Journal

Day 12 - The last run around...

Very short update. We have to be up in 6 hours to catch the Keisei Skyliner to Narita Airport. Some photos up from the last day. We spent it in and around Shibuya with Tim, last minute purchases, yummy food, and the Fender Jaguar Bass Guitar I didn't buy. Damn. I should've bought it - it was only £350. Ended the night at the Audio Dreggs gig in the O-Nest with Masami and Osamu. Was a fun night.

When we're home and I've had a chance to sort through the 1300 odd photos and video I've taken I'll post a final gallery of the shots we should've included first time round; until then...

Posted by Alex on Sunday, May 7th 2006 at 00:59:00 (Tokyo Time)

Day 12 - Tsukiji

We got up at 5am to go and visit the Tsukiji Fish Market. What a sight - have a look at the photos. After a couple of hours sleep we're getting ready to head back out. It's the last full day so we have to make the most of it.

Posted by Alex on Saturday, May 6th 2006 at 09:48:00 (Tokyo Time)

Day 11 - Hakone

Today we went on an adventure to find Mount Fuji. We set off this morning to Hakone, famous for its hot springs, volcanic activity and the view of Mount Fuji. It was a gorgeous morning, almost 30 degrees, and we were excited that away from the Tokyo smog we might have clear enough skies to see that famous snow-capped volcano. But as we boarded the boat (I'll tell you about that later!) the weather changed, the sky turned grey and the clouds descended on the hills. But we carried on with our adventure anyway...We got on a pirate ship arrrrr to cross the lake which was class! I made friends with a pirate, and give him a big hug; Alex and I made friends with a mentalist who played us the titanic music from his phone (I think he must have downloaded it especially for the occasion!) and then (the mentalist) pretended to be Kate Winslett. On the other side of the lake, we jumped off the boat and continued our journey in 3 cable cars that took us across the mountains. Even though we hadn't a hope of seeing Mount Fuji the scenery was stunning and at the first stop we saw the amazing 'Hell Valley', a hillside with hot springs that release steam into the air, as well as the not-so-amazing smell of sulphur (There is also a pretty ugly mine right in the middle of the hillside - Alex). Unfortunately, we didn't get to wander around this valley because we ran out of time and I was dressed for summer in the equivalent of the Scottish Highlands. So we carried on, one more cable car and 2 train rides (from hell) later and we were home.

Up at 5am tomorrow to go to the Tsukiji fish market, yuck. Last full day in Tokyo so we've loads to see and do.

Posted by Suzy on Friday, May 5th 2006 at 23:57:00 (Tokyo Time)

Day 10 - Out and about part II

Another busy day. Harajuku, Shibuya, Omotesando, Harajuku, Shinjuku, Koenji, Shibuya! It's like we don't know where we are going. Met up with Tim. Had a great day running around the place. After a super cheap soba dinner we met up with Mayumi, Naruki (Miaou) and Teru. We went to the O-Nest to catch Toe; they were great.

Tomorrow it's set to be 28 degrees and sunny - eek! To escape the city, we're off to beautiful open space of Hakone... with a chance to see Fuji san

Posted by Alex on Thursday, May 5th 2006 at 00:57:00 (Tokyo Time)

Day 9 - Out and about...

Busy day again. This morning we went to the Advertising Museum Tokyo. This was a stunning exhibition space hosting a display of advertising materials from the Edo period to the present. Again no photos so all I have is the leaflet we picked up in the museum. After lunch in Ginza we went shopping in Harajuku (converse £15!) and ended the day in Shibuya in a great bookshop that has a better selection of English magazines than I've ever seen in an Eason store. I managed to pick up the 2005 JLPT exam and audio cd so I can now scare myself at how hard the exam in December will be. I will be needing another trip back to pick up one or two other books...

Tomorrow we meet Tim in Shibuya for lunch and head off to the Toe gig in the O-Nest with Miaou, Teru and hopefully Osamu in the evening.

Posted by Alex on Wednesday, May 3rd 2006 at 11:55:00 (Tokyo Time)

Day 8 - Ghibli Museum

Finally! I have been looking forward to this for months. We took the JR out to a lovely town called Kichijoji. Suzy found a shop with an installation art exhibition and picked up lots of cute things. I found a guitar shop where Fender jazzmasters and jaguars cost £325. The had the craziest pedals ever too. After lunch in a strange German bakery that played Christian music, it was off to the main attraction.

The walk to the museum was along a wildlife protected area and we spent half the time dodging cyclists who where clearly going far too fast to be riding on a pavement. I got excited with 300 metres to go when we saw the first sign for the museum.

I don't know where to start talking about the museum; The Central Hall, The Saturn Theatre, The exhibits explaining animation, Mamma Aiuto, or the Robot Soldier on the rooftop. It was really magical. The displays were without doubt the best that I have ever seen. The explanation of animation was one of the highlights for me. Stobe lights made models spring to life in a carrousel of activity while film was projected throughout the room. In the Saturn Theatre we watched またね (mata ne). Outside on the rooftop we took photos with the Robot Soldier from Laputa, Castle in the Sky and ate icecream and hot chocolate cake in the Straw Hat cafe. Before leaving, I picked up the Museum book in the Mamma Aiuto shop that has photos of many of the exhibits and contains English translations. I wish I could have afforded one of the stunning original cells from Spirited Away...

After leaving the museum we met Teru at Koenji and he took us round to see Osamu at Linus Records. Osamu runs the best record shop I've ever been in -packed full with great records, many with hand written descriptions. I even managed to pick up Betrayal by the Lapse after years of trying. When we were leaving Osamu took us to a small Japanese restaurant 100 metres from his shop. The menus were entirely in Kanji so Osamu ordered Vegetable Tempura and Soba noodles. £6.50 each. The best meal we have had in Japan and one of the best meals I've ever eaten. The staff were lovely. I will make ever effort to return there the next time I am in Tokyo.

Finally, there was an small earthquake today though I didn't notice it... 4.8 on the Richter scale, it was enough to disrupt some trains.

Posted by Alex on Tuesday, May 2nd 2006 at 22:40:00 (Tokyo Time)

Day 7 - Yanaka & Ueno

So hot! 30 degrees! Spent the day around Yanaka and Ueno - Yanaka is very beautiful and we walked back to the JR line through Ueno Park. Have I mentioned before how big the Muji stores are over here. We had lunch in one today. Great food - super cheap. Uploaded a few more photos; heading out again. Tomorrow Ghibli Museum. I am *very* excited!

Posted by Alex on Monday, May 2nd 2006 at 19:26:00 (Tokyo Time)

Day 6 - Yokohama & Harajuku & Miaou

Just a quick post today. Yesterday was really busy and hot! It's 30 degrees outside... and will be for the rest of our trip. eek! Met up with Tim in Yokohama, and spent most of the day wandering around there and Harajuku. Went to Shinjuku to see Miaou - they were wonderful. Best show I've seen in a long time. Can't wait to meet up again on Thursday for the toe gig. The venue Marz is unlike anything in Belfast. Great sound, great lights, 2 levels, completely soundproofed and built with one thing in mind. Live music. Had a lazy morning after yesterday's rush rush rush so we're off now to find some robots.

Posted by Alex on Sunday, May 1st 2006 at 11:07:00 (Tokyo Time)

Day 5 - The Meiji Shrine & Harajuku

Another long day. Started with a JR train ride to Harajuku and then a walk to the Meiji Shrine, passing through 3 large torii gates before entering the Shrine complex. The Shrine was really beautiful - it's obvious why there were 3 weddings taking place in the time we were there. Back down in Harajuku Suzanne started shopping... starting in Kiddy Land we saw enough Hello Kitty and Sanrio merchandise to postpone our trip to Puro Land. Then Suzy went her way and I went mine. When we met up again Suzy had clearly faired better than I had - laden with bags and determined to keep on shopping. I knew I shouldn't have let her go off by herself! I found a great T-shirt shop called graniph (www.graniph.com). Amazing T-Shirts and really cheap... a return visit will be made later in the week! Also found a T-Shirt shop with the best window display ever. All the T-shirts were rotating around on a monorail. Class shirts too - but pretty expensive.

Tomorrow we head down to Yokohama to see Tim and then on to Harajuku to see the crazy kids (expect many photos!) and finally on to Shinjuku to see Miaou. Can't wait!

Posted by Alex on Saturday, April 29th 2006 at 23:08:00 (Tokyo Time)

Day 4 - Imperial Palace & Roppongi Hills

Busy day!

Up early and out around Shimbashi to get breakfast and a few photos. There was a really bizarre athletics track right in the middle of a block of buildings. Sun was out and it was such a nice day we decided to skip Hello Kitty World (Alex -Yay!) and instead visit the Imperial Palace stopping by Ginza to take photos of the Godzilla Statue. After that it was a short subway ride to Roppongi Hills where we took in the Toyko View and Mori Art Museum. Had another wonderful lunch for little over £5 each before walking though the little streets and parks past the Tokyo Tower to the Hotel for a rest. When Suzy wakes up we go back out to the neon lights of Shinjuku.

Tomorrow we plan to take in Harajuku and Hello Kitty World and on Sunday head down to Yokohama to meet Tim before going to see Miaou play in Marz, Shinjuku.

Posted by Alex on Friday, April 28th 2006 at 19:06:00 (Tokyo Time)

Day 3 - Asakusa and Akihabra

So day 3 in Tokyo!...This morning we decided to go to Asakusa which is much more traditional that the other areas we've been to with little craft shops and temples around every corner, it was really stunning. We visited the huge temple of Senso-ji and then found our fortunes for 50p, although I think Alex quickly wished he hadn't (apparently birds will fall from the sky, he'll never find his keys or have much luck in the future, poor luv!) and put smoke on us to give us good health. We then wandered away from senjo-ji and its tourists, past some pretty streams with fighting fish and Tokyo's oldest theme park to busy streets with shops that sold nothing but tuppaware and plastic food. Let me explain...in most restaurants in Japan they not only have picture menus for eejits like me who can't speak the language but also plastic displays of every dish (I'll try to take a photo of some tomorrow).

After that it was back to the big smoke neon lights and arcades (yay!) of electric town, Akihabra. This was geek heaven, discount electrical goods, tax-free and everywhere you look. I wasted away more money on the arcades, and finally got my first taste of success, I got so excited I twisted my side, only to find I'd won 7 packets of the most disgusting crisps ever. Maybe that bad luck fortune was meant for me...

Anyway, must get some sleep, need to rest up for Hello Kitty World tomorrow HURRAH! I'm very excited, can't believe Alex agreed to go! Hope you like the photos....

Posted by Suzy on Thursday, April 27th 2006 at 23:50:00 (Tokyo Time)

Day 2 - Shibuya.

Up early this morning to take a few photos and search for breakfast; then it was a quick return to the Ginza Graphic Gallery to pick up a few books - 2 Annuals, 2003 and 2004, £5 each. They are really beautiful. A short ride on the subway later and we were in Shibuya. Went in search of Impartmaint and met up with Teru, Masami and co. Had a fantastic lunch before heading round to Tower Records to meet the guy who wrote the liner notes for the Japanese release of Islands. Then it was off to do some shopping. 109 Building contains at least that number of shops selling clothes for Tokyo's fashionable young ladies. It was *really* bad. I don't think Suzanne could've bought one thing if she spent a week there. Fortunately for me we left quickly and wandering around Shibuya we found an amazing Anime shop; signs everywhere saying no photos... I obviously can't read. We had dinner in yet another cheap restauraunt before taking loads of photos and catching the subway home. Seriously, we haven't paid more than £5 for a meal and they have all been really great. Tomorrow Asakusa's temples and Akihabra if all goes to plan; but if it's a super clear day we may head over to the Mori tower and art gallery.

Posted by Alex on Wednesday, April 26th 2006 at 23:50:00 (Tokyo Time)

Day 1 - Ginza.

This place is amazing. I've been smiling the whole day. This afternoon we visited the Ginza Graphic Gallery which has a great exhibition on Type. I've posted a few photos and reading the booklet it seems they have a new exhibition starting next week. After that we had our first meal. All was good. Fish, rice, miso soup, a few bowls of things we didn't have a clue about and japanese tea. My chop stick action was commented on by another diner- seems I'm pretty good! My Japanese is getting us by. I'm off to revise a few words for tomorrow before I get an early night. Tomorrow we hit Shibuya.

Posted by Alex on Tuesday, April 25th 2006 at 21:53:00 (Tokyo Time)

Day 1 - We've arrived safely.

Flight was pretty great - I got my 'special meal'. Quite possibly the least vegetarian meal I ever been presented with. There's a photo in the gallery. We took the Skyliner into Ueno Station. It cost £5 a 70km journey. Took 1 hour. The trains was spotless. Change onto the JR Line at Ueno and 10 minutes later we'd passed Ginza and were outside Shimbashi Station (or is that Shinbashi - the signs round here seem to use both) Checked into the hotel - it's lovely! I've posted a pic of the exterior and will take some of the interior later. Hotels have gadgets and super fast LAN. I've uploaded a few photos for now. Will post more later; gonna catch 2 hours sleep then off out to lunch - I was so hungry earlier - the food on every street corner smells amazing.

Posted by Alex on Tuesday, April 25th 2006 at 12:48:00 (Tokyo Time)