Day 3: Old Tokyo and Neo Tokyo

Last day (already) in Tokyo. It goes way too quickly. I would love to have organised more time here but we want to visit different places and see a few different things. We have a couple of days at the end back in Tokyo though I envision the last day being not a great exploring one as we’ll need to head to the airport. Nor will we be in Shinjuku again. Shinjuku rocks.

Today’s plan: visit the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park, see Asakusa, maybe go to Odaiba. We had no strict schedule today so could go at an easier pace, was still busy in parts (and hot) but worked pretty well.

First, Hedgehog for breakfast.

Then a stroll through Ueno park to get to the museum. We’d been to Ueno Zoo last time but had approached in a different way. This walk was pretty nice, but the open squares were ridiculously hot.

Got to the museum, lined up, got our tickets (no real surprises there for you readers). What was a surprise is that I have no idea what was going on, if there was a new exhibition or what but there were queues for ages. I’m talking Vatican esque queues. I don’t know what they were queuing for or how they managed it in the weather but it was crazy! We were told though, to skip the queues. If we couldn’t, I would have skipped them anyway by skipping the museum itself. Inside the museum there was a lot of really interesting stuff (I won’t bore you with my pictures of all of these items or attempts to explain them as I have very little idea on Japanese history) and it was fun to take a nice, deliberate pace and check things out.

From the museum, a couple of quick stops on the Ginza metro line and we got to Asakusa. The main avenue of shops was interesting and we picked up a couple of little trinkets. Look out for us in some Japanese travel show or maybe a show making fun of gaijin (I don’t know). All I know is that a lady who introduced herself as a TV ‘star’ asked us quite nicely if she could film us shopping. Alas I failed to get a photo or her or of the event.

The shrine itself as Asakusa was a bit underwhelming, probably off the back of such a temple heavy day at Kamakura and having been to places like Nikko, Nara and Kyoto before. I quite liked the Pagoda at Asakusa though.

From Old Tokyo with Asakusa and the Muesum to Neo Tokyo.

Oops. Wrong Neo Tokyo. I meant Odaiba, the man made island in the middle of Tokyo Bay with a whole bunch of shopping centres, a Statue of Liberty, and just some ridiculous stuff in general that I can only explain by saying welcome to Japan (if I was on the OC, I’d add “b#*^h”). There’s just some stuff I can really adequately explain. I loved the trip over on the Yurikamome line across the Rainbow Bridge on the train that wasn’t really a train because it had rubber wheels but sort of was on a track. Also people were walking across the bridge which was nuts. There was a cool mascot at Joyopolis, we didn’t actually go in to Legoland. We had a buffet lunch (which was a little unimpressive) but saw a shark (which was very impressive) and we still missed a lot of shops, levels and other sections of Odaiba. I really recommend checking it out in Tokyo if time allowed. Easy enough to get to and feels just enough like a regular shopping centre to make you feel at ease with enough Japanese differences to throw you off.

On the way back to our hotel I developed a new viral social media trend. Well I don’t know if developed is the right word because it hasn’t taken off yet, but it’s a sure thing. You read it here first. “Walkies”. A dumb name I know, but they’re like selfies except you hold out an object you’re carrying/walking with and ensure to get your arm and the object in the photo, perhaps a bit of the background too (though this is not necessary). Here is the first one ever. This moment will be up there with man making fire, splitting the atom and other great advancements.

After my genius making, I had a bit of a Nanna Nap at the hotel for a couple of hours. I don’t like to waste time on holiday but I needed the rest. Then, because I’m boring, I went back to Capcom Bar, though this time not nigelated, but with my wife and we had a bit of their food offerings too. It remained crazy, worth it and fun. I will miss you Shinjuku. I know you won’t notice my absence, but I’ll miss ya buddy. Tomorrow we’re off to Hakone for a couple of nights.

Day 2: Kamakura

I can see already how maintaining this every day of the trip might be difficult. I’m knackered already, though I do have to stay up and wait for our washing anyway so this is a good activity to fill the time.

We started the day relatively early (just before 9am) and organised a few of our train tickets at Shinjuku station. After that we bought our tickets for Kita-Kamakura station and set off. I had originally considered trying to tackle Kita-Kamakura, Kamakura and Enoshima in one day but that seemed like it would be much too rushed. Today worked out perfectly (even though it was still pretty busy) so the amended plan was a good one. We went using the JR trains to Totsuka and changed for Kita-Kamakura. I am pretty pleased that we started in Kita-Kamakura as the temples there were some of the best we’ve seen. At Engakuji we saw some impressive buildings (and an awesome dragon painted roof, not actually painted by a dragon, I think…), a ‘world heritage bell’, which too be honest didn’t have us ringing its praises because after the huge climb up to it I know I was too tired to appreciate it, and two cats!

We then walked the brief distance to Meigetsuin temple, also known as the Hydrangea temple because of, well, I’ll let you sleuths figure it out. This was probably my personal favourite of the day, such a nice peaceful vibe and also, an abundance of animals! A squirrel, a rabbit + relevant statues and a bunch of cute little birds. Also the bamboo section was great.

The walking continued. (C’mon Mr Frodo) and we went to Kenchoji temple. This was another pretty relaxing one, the most notable things for me were the amazing gates some of the buildings had and the great garden out the back. A friend of mine back home would be mad jealous of the lawn.

At this point I’d planned for us to walk down to the next shrine and then to Kamakura station. However, due to navigational difficulties we ended up back at Kita-Kamakura station. This was a good thing. In the summer heat I reckon the walk would have killed me. We took the train from Kita-Kamakura to Kamakura and then walked up Wakamiya Oji. This walk underwhelmed me a little but though I imagine it would be impressive with Autumn colours. Also, did I mention it was hot? (Though I’m whining a bit, the weather today was a perfect summer’s day. Not unbearably hot or humid, little cloud cover, spot on really). My wife, with her keen eye, spotted a couple of nice shops along the street though.

At the end of this stretch we arrived at the Hachimangu shrine. Free, which was good, though all the other temples were only along the lines of 300 yen anyway. Hills, which was bad. I know I haven’t seen the last of them. Hills and temples seem to be natural allies, especially those Shinto ones which also tend to be my favourite. Positives though were a great view and shaved ice snack-age bu-udy. No wheezing the juice. (I’m sorry for the terrible Encino Man/Pauly Shore references).

Then down the shopping street, lunch and an incredible Ghibli store. (I’m noticing that my wife is ending up in a lot of these photos, oops).

Then onto my second favourite (does second favourite work as a concept? I think it contradicts itself but I’ll use it anyway) with the Daibatsu. You could go inside!! Who knew? Have you been inside Buddha today? Following the Buddha entrance we went to Hase Dera temple which was also quite nice but, hills and deadly kites!! Mary Poppins scarred me on kites.

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Finally we left Kamakura and JR’d it back to Shinjuku, picked up some snacks and then chilled out, with some relaxing Japanese TV.

You thought that was the end of the day didn’t you? Well I bet this snuck up on you! Dinner at Ninja Restaurant in Akasaka. Surprise! You never saw it coming.

Finally…Lion Dog.

What a day.

Refreshing beverage required.

Day 1: Shinjuku

So we left home on Sunday night. The flight itself was pretty decent, I was quite impressed with Qantas’ new seating arrangements in the 747 we took, and flying overnight was not a terrible idea. That said though, neither my wife nor I are fantastic flyers. That old adage: ‘it’s the journey, not the destination that matters’ is full of it. The journey sucked. The destination is awesome.

Today was a bit of a toned down settling in day as a result of the flight. My wife felt fairly ill and I was dead tired. However, this is Tokyo! So even an average day was pretty awesome (I love this city).

We got in, went through immigration and then customs. The guy at the customs check in seemed impressed by the fact that I already had my Suica card, which I’d kept in my passport case. Just a hold over (albeit a helpful one) from last trip. We caught the NEX and arrived at our accommodation fairly early, about 9am, when check in is at 2pm. Feeling a bit off, we sat in the lobby for a little while as I moved things from one backpack into the luggage. The lady who helped us at the counter saw our state and, unprompted, came around “I’ll get you early check in, I’ll make sure your room is housecleaned super fast”. What a great place.

First stop: Mister Donut

Mister Donut is awesome

Then: Harajuku

We didn’t really spend that long out here as we both felt tired and a bit off. Enough time for me to pick up a couple of quick gifts at Kiddy Land. By this time our super fast check in was ready and we returned to our hotel. My wife caught some sleep and relaxing while I went out for lunch. I chickened out of going to different places and went to a restaurant I had found on my first trip here. It remained awesome.

Following lunch I caught a snooze too. Not too much more eventful happened. We went to Shinjuku station to organise our JR passes, do some shopping at Takashiyama and Kinokuniya and also get lost in the station.

Dinner, however, was also fantastic. We went to a fantastic soba place around the corner. Counter eating, order your meal via vending machine and it then gets made for you. If I’d tried it alone I would have been scared off, but my wife’s ability to match pictures to symbols and then remember the hiragana and katakana to match it to the vending machine meant that we got a great meal. I didn’t impose on taking any photos inside though.

One thing that I have been doing is Streetpassing like a boss. My 3ds has gone from having 3 street passed people in Aus (one of whom I’d organised) to having 23 in the space of a few hours! Most of the like cats and play Monster Hunter.

Finally I have just returned from the Capcom Bar in Kabuchiko. I went to check out the Golden Gai on my own but wasn’t game enough to go in anywhere, plus I’m terrible at small talk and didn’t have much cash to burn on liquid courage.

The Capcom bar seemed fantastic though. Cheap drinks, tasty drinks, awesome theme (for me anyway) and a fun atmosphere.

That’s pretty much going to call it a day. A lot of incidental stuff not mentioned or photographed (Aquarius, every adorable advertisement, just tokyo in general). Tomorrow will either be Kamakura or Ueno museums depending on whether the weather is good or whether the weather is terrible.

Preparing and Packing

Just been looking at the last minute arrangements and onto the sucky task of packing (which I’ll actually leave til the last minute). In terms of preparing it has been a few simple things – double checking flight times, making sure passports haven’t disappeared, logged my details with smart traveller, checking hotel bookings, etc. All the stuff that has actually been done in terms of preparing months ago and just really clarifying that I haven’t forgotten anything major.

I have however been mentally preparing by pouring over last years holiday photos, looking at the holiday snaps of a work colleague who went a few months ago and by immersing myself in Japan media. I’m reading “Musashi” by Eiji Yoshikawa, playing “Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies” on 3DS; “Total War: Shogun 2” on PC and watching some anime such as our Studio Ghibli favourites and new ones like “Akira”.

Some sage advice from Shogun 2

 

 It’s hard to truly describe some of the things in Ace Attorney

Today I had to “pack away” our feline friend, Pippi. She will be staying at a Cattery for a couple of weeks. Taking her there and hearing her little mews breaks my heart. I’m certain she will be kept well and she will enjoy her time, if she’s not already totally indifferent, but it didn’t make it any easier.

Get thee to a cattery!!

 She really doesn’t like car trips. Each mew was heartbreaking.

After “packing” the cat and essentially shipping her off (I wish we could take her with us, I’m certain the Japanese would love her – she’s freaking adorable!), her heartbreaking mews made me feel a bit down in the dumps and reflective. Why am I going on this holiday? What was the point? Why not just stay at home and stay warm and snuggled with the cat? These reflections really got to me, so on the way home, I though I’d try to get into the ‘sightseeing spirit’, so a very short detour took me to a largely forgotten ‘site’ near where I live. I went there for a few minutes to just think on things. It was a bit brisk, so I didn’t stay all that long.

 

A migrant from England, Sir Henry Parkes became actively involved in the politics of New South Wales. He was Premier (“Prime Minister”) 5 times and is most famously known for a speech he gave called the “Tenterfield Address” and for being one of the forerunners in the Federation movement (the proposed unification of the colonies into the nation we now know as Australia). Parkes died in 1896 at the age of 80, 5 years before Federation was to come into effect.

The brisk morning, and the whole prospect of visiting a grave made for good reflection time. Remember how much you loved Japan last time? Think of all the things you have booked and are looking forward to! The cat will be fine! (this was actually my main concern if I’m being honest).

After the morning reflection, I headed home, invigorated for the upcoming holiday. I took a little look at some of the knick knacks we picked up last time that we’ve displayed in our house. This made me more excited for the trip. Ready to go!! (Not ready to pack though).

Tokugawa Ieyasu would be disappointed by my weakness.

The Itinerary – 2014

 

No Sumo tournament this time around. With the itinerary for this trip we decided to re-visit a couple of similar areas, and even stay in some of the same places but to also make sure that we did and visited different things in those places, while also visiting completely new one. I’m always really detailed with our itineraries, and they are usually pretty packed without much down time. Down time and relaxing is for when I get back home, not when I’m overseas somewhere I haven’t been all that often.

Day 1 – Arrive in Tokyo. Explore Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku. Alas no Robot Restaurant madness planned this time.

Day 2 – Day trip visit to Kamakura and maybe Enoshima

Day 3 – Ueno Park and Museums, See Asakusa (didn’t see this last time), Odaiba (also new)

Day 4 – Hakone

Day 5 – Hakone Round Course

Day 6 – Kyoto, Explore Gion region.

Day 7 – Hiroshima, visit Miyajima

Day 8 – Hiroshima

Day 9 – Kyoto, Fushimi-Inari shrine (our favourite, must visit again). Arashiyama.

Day 10 – Takayama

Day 11 – Visit Shirakawa-go

Day 12 – Tokyo, Baseball Game!

Day 13 – Last Day, Explore other areas of Tokyo: Ginza, Akihabara. Then return home

A lot packed in to a short amount of time. Really looking forward to it. Always feel like it is a long time away from home yet conversely it doesn’t feel like we have enough time. I’m sure in the future we’d be back again so that would always motivate us to see more and do more.

Coming up: Packing (probably at the last minute knowing me)

Japan 2014!

This is the beginning of my first ever ‘blog’ for, well, anything really. After travelling to Japan in September last year, my wife and I thought we’d been satiated for a bit on our need to travel. With a friend living in Finland for a year we strongly considered visiting areas of Europe we had not yet been to: Austria, Germany, Denmark and the Scandanavian region.

So naturally we ended up buying tickets to go to Japan for two weeks in June/July.

About 2 and a half weeks until the trip and I thought this would be a good way to catalogue the trip, give a good background to the seemingly infinite pictures we take on our trips and to share my experience with friends, family and anyone else who is unsure if they should go to Japan.

Before the trip I do have a few concerns that I’d like to air (a few of them involve air really):

• The weather – I know basically that when we’re travelling this time is the rainy season. Hot, humid and wet. All of these sound unappealing. I can’t do anything to change the weather but I hope it doesn’t hamper things too much.
• The cost – it’s a bit too late now, maybe eventually we should stop jetting off overseas and save our money.
• The travel itself – flying sucks. We also have a lot of train travel between destinations in Japan so I’m a bit worried that we’ll be spending almost too much time travelling around rather than ‘seeing/experiencing’.

These concerns aren’t major trip ending ones, but I think it’s nice to get them out of the way. Those being mentioned, I know that in the back of my mind I remember how great Japan was last time and I’m really looking forward to seeing it again.

Itinerary, planning and packing yet to come.