into particular restaurants -- they must be good to warrant waiting, but they didn't entice us. Instead, we wandered away from the water and eventually found a small restaurant on the first level (2nd floor). We were guided into a little booth surrounded by dark timber walls. In fact, the whole restaurant consisted of many enclosed booths. We wondered whether this has some connection with the Japanese people's apparent dislike of seeing one eating. 

The first dish to arrive, in a dish over a little cooker, seemed so big, we wondered if we'd ordered too much food. However, the heat soon cooked the cabbage and other vegetables in it, and some of the bulk was reduced. We managed to consume all 3 dishes, the other two being much smaller.

As we wandered through the nearby shops, we realised that this was actually the way we had come in the first place -- we'd just taken a right-hand turn before reaching the waterfront. (This area was also quite near the market we'd visited in the afternoon -- we passed the entrance as we followed directions back towards the river.)

Late to bed again. 

(I will have to label all the photos later -- I've run out of time!)