Results tagged “tokyo” from little lost tokyo :: travel blog
Unfortunately followed shortly after by the earthquake in China, I experience my first one (that I could actually feel) while at the hotel late one night. Lying in bed watching a movie on my laptop, I started swaying back and forth - at first I thought I'd just had way more to drink than I could remember ^_^ - but after noticing the coat-hanger start to clack against the wall I realised the building was actually moving.
It was great experience; maybe it would have been different if it were a full blown, violent one, but luckily it wasn't anywhere near.
It was great experience; maybe it would have been different if it were a full blown, violent one, but luckily it wasn't anywhere near.
Some pictures of my visit to the senso-ji temple in Asakusa, which is the most important one in Tokyo and equally full of people at all times of the day.
And then on to Harajuku with another temple and the park where bands
were set up along the pathways playing their wares. It was great just
to stand and listen to then as they were all pretty decent.
I got an early night last night, going to bed at 1.30am but boy did I need it. I woke up at around midday and deciding the day was pretty much lost I tidied up my washing and decided to have a lazy afternoon going through my photos and watching series five of ER on the hotel lobby TV. So here is the backlog of images, first up is Kyoto with the Manga Museum, a performing family, the streets of Gion and a temple.
And back in Osaka I did the unthinkable and went to Universal Studios for a lazy, familiar afternoon out.
Off in the mountains at Koya-san, between getting lost I did manage to take some photos; temples, mountain views, a graveyard where huge companies own plots for their employees when they pop their clogs, and me doing the whole ryokan thing. Mind you I've worn a yukata (that's basically a bath robe btw) in other places too, like here in Tokyo.
Briefly back in Tokyo after cutting Ise short before heading off to Fuji-san I stayed at Juyoh again. Here's a shot of the house out back with the roof garden - a month can make a big difference, here's the original image from when I arrived in Tokyo.
I hope that makes up for the wait (you know who you are ^_^)
And back in Osaka I did the unthinkable and went to Universal Studios for a lazy, familiar afternoon out.
Off in the mountains at Koya-san, between getting lost I did manage to take some photos; temples, mountain views, a graveyard where huge companies own plots for their employees when they pop their clogs, and me doing the whole ryokan thing. Mind you I've worn a yukata (that's basically a bath robe btw) in other places too, like here in Tokyo.
Briefly back in Tokyo after cutting Ise short before heading off to Fuji-san I stayed at Juyoh again. Here's a shot of the house out back with the roof garden - a month can make a big difference, here's the original image from when I arrived in Tokyo.
I hope that makes up for the wait (you know who you are ^_^)
I'm pushed for time as I have to get out for the train station this morning and I was out late last night. I went to a baseball match between the Tigers and the American team, the Oakland Athletics. It was a fun, enjoyable day out and lasted about three hours. Afterwards, the guys from the hotel (Simon, Rob, Guy, Dave, Saya, and Maiyu) and myself wandered around the area outside the Tokyo Dome and then zoomed across on the subway to Ueno and popped into Hub again for something to eat and drink. I have to tell you that even the English food is better in Japan!
When we finished up there Simon and Rob ran off to meet some more friends and the rest of us bounced our way across the street into a karaoke bar. One price, as much drink as you would like and the single best thing about this trip so far. Seriously, even me, Mr Shyguy ^_^ superb!
When we finished up there Simon and Rob ran off to meet some more friends and the rest of us bounced our way across the street into a karaoke bar. One price, as much drink as you would like and the single best thing about this trip so far. Seriously, even me, Mr Shyguy ^_^ superb!
That last photo is Guy (from Scotland), Maiyu (Works at the hotel), Saya (Dave's girlfriend from Osaka), and Dave (from America). Anyway, got to rush.
I finally got some sleep last night, after going two with about an hour total (if that). So when I was ready to go out today it was around 12 o'clock. Oh, here's a view from my window as it was too dark yesterday evening when I original tried to take the photo.
Not much in the way of spectacular (apparently you can see Fuji-san from the other side of the hotel, but it's been pretty overcast anyway) although looking down is one of the most quintessential features I've noticed in Tokyo.
Finally I popped quickly into Akihabara to have a look around scope things out. Very colourful, lots of bargins, lots of games, cd's, and movies. I went into an arcade while I was there, five floors of games; awesome.
And it's still raining :)
Not much in the way of spectacular (apparently you can see Fuji-san from the other side of the hotel, but it's been pretty overcast anyway) although looking down is one of the most quintessential features I've noticed in Tokyo.
These roof, wall and porch gardens are seeming crammed into almost every crevice you can find! The one foot space in front of some buildings can look like jungles.
It's been steadily raining since last night and it didn't let up today, despite that I still plodded on with going to the Imperial Palace's gardens. Probably not the best conditions to be showing off the splendor but hey, time waits for no man.
Going into the garden from the west side - closest to Tokyo Central Station - you cross over the moat and through the first gateway. Just inside is a second set of huge wooden gates in case the first was ever breached. Here was a stone carving of a fish that was one of many used to finalise the roof on the gate tower. The date on this one suggests it was created after the original tower burned down.
It's been steadily raining since last night and it didn't let up today, despite that I still plodded on with going to the Imperial Palace's gardens. Probably not the best conditions to be showing off the splendor but hey, time waits for no man.
Going into the garden from the west side - closest to Tokyo Central Station - you cross over the moat and through the first gateway. Just inside is a second set of huge wooden gates in case the first was ever breached. Here was a stone carving of a fish that was one of many used to finalise the roof on the gate tower. The date on this one suggests it was created after the original tower burned down.
The path that winds its way through the gardens twisted its way through the absolutely massive walls that protected the main citadel. In addition the the walls the pathways that led up into each area were protected by an elite guard selected from the most prestigious clans of the time. Up to 100 of these guards would permanently live in the main guard house and basically frisk everyone travelling into the central or secondary citadel.
.
.This three tiered tower was one of three that were built and the only one with more than two levels. Used by the original Edo castle for protection in case of war, it was used by the samurai back in the day as it afforded views of the bay and mount Fuji as well as the fireworks during festivities. Here's some bamboo...
The above hillside was covered in plum trees and led to the lower garden, which was a recreation of the traditional Edo garden that burned down during the fire that obliterated a large proportion of the castle.
After that I got lost looking for Chou-odori (I found it after going through a large u-shaped detour ^_^), which is over in Ginza and houses a load of up market shops including Dunhills London and the Apple store. It was all great but I didn't want to buy anything like that this early in the holiday and I will be back in Tokyo before I come back anyway.
I grabbed something to eat before it ended up like yesterday again and had some curry and rice from this tiny, little food place I found on my way back to the station - not Tokyo Station, that was too far away and I'd have to go passed another to get back to it.
After that I got lost looking for Chou-odori (I found it after going through a large u-shaped detour ^_^), which is over in Ginza and houses a load of up market shops including Dunhills London and the Apple store. It was all great but I didn't want to buy anything like that this early in the holiday and I will be back in Tokyo before I come back anyway.I grabbed something to eat before it ended up like yesterday again and had some curry and rice from this tiny, little food place I found on my way back to the station - not Tokyo Station, that was too far away and I'd have to go passed another to get back to it.
Finally I popped quickly into Akihabara to have a look around scope things out. Very colourful, lots of bargins, lots of games, cd's, and movies. I went into an arcade while I was there, five floors of games; awesome.
And it's still raining :)
Well, I'm here. But like the title suggests I almost didn't - I'll get to that later.
First of all, that trepidation I was mentioning in my previous posts and to some people back home fluttered far away as soon as I sat down on the, admittedly 1 hour late, bus.
The bus ride was pretty uneventful once it got underway and I tried to catch as much shut-eye as I could. Getting to Heathrow was a breeze as was going through security and finding the terminal and gate.
I was going to do a post from there to let everyone know but I couldn't find a free wifi point or one I could get free with a cup of tea or something. It doesn't really matter that much as there wouldn't have been anyhing of real substance to talk about.
Anyway, on with the story...
Flight was fine after the computer problems that delayed it an hour as well (making departure 2pm) and I watched a number of films and episodes of Red Dwarf and Family Guy on the entertainment system in the back of each chair. I got to see some of Siberia from the window before the clouds set in - I didn't get around to getting the camera out so I'm afraid I don't have pictures of that. Still it was nice to see what I was missing out on after changing my plans.
As we came in on approach to Tokyo Narita International the scenery was fantastic as erupting mountains gave way to the perpendicular thatch-work of rice field streams, which in turn became more industrialised and built up as we neared the airport. Again everything went smooth; down the stairs, along the corridors and then we hit Immigration. Guess who was blacklisted when they entered my details? o_O
I thought I'd just filled out the form incorrectly when I was asked into the office. Anyway, after looking at my tickets and passport and tapping away on his computer the immigration guy let me go on my way. I still don't know exactly why, he never said.
After that I picked up my bags and got on the 1 hour express journey into Tokyo. Using the trains and subway was as easy as pie, no trouble at all, I just flash my Japan Rail Pass to the man in the ticket booth and I'm off. The subway's a little more in depth as I do have to pay for it but once you can read an underground map you're sorted.
On the way to Tokyo from Narita Airport.
...My first sighting of McDonalds!
The architecture in Japan is very space economical and the chaos of wires hanging from the lamp posts is quite beautiful in an eccentric kind of way. Something that could only be pulled off in Japan though.
Since I had some time to spare on my way to the hotel I had a quick walk around Ueno Park, which also seems to have a number of big museums. I've taken a few pictures below as I was walking around But I haven't been inside the museums or indeed the zoo, so I'll be going back at some point. As it stands There's one of the National Museum of Nature and Science (that's the one with the giant blue whale tail on the left of the picture) other than that little tit-bit you'll have to wait until I go back and have a proper look around.
Oh, some of you may be a little disappointed but after walking around for a day without anything to eat but the tiny breakfast I got on the plane about 2 and a half hours before landing I felt like my stomach was going to shrivel up and die. So I caught a subway to Akihabara and had my first official Japanese meal: McDonalds' Large Fries and Coke ^_^
I've eyed up a few places while I was there though so I'll eat properly tomorrow. Promise.
First of all, that trepidation I was mentioning in my previous posts and to some people back home fluttered far away as soon as I sat down on the, admittedly 1 hour late, bus.
The bus ride was pretty uneventful once it got underway and I tried to catch as much shut-eye as I could. Getting to Heathrow was a breeze as was going through security and finding the terminal and gate.
I was going to do a post from there to let everyone know but I couldn't find a free wifi point or one I could get free with a cup of tea or something. It doesn't really matter that much as there wouldn't have been anyhing of real substance to talk about.
Anyway, on with the story...
Flight was fine after the computer problems that delayed it an hour as well (making departure 2pm) and I watched a number of films and episodes of Red Dwarf and Family Guy on the entertainment system in the back of each chair. I got to see some of Siberia from the window before the clouds set in - I didn't get around to getting the camera out so I'm afraid I don't have pictures of that. Still it was nice to see what I was missing out on after changing my plans.
As we came in on approach to Tokyo Narita International the scenery was fantastic as erupting mountains gave way to the perpendicular thatch-work of rice field streams, which in turn became more industrialised and built up as we neared the airport. Again everything went smooth; down the stairs, along the corridors and then we hit Immigration. Guess who was blacklisted when they entered my details? o_O
I thought I'd just filled out the form incorrectly when I was asked into the office. Anyway, after looking at my tickets and passport and tapping away on his computer the immigration guy let me go on my way. I still don't know exactly why, he never said.
After that I picked up my bags and got on the 1 hour express journey into Tokyo. Using the trains and subway was as easy as pie, no trouble at all, I just flash my Japan Rail Pass to the man in the ticket booth and I'm off. The subway's a little more in depth as I do have to pay for it but once you can read an underground map you're sorted.
On the way to Tokyo from Narita Airport....My first sighting of McDonalds!The architecture in Japan is very space economical and the chaos of wires hanging from the lamp posts is quite beautiful in an eccentric kind of way. Something that could only be pulled off in Japan though.Since I had some time to spare on my way to the hotel I had a quick walk around Ueno Park, which also seems to have a number of big museums. I've taken a few pictures below as I was walking around But I haven't been inside the museums or indeed the zoo, so I'll be going back at some point. As it stands There's one of the National Museum of Nature and Science (that's the one with the giant blue whale tail on the left of the picture) other than that little tit-bit you'll have to wait until I go back and have a proper look around.
Oh, some of you may be a little disappointed but after walking around for a day without anything to eat but the tiny breakfast I got on the plane about 2 and a half hours before landing I felt like my stomach was going to shrivel up and die. So I caught a subway to Akihabara and had my first official Japanese meal: McDonalds' Large Fries and Coke ^_^I've eyed up a few places while I was there though so I'll eat properly tomorrow. Promise.
