The current state of emergency (SOE) expires on June 20, 2021. Unlike the last SOE, this one likely will not be extended. Places are already beginning to reopen, and there is the feel of summer holiday in the air. Many of the government-run museums, parks, and zoos are now open, subject to entry allowances. We have been eager to go to Ueno Zoo and tried reserving tickets online as soon as reservations opened, but, unsurprisingly, tickets sold out within a few minutes.
Instead, we went to Tokyo Sea Life aquarium, located on the coast of Tokyo Bay. As a public aquarium, ticket prices were very inexpensive. Children under age 12 are free. Tickets for students ages 12-15 cost only about $2 USD. Each adult ticket is less than $6 USD. The aquarium is a great size for young children. A bunch of exhibits, particularly interactive ones like touching starfish, were closed due to Covid. However, it didn't diminish our experience at all. There were plenty of things to see. Labels were in both English and Japanese, a bonus for me. The aquarium is located about half an hour by car from central Tokyo. Despite it being a weekend, it was not crowded at all. It was truly was a luxury, as I can only imagine how crowded Ueno Zoo must have been (Ueno is located more centrally).
My favorite exhibit was the Bigeye Tuna one. Aquariums tend to display lots of exotic fish, which is nice, but it was refreshing to learn about a fish we all eat. I have read and watched a lot (Wicked Tuna and Seaspiracy) about Bigeye Tuna. I have eaten it. And of course, there are plenty of photos of them at the Tsukiji fish market auctions. So it was refreshing to see live Bigeye and learn about them as animals and not food. Their bodies are compact and powerful, and it was mesmerizing watching them swim.
E liked the penguins the best. M's liked every exhibit. We were surprised at how much she enjoyed observing the sea creatures. E did not really take in interest in zoos or aquariums until she was well over two. By comparison, M heaves herself up from the stroller to stare at the fish. Amazing how different siblings can be.
The aquarium that is part of Tokyo Sea Life Park, also known as Kasai Rinkan Park. Since we wanted to stay and also explore the park, we had lunch at the aquarium. I got the Loco Moco sampler to share with M and the kids meal version for E. The food was decent and reasonably priced at about $5 USD for the kids meal and $10 USD for mine. The portions were very generous by Japanese standards. I helped E finish her meal, and my husband helped me finish mine.
After lunch, we walked around the park, including a walkway overlooking Tokyo Bay. It also has a pathway garden full of flora and fauna, such as wasabi leaves and different types of fern, as well as frogs and other random creatures. There were signs describing everything, which made the walk all the more engaging.
At another section of the park is a giant ferris wheel and a small arcade. E surprised us all by requesting a ride on the ferris wheel. She enjoyed a ride with her grandparents, though she also said that the wheel turned too slowly, especially because she had to use the bathroom.
That was the end of our Tokyo Sea Life visit. For the kids, the rest of the day was spent napping, eating, and recuperating from all the fun.
We are excited to spend next weekend with the cousins. Having survived 72 hours in hotel quarantine, my brother-in-law and his kids have finally made their way to my mother-in-law's house to complete the rest of their quarantine. At the hotel, they had the choice of five people to a room or separating into two rooms. If they had separated, they would not have been able to see each other for 72 hours, as leaving the room was prohibited. They therefore chose to stay together in a room with two queen size beds and a two-seater sofa. This was the largest room available at the hotel. Meals were well-balanced bentos, though they were cold and there was no microwave. Meals were left on a chair outside the door. At mealtime, an announcement was broadcasted to inform everyone to open their doors and receive the meals. The rules included no alcohol. While caffeine was allowed, no coffee or tea was served. There was a hot water boiler, so it would have been possible to make instant coffee. All members of the family were tested three times within a span of four days.
While it sounds terrible, it is a story of our times. Right now, everyone is happy to be home. Next weekend brings new, albeit welcome, challenges, like how to feed twelve people!
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