Nicole and I had such a great time in Kyoto.
Two days ago, we boarded the early shinkansen and landed in Kyoto in the morning. From the ststion, we headed south to To-ji Temple. It is one of the oldest wooden pagodas in Japan. In one of the halls adjacent to the pagoda, there is a collection of 21 statues of dieties, all life-size or larger. In solid gold. It was rad. After To-ji, we went over to Kiyomizu Temple. It is this completely amazing temple built on stilts up on the hillside overlooking the city. It was beautiful. And it's been nominated as one of the new seven wonders of the world.
That night, we stayed at a backpacker's hostel for about $25 each. It was cheap, and I had never stayed in a hostel before. Not bad, for staying ten minutes from the station.
In the morning we went to the southeast corner of Kyoto to a place called Funagi-inari Temple (I think). It is a temple at the top of a hill. To get there, you have to pass through, literally, over 1000 orange torii gates. It was a spectacular sight. Then we sped across the city to Kinkaku-ji Temple. That's the famous Golden Pavillion. That was a sight, too.
We came back to Okayama briefly, then headed to Takebe and the onsen. Basically a giant hot spring resort. We were 11 strong, so we rented the whole place. We bathed, drank, danced, partied, and generally caused a ruckus. Got up this morning and bathed again, then promptly fell asleep on the bus ride home. It was great.
Now, movie time and relaxing time. I'm wasted from this weekend. It was fun, though...
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Greetings - from the future!
Nicole has the day off, so we are venturing up to Kyoto. It's gonna be sweet. We are leaving here in a few minutes, and we'll probably be staying the night. Kyoto offers much to do...
I still can't fully believe that I am here. I don't want to leave...
I still can't fully believe that I am here. I don't want to leave...
Hiroshima and Kurashiki
It's amazing to me that not that long ago, Hiroshima was totally wrecked. It's now a huge, bustling city, and it's awesome.
I took the shinkansen early this morning and hit Hiroshima first thing. I walked down the main street from the station (about two miles) to Peace Memorial Park and the A-bomb Dome. Crazy. Here you are, walking through high-rise department stores and busy streets full of people, and all of a sudden you find yourself in this beautiful park. It was really amazing. And then I was accosted by Japanese Jehovah's Witnesses.
After Hiroshima I jumped back on the "shink," as it's affectionately called by the Okayama gaijin crowd, and stopped at Kurashiki on the way back to Okayama. There, I found the Bikan District; a small area of town preserved from faudal Edo-era Japan. Old samurai houses and a castle make the view spectacular.
Of course, I've hit the shops and malls all over since I've arrived here. In a typical six-story building, you can find over 40 or 50 different stores. I dig the chaos.
I'm off to eat dinner, now. Tonkatsu, if everything goes my way. Be back soon...
I took the shinkansen early this morning and hit Hiroshima first thing. I walked down the main street from the station (about two miles) to Peace Memorial Park and the A-bomb Dome. Crazy. Here you are, walking through high-rise department stores and busy streets full of people, and all of a sudden you find yourself in this beautiful park. It was really amazing. And then I was accosted by Japanese Jehovah's Witnesses.
After Hiroshima I jumped back on the "shink," as it's affectionately called by the Okayama gaijin crowd, and stopped at Kurashiki on the way back to Okayama. There, I found the Bikan District; a small area of town preserved from faudal Edo-era Japan. Old samurai houses and a castle make the view spectacular.
Of course, I've hit the shops and malls all over since I've arrived here. In a typical six-story building, you can find over 40 or 50 different stores. I dig the chaos.
I'm off to eat dinner, now. Tonkatsu, if everything goes my way. Be back soon...
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Pictures...
Here you go, kids. Pictures of Japan!
arrival
That's all for now. Nicole has to take her computer to school. More soon...
arrival
Tei and I on the train
Tei and I at the top of Mori Tower (that's Tokyo Tower behind us)
That's all for now. Nicole has to take her computer to school. More soon...
Okayama-ken
I have finally been able to slow down a little, now that I'm in Okayama. It is totally beautiful, here. Nicole told me this city is like the midwest of Japan. I think she's right. It's considered the poorest in the country. But it's still awesome. Everyone is friendly and willing to help.
Upon my arrival, while waiting for the crosswalk to change, a man asked me where I am from (in Japanese, of course). Not an hour later, an old woman waved to me from accross the road. I returned her wave. Nicole's friend Ted told me that he doesn't think people here ever knew my hair color really existed. It's pretty amusing. I have gotten more strange looks in the day I've been here then the entire time I was in Tokyo.
I know I have promised pictures. I have officially uploaded them. Alas, I must get to bed. Pictures tomorrow. Word.
Upon my arrival, while waiting for the crosswalk to change, a man asked me where I am from (in Japanese, of course). Not an hour later, an old woman waved to me from accross the road. I returned her wave. Nicole's friend Ted told me that he doesn't think people here ever knew my hair color really existed. It's pretty amusing. I have gotten more strange looks in the day I've been here then the entire time I was in Tokyo.
I know I have promised pictures. I have officially uploaded them. Alas, I must get to bed. Pictures tomorrow. Word.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Leaving Tokyo...
Wow. It's been busy, these last few days.
I'm leaving the Tokyo area for Okayama this morning. I'm finally going to see Nicole again, which makes me very happy. She'll be teaching until this evening, but she's promised to leave the door open for me.
I plan on updating everyone about what's gone on here yesterday and the day before, just as soon as I get to Okayama. I will also be able to provide photographic evidence, then. I'm just in a hurry, at the moment.
They say you can set your watch by the comings and goings of the trains here in Japan. That is totally true. I did set my watch to one of them. I've been on the trains every couple hours, and one has yet to arrive late. Crazy.
Okay. Once again, I apologize for the brevity, but I have to get going. Jaa mata.
I'm leaving the Tokyo area for Okayama this morning. I'm finally going to see Nicole again, which makes me very happy. She'll be teaching until this evening, but she's promised to leave the door open for me.
I plan on updating everyone about what's gone on here yesterday and the day before, just as soon as I get to Okayama. I will also be able to provide photographic evidence, then. I'm just in a hurry, at the moment.
They say you can set your watch by the comings and goings of the trains here in Japan. That is totally true. I did set my watch to one of them. I've been on the trains every couple hours, and one has yet to arrive late. Crazy.
Okay. Once again, I apologize for the brevity, but I have to get going. Jaa mata.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Yodobashi-Akiba
I'm standing in Akihabara's largest electronics store. It's eight floors of computer/game/movie/gadget goodness. It is awesome...
Sunday Post - RE: Saturday
Apologies for the delay. It's been crazy here in Tokyo, and I've had hardly a moment to spare, what with all the staring and slack-jawediness.
Yesterday was long and awesome. I woke up pretty early and looked outside to find a surprise. It was snowing! Freaking snow! In Japan! I told everyone that's one of the things I wanted to see while I was here. Who knew it would happen the first day?
Tei and I started our day heading out of Sagamihara and into Shinjuku. It seems I am to see a lot of Shinjuku on this trip, as it's a big hub for all of the trains around Tokyo. We hit the streets of Shinjuku and just wandered around for a bit. I was amazed by everything. Anyone who knows me should not find that entirely shocking. Of course everything in Japan would amaze me, right? We ate lunch at a small ramen stand. I didn't get it's name. It was good, though. Shoyu Ramen, way better than that trash water I'm used to at Mitsuwa (Okay, Mitsuwa's noodles aren't that bad, but I had to emphasize). After lunch we jumped back on the train and headed for Roppongi.
Roppongi is a really nice area. It's all fancy shops and museums. We went straight from the station to Roppongi Hills. Mori Tower, to be specific. One of my all-time favorite artists, Takashi Murakami, branded that entire part of town. We went into the building, and it was like a giant confusing mall for rich people who like gaudy jewelry and ugly shoes. We skipped most of the shops, and headed straight for the museum gift store. That was way cool. Shirts, buttons, art, etc. from tons of different artists that have been featured in the tower. I didn't end up purchasing anything from there, but it was cool nonetheless.
Next, for the small sum of １０００円, we went up to Tokyo View. Seeing Tokyo from the 56th floor of Mori Tower is ine of the greatest sights I've ever witnessed. We were basically standing on equal footing with the tip of Tokyo Tower. Tei bought me a smoothie, and we took some photographs of the city.
After Tokyo View, we headed off to Mitaka and the Ghibli Museum. At the risk of making everone who is reading this jealous, I just want to say one thing: the Ghibli Museum is better than almost anything. I promise. I took some illegal photographs, as I've come to learn (the hard way) that taking pictures in most museums and shops in Japan is prohibited. Even in many arcades. But I was able to sneak a few good ones anyway. We learned all about how Miyazaki hooks us up with the awesome crap he does. There were entire rooms plastered with storyboard sketches from all of his films, including Earthsea, which isn't even out in the States yet. There's a giant plush Cat Bus for kids to climb on, and rad gift shop. This is the kind of place I want to spend entire weekends.
Leaving Mitaka, Tei and I made our way back to Shinjuku and ate dinner at a place called Ootoya. I had the tonkatsu. Back in Roppongi, we went to Watami for drinks. Watami is a traditional-style Japanese bar. Not many foreigners, which was okay by me. We both got kinda' drunk on beer and sake, then wandered the alleys and side streets for a bit. Tei recalled and Irish pub not far from where we were, so we went to check it out. It was called Hobgoblin, and they had live Premier League Soccer on the television. I was up for another beer, and so was Tei, so we hung out there for a bit. I think I saw three Japanese people in the entire bar, and it was not empty. Everyone was either British, Irish, or Scottish, based on what I could hear of their speech. Shortly after Liverpool destroyed Chelsea, we took off.
We missed the last train that stops closest to Tei's house, so we took the next-closest and caught a cab the rest of the way home. I promptly crawled upstairs and went to sleep.
Plenty went on today, too, but I'm way to tired to write about it tonight. I'll try to get to it when I get up tomorrow. Also, I'll be purchasing a USB cable for my camera tomorrow. You should all see photographs very soon. Sweet dreams, everyone.
Yesterday was long and awesome. I woke up pretty early and looked outside to find a surprise. It was snowing! Freaking snow! In Japan! I told everyone that's one of the things I wanted to see while I was here. Who knew it would happen the first day?
Tei and I started our day heading out of Sagamihara and into Shinjuku. It seems I am to see a lot of Shinjuku on this trip, as it's a big hub for all of the trains around Tokyo. We hit the streets of Shinjuku and just wandered around for a bit. I was amazed by everything. Anyone who knows me should not find that entirely shocking. Of course everything in Japan would amaze me, right? We ate lunch at a small ramen stand. I didn't get it's name. It was good, though. Shoyu Ramen, way better than that trash water I'm used to at Mitsuwa (Okay, Mitsuwa's noodles aren't that bad, but I had to emphasize). After lunch we jumped back on the train and headed for Roppongi.
Roppongi is a really nice area. It's all fancy shops and museums. We went straight from the station to Roppongi Hills. Mori Tower, to be specific. One of my all-time favorite artists, Takashi Murakami, branded that entire part of town. We went into the building, and it was like a giant confusing mall for rich people who like gaudy jewelry and ugly shoes. We skipped most of the shops, and headed straight for the museum gift store. That was way cool. Shirts, buttons, art, etc. from tons of different artists that have been featured in the tower. I didn't end up purchasing anything from there, but it was cool nonetheless.
Next, for the small sum of １０００円, we went up to Tokyo View. Seeing Tokyo from the 56th floor of Mori Tower is ine of the greatest sights I've ever witnessed. We were basically standing on equal footing with the tip of Tokyo Tower. Tei bought me a smoothie, and we took some photographs of the city.
After Tokyo View, we headed off to Mitaka and the Ghibli Museum. At the risk of making everone who is reading this jealous, I just want to say one thing: the Ghibli Museum is better than almost anything. I promise. I took some illegal photographs, as I've come to learn (the hard way) that taking pictures in most museums and shops in Japan is prohibited. Even in many arcades. But I was able to sneak a few good ones anyway. We learned all about how Miyazaki hooks us up with the awesome crap he does. There were entire rooms plastered with storyboard sketches from all of his films, including Earthsea, which isn't even out in the States yet. There's a giant plush Cat Bus for kids to climb on, and rad gift shop. This is the kind of place I want to spend entire weekends.
Leaving Mitaka, Tei and I made our way back to Shinjuku and ate dinner at a place called Ootoya. I had the tonkatsu. Back in Roppongi, we went to Watami for drinks. Watami is a traditional-style Japanese bar. Not many foreigners, which was okay by me. We both got kinda' drunk on beer and sake, then wandered the alleys and side streets for a bit. Tei recalled and Irish pub not far from where we were, so we went to check it out. It was called Hobgoblin, and they had live Premier League Soccer on the television. I was up for another beer, and so was Tei, so we hung out there for a bit. I think I saw three Japanese people in the entire bar, and it was not empty. Everyone was either British, Irish, or Scottish, based on what I could hear of their speech. Shortly after Liverpool destroyed Chelsea, we took off.
We missed the last train that stops closest to Tei's house, so we took the next-closest and caught a cab the rest of the way home. I promptly crawled upstairs and went to sleep.
Plenty went on today, too, but I'm way to tired to write about it tonight. I'll try to get to it when I get up tomorrow. Also, I'll be purchasing a USB cable for my camera tomorrow. You should all see photographs very soon. Sweet dreams, everyone.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Waiting seems to be the name of the game...
Greyhound - LAX - NRT - Shinjuku - Sagamihara
Well, here I am. Japan at last. I landed at Narita International about ten hours ago. I had the crazy feeling that they were going to lose my suitcase during this extremely long 12 hour flight. Then I thought to myself, "No way. I can't be the one guy whose suitcase they lose." They lost my suitcase. All of my clothes, art, booze. Gone. They say I'll probably get it back within three days. All I can do is hope for the best.
All in all, the first day has been good. Aside from the luggage debacle, I've been having a blast. I rode the trains, I've spoken Japanese more today then I have in years, and I'm staying at Tei's house with his family. I still can't believe that I am here. It makes me smile just thinking about it.
Tomorrow Tei and I are going to hit Tokyo. I know that we have plans to go to the Studio Ghibli Museum around four. I think, other than that, we're just going to play it by ear. Maybe go to Roppongi Hills, or Tokyo Tower. I'll be posting some photographs as soon as I buy a replacement cable for my camera.
So, it may only be 9am for you kids back home, but it's already 2am on saturday for me. I'm going to bed. Until tomorrow. I mean tonight. Or yesterday... One of those...
Well, here I am. Japan at last. I landed at Narita International about ten hours ago. I had the crazy feeling that they were going to lose my suitcase during this extremely long 12 hour flight. Then I thought to myself, "No way. I can't be the one guy whose suitcase they lose." They lost my suitcase. All of my clothes, art, booze. Gone. They say I'll probably get it back within three days. All I can do is hope for the best.
All in all, the first day has been good. Aside from the luggage debacle, I've been having a blast. I rode the trains, I've spoken Japanese more today then I have in years, and I'm staying at Tei's house with his family. I still can't believe that I am here. It makes me smile just thinking about it.
Tomorrow Tei and I are going to hit Tokyo. I know that we have plans to go to the Studio Ghibli Museum around four. I think, other than that, we're just going to play it by ear. Maybe go to Roppongi Hills, or Tokyo Tower. I'll be posting some photographs as soon as I buy a replacement cable for my camera.
So, it may only be 9am for you kids back home, but it's already 2am on saturday for me. I'm going to bed. Until tomorrow. I mean tonight. Or yesterday... One of those...
Thursday, January 18, 2007
LA still sucks...
Sitting for seven hours in Terminal 2 of LAX is not my idea of a good time.
It was beyond my control, if you need to know. It was the closest bus to my flight time. I'll be on my plane in a little under two hours.
I apologize for my lack of eloquence today. I've been up all night, and I'm writing these words using my PSP, with it's completely worthless built-in keyboard interface.
More to come, I promise...
It was beyond my control, if you need to know. It was the closest bus to my flight time. I'll be on my plane in a little under two hours.
I apologize for my lack of eloquence today. I've been up all night, and I'm writing these words using my PSP, with it's completely worthless built-in keyboard interface.
More to come, I promise...
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Living the dream...
I'm off! Wish me luck, everyone!
Hopefully you will all be hearing from me again very soon. That is, unless there are snakes on my plane. Let's hope I get to see Japan first. Snakes on the plane home would be okay.
Boo-yeah! I'm out.
Hopefully you will all be hearing from me again very soon. That is, unless there are snakes on my plane. Let's hope I get to see Japan first. Snakes on the plane home would be okay.
Boo-yeah! I'm out.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
9 Days...
Less than a week and a half! Holy crap!
I finally heard back from Tei. He assured me that staying with him and his family is a great idea. He even gave me detailed train directions from Narita International to his home in Sagamihara, Kanagawa. That's just outside Tokyo, for those of you who aren't familiar with Japan's geography. The only caveat to that is trying to come up with suitable gifts to give his family, as per tradition.
I still have yet to carve my plan in stone, as it were. I have added some things that I definitely cannot miss, but there is just so much I want to see and do. It's hard to decide what to do with the limited time I will have there.
I have received a few contributions for my trip, and for those I am extremely grateful. I have enough money now to purchase my JR Pass, and still have money to buy cool stuff I find.
I am counting the days. Maybe I'll make a paper advent chain...
I finally heard back from Tei. He assured me that staying with him and his family is a great idea. He even gave me detailed train directions from Narita International to his home in Sagamihara, Kanagawa. That's just outside Tokyo, for those of you who aren't familiar with Japan's geography. The only caveat to that is trying to come up with suitable gifts to give his family, as per tradition.
I still have yet to carve my plan in stone, as it were. I have added some things that I definitely cannot miss, but there is just so much I want to see and do. It's hard to decide what to do with the limited time I will have there.
I have received a few contributions for my trip, and for those I am extremely grateful. I have enough money now to purchase my JR Pass, and still have money to buy cool stuff I find.
I am counting the days. Maybe I'll make a paper advent chain...
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