The FABRIC of Our Life

Day14 and another ride on the Bullet Train. We are off to Tokyo.  We could not be late today as I had chosen a specific train with a route that would take us past Mount Fuji. Luck was with us and we had  glorious views of the majestic mountain.

Fuji-san is the highest mountain in Japan at 3,776 metres. It is considered an active volcano, but hasn't erupted since 1708.

Nonie was buzzing with excitement as our first order of business upon arriving in Tokyo was to head to Nippori Fabric Town, a whole street dedicated to FABRIC........

Our (Nonie's) plan was to ditch our luggage into a locker once we arrived into Tokyo station and proceed directly to FABRIC Town.

Not so easy.

 If you remember, I mentioned in previous posts that we were travelling during a national holiday. As we moved down the rows and rows and rows of lockers, we were met by blinking red lights, meaning the lockers were full. We eventually found an empty one and crammed everything we had into it.  We retraced our steps from locker to the subway gate several times to ensure we would be able to find the locker again. We did, although it was touch and go.

We could reach the Nippori neighbourhood on the Yamanote Line. The Yamanote Line is a ring route around the outer edges of Tokyo. The line is operated by Japan Rail so we were able to use our Japan Rail Pass. Nice perk. The route would take us near to every thing we planned to see over the next two days.

Nippori FABRIC Town, sometimes called FABRIC Street is advertised as having everything FABRIC and FABRIC was Nonie's mantra today. Travelling with only carry-on luggage, our (Nonie's) plan was to purchase a separate bag to carry the FABRIC back to Penticton. We were travelling by ship so no extra baggage fees for us (Nonie)

Finding FABRIC Town was a snap. Six stops from Tokyo Station and we were dropped right on it's doorstep.

Oh Oh, trouble right here in FABRIC City. Remember I mentioned we were travelling during a national holiday so most of the FABRIC shops were closed. Thankfully, a few shops were open and she was able find some FABRIC, almost 5,000 Yen worth but this only tickled her addiction. Thinking fast, I came up with a proposal. Our cruise was to overnight in Yokohama giving us part of a day there. I had plans but dropped them and proposed to Nonie that we get up early, travel into Tokyo from Yokohama and revisit FABRIC Town when all the stores would be open, then back to Yokohama before the ship sailed in the late afternoon.

Vacation and marriage saved.