The J-Pop scene

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

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

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.

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

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

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......