Japan Trip #4 ~ Yokohama part 2 & Ueno part 1

After returning from Chinatown, we arrived at the hostel quite late in the night. I can't remember what time it was ^^; But we were the last few to check in as our luggage were all still in the lobby. There was this metal bar with a chain and lock where we could secure our stuff. We had left them there when we first reached the 'Port Yokohama Hostel.' We couldn't keep our belongings in the room in the day as it wasn't check in time yet @@

A shot of the corridor where the rooms were situated.

The hallway leading up to the bathroom and toilet. Doesn't it look creepy? That door with the cracked glass panel is the shower. I kept thinking that a hand will appear all of a sudden and strangle me or something. XD And the last scene in that movie, 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' kept flashing in my mind. *shivers*

The sheets and towel return area. The door you see is where my room is. Imagine opening your door and coming face to face with this red light in the dead of the night. No wonder I had a nightmare^^; It didn't help that we had an encounter with a big, tall and drunk man. He knocked on our door and when we opened it, he just stood there staring at us while mumbling some incoherent words. Badsaints was the bravest among as all. She calmly asked the man "Yes? Can I help you?" all the while without flinching. A true heroine indeed :D There were more stories to this but I won't write it here :P

This is how the interior of the room looks. Isn't it neat? Well that's cuz this is Badsaints and Estrea's room XD Mine and Stef's throughout the trip always look as though a tornado has hit it :P Another reason for not using my room is cuz I forgot to take a picture of it before locking up and dropping off the key in the key return box when we had to check out ^^; Hence I had no choice but to run back upstairs and barge into BS and E's room to take this shot XD

A picture of the train that we took to the place we did some shopping. I took this because it reminded me of a scene in Risa and Koharu's PB. You know which ones I'm referring to right?

Woman's only carriage. There are specific times for this. Too bad we didn't board the train at those times. I would have liked to see how the men are kept out XD

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We ate MacDonalds for lunch. You're probably thinking "What?! Why have fastfood in Japan?" The menu here is totally different from that in my country so I'm alright with trying it. I had an ebi burger. It's not that good though. But then again, I'm not the greatest seafood fan ^^;
The Japanese are really thorough when it comes to recycling. Not only do you clear your own table and trays, you even seperate the trash before dumping them.

Is it a coincidence that Yokohama has so many pier themed places?

If you like shopping, you should really visit this place. I didn't have enough time to finish walking the whole building! :(

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On the day we went to Akihabara, me and Stef also went to Ueno. Oh and there was Shibuya too. But I'll talk about Shibuya in another post :)

At Ueno Park, the Sakura flowers had bloomed. There were two rows of Sakura trees and when you walked on the path in between, it's like having the most romantic experience *dreams* How nice if Risa / Eri / Sayumi was with me. What? I can fantasize can't I? :P

Sakura petals on the ground.

At this temple, I sounded the bell with that rope hanging from the ceiling.

Outside was this place where you could tie the fortunes which you have prayed for. I think you do this if the lot wasn't a good one? Then you could wish it away or something. It was a pretty sight when the breeze blew and the papers fluttered in the wind ^^

Again another possible romantic scene. Buy a small wooden block and write down your wish. I bet some smart guy or girl would have tried confessing this way. Bring their partner here and innocently show them the piece with the wish of them being together forever written on it. Okay okay, I admit it, I'm a sucker for such things XD

Part 2 of Ueno and Shibuya will be in the next entry. Wait for it (^_^)

Japan Trip 2010 #3 ~ Yokohama Part 1

Maybe cuz it is Yokohama, Gaki-san's hometown that's why the number of pictures I took here greatly outnumbered the other places :P

I took this picture on the train travelling from Tokyo to Yokohama. The journey was over in a flash. (It takes approximately 12 minutes to arrive) No wonder Risa can continue to live in her family home and travel to work daily.

This is the mall that is next to the themepark. You know the one with the ferris wheel that the bean talked about in that old episode of Music Fighter from the Osaka Koi no Uta days? I wonder if this is the ii building :D

The roads outside the possible ii building. The flowers from the Sakura trees started to fall in doves when we were standing outside waiting for the bus. The view was incredible! Too bad I didn't have a proper camera and can't take a pic of that beautiful scene.

Oh and we had lunch in this mall. This was what the dessert looked like. Ultra kawaii ne~ Especially the usagi (^_^)

I really wanted to ride on the Ferris wheel when we went to the themepark. But sadly no one wanted to sit on it because it wasn't exciting enough :( Why am I such a kid? I'll rather go on this and the merry go round :P

Everyone else being more adventurous opted for the haunted house and this scary roller coaster called 'Vanish.' We managed to enter the ghosty place but not the roller coaster as there were too many people in the queue for it. Thank god! Cuz I would probably have puked out my lunch if I went on it.

This place is huge. Cuz on the opposite bank there are even more rides.

The sun is setting with the light reflected on some random building :D Oh beautiful, beautiful~~ *tries to sound like a hotshot photographer* :P

Nightview of the bay. See the Ferris wheel in the distance?

It was freaking cold up here. I think it was cuz we were practically at the sea. But the view was worth it. The ground was made up of all these wooden planks. Really gave the place the feel of a pier.

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Since we are in Yokohama how can we not go to Chinatown right?

Remember Morning Days 2? Where TakaGaki07 went around to eat...and eat? XD This is the panda bun they tried! Erm...it's not exactly the same cuz I didn't buy the meat bun. But it's still the same store ^^; Ureshii~~ I'm standing in the same spot where Risa once stood! *jumps around excited*

Part 2 of the Yokohama experience will be coming up later tonight, or within the next few days...I hope ^^;

Japan Trip 2010 Entry #2 ~ Niigata Edition

While traveling on the Shinkansen to Niigata, this was on the second last day of our trip. I realized that the scenery changed from looking like spring to winter. At certain parts, the roofs of houses and mountains were capped with snow. And the temperature in the carriage was cooler than how it was when going to other parts of Japan on this train system. Not too many pics here since my Aiphone can't zoom in to capture better photos ^^;

This is how it looks from Niigata station.

Scenes along the way as we walked to the mall. All in all, I think Niigata is a nice place to live in if it wasn't so darn cold.

This shot almost seems like a postcard :)

I'm happy I got to visit Niigata since it's Koharu and Makoto's hometown. But I think the part where those two stay could possibly be more rural than where we were at.

This is yakisoba with spaghetti sauce. Strange combination no? We bought this as a meal to eat on the train ride back to Tokyo.

But apparently this is what Koharu has recommended people to try cuz it isn't sold anywhere else in Japan. I bought the flavor she likes :)

The view from the window as we were leaving Niigata in a cab. I have to say I love how you don't have to open the doors to the taxi yourself as they are automated. I get such a kick out of watching the door open and close by itself XD

Bai bai! Tokyo back I go~

Japan Trip 2010 Entry #1 ~ Kyoto Edition

For the first time in my life, I went to Japan. I wasn't certain if I should have gone in the beginning since there were quite a number of factors holding me back. But in the end I'm glad I did go. The main driving force behind my decision to go ahead and fly to the land of Sakuras was so that I could the 2010 MM Spring Concert Pika Pika. This trip was made with Stef, Estrea and Badsaints and boy was it a crazy one XD

I'll be posting entries about the trip but they won't be in order as I write based on 'feel' :P And currently my mind feels like talking about Kyoto so here it is.

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We began our journey on the 8th of April. And on the 6th day in the country, we went to Kyoto. Previously, we were in Tokyo and Yokohama. For Kyoto, we stayed for two nights in this place called 'Capsule Ryokan.' It doesn't look too shabby does it? Badsaints has a great nack for seeking out affordable and comfortable lodging. *salutes* I've never slept on tatami mats and a mattress like this before so I looked forward to the experience. (Sorry about the mess at the corner of the pic. I took off and threw my jackets there as soon as the guy who showed us in left ^^;)

Only problem was, the shower was within the room. And the panel doesn't look very opaque? Yabaii ne~ This could be embarassing.

Inside, the bath looks like a part of a spaceship. Or maybe my brain is filled with so much of Morning Musume that my thoughts just automatically shift towards Eri :D

A random street. Looks right out of a documentary or an olden time period huh? I kept thinking this route lead to some dingy bathhouse. Obviously I was wrong :P I did want to experience what it felt like to take a bath in a public bath? But due to *ahem* some reason, I had to shelve that plan.

Random signs with TakaGaki and Tanaka, Because I'm stupid and a Mowota XD

This tower was visible from our room window but the shot I took of it was in the night and not too clear. Hence, this picture shows what the structure looks like in the day.

Oh and Risa likes to eat Okonomiyaki right? We had that for dinner one of the nights in Kyoto. This place looks nice doesn't it? Feels very authentic ^^

The drinks we ordered came as we were waiting for the dish to be prepared. Guess what each of us got? From left to right, Oolong tea for me, beer (I think it was Asahi?) for Stef and Sake for Estrea. What can I say? I'm a good kid so I don't drink :P

The end product! I know I took pics of this on the plate with the funny mini spade looking thing on the side. But I can't seem to find it in the picture folder. My Aiphone or Mac-cy probably acted up again *sigh*. Unfortunately my things don't seem to like me much

On our last day in Kyoto, we visited two temples which were within walking distance of each other. The whole atmosphere of the surroundings is very surreal and peaceful although there were people about.

For some reason I like this water feature. I think you can pour the water into your hand with the scoop and drink from it? But I'm not sure what it's supposed to symbolize.