Jet...Set...Go!

I Heart Suburban Connecticut

2009-07-12T21:51:00.006-04:00

Ahhhh, vacation time and I am loving it. This is my 3rd visit to Monroe, CT and I fall more and more in love with it each time Mike and I come. Its nice to just relax, hang with family, and enjoy the town. Here are some highlights so far. (Finally got to use my new Nikon D60)

Day 7- Zojoji Temple, Studio Ghibli Museum, and Shinjuku

2007-05-01T00:18:00.000-04:00

On Thursday we woke up early. After breakfast we walked around the hotel a bit and took pictures of the chapel and the park behind. Then we walked next door to Zojoji Temple. There was a school there taking class pictures so that was fun to watch. And then we got lucky and got to watch some sort of Buddhist service that was going on. After that we took the train to Mitaka since I had tickets for the Studio Ghibli Museum. I absolutely loved it. So much cool stuff on display and we got to view a new short animated film that was recently created by the studio. After that we went to Shinjuku and walked around. It was a good day.

This is me tying a written prayer that I got inside to the wall.

Studio Ghibli Museum: Majority of everything was inside, but they didnt allow any photos to be taken, so all i could get were outside shots :(

One of the abandoned Robots from Laputa:Castle in the Sky (this is my favorite animated film by Hayo Miyazaki, so I was really excited to get to see this)

Shinjuku

Day 6- Shibuya

2007-04-27T04:49:00.000-04:00

I looooooove Shibuya. This part of the city was too much fun.

The Story of Hachiko:
Hachiko was born in 1923 and belonged to Mr. Uyeno. Everyday Hachiko would follow his master to Shibuya Station on his way to work and then meet him later that day to walk to him home. One day in 1925 Hachiko saw his master leave for work in Shibuya and when he returned later to walk him home Mr. Uyeno never came back. Mr. Uyeno passed away that day at work and story has it that Hachiko would return to that very spot every day and sometimes even stay for days in hopes that his master would appear. Hachiko waited there every afternoon until he himself passed away. This is the statue at Shibuya Station in memory of him.

We ate lunch at Denny's which has nothing on its menu like the Denny's in the US. I got sauted pork in a ginger sauce and I was even given chopsticks in a pretty pink wrapper.

Karaoke Madness

The Obsession that is Pachinko

Apple Store: Japan Style
I wonder how hard it is to type in Japanese

I walked in on an iTunes lesson

CUTEST STORE EVER

Shibuya Crossing. This is the main intersection of Shibuya where Shibuya Station is located. At the most busiest times of day thousands of people cross from every direction. This has to be the most famouse crosswalk in the world.

This is me walking across at around 5ish in the afternoon.

The J-Pop scene

2007-04-25T08:30:00.000-04:00

While in Shibuya today I stopped at Tower Records to buy the newest cd by One Ok Rock. This band is HUGE here. Since I landed I cannot turn a corner without seeing the video or hearing the song of their newest single. If I have to compare them I'd say theyre like the Japanese Fall Out Boy. I have no idea what theyre singing about but I know a catchy song when I hear it.

Here's the music video for the single I am talking about called Naihi Shinsho

Day 5- Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi

2007-04-25T08:07:00.000-04:00

Today we took a tour to Fuji and Hakone which are about 2 hours outside of Tokyo. While in Fuji we went to see Mt. Fuji, obviously, and in Hakone we took a boat ride on Lake Ashi. The weather was pretty bad that day and even the tour guide said we probably wouldnt get to see Mt. Fuji beause it was so foggy, but we got very very lucky.

This is a buddhist cemetary we passed on the way to Fuji.

Mt. Fuji Visitor Center

Our window of opportunity. The clouds parted and there it was...

5th Checkpoint. This is a few minutes past where we stopped to take photos. It is halfway up the mountain and as far as any vehicle can go. After this checkpoint you can only continue by foot. You can see how crappy of a day it actually was and why everyone thought we wouldnt get to see Mt. Fuji. It was freezing, and there was snow everywhere.... I loved every minute of it!

Lake Ashi

Views from the cable car after we got off the boat.

Day 4- Harajuku Part Deux

2007-04-25T07:49:00.000-04:00

On monday morning my Father was released from the Hospital. After going back to the hotel to shower and rest, he said he felt fine and wanted to go sightseeing. I ended up going back to Harajuku cos I wanted him to see it. He loved it and was fascinated by every Harajuku Girl that we came across.

One of many Harajuku Girls

Meji Dori Ave.

A Blythe Doll cardboard cutout- This was at the Blythe Doll store

Omote-Sando Ave. (Kiddyland, the red store, is the coolest place ever. 6 floors of games, toys, puzzles, kiddy electronics and everything in between)

Heres a vid of something from inside Kiddyland

If heaven exists, this would be it for me.

2007-04-22T17:24:00.000-04:00

On Sunday I went to Harajuku. This is where its at. Tons of stores, street fashion, and lots of money being spent. I bought tons of clothes and souveneirs and walked around for hours just taking it all in and snapping some pictures.

BEST STORE EVER!
This is Daiso. It is one of a chain of 100 Yen stores, which is the equivalent to a dollar store in America, only they have way better stuff. Its 4 floors, consisting of all kinds of things from figurines, cosmestics, kitchen and housewares, stationary and office supplies, gardening and outdoor supplies, and tons more.

Harajuku Street Fashion at its best

I wish they had cell phones like this in the US. Pretty much everyone here had the most hi-tech phone you can think of. They are much sleeker looking than anything we have.

Sad News

2007-04-22T17:18:00.001-04:00

After getting back from Tsukiji Market on saturday I ended up having to take my father to the Emergency Room at a nearby hospital. He had been complaing about abdominal pain since we had arrived and not being able to use the bathroom. He had to get a surgery and has been there for the past 2 days. Its monday morning now, and he should be getting discharged today. I visited him twice yesterday and he said he was fine and all the pain he was enduring had releived itself thanks to the surgery. It was pretty crazy, and I was very upset. Only the doctors knew how to speak english, and even then it was pretty broken. I have to pull my english to japanese dictionary out to speak with the nurses taking care of him. It really sucks that this had to happen on our trip, but at least its over and we still have plenty of time to stuff together. I wasnt allowed to stay in the hospital, so my father insisted i at least go out and do whatever i wanted, so it wasnt a total loss of 2 days.

So this is how I spent my 25th birthday, in a hospital in Tokyo and then waiting hours while my father was in surgery. We were supposed to get dressed up all fancy and go to a really expensive restaurant, i bought a brand new dress and everything. Not exactly what we had planned but at least he's ok. Either way, I wanted this birhtday to be unforgettable, and i guess in a way it sort of is.

Day 2- Morning

2007-04-20T21:52:00.002-04:00

Started the day with a 5am wakeup call and then it was off to Tsukiji Wholesale Market, the largest and most famous fish market in the world. We took the subway just outside the hotel and it was 3 stops over there. The subway system here is as easy if not easier than NYC's. We walked all around the market, which never seemed to end, and thruout all the little alley ways filled with other vendors and noodle stands and produce. Then we came back to the hotel and enjoyed breakfast at one of the restaurants all the way on the top floor. The view was incredible. Anywhos, enough of me chatting away, take a look......

Lost in Translation

2007-04-20T10:25:00.000-04:00

Wow, what a day. I cannot believe I am finally here in Tokyo. I am only on a few hours of sleep. The last night i slept was tuesday. Wednesday night i stayed up late getting ready and packing and then left PC around 2:30am to head for Orlando. The we flew to Chicago, and then a nice 12 hour long flight from Chi-town and here I am. I've only been here a few hours and its fascinating. Everything is so clean, and everyone dresses so nice. I have not seen one guy in casual wear, they are all in business suits with their perfectly coifed anime looking hair. The girls Ive seen around the city are by the most stylish people i have ever seen. I wish i could raid their closets. Anywhos, its already 11:30pm over here and I have a 5am wakeup call so i can get to the Tsujiki Fish Market early and see all the interesting stuff they have.

Here are some of my favorite pics from today.....

This was when we were flying over the eastern most part of Siberia.

Why do american products look so much better in Japanese?

This was on the ride from the airport to the hotel. This is just outside of Tokyo.

This is the hotel we're staying at, The Prince Park Tower Tokyo. Next to it is the Tokyo Tower.

This is behind the hotel in Shiba Park. Shiba is the district of Tokyo I am staying in. The park is beautiful!

Out and about in the city.

And here is a little something for funnies!

In the beginning there was.....

2007-04-03T10:13:00.001-04:00

.... So even though ive had a livejournal for 5 years now, I have finally decided to join the blogesphere! In 2 weeks I will be getting ready to go on my very first real vacation to Tokyo, so I wanted to have something to chronicle my future adventures. starting with this one, however small or large they may be.