Over two months have passed since writing part 1, but I'm determined to finish this no matter what! Originally I wanted to get out the next three parts all at once so you guys could read them back-to-back, but since I've been busy uploading pictures and videos I decided to write this asap, then put the last two parts up simultaneously later. Also, I recently went over the topics that I plan to cover for my blog on Japan, and it seems that I have 2 more parts to this adventure after this post, 7 entries in the journal I brought to Japan, 12 more events that correspond to my photo albums, and 4 general topics I'd like to touch on; in total, if all goes right, we're looking at around 25 more posts. @.@ A daunting task to say the least, but I realized how much fun I had writing the content for this post, and I should be able to get on a weekly schedule in the near future. Hurray!
As for an update on my Japanese studying, I've been good about reviewing kanji flashcards and virtual vocab flashcards daily, as well as watching an anime episode every day, but as for speaking, reading, writing, and learning grammar - not so much. Hopefully that time will come when the Japanese Culture Club at my school starts up (they have an interest meeting this Thursday). Without further ado, let's get into the post.
The second part of my girlfriend, Jasmin's, trip includes visiting Tokyo Disneyland, Akihabara, Harujuku, and finishing up our short stay in Tokyo. It covers Saturday and Sunday, 11/1/08 and 11/2/08, and there's a loooot to go through, but it was tons of fun so I don't want to leave anything out!
We took our time waking up on Saturday, the 1st of November (my mom's birthday!), knowing we should aim for Disneyland's opening but not worried since we would be there all day. Our breakfast was delicious bread from the Kamata train station, and after meeting back up with Jasmin's cousin Jade and her boyfriend Steve we were off. It was around 11 am when the train finally arrived outside the park, and of course the park was packed as soon as we entered the gate. After obtaining maps and taking some initial pictures, I suggested we head to the back of the park and make our way forward; most people were probably doing the opposite and the front couldn't get any more crowded than it was.
We found ourselves in Toon Town (isn't that basically the whole park?), where we saw lots of toon characters and TONS of Japanese people walking around, but no Mickey. :( Our first ride was the Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin Ride. It looked familiar to something I'd probably seen in Disney World or Disneyland California, and sure enough when some friends recently went to latter they brought back pictures of the same exact ride. And similar to their experience, the short line outside was deceiving, leading to a maze supposedly for "entertainment" purposes, but actually wasting nearly an hour of our time. So we got to the front and it was over in like a minute.
The next morning, we checked out of the hotel and took our bags directly to Tokyo Station to deposit them in a locker, so we could pick them up later when we catch the overnight bus. Then we made our way to Akihabara - the anime/gaming capital of the world! We didn't get there until around 1, and admired the large crowds and awesome buildings and displays while waiting for Jade and Steve to meet for lunch. We went into various stores, including one where we each bought a 2 GB micro SD card with converter cases for $5. Afterward, we went to a huge department store and made a beeline for the video game floor, where we found rows and rows of Gachapon (the machine that you put coins into and get plastic balls with goodies). Some of you can thank this place for your cellphone keychain omiyage. :p
We made plans to hang out with Van and Joel in Harujuku that night, and finally met Jade and Steve to go to lunch at a Katenzushi (rotary sushi) bar. The sushi was amazing, probably some of the best I've ever had, and we walked it off on the streets looking for a maid cafe. After a good half an hour (involving accidentally stumbling into sex shops, and attempting to no avail to follow the maps given to us by girls dressed as maids outside the station) we finally made it to one called With Cats, the theme being... cat maids. lol We ordered dessert, and took a forbidden picture of a parfait before they scolded us about having cameras in the restaurant.
When we got back to the station to leave, I looked up to see Goku walking towards me. o_O A closer look revealed that he was a fellow foreigner, and as he passed me he turned and nodded, and walked away. I tried to get a picture, but it was blurry and far away. XD
Our last excursion in Tokyo would be Harujuku, a fashion capitol of the world and must see while you're in Tokyo. Jade told us that on Sundays there are usually cosplayers prowling about, but perhaps we arrived a little late because we didn't see any ourselves. We met up with Van and Joel who had already been there for a while, and walked down the main strip, which had lots of cool clothing and accessories shops all the way down (Jasmin could give you a more detailed description). Not exactly my type of shopping, but it was enjoyable taking pictures and watching everyone dress up.
The place was crowded and we moved at our own paces in groups of 2. It was getting late, and Joel and Van, who seemed to be getting tired of Tokyo, left to catch their shinkansen (bullet train), while Jasmina and I got a crepe and continued down the strip. At the end, there was a building with lots of free, creative technologies that you can play around with. Jade and Steve showed us how to take some pictures that overlaid on each other and displayed a secret message, and a game to sync heartbeats.
Jasmin and I left Harujuku around 8 to get back to Tokyo Station. Our plan was to check out the underground shops and get some food, but it was late and everything was closing. We barely had time to order a pizza and get omiyage for my host parents, before we left Tokyo on the bus around 10 pm.
Pictures on Facebook
Pictures on Photobucket
Videos on YouTube
EDIT: I don't intend for posts to usually be this long, but this was the most exciting part of my Japan trip. Future blogs (following Jasmin's Trip pt. 4) will be a lot shorter and to the point, promise. :p
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