Japan 2009

Hey There.

2009-08-05T21:39:00.000-07:00

So I seriously think you are the only one checking up on this blog Papa, but since I finally have gotten my stuff together, well not really. I just haven't been able to get together with Grace and do anything trip related.

Anywho, Grace DID get a tattoo and we were just joking to everyone so we could make it a true surprise. Since she has the pictures I can only post what she actually go (and it was put on the inside of her forearm).

Love you!

Here it is...Dragon in Japanese

Back in the USSR..wait no, wrong acro

2009-06-29T04:37:00.000-07:00

It turned out to only be about a 30m delay until boarding. So we took off ~5:40p JST 6/28 and ended up here around 10:50a PST 6/28. Despite it being the hottest cabin ever (seriously Grace's chocolate completely melted) it went surprisingly fast.

Well, then we had to go through customs...30m later, pick up our luggage (really 2 seconds because we walked out right to ours and it was already taking a spin), and last but not least - Erin got tagged for extra security check...damn I wish I hadn't been carring those packaged pringles and slice of bread. Anyway so I sent Grace on her way and headed to the lovely line that was further security...15m later I got up there and shoved my bags through and was finally on my way to the arrival pick up.

It was a nice surprise though, when I came out of security there was Grace with Mary Ann and Charlie. Charlie nabbed a photo of me which I am sure is wonderful looking...but I probably will post it anyway.

And since I am awake at 4am I thought I would make an update then later Grace will be by to make our last posting for this trip.

Oh, I went through all the stuff I brought home, took a little bit of time to sort through but I hope everyone likes what I got them...and if you don't, don't tell me =P. But at least you can say it came from Japan (sorry if it says made in China)

Homeward Bound

2009-06-28T00:55:00.000-07:00

So at the airport and they are having some trouble at the boarding gate, hopefully just with loading stuff... Anyway we will be home soon, well 11hrs of flying but home none the less.

Thanks everyone for following us. I probably will have one last post when we get home.

Dang I only get 10m. for this $1.00 better go.

Bye all.

Last minute update: delay...how long?? We'll see.

cHiCken

2009-06-26T23:56:00.000-07:00

So, Grace wasn't as brave as we hoped for. We got there and she couldn't go through with it. Meh, I guess maybe at a later date. =(

But, look how happy she was last night spreading the butter on the pancakes & showing off her new scarf.

But I got my hair cut at least, nothing impressive just a trim.

Back in Tokyo

2009-06-25T22:31:00.000-07:00

Ok guys, we are winding the trip down. We just arrived in Tokyo from Osaka. I know I didn't have a post yesterday...we went shopping... I truly don't know how I will get all this crap home?!?!?

Finally got to try Takoyaki - good, but definitely couldn't eat it everyday

One of the toy stores we went into had a toy Mr. Donuts it was so cute - yes I was tempted to buy it.

On our way to Tokyo I was so bogged down with stuff.

Anyway, our days are numbered and we come home this Sunday. I suspect I won't have much to talk about, I will try. But, we are just going to be picking up a few things we missed the first time around.

Tomorrow we have a fun activity, Grace is getting her tattoo!!!

P.S. Was shocked to hear of Michael Jackson's death. He may

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In the PM

We totally went shopping some more in Shibuya. I found the last of the manga that I wanted (finally found a Mandarake which is a major otaku chain store..thank you Grace!) and also some hard to find CDs. Then I also got another bag to haul all this junk back home =).

Dinner consisted of a repeat of some of my first meals at Jonathon's family style restaurant and Grace had pancakes/fries.

Tomorrow is Graces big day!

No, we didn't fall off the face of the Earth.

2009-06-24T02:09:00.000-07:00

Let me just start by again going back in time to 6/22.

You know that we went to the Aquarium, got caught shopping, and rode the giant ferris wheel. What I forgot to tell you was that we went to this unusual animal center inside the mall that we shopped in. There were goats in a pen, (reminder: this is indoors), several big cages of birds, a pen for small dogs, one for large dogs, a cat room, sheep pen, rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles and even small monkeys. I have to say it was pretty cute that you could feed squirrels in a mall in Japan if you really wanted to. I have to say it is a little irritating all these intact animals, seriously no one spays or neuters.

Missed out on pics from our time out at Dontonbori. Officially went to most of the fast food joints here in Japan. Also we finally played some arcade games - proof!

Wendy's ho!

Gamers!

Then on our way home on the rail, since it was after 12p there were a lot of people going home from after work drinks. So some of the people on the train were a little tipsy. These 2 guys and a lady sat/stood next to us. One guy was a little more tipsy than the others so he was up/down up/down. So we both just got up to let them all sit. And they were saying sorry and telling us to sit. So Grace sat back down next to all three of them. Since we were nice the lady gave us a little gift one to each of us.

Karma is sometimes on our side.

Later that night it was really interesting. I had stopped in at a Claire's earlier at the mall looking to get my ear pierced. Well they do piercing, but all they do is sell you a small, sterile, DIY kit. Sooo, can you guess what I did later that night? Well, Grace was nice enough to tape it, though (like others here) wasn't able to watch.

Exhibit A

Mission Failed...

Time Warp 6/23

Osaka Castle very pretty but again we are pretty partial to Nagoya still. We really didn't do much this day just kinda took it slow, we seem to be running outta steam.

Osaka Castle

View from the Top

On our way back to the station we walked through this park and there were these mini shelters that the homeless set up, it seems like they allow them to live there, which is sorta nice.

Then it was off to Shitennoji Temple. Even though they are suppose to close at 5p there wasn't anyone there and a lot of the temple was already closed. So we just walked around the area a bit. It seems like a common dog walking place so we were happy to see all the goings on.

Pagodas are everywhere

LISA CAUTION: LOOK AWAY BIRDS TO FOLLOW, then look back.

The highlight has to be when we were sitting near the temple and eating bread and drinking sodas and Grace decided to throw the first piece of bread to the pigeons. Called the flock over to us...

Toppins Toppins Toppins a bag

And then the fun began.

That brings us up to date and since you all will be waking up soon I hope you enjoy this, I haven't had much to say these last couple days but we have still been having a great time. This morning we ended up sleeping in longer than we were suppose to but that was okay.
When I got up there was this on the table.

As you can see this was left to us by the Aussies, isn't it nice!?!

Then we needed to get on the road to Nara, so we hit the Mr. Donuts cute little donut mascots.

We got on the rail heading towards our stop to transfer, little did we know that the rail we hopped on was a special trip to the Universal Studios park that is basically on an island. I hadn't really looked at the map until we sat there waiting for about 10 minutes and the train is stopped at the station and we are basically the only people on it....

Train Olympics

Well it finally started again and of course headed in the direction we came from. So we hopped on another rail heading towards a different main station so that we could transfer for sure there. It was about 30m to Nara and then we got off and took a walk to the first Temple Kofukuji.

Please throw your cans away in this handy reseptacle =)

Well what we didn't know was that Nara has a sh*t load of deer and all the people are allowed to feed them...so...we fed them.

Grace was not diggin' it.

And they attack you once they know you have food!

Caught on camera - it got me in the family jewels...

We finally got to Kofukuji, which said they had a tree house but I don't know where they were keeping it?!?!?

Again with the pagodas

Anyway took a few photos and headed on down the lane to the Nara National Museum

Ok, Grace and I discussed the museum at this little eatery afterwards and we did like it and everything. There were priceless religious artifacts, but I have to say, Grace had it dead on, "I think that is the most bells I have seen at one time, not just bells 5 pronged bells"

Oh, the food I ate! Pork cutlet rice bowl.

After some much needed sustinance we walked a little further to Todaiji Temple. This is the most famous of Nara. It has a wooden building that is the largest in Japan and it is 1/3 smaller than it originally was (unfortunately the original burned down). Also has, as Natalie and I researched, a Daibutsu (Buddha) made of 437 tons of bronze, 286lbs of pure gold, 165lbs mercury, and 7 tons of veggie wax.

I haven't forgotten my daily missions either!
Though this is yesterdays...

One of the best things you can do in another country - GO TO THE MOVIES!
Transformers was AWESOME!!!!
We look a little odd, but we were happy.

Forgot to Mention.

2009-06-22T20:13:00.001-07:00

The other night we were in the common room that's basement and hardly anyone comes down there so we basically set up camp for the day - complete take over. Then later in the evening this father and son come in guess where they were from!? Australia! So of course we started chatting with them. We conversed about anything from Steve Irwin (RIP) to politics to movies. It was so much fun just spending some time with others. Also there was some clarification - they do not actually say "put another shrimp on the barbie" because they don't have shrimp they have prawns and they don't taste good put on a BBQ. Also no one says crikey, unless imitating Steven Irwin. But, really we just sat around shooting the breeze it was awesome. Then last night we spent a little more time talking in the evening before we all went out again.

This morning we ended up sleeping in a long time. Apparently we needed some extra rest since we went out last night to Dotonbori (sp?). But before we got to Dotonbori we tried Den Den Town, well later at night it isn't really open and not catering to the female crowd...really there were only men out there and porn shop open, hehe.

So we are just now headed to Osaka Castle and the another Temple. Will update later.

Oh, dad we are totally using other bags we bought to bring our extra purchase home, thank goodness for being able to have 2 carry-ons.

Osaka Aquarium

2009-06-22T03:39:00.001-07:00

So today was the Aquarium. It is one of the largest in the world. You start on the 8th floor and work your way down. Unlike some of the depressing enclosures like at the zoo, this aquarium was way different. There were huge tanks everywhere. It was nice to see deep tanks for these animals to explore.

Octo-on-the-move

Fishy world

Afterwards my usual ice cream

While we sat, look at what Grace got!

Now we only meant to walk through this shopping center to get to the ginormous ferris wheel on the other side. Well what happens when two girls walk through a shopping center...we buy things.

Chupas!

Hello Kitty Madness

Look something for everyone.

NAT!

So Cute.

Finally when we realized we had spent quite enough we we went out and got on the ferris wheel. It was a great view of the city and the waterfront.

Some of Grace's booty. (sorry about the one that is sideways, forgot to rotate and my computer time is running out...)

Little blurry, but its one of Grace's shirts: Sesame St. Last Supper

My B-day gift early to Grace

Hello kitty hit us real hard, couldn't stop getting things...

For the Dads!

2009-06-21T01:08:00.000-07:00

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Osaka Afternoon

2009-06-20T23:43:00.000-07:00

So since we had more time to kill we went and did our one activity today which was the Umeda Sky Building. There there is a Floating Garden Observatory on the 35th floor that you can walk around. It isn't a garden so much as a viewing area for the city and below.

On our walk there Grace thought it was cool the gas pumps come from above.

It wasn't a long walk at all the Umeda Sky Building really just several blocks.

It was pretty cool I have this video of us going up the elevator.

Once we walked out of the elevator this was the view of the other tower.

All the reflective panels are cool

Going up

Then when we got our tickets they also gave us this little star piece of paper to write some wish on or something. Just some random activity they had for people who visit. We decided we might as well participate. So when we got up to the next floor we wrote our wishes and I was taking pictures when all of a sudden the mascot that the Umeda Building has came up behind Grace and totally molested her. Then they were like wanna take a picture with it...we were like o.k.a.y. It was totally weird. While this mascot runs around greeting people you hear the Mickey Mouse show music (instrumental of course) but it is on continuous loop.

This is the creepy mascot

At the circular observatory. Wheres Erin?

The Top - Its the Best!

At the observatory they have several activities one is this musical/visual bench room have a watch.

More Butt Music

Our trip to the basement to find food..no luck - so picture taking time.
See the little boy on the left he was totally getting in on the picture almost got him in it too. darn.

Next floor up I was a dork but the waterfall that was outside was cool.

On the way back there is a hospital next to the Umeda Sky Building and this really cool sculpture.

Then we decided to try the Chinese food restaurant across from J-Hoppers and then realized most places are closed because it is Sunday here. So 7-11 it was, I got some rice/meat dish and Grace got hot dog/fries. It is right on the corner basically next door to our hostel in the district we are staying.

Then it was down to the basement at the hostel which is the TV room and finished watching The Mummy (YEAH). After our meal Grace whipped out this candy that she got at the Umeda Building.

Whistle Candy

Erin is being a dork as always

2009-06-20T18:46:00.000-07:00

So we just arrived in Osaka. No real damage done, well none really...we were just saddened by the fact that Pearls was closed and we couldn't get our giant toast this morning. But as you'll see we settled for something else =).

Note: I just realized the rain video on Busy Busy wasn't the one I thought it was...but Grace deleted that other one so...as always info I am sure you wanted to know. It showed more thunder/lightning and us screaming like idiots.

Last night I tried the tea, I drank most of the first cup without any sugar, aren't you proud. As you can see Grace tried a little and that was what she thought of it.

Look more Japanese cuisine for Grace!

Desert last night Grace bought this Kit Kat looks cool...yeah...

After tasting it. Yeah it did taste that weird.

Cookies, they had to be bought. Not bad, not bad at all.

Yesterday we were discussing the fact that these pillows in our room, made entirely of little bead balls were completely and utterly horrible to sleep on. So Grace said she must buy the Hello Kitty pillow that was in the window of the shop next door to our hostel.

Oh here is our hostel in Kyoto

Hello Kitty Attack - seriously we bought so many Hello Kitty things

Yes it can be used as a visor too.

At the Kyoto Hostel as well as here in Osaka we had to leave our shoes downstairs in a cabinet but you get these way stylish slippers to use inside...meh.

So that brings us up to date. Just so everyone knows I also finished the 6th Harry Potter book and am now reading the 7th. What better to fill the down time with but "Harry Potter" (said in the voice of Doby). Our Shinkasen ride was soo short that we barely had time to relax and then it was "get off time". Then we had to transfer to the local JR and take it for only one stop then once again transfer to another rail service and get off at the first stop. Really happy though the hostel is just down the street from the station, so close really that I was just looking around Grace was like, "hey, its right here where are you going." There even was this guy sitting right outside who said hello, should have tipped me off, but no I was just walking and looking around. It was funny to see this Frenchman who works here but was staying for a couple days at the J-hopper in Kyoto. He even asked us if we had stayed here before but I just reminded him where we came from. Boring yes... Anyway, hope everyone is doing well and ttyl.

The Last Of Kyoto.

2009-06-20T00:37:00.001-07:00

Note to ALL: I opened this blog to anyone who wants to comment. You can post if you would like anonymously or add your name so I know whose been round. Just click the Name/URL identity (it won't make you do a URL just put your name). Glad everyone is enjoying!

Stuff I knew you all would want to see...the view from our room on the 5th floor

"Check Please"
This is what I finally got Grace to eat. Sorry I didn't post it sooner I had technical difficulties again.

Deja vu dinner for Erin

AAHHH - tiny chocolate mochi!!!!

Grace's desert that night

TODAY-----

So like I said we wanted to go back to Pearl for B-fast - Hot Cake time! very good.

Hit the bus onto the temples for today and the Arashiyama District

Kinkakuji

Golden Pavilion Temple is Awesome

Not the best photo but couldn't believe the official little peoplez!

Hey it wasn't me feeding them today...wait I did...hehe

Ryoanji

Good thing they had a nice lake because the rock garden was under construction and we couldn't get that good of a pic.

Famous rock garden - AND KIM - something creative for our Little Miss Natalie

Now to the Arashiyama District. We decided to make it a short travel day because we wanted to get back early and pack and such. But, we did go to one last temple and walked the district a bit.

Tenryuji

We walked down a few streets there and I saw this sweet cream/vanilla/roll thing and wanted to try it. Grace calls it the Icky Log.

Then the view of the famous Togetsukyo Bridge and forested Mount Arashiyama

Cutting it short for now, hungy!

Busy Busy!

2009-06-19T04:04:00.000-07:00

Back track - on the 17th, thats when we went to KFC for Grace, sitting there eating of course they always have unusual music in these fast food joints and you try and pick out what they are from their original recordings. Then this song comes on and I am like that sounds awfully familiar...like a show intro...it is, Star Trek, but not the good series it was the last one that was on. I sat there RACKING my brain trying to remember the title of the show...dumb...it was Star Trek: Enterprise...I was so angry at myself for not remembering that, I just looked it up.

18th - Rest day was going to end in going to the Gion district, well a freak storm came up and we were very hesitant to do anything. I mean serious downpour. First thing we heard the thunder it kept getting closer and closer, then there were some serious lightning flashes, we tried really hard to get a video of them, but all you hear is us screaming and laughing about how cool it is.

Why not - enjoy our silliness

So we held up longer inside. It is funny how these things pass though. Next 30m it was already passed. So I was able to get Grace to eat at the same restaurant I had the meal the previous night. At least I was able to get some rice & meat into her! But you girls will love this. We went to get desert at the 7-11 and walking back to our hostel mind you all these things are on the same 4 way intersection which I will post the view from our first room that way you can see too. Anyway, back to the story, we were walking back from the 7-11 and in broad daylight here his this weird guy just urinating on the plants on the corner of the street. Seriously tried to not see that, but we walked right past and unfortunately we had to stand at the corner waiting for the light change so we were lucky to be near him the ENTIRE time...

Today we had to make up for lost time!

As usual we had our alarm set...like we have had to use it at all this entire trip. If it isn't us waking up it is someone else waking us up. Today again the people down the all got up at the crack*ss of dawn and were in the closet bathroom gargling and choking on god knows what...but you hear everything like it is right next to you. Thank goodness we changed rooms today! Then maybe an hour later 7a there was some crazy guy down on the street with a bull horn yelling who knows what. I swear I was half a millisecond from screaming shut up in spanish at him! I was sooooo pissed, then there are people slamming doors...this is all before 8a. Well needless to say we got up and packed our stuff so the people could move it for us later at the room change.

First things first. Breakfast. We thought we would try Pearl across the street. We thought after we walked in that there wasn't a picture menu or one in English, boy were we glad when the waitress came over with an English menu. Then we ended up having the best toast EVER! Going back tomorrow for hot cakes!

Giant Toast for everyone

My camera was dead first thing when I went to use it...my bad. Then I realized that since we took a rest day yesterday, we ended up missing our reservations for the Kyoto Imperial Palace. So angry at myself. So to catch up to our schedule we headed to Nijo Castle.

So we were on the bus headed there and we were trolling along doing fine, we even got up out of our seats for some old people who were really thankful. But then disaster struck. I had an open can in my arms...bus stops...Erin jerks...can flys onto seat where other older ladies are sitting. MORTIFIED. I was saying sorry left and right, I whipped out my hanky and was sopping it up, the only thing I can be thankful for was the fact that there was very little left. I wish we could have gotten off right then but our stop was still so far away it was like torture. These other ladies behind us even were nice enough to hand me a plastic bag to put the soda in...Thank goodness for leaving that bus!

Onto the castle. Pretty nice though it wasn't as awesome as the Nagoya Castle but still really interesting and we even got to walk inside one of the main building that had models set up in the rooms to demonstrate what they were used for and who you would find in them. Way cool the mockingbird floors that alert the residents to any intruders...squeak squeak went the floor (ding ding went the bell)!

Lalala

Nicey Nice

A LOT of stairs were conquered today

They are everywhere

Then it was walk to the KYOTO INTERNATIONAL MANGA MUSEUM. KIM missions are still getting accomplished! It was pretty dang cool I have to admit all those walls full of manga and then they even had an archive, sorting room, and some history. I thought it was really neat how the museum set themselves up in an old school, it ended up saving the location and putting it to good use. LOVED IT!

Walls and walls and walls...drool...oops

In Erin fashion - eyes closed.

Then we had a bit of a walk, only after we had walked it did we find how truly far it was, Nishijin Textile. There you got to see all the products that they made, people demonstrating the process of weaving and such. Then there was the awesome opportunity to watch a kimono show. They were so cute!

Aren't they gorgeous

Kimono Kat Walk

Then it was time to use the bus passes, enough walking for the time being.

Mel Takes a Ride

Onto Kiyomizu Temple, which is famous for its look out point. I have to admit it was very nice up there and the view was spectacular (the pictures don't do it justice). But it was hell getting there. Up hill, quite a distance, then there were many steep stairs to climb. It was really hot today too, almost to the point of miserable. But, it was worth it to me.

After it was finally the Gion District.
In all honesty, I haven't been as good this trip at remembering and keeping track. I swear I have a bit of senile something going on. Not to mention I am a bit off my game without a compass that works. But, really I just haven't been as good as I hoped. It isn't like we don't get to where we want to be, it just takes a bit longer... I seem to be off in my own little world looking around and just keep on walking, even if I need to turn. I also forget that despite anything that might be hurting on me I just continue walking, but I have to take my travel partner into consideration and then I feel bad because it can end up being a hard day of walking and basically trudging all over the city.
Anyway onward through the fog.
After the last 2 days we would finally get there. It wouldn't be during the night when it "comes alive" but it was good enough to see the buildings and a few Maiko girls ("Geisha" isn't really used as much anymore). It wasn't seeing so much as a stalking. They were quick to get into taxis or run (well not run because of their outfits) into their place of work.

It had been a long day by now and we had walked up one side and down the other, it was definitely time to go home. I showered and decided to go out to dinner next door at this little corner place. Had beef bowl on top of rice, very good.

Relaxing pushed to Today.

2009-06-17T22:42:00.000-07:00

Woke up this morning and was talking with Grace. We decided that since we have to change rooms tomorrow we probably should make today relax day so that there isn't that 7 hours period of homelessness while they clean stuff and we have no room.

Another thing we entertained ourselves with this morning was the fact that we both decided the greatest discovery we have made here is the existence of sweat towels. They really are useful little buggers.

Hello Kitty so cute!

All this morning it was basically nothing but reading and laying around. We did end up taking showers and then we just lay down again to read Harry Potter. Wow eventful. I then was in need of getting out of the room. We walked towards the station and just meandered once again. Of course we stopped and picked up some cheesy bread for Grace and then headed to Starbucks for me.

We love our cheesy bread!

Oh, don't worry I had a real meal last night.

Grace on the other hand who does not like Japanese food.

At least I got her with the Kernel

Then we had this odd quest for today. Find 100yen 150ml Coke can from a vending machine. I know it sounds odd but that is a hell of a lot of coke for really cheap! Since we had seen several machines that had them we kept meaning to stop. But, kept forgetting. Then we finally found one on the way back to the hostel and Grace was able to buy one finally. Then I went to get one too and wouldn't you know it she got the last one...

The one she stole from me...

Then she also got FANTA

Note: Later tonight we plan on exploring the Gion District. Will let you know how it was!

Morning Jumble & Afternoon Temples

2009-06-17T01:20:00.000-07:00

Got up today and realized we needed cash so we went over to the 7-11 and tried to withdraw $ for Grace. Well the transaction was not allowed so we tried a lower amount and were able to get that. Then she wanted to withdraw a little more, well it didn't let her and then we decided I should try because I needed cash after yesterday and the hostel fiasco. It didn't let me withdraw though. So with the little bit of money Grace was able to get out we got a bite to eat and then headed back to the hostel to
hammer out the banking issues. I called the Visa card help and our bank to let them know we were on a trip since both of us failed to let the bank know in advance...whoops. Regardless of the problems everything is working fine now and we got a bit of useful information from the guy at the bank that we didn't know before.

Onto the Toji Temple which has the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan.

Watched these turtles sunbath for a while =)

Took the bus to the wrong stop but it some how led us to a book store that had Harry Potter #7 in english. That just happened to be Grace's quest for today because she just finished reading the 6th and needed to get the next one. So our wrong turn was really the right one.

We also tried to go to the costume museum but after all that they were closed today. *back story* So the wrong bus stop was originally what I had down as the stop to take for the costume museum. So here we are wandering around looking for the building when it wasn't even in the area. That was when we happened upon the bookstore. We then hopped back on the bus and got off for the second temple of the day and as we are walking towards the main entrance I see the building that houses the costume museum. I knew from my directions that it was close enough to walk to the temple but what I shouldn't have paid attention to was the last minute bus directions I put in there. whooops! *end back story*
We walked to the other shrine that was near the second one of the morning but there was a lot of construction going on and it wasn't worth going in. So it was back to the station with us. Well on the way one only needs to guess what we saw...Starbucks. Anyway then we got on the bus to go to the Inari Shrine which is suppose to be really awesome. It was.

Sorry for the blur, lots of people were waiting to get the shot, you get the gist.

Hellow

Action Shot

NAT: after all that studying up, it was just as cool as we thought it would be.

KIM: On the way down, cows something for Amanda *Note* I am still keeping up with the book, but I have yet to seduce anyone with my phrase or find something naughty (unless you consider the manga back at the other hostel that I have waiting for me...but I will try and figure out which one of those I will complete.)

The wheels on the bus go round and round. Waiting for our ride back to the hostel, I promise its the right direction this time.

DAD: Just for you some more KOI!!!!

Catch up!

2009-06-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

Evil Crows are following us!

Temple Girls

Kabuki-za Theater

Grace keeps saying she likes this pic of me.

Melody Explores Tokyo Imperial Palace with Us

Grace the Big Winner

Koi for DAD

Turn Table for my Toyota

Kyoto........

2009-06-16T03:57:00.000-07:00

Bullet train didn't feel any different than trains i had been on before. It was pretty smooth and the seats were ok. The only difference was there were little cart ladies like on the Hogwarts express who had snacks if you'd like.

Our First ride...I cut myself out...oops

Here I am

We got to Nagoya no problem and took a taxi right off. I told him Nagoya Castle and he stops at the Nagoya Hotel. It was a little surprising we were like ok, we have to walk and I didn't think he would have a confusion given the fact that we didn't have any luggage but...then the guys at the hotel were like you know this is the hotel we were like yeah but I guess he didn't understand us and so they told him to go to the castle and so back into the taxi we went. This was definitely a good stop to make the castle is gorgeous and the grounds are beautiful too. We were able to go to the top look out and explore for a while before we had to head back to the station. It was pretty warm there despite the cloud cover.

Beautiful Castle

View from the top

Grace rides her Dragon Fish (aka officially a dolphin)

Gorgeous - wish you were here

Wildlife!

Took a ice cream break & saw more "wildlife"

And this - look MOM!

The can looked cool - what was inside was not.

Soda Fountain of Doom

After a couple hours we decided to head back to the station by bus. It was about 45m to the next station bus so we sat at the bus stop and entertained ourselves.

Grace the Amazing

Luckily it was a short ride to the train station. But once there we had to wait a couple more hours for our reserved ride on the bullet train to Kyoto. So we stopped in this bread shop that was at the station and got a variety of carbie goodness! Then went up to our platform and you guessed it waited and waited and waited.

Bag o' Bread

The ride was a little less than an hour and it was really easy to find J-hoppers Hostel. Then the storm hit (not actually raining). We get there and check in. My credit card won't work. It has been working fine and now all of a sudden. I am going to try later. Fortunately I had enough cash because we hadn't stopped to get cash for Grace today like we had wanted to. So I paid in cash. Then they tell us we have to switch rooms half way through our stay. I didn't know anything about this. It plainly states on my hostel reservation private twin room. I did NOT request a Japanese style room for 3 nights and a Western style room for the last 2 nights #&$%%$'#(%))#$&#%"#%{+?_****_+* Tantrum done. But wait, theres more. We are on the 5th floor, the top...its not the best and there isn't an elevator. It was like London trip #2 all over again. We were pissed to say the least. So we get up there and we are whining about our situation and setting up our beds. Cranky Americans want their normal room. Plus it is all about the shared rest room that is more like a closet and the showers that are only on the 3rd and 2nd floors....GIR-ARG!

So sweaty cranky Erin went to the 3rd floor and took a long cold shower to get her attitude in better alignment. Grace rested and read her book. Now we are having to pay for internet too. Talk about being spoiled at Oak Hotel with the completely free limitless internet.

Grace's Happy Finger towards our room situation.

Who wants to sh*t in the closet? I know I am a little bitter right now...

Nagoya stop!

2009-06-15T15:35:00.001-07:00

First ride on the bullet train. Wish us luck. We get to see the Nagoya Castle and hang out for a couple hours there and then head to Kyoto.

Oh, yeah Grace told me last night I turned into a chipmunk or was calling a herd of them, one or the other. But, I was making clicking sounds in my sleep...

See you in Kyoto.

Last Full Day of This Tokyo Run.

2009-06-15T01:40:00.000-07:00

Our annoying roommates finally left. These girls were younger and a good level of irritating. They were asking both me and Grace if we were from America, where from, what are we doing, how many days are we here. I usually don't mind chit chat with people but they were like attacking us with the questions when we weren't even trying to make conversation. Unfortunately the day they leave we had to change rooms anyway. At least our last night we have a room to ourselves.

Our excursion today included the Ikebukuro district but there was a change in plans. We started the morning off going back to Shibuya and making a return for me at Tower Records because it turned out it was a dvd and thats not what I wanted. So then we went back to the Disney store real quick to check on something then we headed to, you guessed it, our morning Starbucks. Then it was off to Shinjuku district. There we were visiting the Government building

Metropolitan Government Building

The Ride to the 43rd Floor, our ears popped.

Sky high...

Look what we found at the Gov. Building!

On the way back to main Shinjuku area - its called the Cocoon building

The main entrance to Kabukichō - the red light district of Shinjuku ;P

Go for the gold...get it champions continue...

Something we did find interesting (a bit sad because of the small housing) but it was a pet shop.

My Manga Girls: I finally found what I was looking for. I still need to get one other because I know they will probably never publish it but we'll see. If I can't find it here of all places...Now that I have done searching it isn't as easy to get the things that I want, it has been a lot of looking high and low for stores and their entrances, what floor they are one and how to get to it. I haven't made it easy I am sure. I have been going into so many music and book stores trying to getting people to search for my little pieces of gold.

Lots of wandering again today. We didn't even make it to Ikebukuro, but I don't think we will miss it. We have done a lot I think. So I have to go pack and all that jazz. So gonna cut it short. I hope everyone is doing well in work/school/life. Love to all!

One more thing KIM - look what I have been drinking!

$pend $pend $pend

2009-06-14T02:49:00.000-07:00

Of course again today we really didn't　sleep in as we thought we might. Almost everyday we have our alarm set to abouｔ　9am we always wake up earlier. Are mission today was to explore Shibuya-ku and Harajuku-ku. Shibuya is known for its very famous pedestrian crossing that is featured in many movies and its many MANY stores. So it is basically right outside the station exit and you just walk right into the thick of it. There are so many people and so much going on its amazing. I don't even think it gets super busy until night.

Famous Shibuya Crossing

Lisa: Totally awesome that first think that is seen is the fact that Starbucks has the corner store on the main building at the crossing. So of course that is where we headed first.

Gracie is very happy as well as girls with their Starbucks will be!

It was major shopping after that. I was in and out of cd stores like mad trying to find the last ones on my list. Seriously I am totally obsessed, good for Grace for putting up with my insanity. I probably have like 20 cds now. Luckily the Oak Hotel will keep our extra stuff in their storage until our return trip. That will definitely lighten the load for us both.

In between there we found the most awesome Disney Store EVAR! Castle Disney should come to our town! We went a little hog wild, the both of us were basically swallowed up by all the cuteness. It was damn near impossible to leave because we wanted to buy everything. People better like what we got them because we think it is pretty dang cute! We had to get pictures outside, it was a must!

Wandering the tiny crowded streets of stores and people

After all the wandering and cd searching (oh and we did go into other stores just to let you know, not to mention buying several other cool items) we had a lunch of champions.

Gracie entertainment at 'donalds

Again we find ourselves back on the streets. We managed to explore most of the core area and I even did a manga search (though no success Nat). I passed by this store and totally thought of you MOM -->

You know what it is yes?

Grace documented my tribute to Europe/conventions.

Then onto the infamous Harajuku where all the "scene" kids go to hang out, first stops first, Grace represents in front of the Meiji Shrine gates.

Then what we all have been waiting for...

So cute!

PS. Nat I kept meaning to say, but I am so glad that you have an icon up now and its totally awesome pic of you!

Parasites are AWESOME.

2009-06-13T03:57:00.000-07:00

So early in the afternoon me and Grace were just playing cards in the common area to pass time before checking back in. Yes, already we were having to change rooms. I didn't even take a pic of the room we were in last night. It was basically the same as the other just smaller and had a queen bed & a frig those were about the only differences.

Since the only activity on today's list was going to Parasite Museum & Grace didn't want to see it, I went alone about 2pm. Luckily Grace gave me a heavy duty band aide because my poor toe (to let you know it stayed on all day!). I headed out on the JR (Japan Rail) and got to my stop. It was quite a few blocks down the road. On the way there I stopped at a drug store that supposedly sells tickets to the ghibli museum and it looks like they are sold out already for the day that I was gonna go...well win some, lose some. I guess it will be ok. I have faith that it will still be here when I return, yes return.

I then walked a little further and got to the Parasite Museum. Unfortunately nothing was really in English so I just got to look at the displays and the ones that had scientific names on their plaques. It was pretty interesting even without knowing too much about what was there. I took some pics and bought 2 postcards and a little souvenir. It is way neat that I have now been to the only parasite museum in the world and seen the longest tape worm on record, plus taken pictures of it.

Since I was on my own I decided to take the long way home on the JR line, that way I can say I have been to all the stops, yeah I know horribly interesting, eh? Oh the pains of the everyday, stopping to get money, coupled by stopping at a place that sells cds (catch my trend).

PS. KIM: since I really didn't do much today I figured it qualified that Lisa would be proud that I went out on my own during a "sunny" day and that would be considered somethign she would like. (aka book activity: find something our sunny lovin' Lisa would like)

FAIR WARNING: PARASITES FOLLOW

The Pièce de Résistance

Groggy in the AM

2009-06-12T17:53:00.000-07:00

I can't sleep anymore, my bed is only ok and after awhile in one position my extremities go numb and wake me up. So I was like I might as well get up. Today is a relax day. The only activity we have planned is going to the Parasite Museum in
Meguro.

I took a minute to chat with Lisa and my parents but back now to continue this update.

So my mom asked a few questions and I thought I would use them to clear several things up in case anyone else was wondering.

Once again completion of this entry was delayed. Why? Because we had to rush to get out of our room because of that whole scheduling snafu I mentioned a bit ago. I know I was an idiot when I scheduled our hostel, but I really didn't want us to be at any other place and it was the only way. Maybe I can try and get us in this other room the entire time instead of having to change rooms again our last night....bleh.

OK.

When you look at the pictures from Kamakura there are only 4 temples featured in photos. There are titles above each set and those are the names of the temples that they are from. If anyone is interested in the temples or others there is a link that I used to decided which one we would go to. The list of temples I had planned is as follows:
Kotokuin
Hasedera
Amanawa Jinja
Hokaiji
Hokokuji
Sugimotodera
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Jufukuji
Zeniarai Benzaiten
Sasuke Inari
Kenchoji
Jochiji
Meigetsuin
Engakuji

The ones we didn't make it to are:
Jufukuji
Zeniarai Benzaiten
Sasuke Inari
Jochiji
Engakuji

Grace was nice about it and said we could return to see more if I liked. I might just take her up on that.

http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~QM9T-KNDU/index.html

If that doesn't work there is this one too, if you are interested.

http://www.city.kamakura.kanagawa.jp/foreign01_english/index.html

NOW more questions -

Question:
Is it tomorrow that you leave for your next city?

Answer:
No we are in Tokyo until the 16th then it is onto Kyoto.
(For more details please refer to the outline)

Question:
What did you munch on before bed last night?

Answer:
I went to the 7-11 again and bought a take away udon bowl, one of our favorite deserts (waffle/ice cream thing) and apple juice (note: I am, for some odd reason, obsessed with drinking apple juice on this trip. Even the lady on the plane didn't even need to ask, she was like, I know - apple juice)

Question:
Was the shinny thing something you were supposed to get from your daily book from Kim

Answer:
Yes it was and a perfect addition to not only the activity book but a great souvenir.
--------------------

Anyway, I am definitely lagging right now so I think I will just post this finally.

Kamakura KRAZINESS

2009-06-12T03:28:00.000-07:00

Fresh in the morning it is much easier to enjoy each shrine and each individual characteristic held within their walls. So the whole reason that I came to this country can be summed up in the first place we visited today.

Kotokuin: This temple houses the Amida Daibutsu (literally meaning large Buddha), I can't tell you how long I have wanted to see this. Well, actually I can, it was like 8yrs ago when we went to Hawaii and there was a Buddhist Temple there and it had one of the series of Amida Buddhas, it was the smallest but it was beautiful. Ever since I have wanted to see them all and this was insanely wonderful!!!!! I even was able to enter the Buddha, it was soooo cool. Then after I had taken all my pictures and was satisfied with the pictures of me in front...pause for negative internal thought (MOM will understand)....I then went hog wild at the souvenir stand, seriously Grace later said that once she hear me say OMG (trasnlation: Oh My God) she new all hope was lost and I was gone for good. Right away I was picking things up as I passed them. I just couldn't leave much behind it was way too awesome! I told Grace that if we did only one temple that day it was this one and everything else was subject to change.

The Best of the Best!!!!

LOOK MOM & DAD, LOOK!!!

GRACIE TOO!

AWESOMENESS

...continues

Sorry Lisa not as cool as you -

KIM - something shiny!

Wanted to try takoyaki - but I don't know what kind this was and as you can see by the face these were bound for the not finishing, because the trash wants to eat them more than I do.

Well good thing that everything was subject to change because basically the order in which I had originally set the temples up in was not how it went down. Haha, first things first after Kotokuin (LISA)...wait for it, wait for it - our first stop at STARBUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was like heaven in a cup. Though we had seen several already it wasn't until today that the desire was met.

Happiness written all over it!

It was after this glorious experience that we ended up creating a new order to which we would visit each temple, basically we walked from one end of Kamakura to the other... I think the only thing that was stand out quality, because the Amida Buddha shadowed everything, was the bamboo forest at Hokokuji.

I know that pictures should make things look pretty, I just don't remember exactly what I saw at each of these places and which one was which right now...bad Erin, bad Erin.

Sugimotodera

Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine

Meigetsuin

What I do remember is right there at the end we were walking to the station and there was this lady with a little studio full of different cats she done in different mediums and the point is she let me pet her cat that was zonked out on top of a copier she had there. Sooo, cute, it totally just kept on sleeping, she even told me its name (which was Orange - of course she told it in Japanese first).

......itai..itai...itai. For anyone who doesn't know what that means it mean ouch/hurt. That was what the blister on my foot said when it decided to kill me later in the afternoon. I never really get them and this is horrid. I am sorry to talk about gross stuff, but it was like shooting pain on my poor little toe, it wasn't even on a big toe that would be able hold its own, the blister had to attack poor defenseless digit number 4.

Back to hostel haven. Grab our bags and head to our room. We have to share a bed but at least the room is all ours for a couple nights anyway. Then it is change rooms again time. Wow this took me FOREVER. Grace went to bed an hour ago maybe even more and I am gonna go get some food, surprisingly we didn't really eat a lot despite all the walking, don't worry we kept hydrated, oh yeah, we ate half a sandwich each and a apple so parents don't freak.

Tomorrow is a busy one....

2009-06-11T05:09:00.000-07:00

Since it will be a early morning not only do we have to be packed tonight so that we can change rooms tomorrow but we also are traveling to Kamakura for the day.

On the changing rooms issue...I got stuck with a couple odd days that didn't work when booking so I just took what I could get so we didn't have to switch hostels. Luckily it is only a couple nights that we have to do this and the majority are in one room soooo.

Then on the day trip we will need to get on a our regular rail line that we have been using most of the time during our city travel and transfer to a sister line and take it about 55m south-ish. I think it takes about an hour just because of all the stops it makes. So, fingers crossed it won't rain, fingers crossed everything is easy to find, and fingers crossed that we don't get too tired out!

Who'da Thunk

2009-06-11T05:03:00.000-07:00

So we take off from the hostel...no rain.

I have to admit we were running late, I don't seem to be on the top of my game and it is kinda tickin' me off! We only had a few stops on the rail luckily but in overall we had only about 15m to get to the Imperial Palace that we were suppose to already be at at that point (they ask early arrival). So I propose getting a taxi, we pick one and get in and ask the driver to take us to the location and he looks at us like we are insane. He repeats the location back to us and I say yes...he is, what I believe, telling us its close and we can walk *driver points* that way. I am so pissed, I don't care if its close I need to get there in a hurry and I am flustered and pissed off so I just get out. We head in the general direction that we know its in and walk as fast as we can. Walk....Walk....Walk and WALK. It is so late now and all I can think is how I wish that stupid taxi driver should have just taken us like we want, I was gonna pay him, he is there for a service, is he not!?!? But, whatever. I was stewing over the situation as we walked and I was like we are never gonna get in at this rate because our reservations were for 1:30p and it is now 15m past...I was desperate running up to a cop and asking him to direct us. Well thank you cop, I told Grace he should have been our taxi driver because he pointed us in the correct direction. Unfortunately it was the direction we had just come from...back...track. So then we get to this next road and turn where he said to and I am like where are we in relation to what he told us....ope, ask another po-po. He points - eureka - the gate we need to enter. I was mentioning to Grace that I was needing just a bit of luck today so that something might go right. Well, it came in the form of a tour guide waiting for the last two tourists to arrive. He was the sweetest thing, he got us in (because if you don't have them there are guards/metal gates you can't get past) and got our headset for English tour. It was beautiful. We may have missed several stops on the tour but we were able to finish it! Thank goodness for small favors.

We made a quick stop at Hibiya Park on our way to Ginza-ku. Nice but nothing too great that we need to stay. Then it was on to the swankiest shopping area!

The whole point of going to this district though was the Kabuki-za, a very famous Kabuki theater. We bought a standing ticket on the 4th floor that was for just one act. I wish we could have been able to photograph, there was this SOOOO ADORABLE kid who was also apart of the show. He was stomping and dancing with the rest of them in time (sometimes off) but it was the best thing ever. It was the highlight I have to tell you, he really was something, measuring up to the others he was equal, taking his acting job very seriously and performing it with just as much grace as any other actor on that stage, plus he was totally KAWAII!!!

We decide to travel down several side streets while we are in the area and meander around. Grace was like pachinko?? I was like I don't know how to play, but we can do other slot machines. So we go in, we have no idea how it works and we are totally just wingin' it. Grace leads the way upstairs, we sit, get some tokens and start playing. We don't do so well so we wander down a couple seats to different machines. Well Grace sits down at some weird dragon one so I sit next to her. Me I am doing horrid, losing everything that I put in, meh. Grace is doing ok, winning a couple at least and then the dragon goes crazy lighting up and making lots of sounds. Then this guy comes over that works there and just jumps in and plays the machine for Grace, of course he wins her some. It was totally weird and awesome at the same time. She decided to continue playing the machine and that is where her awesome gambling skill game alive. She won SOOO much in tokens. So when we were finally done we collected a slip to take downstairs and get our money. Well, there is this booth that gives these weird plastic squares, me and Grace are looking at each other like what the hell is this for and why are you giving us this. The lady at the counter couldn't describe what it was so the guy that showed us where the counter was in the first place was the one she directed us to follow. Well, he starts to head out the back of the building and it is in this weird corridor and then we exit onto the side walk and then he turns left up these weird steps...Grace recites some of the Travel Bible travel tips about how we aren't suppose to follow strangers into unusual places. She was like are we gonna die, I was like well if we do at least we had a hell of a time up til now... We didn't die obviously and the guy was just taking us up one flight of stairs to the money exchange for those weird ass plastic tokens. But, it was a totally awesome experience!

Of course too many shops that we would never be able to afford. But we can say we walked through the area. Then, like clock work, I pulled Grace into a cd store and can you guess??? I bought more music!
Nat: GACKT-SAMA (newest release)!!!!!! and Kagrra's new release too!!!!

Back to the hostel, first stops first, 7-11 for dinner and money withdrawal. Must do laundry, well basically still waiting for the dryer at this point. Then it is shower, pack and sleep...that last line was almost a twitter moment...thank goodness I don't cross that line!

P.S. having technical difficulties with picture upload so will do more later. Gomen.

Lisa's Crazy Coffee Corner

2009-06-10T19:58:00.001-07:00

Thur. 11th

Rain Rain Go Away!

2009-06-10T19:17:00.000-07:00

So, exit our hostel....RAIN, not too heavy but good enough to get you wet on your longer walk. So back into the hostel to get ponchos and windbreakers. Well I decided just my windbreaker. By the time we got to the fishmarket it was soaked and so was I. No singing in the rain for me. We were wandering in the fish market...

Fish Heads Anyone?

Bloody something or other...

Cool Octo!

Huge Fish*(@&$()*

Eggy Goodness for Breakfast

Then it was heading back towards the station to go to the Gardens. On the way stopped to pick up some yummy food - Grace wasn't too fond of it, it was cold.

Had to buy an Umbrella..ella..ella..a
(ps. Grace is blue, hehe)

We're walking, we're walking, and we're stopping.
Arrive at the Hamarikyu Gardens and get this, not open for another 20m. So here we are stuck out in the rain waiting for the gates to open and let us in!

Finally entrance was gained - no doubt about it, it was beautiful.

300 year old Pine

Can't you just see Amelie skipping rocks?!

I know I know, not suppose to feed the animals - but it was the crazy garden cats! But we had to sit under this rest area to dry off, write postcards, and well...rest.

Wisteria Wisteria

Surprise its a Shrine

Back to the station, we were walkin' yes indeed. Saw an awesome building its called the Capsule Building.

Did it on purpose...this time.

2009-06-10T13:36:00.000-07:00

So early morning - we are headed to the Tsukiji Fish Market. We will be able to watch as the bidding for purchases go on and meander through all the fish stands...mmmmm. Then it is off to Hamarikyu gardens.

I am pretty excited about our Tokyo Imperial Palace tour, promise lots of pics.

Grace had a weird dream that she was part of all this large family and living in this huge house. They really liked to play hide and seek because there were all these neat passages. But there was this unusual guy who was their nanny and he was trying to marry her oldest sister and pick them all off so he could get their money and get insanely rich. Odd addition they were all dressed in older style clothes and pretended they were apart of that time and weren't allowed to leave the premises. At coming of age they would learn that there was more beyond the house and get to choose to stay or go...I commented - Amish? She said - yeah sorta but more like victorian.

ttyl
mmmmm coffee

Special a la Kim!

2009-06-10T04:24:00.000-07:00

Ok, so the activities are AWESOME!

This is from day 1 - airplane stuff and day 2 - hostel item which was only a business card but what the hay.

I did get a rapper from a wonderfully delicious crape today. And I look forward to finding something blue!

Energizer Bunny Has Returned!

2009-06-10T01:53:00.000-07:00

YEAH! Sumos. Unfortunetly there wasn't any activities with sumos today, but we were lucky enough to run into a few. They were just chillin' in the area and of course looking cool. We looked at the Sumo museum and bought a few items. Then while I was waiting for Grace this cute little old Japanese lady asked me if I understood and I was like yeah, then I remembered wait I don't, I should of said no, I was sitting there for a dumb struck moment trying to remember "wakarimasen" meaning I DON't understand. It was funny you should of seen how stupid I looked but she was smiling the whole time.

Sumo Grace to the Rescue!

Edo-Tokyo Museum, hmmm, very neat building, tellin' you lots of escalators! We got to see some really cool model replicas of different building structures from a variety of eras and we lucked out there was a special exhibition that was all about....MANGA. Lovely lovely lovely.

Outside we got some drinks and lo and behold more ice coffees but look who is spokespersoning for them...Tommy Lee Jones, hehe

Escalator Madness

Bicycle, Bicycle, I want to ride my bicycle!

Interactive exhibits are fun! Har!

Characters of Tezuka Osamu

Quick stop at the Akihabara Station for food - yes finally Japanese.

Ok, MECA, it was electronics up the WaZu. I bought most of the music on my list! I couldn't believe how many stores dedicated to phones/cameras/games and the like there were. Amazing. I made Grace stop in almost all the cd stores to check for what was on my to buy list. She was very accomodating and even tried to look for me. I basically just used the Travel Bible to show the workers what it was I wanted. They were so sweet looking up all on my list and doing their best! Sum it up, walked walked walked, electronics electronics electronic. Wow I have said a lot of things in threes today, hahaha...

Melody Helps with shopping, but I axed her choice, not really my taste

MOM & DAD - stopped at a game center - TAITO!

Taking Stock of my booty

Picture Updates

2009-06-09T16:56:00.000-07:00

So I posted several photos throughout, but here are some more.

LISA: cold coffees from the machine just in our hostel, creamy, sweet tastiness. You would love it!

Don't let your hand get stuck in the elevator or it =

The view on the Ueno Station over pass that led to the zoo

Desert Last night cone type waffle wraped around ice cream and chocolate!

Gooodmorning All!

2009-06-09T15:36:00.000-07:00

Lets see today on our agenda is Sumida-ku which is a district within Tokyo. We will be visiting Ryogoku Kokugikan which is the sumo stadium. If there isn't any practicing going on this time of year we will only visit the museum that they have. Then we will pop (basically next door) to the Edo-Tokyo Museum. THEN...AKIHABARA. For those of you who don't know what that is, let me enlighted you. Also known as Akihabara Electric Town it is the major shopping area for electronic, computer, anime, and otaku goods, including new and used items. Another informational tip for the unknowing - I have recently, well over a year now, been pretty obsessed with collection of manga & japanese music and this obsession has a name in japanese it is otaku - so basically I am going to my meca. I don't think I am truly an otaku but I am pretty dang close.

Ueno Zoo & Tokyo National Museum

2009-06-09T02:07:00.000-07:00

So it was only 6 bucks to get into the zoo and it was pretty big to boot. There were lots of cute little kids (Yes Kim made me want my Asian baby). Though I really enjoyed the zoo some enclosures were a little depressing...small cages = sad panda. But, I am glad that we went. Had some ice cream but again forgot the picture, sorry Kim. Try harder on the food picture front =)! We ended up spending quite a few hours there. It is totally weird, people keep asking me questions. Not just a few kids at the zoo, but also this morning I had several convos with people at the hostel wondering where we were from and then asking if I knew anything about such things as the Imperial palace here in Tokyo. This other chick wanted to know if I knew where a market was and was talking about not liking Japanese food and where could she get something different, mind you we have only been here 24hrs at that point and already giving people directions.
Back to the Zoo: I was lucky enough to get a call from my mom, so nice to hear my parents! Then we finally made our way to Tokyo Museum, it was nice, kinda scarce with what they had on display but they made up for it in sitting areas. But since we were later in the day they closed at 5 and we had to make our way through there pretty fast. Nice embroidered outfits and some cool ceramics/metal work. But one cannot forget the gift shop, so postcards were purchased, of course! Then we sat in the park for a little while to rest it up and saw some interesting character. Really got a kick outta this guy who had not only a crazy little fluffy dog but, I kid you not, a rabbit in a basket!

Awesome Animals! (Its a Tapir)

What Grace thought summed the zoo up =)

COWS Manda!

Serious Bunny in a basket! Can you see it?

Note: So I didn't mention this earlier but so far we really haven't had Japanese food, I will try and put a pic on the other posting, but so far we have had burgers/hot dogs fries & then this morning (KIM!) Denny's, hahaha, french toast/breakfast sandwich. So we will try and have Japanese food tonight.

Breakfast Sandwich...

Senso-ji Buddhist Temple

2009-06-08T17:51:00.000-07:00

So we already walked to our first site & yes we are back at the hostel checking our email. I figured we might as well stop in and relax because it is still only almost 10a here and we have only two other activities to do. There isn't even a long distance to go for the Ueno Zoo and Tokyo National Museum. They are just on the other side of Ueno Station, just a few blocks and we are there.

On the Way There:

Kim isn't this awesome

Our street - Asakusa Dori

PIGEONS!! (Note: they look a lot healthier here...)

The temple was really awesome huge entry gates with giant lanterns. It was way simple to get there too. But because it was so early nothing was really open yet and we just meandered around taking a few pics. Then we walked around Asakusa area, cute little store, school kids dressed like madeline everywhere, people staring at us, hehe.

MOM: OMG, one of the coolest things ever! I was on my way out of the temple and saw a few locals signing and I pointed them out to Grace, then what I didn't realize because I said sign I was also signing myself and then this older man stopped in front of me and started signing too, he must have been with the others and we had a total moment it was SOOOO AWESOME!

LISA: I bought, as tribute to you, Creamy Cafe Roots, a nice ice coffee and took a pic.

Guys I think you will be reading a lot from me given the schedule so far. I seem to be less pressed for time...well maybe I shouldn't count my ducks, it is just the first day...but. =)

Awake....

2009-06-08T14:39:00.000-07:00

So, we went to sleep at around 9p and we were all like, "hey we'll relax and set our alarm of 10a next day, that way we can acclimate." WELL, come this morning I can't really sleep anymore and I think to myself hey it must be 8:30 or 9....NO it is...get this.....4 OCLOCK in the F*ing morning.

Yeah so tossed and turned for 30-40m and couldn't stand it any longer and got up. Both Grace and I decided might as well go down and email since NO one is awake. Yeah I will probably be tired later but oh well.

Later.

Arrived!

2009-06-08T04:10:00.000-07:00

Ok, so that was a pretty long flight. I remember Europe being better. They both took about the same time but this one I was in the middle isle, middle seat. It isn't as bad as it sounds but the plane was a little stuffy and I didn't get to sleep as much as I wanted. But whatevs. When we landed we had to wait because they quarantined us and made sure we were all healthy enough.

So, it was quite the maze to get to the Japan Rail Exchange office. If you don't already know we had to purchase rail pass exchanges outside Japan and then retrieve them once we arrived. It is an offer that is only available to foreigners. Then we were able to get all our reservations taken care of in one sitting as well. Then we had a 1hr. rail to Tokyo station and then switched to another rail and had a couple stops to our Hostel destination. If I though the airport was a maze getting out of Ueno station was dang near impossible. I don't even know how I managed to navigate it and actually get us out the correct side of the street. Then we just had to walk a few blocks to our hostel and here we are.

(Sorry little dark - thats Grace on her top bunk)

Lets see, we had...surprise - hot dogs and burgers for dinner. Can't believe it but yeah.

Kim: I forgot to take a picture before I ate, so tired wasn't thinking, but I got a picture of the place and (LISA)*Dr. Pepper can that had Japanese writing on it. The activities are AWESOME! I already collected stuff from the plane and look forward to tomorrow!

Oh, and since AT&T LIED I can't use my phone internationally regardless of the plan being set to international. Maybe my dad can b%tch them out for me - no just kidding! But you all know he would if I wanted him to, hehe. So since it isn't working I have to use a rental phone...extra money...bleh.

What else????

I don't know, our hostel is pretty nice, though the restroom is TINY, seriously the shower is on top of the toilet...no kidding, but really its small.

Well I have been up WAY too many hours and it is starting to wear on my brain I think I should go to sleep now. I promise to try my darnedest to keep this updated!

Long Time Coming

2009-06-07T00:47:00.001-07:00

Since I will be leaving tomorrow I thought I would state the fact that I can't believe I am actually going.

The final verdict - Grace & I will be traveling to Japan together.

Basically visiting three cities, Tokyo, Osaka, & Kyoto (with day trips to Kamakura, Nagoya, & Nara)

Here is a itinerary to follow us =)

NOTE: For your information (some of you) click on the itinerary to open up a bigger version of it, that way you can actually read it.

Getting my ass there.....

2008-11-16T18:09:00.000-08:00

Flying into Tokyo...expensive. Still looking up prices but it is anywhere from USD2480-USD3888. I am hoping a family member in the travel business will help me out, but we'll see.

UPDATE: Found cheaper flights through Orbitz ~USD1100, but I will have to ask my Aunt if she can find me a better deal (if she will) she works in travel.

Then, in country travel, I definitely want to get a 21 day pass for the rail.

Dream Come True!

2008-11-16T16:51:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I wanna go to Japan. The plan is to go for the entire month of June 2009. As you know I have become a little obsessed, which is how I am with the things I really like.

It is a must, I have to go.

So, those of you who want to go so far:

Lisa - possibly for 2 weeks (I'll get that budget together)
Grace - Amanda's cousin for 1 week
Francisco - maybe