July 2010
4 posts
4 tags
Sky Tree and Misc.
My friend needed to get more tea and souvenirs so I went with her since I’m always up for kaitenzushi! : D
She needed to go to Asakusa for some stuff and we managed to get a better picture of the yet to be completed Sky Tree over there! :D The Sky Tree will be the new Tokyo Tower but I like the present Tokyo Tower D: I’m it’s number one fan! xD
Interesting...
3 tags
Abura Soba?
An abura soba place popped up right next to Hoshien a couple months ago and I was really apprehensive about trying anything from there because the sign/logo for it is basically just a huge 油 (kanji for oil)! But I’ve been hearing really good things about it so last week, right after our return orientation, I found some time go to!
Man this stuff is good. It’s not healthy at all but...
3 tags
Enoshima Revisited!
Because the last time we went to Enoshima it was raining and a bit of a disaster, we had to go again! And since it’s アジサイ season and Kamakura and Enoshima are famous for their アジサイ, we decided to go to last Saturday! Enoshima when it’s not dark, cold, and rainy is lots of fun!
Birdies have new clothes :)
Tried takosenbei! (octopus… cracker?) Looks like a fossil but it was...
1 tag
Sky Tree in the Making
Last Friday I went to visit Jokanji (the throw-away temple) with my friend because she had to go for one of her classes. It was interesting (I ended up doing some research on it after coming back home that night) but also slightly depressing : ( And I got 7 mosquito bites in just a few minutes at the temple >0<
We then walked towards Ueno to go to a kaitenzushi place which has amazing...
June 2010
16 posts
1 tag
ホタルの光
One night last week, I was trying to write my sakubun (boring!) and I just got so bored that I felt like I needed to go for a walk. I had heard that you can see fireflies at the Chinzan-so gardens so I decided to go on the spur of the moment! The garden was beautiful but it was dark so I didn’t get many photos. And the fireflies were very beautiful too! Even though there weren’t that...
2 tags
Love in Shinjuku
I was tutoring in Shinjuku on Sunday morning and had some time to spare before I had to head back to Baba to meet my language partner. So I went looking for the love sculpture! :D
3 tags
Karaoke & Honey Toast!
Honey toast was something I wanted to try since we discovered it in Kabukicho some time last year. After some researching on the internet, it appears that this company (?) called Pasela invented it. Pasela runs a few karaoke places too so we killed two birds with one stone and went for karaoke and honey toast last Friday!
Pasela is a little bit more pricey than some other karaoke places but...
3 tags
Starting to wrap things up...
In a little bit over a month I will be back home! Which is why I started to make a list of all the things that I still want to do while I’m here. This includes a lot of food related things like buying oden from a conbini (before they pull it out of stores for the summer!) <— I completed this last week :D
Anyhow, going to Sweets Paradise one last time was definitely on my list! And...
2 tags
Kabuki
Last Sunday I went to watch Kabuki! It was on my list of things to do in Japan and I finally got the chance to see it! The event was organized by a Waseda women’s alumni group and we got discounted tickets! :D
Before the actual play started, there was an introduction thing where they explained the stage, instruments, how to act different characters, and the like :D I enjoyed it a lot!...
3 tags
green tea crazy ♥
No better place for a green tea crazy person to be than Japan!
There are lots of green tea products in Japan and I’ve been enjoying them thoroughly :D It’s 新茶 (shincha, literally new tea) season right now (coming to an end of the season now maybe? not too sure) and they’ve been selling 新茶 in bottles and I love it! I find it a lot more delicious than regular green tea :D 新茶 is...
4 tags
Sumo!
After this post I will finally be up-to-date!
I finally got to watch sumo! We went with Feel Japan so the tickets were cheaper too thanks to Hoshien’s discount :D
First we had chanko nabe - what sumo wrestlers supposedly eat (although we know better! We saw them eating at mcdonald’s and matsuya xD)! It was really healthy and delicious!
In the restaurant right next to Ryougoku...
2 tags
Kodomo no Hi
May 5th was Kodomo no Hi - Children’s day- in Japan!
On this day Koinobori (carp streamers) are put up. I’ve always wanted to see and take pictures of them. Unfortunately being in Tokyo where many people live in apartments where they’re not allowed to hang things like these up, they can be quite hard to come by. I found out that in a park near Takadanobaba station, people had...
2 tags
Golden Week: Yoyogi Park
During Golden Week I took advantage of the great weather and went on a picnic with some of the people from my Japanese core class last semester. There weren’t too many of them there but it was still really nice to get to catch up with them again :D
Picture from where we were sitting! Yoyogi Park was quite crowded too~
He doesn’t look too happy!
Then a few of us headed to Harajuku...
4 tags
Golden Week: Yokohama
It was Golden Week at the end of April-beginning of May. Golden week is a week(ish) of holidays made up of consecutive public holidays. Traveling in Japan gets expensive during Golden Week and it gets crazy crowded too! We were told that in Tokyo and the surrounding area there would be less people since everyone would be getting out of Tokyo which is why I thought that Yokohama wouldn’t be...
2 tags
Roppongi
So it took me over half a year to make it to Roppongi. I kept hearing about it but I just never had anything to do there so I never went. But finally in mid April Alice in Wonderland came out (over a month later than in most other countries D:)! So we went to Roppongi to see it :D
3D! The 3D glasses here are awesome! I’m a glasses wearer so the flimsy 3D glasses at home are a bit of a pain...
2 tags
Cherry blossoms
Sakura sakura ♪ There are many songs with sakura in the title but I’m referring to this old folk song!
Anyhow, I didn’t get the chance to attend any hanami parties but when my phone’s weather report (sent to me twice a day! I love Japanese phones!) told me that we might be coming to the end of cherry blossom season (mind you this was in early April!), I had to rush out to snap...
3 tags
Kanamara Matsuri
AKA Festival of the Steel Phallus!
This was definitely one of the things on my must see list! There is a very painful-sounding legend behind this festival - something about having to use a steel phallus on a girl because there was a demon hiding inside her. Now it’s just a fertility festival which seems to be more popular among tourists than among the Japanese.
Sakura! This festival took...
Doctors in Tokyo
Let me take a break from all the fun traveling stuff for a post on doctors. I’ve unfortunately had to see quite a few doctors so I thought I would pass on some of my knowledge on this topic for anybody who might need it!
As year-long exchange students, we are required to be insured under the Japanese national health insurance and this means that you only pay 30% of your medical bill so...
4 tags
Seishun 18: Ise Shrines, Married Rocks
We got up bright and early for the last leg of our Seishun adventure. We headed to the Ise shrines and the married rocks!
The Ise shrines are the most sacred Shinto shrines and I learned about them in school so I really wanted to go xD
There are the inner shrines and the outer shrines but they are a bus ride apart.
One of the many chickens roaming the shrine grounds!
Camera-shy horse!
100m...
2 tags
Seishun 18: Nara
I’m a bit ashamed to be back here blogging after having not done so for over a month! But better late than never?
After Himeji we headed to Nara! Pictures!
Todai-ji: where the big Buddha is!
Deer! We fed them :D But they’re oh so violent! They knocked my friend’s deer biscuits out of her hand and all over the floor when she was feeding them and when I was feeding them,...
April 2010
8 posts
3 tags
Seishun 18: Himeji
We stayed the night in Kobe and headed to Himeji the next morning! I was super sad to leave the kotatsu at the hostel!! Kotatsus are so awesome, I really want to bring one home!
Kotatsu goodnes! :D
Anyhow, onto Himeji. We went to Himeji to see Himeji Castle. I’ve never actually been in one of these castles before (I’m too cheap =P) but Himeji Castle is said to be the ‘most...
2 tags
Seishun 18: Tottori
We got to Tottori from Miyajima in the evening. The next morning it was cold and rainy but we still wanted to go to the sand dunes that we were in Tottori for! After having some trouble finding the right bus that would take us there (including trying to ask this train man about it without actually knowing what ‘sand dunes’ was in Japanese xD ‘the thing that’s like a...
4 tags
Seishun 18: Miyajima
The next morning we left Hiroshima for Miyajima. Miyajima is one of nihon sankei (3 most scenic places in Japan) and the floating torii was something I’ve always wanted to see and photograph!
We had to go quite early in the morning so we could catch a train in order to get to our next destination by night time! Since it was early, the tide wasn’t very high so Itsukushima Shrine and...
5 tags
Seishun 18: Hiroshima
After returning from our Osaka/Kyoto + other places trip, we stayed in Tokyo for a little while to recuperate and headed out again on an epic trip using the Seishun 18 Kippu! It’s amazing for people who want to travel for cheap and don’t mind really long train rides!
Also props to my friend for planning this whole trip!
We set off on the first train from Takadanobaba and reached...
3 tags
Nijojo and Kobe
On the last day of this trip, we went to Nijo castle and then made a quick stop in Kobe!
Nijo Castle! I was so amazed at the nightingale sounds that came from the floor when people walked on it (although I don’t really know what a nightingale sounds like haha). No pictures inside!
After walking around the castle grounds we headed to Kobe. It was raining and really grey D: We were mainly...
5 tags
Ninjas and Kyoto at Night
On the third day of our trip, we decided to wander outside of Kyoto and head to Iga Ueno to go to the ninja museum!
The museum is interesting but there’s really nothing much else to do in the area >_< There’s a castle but it was under construction the day we went. Considering how it took us so long to get there (from Kyoto) I’m not sure if I would recommend people to go...
5 tags
Day 2 in Kyoto!
Shrine hopping, sight seeing, parfaits and geiko-san/maiko-san! Awesome awesome day : D
We started off bright and early to beat the crowds at Kiyomizudera. After a nice uphill slope, we got there!
On the famous terrace
The picture everyone who comes here ends up taking!
After Kiyomizudera, we made our way to Sanjusangendo. This temple was very very cool. There was a big statue of a...
5 tags
Day 1 in Kyoto!
This post is way overdue! But better late than never : D However this blog won’t be as detailed because I’ve forgotten a lot of it already D:
We went straight from Osaka to Kyoto and I must say I love Kyoto! I like it more than I like Tokyo! It’s a stunning place - so beautiful!
JR Kyoto Station
The first day we, we went to Kinkakuji - the Golden Pavilion.
Famous...
February 2010
4 posts
7 tags
3 Days in Osaka!
I spent 3 days in Osaka before coming to Kyoto. We took a cheap JR night bus from Shinjuku and got to Osaka early in the morning. Our first stop was the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum. It was free (unless you want to make a special instant ramen or something) and didn’t take us too long to get through but it was interactive and quite interesting.
Ando Momofuku - the guy who invented...
7 tags
Hokkaido!
I went to Hokkaido at the beginning of February (I’m updating this from Kyoto haha xD) and got to see the Yuki Matsuri (snow festival) as well as see a friend who I haven’t seen in a long long time! He took us around Sapporo and Otaru and it was so nice to have a guide because he could tell us where to get good food and we also saved a lot of time because we didn’t get lost!
...
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Setsubun Festival
I Just got back from Hokkaido! But before I blog about that, I have to blog about the Setsubun Festival (節分) that happened on February 3rd. At households I think the oldest guy puts on this demon mask and the rest of the family throw beans at him or they throw beans out of the house while saying 鬼は外, 福は内! (demons out, luck in!)
I thought it was quite a strange festival and I really wanted to see...
3 tags
Recaps!
I’ve been a lazy blogger and I have so much to update now D: so I’m just going to do a quick recap!
Ryougoku - Edo-Tokyo Museum - interesting museum, we managed to catch a dance performance too!
Ryougoku is also where the Ryougoku Kokugikan is - sumo wrestling!! Couldn’t watch anything though because all the tickets were sold out D:
Korean food in Shinjuku after the...
January 2010
7 posts
5 tags
Furoshiki and Origami
Last Tuesday in Japanese class, we had more of those learn about Japanese culture classes instead of the normal Japanese language class! This time we learnt how to wrap objects up in furoshiki and then after that, we had a class on origami!
You can wrap objects of so many different shapes in furoshiki! After the class, I was tempted to get some furoshiki myself and wrap stuff up xD It’s...
6 tags
Shitamachi Museum, Ueno Zoo, Setagaya Boro-ichi
On Saturday my friend and I went to the Ueno area to make good use of our Grutto Passes and explore Ueno more because we hadn’t been back there since that one time we went to the museum!
First we went to the Shitamachi Museum which was pretty good especially because they had those old school games which are so frustrating but yet so exciting!! And so satisfying when you finally win :...
5 tags
Homestay Weekend in Tsukuba
I’ve been so lazy with the blogging D: this happened last weekend. The CIE had a weekend homestay program and I went to stay with a family in Tsukuba!
I got to their house on Saturday and we just sat and ate wagashi and talked! Then I went out with the two daughters to walk their dog while the parents went to buy ingredients for dinner. We had a dinner of delicious temaki zushi and other...
4 tags
Gotokuji
Backlog backlog backlogged!
On Friday last week before class I went to Gotokuji! At first glance, it seems like an ordinary temple…
But tucked away in a corner is this!:
Spot the odd one out! :D
Gotokuji is said to be the place where the 招き猫 (Maneki Neko) originated from. This cat is the symbol of good fortune or money! :D And I love money haha so I had to come xD It is said...
7 tags
Hakone
On Monday and Tuesday of this week I went to Hakone! I’ve been once before when I was younger with my family and I remember really liking it and that it was a really pretty place. My family didn’t really like taking pictures though so this time I wanted to take pictures of the things I see so that I’ll remember them later on!
When we got to Hakone on Monday, we went straight to...
1 tag
Royal Family New Year Greeting
Yesterday I went to see the Emperor and other members of the royal family! Well I tried to… the fact is that I couldn’t see a thing D: There were so many people and so many tall people D: and when the royal family came out everyone was waving their flags and I couldn’t see a thing! I was with the little old ladies going 全然見えない〜 (can’t see a thing). But I can pretend I did...
4 tags
New Years Countdown at Zojoji, Hatsumode at Meiji...
To count down for the new year, I went with a few friends to Zojoji (the shrine in front of Tokyo Tower) to join in on the festivities there! It was super crowded but lots of fun!
The bell they rang when it became 2010! You could get a ticket to ring the bell but we got there too late for that!
Balloons that never made it D: People had balloons with pieces of paper with wishes written on...
4 tags
Illuminations
Illuminations are festive lights basically! Very pretty :D I went to two recently. There’s really not much to say about them so here are the pics!
Tokyo Dome City
Ultraman was there too xD
Shinjuku Terrace City (wasn’t very big but it was still pretty :D)
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Okinawa - Day 6 - Shikinaen
Our last day in Okinawa! We checked out at 9ish then had breakfast and headed out to the garden that we wanted to go to on the first day but was closed - Shikinaen. This time we called beforehand to make sure it was open before going! It was raining but the garden was still very pretty :D
World Heritage Site!
Palace
After that we went back to Kokusaidori for one last time for omiyage and...
5 tags
Okinawa - Day 5 - Peace Memorial Park, Himeyuri no...
This day was kind of depressing but very educational. First we went to the Peace Memorial Park for the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum. It is a really good museum if you want to learn more about the Battle of Okinawa. There were explanations in English for most things (although probably not as detailed as what was written in Japanese) which is pretty rare in Japan as I’ve...
December 2009
14 posts
6 tags
Okinawa - Day 4 - Churaumi Aquarium, Emerald...
We rented a car on this day :D For anyone looking to go to Okinawa, please rent a car! It will save you a lot of time and money! Especially if you’re going to the aquarium from Naha- it will cost you 3000 yen on public transport!
We went to the Churaumi Aquarium - the world’s second largest aquarium!
Huge ass tank!
In the park the aquarium is in there is also a...
3 tags
Okinawa - Day 3 - Gyokusendo Cave, Okinawa World
Christmas! It was raining so hard unfortunately : ( But still, being able to wear a t-shirt on Christmas was awesome :D We went to Okinawa World!
We saw the Gyokusendo Cave first. I think it’s the second longest cave in Japan or something like that.
After the cave goodness there was fruit goodness! Well, it was like a walk with trees and stuff where fruits go on and then...
6 tags
Okinawa - Day 2 - Shuri Castle, Tamaudun, Japanese...
We got up early to go to the Shuri Castle which was the palace of the Ryuku Kingdom. It was almost completely destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa so most of what we saw was rebuilt.
Under construction D:
Shisa! Okinawan mythological creatures that are said to protect things from evil
Sonohyan-utaki Ishimon (World Heritage site!)
After Shuri Castle, we decided to check out...
6 tags
Okinawa - Day 1
My friend and I decided to go to Okinawa for a warmer Christmas! So we left Tokyo from Haneda Airport early in the morning on the 23rd to go to Naha in Okinawa!
The weather was amazing! Sunny and like 23 or something :D But we couldn’t find the hostel so we went to the Tourist Information Center where the ladies there told us that it might be shady there because they’d never heard of...
6 tags
Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
A late post about last Saturday! I’ve been busy with papers and a presentation these past few days so I haven’t been able to update but school’s out for the winter holiday and I’m heading to Okinawa tomorrow morning so I want to get these pictures off my camera!
On Saturday my friend and I decided to use our grutto passes to go to the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural...
4 tags
Sweets Paradise!
It was my friends birthday on Thursday! So we went for cake tabehoudai (all you can eat cake! They had actual food and a chocolate fountain and fruits too!) at Sweets Paradise in Shibuya :D But before that Starbucks for Christmas drinks and to take pictures of the famous Shibuya crossing. And then purikura afterwards : D Fun fun fun!
Ready, get set….
Go!
Look at all the cake!!...
5 tags
A Morning at Nishi Nakano Elementary School
I signed up for the Outreach Program organized by the ICC to go to Nishi Nakano Elementary School to teach the students about where I’m from. The ICC paired the foreign students up with Japanese students and we started making a lesson plan and preparing a month ago. Today we finally went!
We met up at the ICC at 9:30 and headed to the elementary school by train but we were late so when we...
5 tags
Tokyo Sealife Park and Hoshien Christmas Party
Last Saturday I went to the Tokyo Sealife Park with my friend. We got the Museum Grutto Pass - a pass that lets you enter a bunch of museums for free or at a discounted fee in the span of 2 months.
The Tokyo Sealife Park is kind of far from where I live. We took the Yamanote line to Tokyo station and then took the Keiyo line from there to the Kasai Rinkai Koen station. I love love love aquariums...