Last few moments in Tokyo

5 more hours to go before my flight from Narita takes off. Planned to buy strawberry(the fruit, not the nickname), but in the end couldnt resist the temptation and got another pair of shoes. Very tired now, the soles of my feet are aching. 8 days in tokyo is just right, went every place i wanted to go (except Tokyo Tower). ..And that still includes going Akihabara twice...

Last night in Tokyo

Tomorrow is the day all the 'fun' will be gone, where we will carry our tired bodies reluctantly back to Singapore. I am glad I enjoyed myself over the 8 days here, especially with such nice people like capuccino and starfruit who tolerated my wilfullness, unpredictablity and my over-sensitivity. Its really not easy to go on a trip with friends due to differences in likes and places they want to go. Actually I think we sorted this out quite well, probably except for the Akihabara incident. It still hurts now....

Today, Capuccino went with Starfruit to Disneyland. I have a free-day by myself where I went to the museum in Ueno park, which also has a special exhibition of the works of Leonardo. Only recognised the Mona Lisa and the Last Dinner. Didnt understand and dont know how to appreciate the works and exhibits though.

I took the JR and was approached by a non-uniformed policeman at Tokyo Station. Initially thought that he wants me to do a survey or ask for directions, so ignored him totally. Later then he identified himself as a policeman He asked me where I was going to and also wanted to see my passport. He seems quite surprised I am a Singaporean...

The Imperial Garden is basically a garden. The weather was super hot, by Japan standards. Couldnt really catch a glimpse of the Imperial Palace ( there were other monuments around)..Took a long long walk to Yasukuni Jinja...Quite a good place to visit. Its quite nice...Also went down to the Tokyo Dome. Unfortunately, the interior of the dome is not open to the public since there are no performances going on. Adventure rides are available, which looks very scary but exciting ( I heard tonnes of screaming). Bought a pair of shoes and a jacket over at the shopping center there.

Returned to Omotesando and Harajuku, but was quite late by then. Did some walking along the streets, but by the time I reached the Snoppy shop and the Laforet, its already closed (Both shops closed at 8)..Did I mention that this is the 2nd time i am back at Harajuku??...Some people ( Yes...I mean 3 people) can go back Shinjuku for two times to shop around a particular area but i cant even go back Akihabara twice to get what I went...what logic is this.....

Day 7...

Starfruit and me went to the Meiji Jingu in Harajuku, followed by a trip to nearby Yoyogi Park. Met up with a friend who came over to Keio university for an exchange program. Lastly, we head to the Kabuki-cho. Saw quite a lot of 'hosts' dressed in black, who approached gals who are alone, asking them if they want 'companionship'. Didnt find them very handsome though...

Day 6 in tokyo

Thanks to Capuccino's friend, today was planned to go Waseda University to have a look at the campus. Its hard to say if we are suay or lucky, the school will be closed for a week due to an outbreak of measles. We still managed to go into the area and have a look, but its only limited to a very small common area.

Reached Akihabara at about 4 plus. Walked around the area searching for that shop Capuccino and Starfruit bought their digital camera. Capuccino made a comment which made me feel rather uneasy. She said that I do not care about the troubles of others (it takes time to find the shop). I talked to her and knew that she didnt mean it...but i still feel hurt...

5th day in Tokyo

Capuccino is meeting her waseda "friend" ( I cant find an appropriate word to describe their " friendship"), so basically its free and easy for me and Starfruit.

First place we went to is Ameyoko, an area near to Ueno park. Its similar to a pasam malam where everything can be bought there, from strawberries to bags to clothes etc...

Next on the list is Shimokitazawa. Its worth a visit there despite having to change trains at Shinjuku. The streets there sell clothes and also bags, which are much more unique and nice compared to Shinjuku. The prices there are somehow slightly cheaper. Bought a very nice white bag there for 4000 yen.

Passed by Shinbashi on the way to Tokyo Bay. Even though it looks happening when we by-pass there a couple of days ago, today was rather quiet. The shops there also like nothing much.

Went back to Tokyo Bay again for the Onsen. The onsen was quite nice as a whole, but felt that the heat was rather uncomfortable. Couldnt get used to the heat. A good experience though, but I dont think I will ever step into an onsen again.

Thanx to Capuccino and her Waseda "friend", we are going to visit the Waseda University tomorrow!...

Day 4 in Japan

Places went today

1) Asakusa. There is a matsuri (festival) over the weekends which was super interesting. Men and women and even children carry portable shrines around the area. Reminds me of the thaipusam festival in singapore. Went to the temple and bought some lucky amulets. The nakamise was also very happening.

2) Shibuya. Wanted to go to the 100 yen building, but unfortunately realised that the building is closed after looking for it for a long time. Its not easy moving around the area. Think I will go back there again when starfruit and cupaccino goes to Disneyland. I want to go to the 109 building and the recofan CD shop.

3) Harajuku. The takeshita dori is like bugis, with lots of different shops selling apparels. Bought a t-shirt from there. Liked this place very much.

4) Shinjuku. Went with starfruit. Just walked around the area. Intended to go and have a look at the kabuki-cho, but the soles of my feet are hurting badly, so cannot go until that far. Zannen desu ne!...

Day 3 in Tokyo

Day 3 was quite bad. Intended to go Imperial Garden, but upon reaching Tokyo station, took a hell lot of time to find a money-changer. It was already 12.45pm by then. Wanting to catch the seal show @ 2.30 and the dolphin show @ 3.30 at shinagawa aquarium, we left for Oimachi immediately. There goes another chance to visit the imperial garden. Guess its fated. Upon reaching Oimachi, the free bus bringing us to the aquarium just left. Thinking that the next one will depart in half an hour, we went walk walk for a while. Unfortunately... we miss that as well and have to wait 1 hour for the next bus to arrive. We finally arrived there at around 2.45pm. The fishes in the aquarium are very pretty and interesting, the descriptions of those fishes are all in Japanese, and I am really glad that I can understand what was written. The dolphin show was fantastic, but this time round, couldnt catch what the presenter was saying at all. This shows that we can read and write, but couldnt speak and listen in Japanese.
Headed to Tokyo Bay next. Its a must go area for people intending to go Japan (Strawberry, pls take note). The Yurikamone line goes onto the Rainbow Bridge, along the way the scenary is beautiful. Went up to Fuji-TV world to take pictures of the Rainbow Bridge and the surrounding area (Its recommended to go at night as the light-up on and around Rainbow Bridge is really stunning). Went Joypolis, then to the ferries wheel. Rather upset that I lack the courage to go onboard the ferries wheel ( I am scared on heights)...This is NOT the only thing I lack courage on...

東京の第二日

My second day in Tokyo is so much better than the first. Yesterday, we only managed to reach our inn at around 5pm, and after some packing and adjustments, we set off for Ueno station. We figured out that its quite late to go anywhere else since in japan most shops close at 8, and we also wanted to familize ourselves with the vicinity. Ueno station is linked by quite a few metro lines, so its easier and worthwhile to take a 10 minutes walk from there rather than changing into another metro line. The streets around Ueno are similar to those at Bugis, quite a number selling clothes and barang barang. Had dinner at a curry stall, quite nice and its cheaper than expected.
Today, it rained. Planned to go imperial garden, but felt that its quite troublesome to hold an umbrella and walk around, so went to Shinjuku instead. The metro was great, I would say its so much better than Singapore. The seats are more comfy, there's a carriage which has weaker air-conditioning, and furthermore the names of the stations are announced and also visible through a screen which is in kanji, hiragana and english, and also showed other metro lines which we can change to. I can still remember those times when tourists took the MRT from Changi Airport and arrived at Tanah Merah, not knowing what to do when other passengers alight. The blur look on their face says it all.
Places I went: Shinjuku ( odakyuu, toukyuu hands, takashimaya) ate at a Western fast-food called Wendy's, quite a few problems understanding what the cashier was trying to ask me. Akihabara. The electronic stuffs seem much more high-tech and cheaper compared to singapore. A big dilemma whether to buy a 7.2 mega-pixels digital camera that cost about 200 sing dollars. Wanted to buy an MP3, but being a super computer-dinosaur, was really afraid that I would not know how to use it (I mean in all aspects, from downloading to listening). Roppongi. Walked a bit around the streets, and had a drink at the Hard Rock Cafe. Reminds me of Boat Quay..