Today met with friend of the teacher of my Japanese lessons. Got to see their house/soba restaurant plus their nice kids(3 of them!). Spent some quality time chatting with the parents and even little bit with the kids(though one of the girls seemed bit intimidated by it! Wonder if this was first time she talked with non-Japanese person?). Talking with kids is fun and this was first time got to say more than "hello"(and that's been just with two kids) with kids here in Japan.
Later got to even see Karate practice which I found interesting. Kids were probably feeling bit intimidated by being watched but I was impressed by how well they were training(now during breaks it was what you can expect from kids :D). At the start of the session they all went to the traditional Japanese sitting pose and bowed several times. Tried the sitting pose myself but started to hurt quite fast. During one break asked them how they manage to make it look so easy and demonstrated myself doing it with end result of getting cramp to leg making me jump up and jump around one feet(much to amusement of the kids which made me jump couple jump longer than needed :D). Later after son finished his block-punch training and girl took her turn I asked the boy to punch me once to stomach. Well he sure gave stronger punch than I expected though I doubt he was using full strength. For a while was without breath.
Sure was fun evening. This much Japanese talking haven't yet done(compared to previous meetings this wasn't conversation exchange meeting so didn't feel obligated to use English as well and not even sure how fluent they were in English so I kept to using Japanese) and the kids were nice to meet as well. Also got suggestion for mountain to climb so maybe Tuesday or Wednesday I'll go for another mountain climbing experience(assuming I can de-crypt the kanji's of the route guide and mountain name I received :D)
One thing I got to experience as well was proper procedure in the Shrine. So first up wash your hands(first left, then right) and then with left hand mouth as well. Then to the temple, throw in coin(50 yen at least this time), then bow twice, clap hands together twice and another bow and then you go.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Failed meeting
Today was supposed to meet Japanese person in Yokohama. Unfortunately meeting went amiss when I failed to find the place we were supposed to meet! I knew I was in trouble when I saw sign that showed three directions showing "north-east A, north-east B, north-east C". Bloody station has more exits to north-east than station in my home town has exits all together! And unfortunately I did not know in what direction meeting place was supposed to be...
After figuring what I thought was the correct place I waited there but as I realized she's not coming I started to sprint through various gates as fast as I could but in the end had to admit defeat.
Bummer.
Rest of the day went more or less traveling shops again. Had to find earphones that have volume controller as the dvd players own volume is even smallest level bit high(high as in I can hear it from earphones 3-4 meters away...). Not suitable say for use in shinkansen train! If speaking to phones is discouraged I doubt they appreciate watching movies so that others can hear it clearly ;)
Got royally lost on the Shibya station. Didn't find west gate exit and when I managed to get out of station I had NO idea what side I was on. Ended up walking through lots of small streets until I resorted to good old "walk around whole damn station until you come across the gate you are looking for". From west gate it was easy to find where I wanted to went. Noticed I'm stressing more about the huge crowds when I'm lost. Guess it's because I want to find out where I am and where to go FAST while the huge crowds make the progress snail pace at best. Let out huge sigh of relief when I finally spotted west gate but then I could start to enjoy.
Also experienced busiest street crossing I have ever had to face. Both sides had this huge army looking swarm waiting to cross shoulder to shoulder and then lights turn green. How we managed to bypass each other I don't know!
Tomorrow's yet another meeting. Sure hope I can find there this time!
After figuring what I thought was the correct place I waited there but as I realized she's not coming I started to sprint through various gates as fast as I could but in the end had to admit defeat.
Bummer.
Rest of the day went more or less traveling shops again. Had to find earphones that have volume controller as the dvd players own volume is even smallest level bit high(high as in I can hear it from earphones 3-4 meters away...). Not suitable say for use in shinkansen train! If speaking to phones is discouraged I doubt they appreciate watching movies so that others can hear it clearly ;)
Got royally lost on the Shibya station. Didn't find west gate exit and when I managed to get out of station I had NO idea what side I was on. Ended up walking through lots of small streets until I resorted to good old "walk around whole damn station until you come across the gate you are looking for". From west gate it was easy to find where I wanted to went. Noticed I'm stressing more about the huge crowds when I'm lost. Guess it's because I want to find out where I am and where to go FAST while the huge crowds make the progress snail pace at best. Let out huge sigh of relief when I finally spotted west gate but then I could start to enjoy.
Also experienced busiest street crossing I have ever had to face. Both sides had this huge army looking swarm waiting to cross shoulder to shoulder and then lights turn green. How we managed to bypass each other I don't know!
Tomorrow's yet another meeting. Sure hope I can find there this time!
Friday, March 29, 2013
Exploring the Tokyo plus some random musings
Bit quiet on sightseeing part currently. Been mostly actually been doing bit of shopping and walking around. Walking around a lot!
Recently there's been nagging feeling I have had in trains that something is different from previous weeks but could not pin-point the reason for a while. Today it dawned to me. Have been seeing notably less school uniforms than before! Then I remembered that new school year starts around early April here so probably school kids are on spring break! No wonder no school uniforms on sight but instead lots of teenagers in rather typical clothing. That's why I probably missed this. It was so standard sight in FINLAND that I didn't really pay attention to it since it was so normal looking but since the school uniforms were so standard sight in trains it was still bugging me back in the mind...
And on subject of clothes wise Japanese really like to wear stylish and formal looking clothes. I feel positively drab looking sometimes which only adds to feel of "I stand out so much". Albeit being noticeably taller than average Finnish male isn't exactly helping either! Next time I might invest bit more on clothes before coming though.
And seems the suit is pretty standard job cloth here for men. Even if they do something like sprinkle water to street...Not kidding. Saw that one today!
Yesterday I made trip I had been planning to do for quite a while. Last time I visited Meiji shrine I was there on Monday so the museum there was closed. I had been waiting for suitable non-busy day to visit and yesterday seemed good candidate for it. Unfortunately AGAIN no photographing allowed so all I got were these photos of the building itself(sorry about picture quality by the way. Camera ran out of batteries AGAIN). Before going to there though I dropped to get souvenirs for cousins son.
Inside were lots of items that were owned by the Emperor Meiji and his wife. Like his work table when Imperial family had to be relocated for a while due to fire, various silver pots etc, clock, pipe etc. There was also series of portraits of EVERY Emperor to the date. I wonder how the artist knew how to draw them? Maybe there's enough descriptions that he could draw them? Emperors were after all quite important figures so maybe those were important enough they have been saved through the ages...(earliest ones were from 600-century!)
Same ticket also gave access to art museum located elsewhere. This had all sorts of paintings etc, some which I could not understand at all. Well art has never been my strong subject!
I also dropped by Yoyogi park. I just love that park! The sakura's are still pretty and catch my eye every time. Now the leaves are falling which is bit sad as it reminds it's soon end of the Sakura season...Ground here is now everywhere like this:
I also got to stand in the wind with leaves flying past me. That's like so classic scene in animes!
I ate set meal in a restaurant attached to the park after buying some more souvenirs(small and cheap ones luckily). Meal had lots of small parts, most which I have no idea what they are! Wasn't too fan of the stuff in 2nd cup from right front row. I later heard it's called "chawan mushi" which was warm pudding like thing with various pieces inside it that you found as you dug into it with spoon. There was another one(barely visible behind green leave on rightmost cup bottom row) that was practically tasteless and very watery and chewing it felt like chewing sponge. Could not finish that one. First time this happened here!
On evening I went for smallish restaurant here(only 5 tables). Unfortunately was very tired and hungry so wasn't feeling sharpest which is why meal left something to be desired(ordered too little and didn't realize one item I had ordered wasn't available so spent lots of time waiting for food that wasn't coming...Sheesh!). Also realized I just might have worst head for alcohol human can have ;) Drank small bottle of sake(180ml, about 15% I think it was from the label) and by the time I headed toward home(not even worst shape I was in due to the excess waiting) I was actually not walking straight!
Today I then spent lots of time walking around various stores first in Shinjuku, then to Harajuku, then Shibuya and finally got home.
Little statues I found in Shibuya.
Then I managed to find nearest office of transport company that had packet for me(had figured to save bit of cash on shipping fees by ordering items to my Japan address but this proved trickier than I expected. Got "you weren't there when we tried to deliver" note and after bit of oomphing and aamphing and consulting with Japanese person I learned out I would need to call this Japanese phone number which is automated. Not promising prospect for getting it done on my own! But found today nearest branch office they have(though sales one) so after two train travels and bit of walking was there trying to sort things out. Had to use my Japanese skills for all it was worth as out of 5 females and 1 male in the room not one seemed to be able to speak English! Thankfully got delivery time arranged for Monday.
After this was sorted I was thinking of using rest of night to just rest but then hit for inspiration to go buy myself portable dvd player. This could be handy toy to have around when I'm travelling the Japan, on air plane and generally elsewhere too. Cheaper than laptop too and besides this way I don't exhaust laptops battery while I'm watching dvds. Got one that has very nice picture quality though I need to find earphones with more ability to tune the volume. Players volume control leaves bit to desire as even on lowest volume with my current earphones it's bit of painful if they are fully placed. Leaving them slightly out of ear makes it bearable.
Recently I have been traveling with trains more than usual and even explored the Shinjuku tad more. I'm starting to feel more comfortable overall using the train lines and been more able to explore the lines bit more to get from place A to B more efficiently. Still hate the Shinjuku station though. Discovered today it actually expands underground quite a bit and ended up in place where buildings were between me and the station. I had bypassed the buildings under the ground! Thankfully there happened to be map where I exited the station.
After wards I was able to actually have very good sense of where I was(unusual that for me) thanks to 2 previous days of exploring the Shinjuku) so rather than go the long route I was able to simply head straight toward store I wanted cutting through several smaller streets. Seeing how lousy I'm at finding my ways this was big achievement for me :D
Handy little feature I spotted today. Showing where the incoming train last left. Gives good idea how long you have to wait. Another helpful thing I spotted is that I don't even need to take the IC card from my wallet to use it. Just slap the wallet to the reader and off I'm go. Too damn convenient! Thank god I don't have to worry about something like buying tickets or inserting coins. Just swipe the wallet at the reader and continue.
On my way from Akihabara to home carrying the dvd player I bought these from station. Not sure what they are but they are tough as hell and taste is actually bit of bitter. Not my favourite snack but wasn't that expensive at 80 yens for two(so less than 40 cents per "cookie").
Recently there's been nagging feeling I have had in trains that something is different from previous weeks but could not pin-point the reason for a while. Today it dawned to me. Have been seeing notably less school uniforms than before! Then I remembered that new school year starts around early April here so probably school kids are on spring break! No wonder no school uniforms on sight but instead lots of teenagers in rather typical clothing. That's why I probably missed this. It was so standard sight in FINLAND that I didn't really pay attention to it since it was so normal looking but since the school uniforms were so standard sight in trains it was still bugging me back in the mind...
And on subject of clothes wise Japanese really like to wear stylish and formal looking clothes. I feel positively drab looking sometimes which only adds to feel of "I stand out so much". Albeit being noticeably taller than average Finnish male isn't exactly helping either! Next time I might invest bit more on clothes before coming though.
And seems the suit is pretty standard job cloth here for men. Even if they do something like sprinkle water to street...Not kidding. Saw that one today!
Yesterday I made trip I had been planning to do for quite a while. Last time I visited Meiji shrine I was there on Monday so the museum there was closed. I had been waiting for suitable non-busy day to visit and yesterday seemed good candidate for it. Unfortunately AGAIN no photographing allowed so all I got were these photos of the building itself(sorry about picture quality by the way. Camera ran out of batteries AGAIN). Before going to there though I dropped to get souvenirs for cousins son.
Inside were lots of items that were owned by the Emperor Meiji and his wife. Like his work table when Imperial family had to be relocated for a while due to fire, various silver pots etc, clock, pipe etc. There was also series of portraits of EVERY Emperor to the date. I wonder how the artist knew how to draw them? Maybe there's enough descriptions that he could draw them? Emperors were after all quite important figures so maybe those were important enough they have been saved through the ages...(earliest ones were from 600-century!)
Same ticket also gave access to art museum located elsewhere. This had all sorts of paintings etc, some which I could not understand at all. Well art has never been my strong subject!
I also dropped by Yoyogi park. I just love that park! The sakura's are still pretty and catch my eye every time. Now the leaves are falling which is bit sad as it reminds it's soon end of the Sakura season...Ground here is now everywhere like this:
I ate set meal in a restaurant attached to the park after buying some more souvenirs(small and cheap ones luckily). Meal had lots of small parts, most which I have no idea what they are! Wasn't too fan of the stuff in 2nd cup from right front row. I later heard it's called "chawan mushi" which was warm pudding like thing with various pieces inside it that you found as you dug into it with spoon. There was another one(barely visible behind green leave on rightmost cup bottom row) that was practically tasteless and very watery and chewing it felt like chewing sponge. Could not finish that one. First time this happened here!
Today I then spent lots of time walking around various stores first in Shinjuku, then to Harajuku, then Shibuya and finally got home.
Then I managed to find nearest office of transport company that had packet for me(had figured to save bit of cash on shipping fees by ordering items to my Japan address but this proved trickier than I expected. Got "you weren't there when we tried to deliver" note and after bit of oomphing and aamphing and consulting with Japanese person I learned out I would need to call this Japanese phone number which is automated. Not promising prospect for getting it done on my own! But found today nearest branch office they have(though sales one) so after two train travels and bit of walking was there trying to sort things out. Had to use my Japanese skills for all it was worth as out of 5 females and 1 male in the room not one seemed to be able to speak English! Thankfully got delivery time arranged for Monday.
After this was sorted I was thinking of using rest of night to just rest but then hit for inspiration to go buy myself portable dvd player. This could be handy toy to have around when I'm travelling the Japan, on air plane and generally elsewhere too. Cheaper than laptop too and besides this way I don't exhaust laptops battery while I'm watching dvds. Got one that has very nice picture quality though I need to find earphones with more ability to tune the volume. Players volume control leaves bit to desire as even on lowest volume with my current earphones it's bit of painful if they are fully placed. Leaving them slightly out of ear makes it bearable.
Recently I have been traveling with trains more than usual and even explored the Shinjuku tad more. I'm starting to feel more comfortable overall using the train lines and been more able to explore the lines bit more to get from place A to B more efficiently. Still hate the Shinjuku station though. Discovered today it actually expands underground quite a bit and ended up in place where buildings were between me and the station. I had bypassed the buildings under the ground! Thankfully there happened to be map where I exited the station.
After wards I was able to actually have very good sense of where I was(unusual that for me) thanks to 2 previous days of exploring the Shinjuku) so rather than go the long route I was able to simply head straight toward store I wanted cutting through several smaller streets. Seeing how lousy I'm at finding my ways this was big achievement for me :D
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Plans for the three weeks
Today's schedule involved meeting with Japanese person. Unfortunately the weather was less than co-operative since it was raining quite a lot.
We had agreed for Shinjuku station as a meeting place and boy I never seem to have easy time finding my way in that station. Other stations aren't that bad but Shinjuku is throwing always curve balls to me. After trying to find either south gate(where we were to meet) or west gate(which I have used and know damned well how to get to desired location) I ended up running into signs of east gate. Seemed like I was walking in circles, AGAIN, here. I spotted some exit and without even caring what sort of exit that is(not main gates definitely) I stepped into rain but I figured I have better luck finding my way around on the ground than on the station. Seems I had left the station on some side entrance on the western side so turning left I finally reached the meeting place.
Meeting itself went fairly nicely. Might be helped that she's studying in England now so my bad pronunciation is less of a trouble for her perhaps than some other persons I have met. First we ate at a restaurant which served for me as a bit of late breakfast. I had INTENDED to grab some meat buns before meeting but of course today was one of the two Wednesdays in this month they were closed. Oops. And then there wasn't time for me to find anything else anyway.
After that we explored the stores of Shinjuku(and I got myself umbrella. Before this there hadn't been much of need so figured let's not buy something I will be throwing to garbage but ah well. Only like 400 yens anyway).
Thing that never stops from giving pause for me is how you have these big modern streets full of people and then you turn corner and find...This! Narrow, not that crowded, old fashioned houses, lots of small restaurants with room for maybe 5-6 people(think I have seen even smaller ones too...). Feels like you have suddenly been transported back in time! And there was one street even more like from some another age. But that's what I like about this place. It doesn't grow old fast. I have barely even scratched the Tokyo in the month I have been here!
During the shop touring I got some more souvenirs for cousins daughter with help of her(haven't before bought anything like this so definitely could use some female assistance in selecting!) and positively adorable doll for my niece. I have suspicion she'll love this.
Kitty is holding folding fan behind as well.
We dropped by Shinjuku gyoen national park. Weather wasn't greatest for park visiting but at least the rain eventually subsided.
There's this traditional Japanese garden here which was very pretty as you could expect from Japanese gardens.
Another case of contradictions you find in Tokyo. Nice serene pond, huge modern building right behind it.
Overall fun time though think I spoke too much English. When I have Japanese person walking besides I should take advantage of the situation and talk in Japanese bit more! Urgh. Failure on that part unfortunately.
Rest of the day went going to pay rent for next month, arranging check out time that needs to be done month earlier minimum from check out date and planning for the 3 week JR-pass period(by the way where's the suggestions?). Again noticed how being in Tokyo is bit of inconvenient for this type of traveling. Maybe next time shorten the visit, increase budget for living and sleep in hotels. That way I could spend less time travelling! There's going to be awfully lot of sitting in trains. Good thing I have all these manga I have bought!
Also realized I'm bit lost on how to get to some places. For example Hannoki falls. How to go there? Nearest train station I can seem to find is Tateyama and looks like it would be good 4, 5 kilometer walk from there across the roads. Wonder if there goes bus from there to falls? Would sure help but I have no idea how to verify that!
Anyway keeping those troubles in mind and looking for good and easy to reach places to find so far schedule looks like this:
After this I still have time until 24th day which is last day JR pass is active. Kyoto trip is still unplanned. It might go toward the end. Then again I might meet person there(though it seems he's having some sort of time eating situation at his hand so whether he has time to meet is another thing) so his time tables also influence it. I might swap some trips elsewhere if I need room for earlier Kyoto trip.
I also realized I'm not leaving main island at all in this trip at this rate. The travel times are murder! I checked trip to Lake Mashuu on Hokkaido but even if I leave Tokyo around 8.30 I'll be at the 2nd last station around midnight and then would need to spend night before continuing to the last station. Where to get hotel that late? Humhum. So that would basically require me several hotel nights. First from Tokyo to around minami-chitose station in Hokkaido. Then go last stint to nearest station next to lake. Then go marvel the lake. Then start heading toward Tokyo and this requires yet another hotel night.
3 days, 2 nights in hotel and bloody lot of traveling to see one lake. Ummm...Yeah I think not that efficient. Definitely need to add some more viewing there if I go that far but maybe I'll skip Hokkaido for now after all. Still lots to see on the main island.
So. Still one week to wait so feel free to send suggestions for places to go ;)
We had agreed for Shinjuku station as a meeting place and boy I never seem to have easy time finding my way in that station. Other stations aren't that bad but Shinjuku is throwing always curve balls to me. After trying to find either south gate(where we were to meet) or west gate(which I have used and know damned well how to get to desired location) I ended up running into signs of east gate. Seemed like I was walking in circles, AGAIN, here. I spotted some exit and without even caring what sort of exit that is(not main gates definitely) I stepped into rain but I figured I have better luck finding my way around on the ground than on the station. Seems I had left the station on some side entrance on the western side so turning left I finally reached the meeting place.
Meeting itself went fairly nicely. Might be helped that she's studying in England now so my bad pronunciation is less of a trouble for her perhaps than some other persons I have met. First we ate at a restaurant which served for me as a bit of late breakfast. I had INTENDED to grab some meat buns before meeting but of course today was one of the two Wednesdays in this month they were closed. Oops. And then there wasn't time for me to find anything else anyway.
After that we explored the stores of Shinjuku(and I got myself umbrella. Before this there hadn't been much of need so figured let's not buy something I will be throwing to garbage but ah well. Only like 400 yens anyway).
Thing that never stops from giving pause for me is how you have these big modern streets full of people and then you turn corner and find...This! Narrow, not that crowded, old fashioned houses, lots of small restaurants with room for maybe 5-6 people(think I have seen even smaller ones too...). Feels like you have suddenly been transported back in time! And there was one street even more like from some another age. But that's what I like about this place. It doesn't grow old fast. I have barely even scratched the Tokyo in the month I have been here!
During the shop touring I got some more souvenirs for cousins daughter with help of her(haven't before bought anything like this so definitely could use some female assistance in selecting!) and positively adorable doll for my niece. I have suspicion she'll love this.
We dropped by Shinjuku gyoen national park. Weather wasn't greatest for park visiting but at least the rain eventually subsided.
Rest of the day went going to pay rent for next month, arranging check out time that needs to be done month earlier minimum from check out date and planning for the 3 week JR-pass period(by the way where's the suggestions?). Again noticed how being in Tokyo is bit of inconvenient for this type of traveling. Maybe next time shorten the visit, increase budget for living and sleep in hotels. That way I could spend less time travelling! There's going to be awfully lot of sitting in trains. Good thing I have all these manga I have bought!
Also realized I'm bit lost on how to get to some places. For example Hannoki falls. How to go there? Nearest train station I can seem to find is Tateyama and looks like it would be good 4, 5 kilometer walk from there across the roads. Wonder if there goes bus from there to falls? Would sure help but I have no idea how to verify that!
Anyway keeping those troubles in mind and looking for good and easy to reach places to find so far schedule looks like this:
| 04.04.13 | Thursday | Nara |
| 05.04.13 | Friday | Kairaku-en |
| 06.04.13 | Saturday | Tokyo |
| 07.04.13 | Sunday | Tokyo |
| 08.04.13 | Monday | Myoutsuu-ji |
| 09.04.13 | Tuesday | kegon falls |
| 10.04.13 | Wednesday | Tokyo |
| 11.04.13 | Thursday | |
| 12.04.13 | Friday | Nagoya castle |
| 13.04.13 | Saturday | |
| 14.04.13 | Sunday | |
| 15.04.13 | Monday | |
| 16.04.13 | Tuesday | dinosaurus museum |
| 17.04.13 | Wednesday | Tokyo |
| 18.04.13 | Thursday | shiragawagou |
| 19.04.13 | Friday | shiragawagou |
After this I still have time until 24th day which is last day JR pass is active. Kyoto trip is still unplanned. It might go toward the end. Then again I might meet person there(though it seems he's having some sort of time eating situation at his hand so whether he has time to meet is another thing) so his time tables also influence it. I might swap some trips elsewhere if I need room for earlier Kyoto trip.
I also realized I'm not leaving main island at all in this trip at this rate. The travel times are murder! I checked trip to Lake Mashuu on Hokkaido but even if I leave Tokyo around 8.30 I'll be at the 2nd last station around midnight and then would need to spend night before continuing to the last station. Where to get hotel that late? Humhum. So that would basically require me several hotel nights. First from Tokyo to around minami-chitose station in Hokkaido. Then go last stint to nearest station next to lake. Then go marvel the lake. Then start heading toward Tokyo and this requires yet another hotel night.
3 days, 2 nights in hotel and bloody lot of traveling to see one lake. Ummm...Yeah I think not that efficient. Definitely need to add some more viewing there if I go that far but maybe I'll skip Hokkaido for now after all. Still lots to see on the main island.
So. Still one week to wait so feel free to send suggestions for places to go ;)
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Rainbow bridge and Odaiba
First comment to the readers. The blog has comment section that you can use. I have 3 week JR pass period coming up soon and my plans aren't 100% set in stone. If you have place you would like to see pictures specifically how about drop a comment along with a suggestion? Won't guarantee I'll go there but if it's interesting spot for me as well and doable then I'll add it to places I'll go.
Today I headed to Minato ward to see the Rainbow bridge and artificial islands called Daiba. Artificial islands were built in the latter half of the 1800-century as a place for cannon batteries to protect the Edo(as Tokyo was called then) from hostile fleets that might be bearing upon the city. As it turned out all the batteries were never removed. These days they are one of the only 2 places in greater Tokyo area where access to sea isn't blocked by industry...
On my way I got to experience the lunch hour at the Shinjuku station. That was experience I have never have had chance to experience in Finland. First approaching the station train was totally crowded. I was there shoulder to shoulder and basically having physical contacts on all 4 sides was pretty much impossible. Then we reached the station and doors opened and this huge swarm started to pour out of all train doors. I was basically swept along the stream pretty much unable to go anywhere but where the swarm was going. I was just trying to pull myself to as small space as I could barely breathing. Good thing there was no real choice where to go anyway, question was just which escalator or stairway you would take(and that's mostly decided by in which doors vicinity you were in the train!). I ended up going escalators and even if I had wanted to use the stairs I could not have done that without resorting to some serious violence.
Another funny experience on the train was this young 4, maybe 5 year old girl who was by the look of it with his grandfather. She kept staring me but if I looked back quickly looked away only to turn head toward again when my gaze went elsewhere. Had hard time keeping off my laughter ;) Have considered couple times to try to initiate talk with these kids but apart from the fact talking in trains is generally discouraged I'm also not sure what parents would think about random foreigner starting to talk to their kids(well grandfather in this case). Also not sure what I would even say to them!
Though if this staring keeps going I might just do that anyway just for fun.
Unfortunately I had managed to take copy of the map to my phone which I only realized when I dropped off from Shinagawa station...Bummer! I only remembered it was somewhere to east from the station so I headed for the east exit. Not having accurate idea of where I should be going I ended up slightly lost. After trying to find something I could recognize for a while I finally had to admit I need help. Luckily convenience store had small map which crucially had nearest police box marked. Figuring there's bound to be good map there went there and sure enough I was soon off with better idea where I was. I was actually just slightly south of where I needed to go!
That's a train I haven't yet used.
Eventually I found the bridge. Next question was how to get UP there? For a while I started to think you aren't supposed to walk it and it's only for cars and trains and already checked price of a train trip(240 yen one way, about 2 euro's). Finally I spotted next to building lying besides the bridge(which is what caught my attention first) レインボーブリッジ遊歩道. Rainbow bridge play-walkpath(well correct translation promenade/esplanade. I just went by the kanji meaning translation. But last 2 kanji's mean walkway for sure). That looked pretty damn promising and sure enough walk inside, step to elevators, choose northern or southern route and you were on this long, long, long, LONG walkway with cars rushing past you.
Wasn't even at the end when I took this shot from what I had just walked. That's a long bridge!
SLOW DOWN! Oddly enough sometimes the otose(slow down in imperative) was written with kanji's, sometimes with hiragana's like here.
After walking quite a while(the walkpath was over 900 meters long I think. Cars have it even worse as there's one part where the bridge actually loops over it so cars have to drive a circle over the water) I finally arrived to the first island.
BEACH! I found a beach! Haven't seen this sight since I came here.
...Except swimming is prohibited. Bloody hell(Well okay I don't think water would be quite warm enough for swimming anyway yet). Signs like these were over the place. Other prohibited things were open fire, unleashed dogs and sport games like football. Huh? Odd beach if you ask me! No swimming, no games. What are you supposed to do here?
Huh what's that? Looks a bit like human face doesn't it?
I walked along the beach until I came across the replica of statue of freedom(jiyuu no megami as it's called in Japanese. Goddess of freedom literally. And yes that's the Japanese name for the one in New York as well). Not as big as the real one though still decently sized. Unfortunately there was some sort of construction next to it that prevented me from getting good pictures from front.
Think the last two pictures explain reason why swimming is prohibited. Just a guess but maybe these are poisonous jellyfish? I have heard Japan has those. Actually I read experience of British person who went as JET teacher to Japan. He figured that since it was only a while since swimming season ended(surely jellyfish don't have gps tracking devices and calendars) he could still take a swim. Well he got burned by jellyfish and spent 2 rather painful weeks and ruefully lamented that "it seems Japanese jellyfish are particularly advanced breed with gprs and calendars after all" and didn't violate the swimming seasons again ;)
Oww. Looks pretty. Me wants to go! If I had walked through this route on my way I would have dropped by but now wasn't aware that was even there. Next time!
This is particular favourite shot for me.
Today I headed to Minato ward to see the Rainbow bridge and artificial islands called Daiba. Artificial islands were built in the latter half of the 1800-century as a place for cannon batteries to protect the Edo(as Tokyo was called then) from hostile fleets that might be bearing upon the city. As it turned out all the batteries were never removed. These days they are one of the only 2 places in greater Tokyo area where access to sea isn't blocked by industry...
On my way I got to experience the lunch hour at the Shinjuku station. That was experience I have never have had chance to experience in Finland. First approaching the station train was totally crowded. I was there shoulder to shoulder and basically having physical contacts on all 4 sides was pretty much impossible. Then we reached the station and doors opened and this huge swarm started to pour out of all train doors. I was basically swept along the stream pretty much unable to go anywhere but where the swarm was going. I was just trying to pull myself to as small space as I could barely breathing. Good thing there was no real choice where to go anyway, question was just which escalator or stairway you would take(and that's mostly decided by in which doors vicinity you were in the train!). I ended up going escalators and even if I had wanted to use the stairs I could not have done that without resorting to some serious violence.
Another funny experience on the train was this young 4, maybe 5 year old girl who was by the look of it with his grandfather. She kept staring me but if I looked back quickly looked away only to turn head toward again when my gaze went elsewhere. Had hard time keeping off my laughter ;) Have considered couple times to try to initiate talk with these kids but apart from the fact talking in trains is generally discouraged I'm also not sure what parents would think about random foreigner starting to talk to their kids(well grandfather in this case). Also not sure what I would even say to them!
Though if this staring keeps going I might just do that anyway just for fun.
Unfortunately I had managed to take copy of the map to my phone which I only realized when I dropped off from Shinagawa station...Bummer! I only remembered it was somewhere to east from the station so I headed for the east exit. Not having accurate idea of where I should be going I ended up slightly lost. After trying to find something I could recognize for a while I finally had to admit I need help. Luckily convenience store had small map which crucially had nearest police box marked. Figuring there's bound to be good map there went there and sure enough I was soon off with better idea where I was. I was actually just slightly south of where I needed to go!
Eventually I found the bridge. Next question was how to get UP there? For a while I started to think you aren't supposed to walk it and it's only for cars and trains and already checked price of a train trip(240 yen one way, about 2 euro's). Finally I spotted next to building lying besides the bridge(which is what caught my attention first) レインボーブリッジ遊歩道. Rainbow bridge play-walkpath(well correct translation promenade/esplanade. I just went by the kanji meaning translation. But last 2 kanji's mean walkway for sure). That looked pretty damn promising and sure enough walk inside, step to elevators, choose northern or southern route and you were on this long, long, long, LONG walkway with cars rushing past you.
I walked along the beach until I came across the replica of statue of freedom(jiyuu no megami as it's called in Japanese. Goddess of freedom literally. And yes that's the Japanese name for the one in New York as well). Not as big as the real one though still decently sized. Unfortunately there was some sort of construction next to it that prevented me from getting good pictures from front.
Unfortunately time was running short(getting here, spending time finding bridge, crossing the bridge etc) took longer than I expected and since I wanted to walk over the bridge again(through another side) and it was closing 17.30(and I need to PASS the bridge before that time limit) I decided to head home for now. Didn't even see all the things in the artificial islands. Not even close! Guess I can always come back here if I have time. Everything here is so HUGE! I could spend days just exploring one special ward(well they are basically city of it's own...) and there's 23 of them. Did consider taking boat ride to other side(480 yen if I recall correctly) but it's not like I haven't been in boat before and it wasn't that long trip or one that is likely to have nice views(most which I see from the bridge anyway) so on my feet it is then!
One of the original battery islands.
Trip back to station went without incidents since now I knew exactly how to home in like a guided missile. On my way got to take some more pictures of pretty flowers.
Finally reaching station I first went to Harajuku for quick visit(takeshita street was nuts as usual!), another brief stop at Shinjuku and then time to go home. Had meant to visit one live music-food-drink place whose owner I met in the first talking conversation(been intending to check that one out for a while actually) but by now my legs were starting to feel like in flames. Yesterday mountain climbing, today 8 hours on the move mostly by walking. Was doing impromptu stretching exercises while waiting for train just to get some life to the poor legs. Couple Japanese person seemed to be looking at me wondering what the hell I'm doing :D
I need to start planning for the JR pass trip. Actually was supposed to do bit today but was feeling too exhausted to do that. So hopefully tomorrow I can start plotting out a bit where and when I'll be going. Around 11 am I have another meeting at Shinjuku. Think I'll also drop in to pay next month's rent and formally notify them I'm leaving 30.4(you need to do that about month before move out date, but with MINIMUM of one month. Don't leave too late or you pay extra!). Will need to find hotel for last night then but better that than crazy rush to airport. Might not even make it in time since I need to be there for final examination when they come to verify place is in appropriate shape still.
So keeping in mind what I said to begin with start bombarding with ideas ;) I'll be definitely going to Kyoto(though big place so feel free to toss in suggestions where to go there), Fukui Dinosaurus museum and Nara. But apart from those there's no 100% certain places I'll be going so plenty of room for good suggestions ;)
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