More Free Time: We Don't Want To Go Home Yet! (Final Day - Shinjuku and Akiba)

The day has come!  It's time for us to go back home.  Seems like only yesterday we got off that plane to start our journey in Tokyo.  Today we have more free time!  Where to go?

First things first.  We must check out before heading out.  Good thing I packed everything last night.  All I needed to pack was whatever we needed to get ready today.

We all meet in the lobby and each of us check out.  We need to ask the hotel if they can hold our bags until we have to leave.  Of course, they are most happy to accommodate us.

We have the day to ourselves.  Well most of the day.  We need to get back before 3 P.M. so we can get to the airport.  What are we going to do?

Since it's my second time in Tokyo, I ask Scott where he wants to go.  Of course he wants to go to Yodobashi.  So I tell him that we should go to the one here in Shinjuku and see how it is.  The Yodobashi in Shinjuku is separated into sections in different buildings.  I thought this was interesting.  The other Yodobashi stores I've been to have been massive buildings.  In Shinjuku you have to go around the corner or across the street to get to the other sections.  Our first stop is the electronic games.

Here I bought my new Nintendo DSi.  I thought that America wasn't going to get this color.  They usually don't get colors like pink.  That was the whole reason for buying it.  At first I wanted the red one, but it goes on sale on Friday (2 days from now).

Time to head to another section of Yodobashi-Shinjuku.  We look for the DVD section.  Scott wants to look for more Kamen Rider stuff.  I remember seeing advertisements of the new Decade series volume 1 DVD going on sale during our trip.  When we look through the DVD section, I cannot find it.  There are other Kamen Rider DVDs but not the Decade one.  So we ask the salesperson.  They said that it is sold out.  I was just amazed that it sold out in just one day!  Kamen Rider is much more popular than I thought.

We go to the other sections just to browse briefly.  Scott really wants to go back to Akihabara to shop at Yodobashi.  So we are going to make the trip to Akihabara.  Time to go to Shinjuku Station.  Hopefully we can catch the rapid line so we make less stops and get to Akiba faster.

As we head out of Akihabara Station, the same girl from Tokyo Disney is here.  Still collecting her donations.  It was amazing!  She even remembered that we leave today.  We just had to take a picture with her.

We are back in Yodabashi.  Can't get tired of this place.  It's a electronics geek's dream.  Of course we head straight for the DVD section.  Scott tries to find the Decade DVD, but no luck here either.  But he did find out that the blu-rays will work at home on our PS3 since they have not region lock on them (well the regular editions).  So Scott ends up buying all the movies on blu-ray (even though he just bought them on DVD).  I offer to buy some of them for him since it's something he REALLY wants.

After getting the things Scott wants, it's time for me to do some shopping.  All this time in Japan and I really didn't have a chance to shop in Uniqlo.  Last year that's all I did.  I think last year I went to 5 different Uniqlo shops around the Kansai area.  This year I didn't even shop at one.  It's time to change that.

I remember seeing a Uniqlo sign in Akiba.  I'm glad it's only across the street from Yodobashi.  The only thing is figure out how to get to the 3rd floor of the building.  Sometimes Japanese buildings can be so confusing.  It's not straightforward like in America.  In Japan, the up and down escalators are not necessarily by each other.  I think they strategically place them so you look around the entire store instead of just by passing things.

I can't believe our free time is over.  I guess we spent more time in Yodobashi than I thought.  Plus it was so busy in Yodobashi today.  I guess summer vacation has started in Japan.  All the video gamers were in the gaming section.  It's a good thing I didn't have to by anything.  I think I would have been stuck in the line for over 30 minutes.  It was a madhouse.  Maybe there was a release.  I don't pay much attention to Japanese releases anymore.

Time to head back to the hotel and meet up with the rest of the group.  We get back early.  At least it gives us time to get our bags and pack whatever we bought.  I can't believe the amount of stuff Scott bought.  I think his stuff filled majority of the bags.  I think I held back this year because of him.

The airport limousine is coming soon.  The time has finally come to leave Tokyo and head over to the airport.  As we take the long trip to the airport most try to sleep.  I can't even though I am sick.  So I take some pictures to pass the time.

We arrive at the airport way ahead of schedule.  We have the red eye flight.  I think that's the best flight to have when travelling back home.  Leave when it's night and arrive home when it's morning.  Jayson and Yoko stay with us until it's finally time to go through the security check area.  We are in a different area of the airport than the first year.  I remember having a shopping area before reaching the gate.  This year it's not like that.

As we wait for the plane to board, we exchange contact information with each other.  Hopefully we stay in touch like I have with others in the other classes.  I think I have made the strongest bonds with the people from the first trip.  This year I made bonds with a few but not as many as the first trip.

I realized that during this trip I was supposed to find more Hello Kitty that I may have missed the first year.  This year it seems I didn't pay much attention to my search for Hello Kitty than the other two trips.  I paid more attention to observing others experiencing Japan for the first time and seeing a little bit of me in each of them as they experienced what I experienced two years ago.

Time to board the plane and relive the day again!

A Sea of Fun (Day 7 - Free Day in Tokyo Disney Sea)

Oi!  What a day today is!  I woke up late due to last night's festivities.  Scott also woke up late.  For us late is 8:00 A.M.  We both feel under the weather.  Too much sake.  At the time I felt fine.  This time with being sick, it wasn't such a good idea.

The plan was to go to Ghibli Studio but my mind and body wants to stay in and try to recover.  Who would have thought that being the assistant would be harder than being the student.  I guess I felt the responsibility of watching the group even though they are adults.

After staying in for majority of the day, it's time for us to get out of the hotel and breathe some fresh air.  I don't want to miss Tokyo Disney this year.  Scott and I head to Shinjuku Station and must get to the Tokyo Station.  From there we can head to Maihama.

We first take a short stroll around Shinjuku because it's still a little early.  We pass by the post office just for Scott.  I guess it's closing time.  A lot of postal vehicles are coming back.  The Japanese are all run on the same clock.

I didn't know how big Tokyo Station was until we had to find the Keiyo Rapid Line.  I thought Shinjuku Station was big but Tokyo Station seems just as big.

It was amazing that there wasn't that many people on the train.  I guess when it's rainy, people don't like staying outdoors as much.  At least Scott and I get to sit down as we head out of Tokyo and to Maihama.

Rapid Line is better than the regular line.  Seems like it took only 30 minutes to get to Maihama.  We are greeted with many Disney signs.  This one is right as you are exiting the train ramp area and heading into the station.

Where to go to first?  I have no idea.  This is my first time EVER at a Disney Park.  The funny thing is that Tokyo Disney is the ONLY Disney Park that is not owned by the Disney Corporation.  A Japanese company actually owns Tokyo Disney Sea (Oriental Land Company).

Scott goes towards the Tokyo Disney Resort.  So I follow.  On the way to the resort a grade school girl (8th grade, maybe) is trying to get donations for disaster recovery somewhere (I can't remember for where).  It was funny because she first gave me the sign sheet for Japanese residents.  I had to tell her that we were foreigners.  Of course, she had one for foreigners.  She was a little surprised when I said that we weren't nationals.  Do we look that much like Japanese citizens?

She asks where we are from.  Everyone is always excited to hear that we are from Hawaii.  Is Hawaii THE place every Japanese person wants to go?  I guess it's the same for us.  Japan is THE place for Japanese-Americans from Hawaii want to go.

Tokyo Disney Resort is very elaborate.  Scott says it's more elaborate than the California one.  There are door people dressed in fancy outfits.  As always, when we enter they bow and welcome us.  Everything is Disney-themed.  Even the garden area.  There are Donald and Goofey bush scultures.

In the front of the hotel, there is a fountain.  It was seeing Fantasia in real life.

It's still early, but we decide to go to Tokyo Disney Sea.  I don't think we will have time to get to Tokyo Disneyland.  Plus, Tokyo Disney Sea is only specific to Japan.  I really want to ride the monorail.  I'm such a little kid.  Scott was right.  When you enter Disneyland, something happens to you.  It really is "The Happiest Place on Earth."  For some reason all the stress and everything goes away once you step onto the grounds.

The monorail is cute.  Mickey's face is everywhere:  the windows and the handrails.  It wasn't too expensive.  Plus you have to think the distance we are traveling.  We have to get to the other side of the grounds to get to Tokyo Disney Sea.  

We first pass Tokyo Disneyland.  That's where most of the riders get off.  I kinda want to see what's inside Tokyo Disneyland, but my heart is set on Tokyo Disney Sea.

We made it!  Well, we made it to the ticket counter.  Time to purchase our "After 6 Pass."  I can't believe it's only $60 to get in after 6 P.M.  Scott tells me that you can't get a price like that at Disneyland in California.

Since it's not 6 P.M. yet, we decide to wait by the gates.  There is a small line forming.  At that time Jayson calls me to see where we are.  I didn't know there were two gates.  Apparently we were at opposite gates.

The security people make an announcement (of course in Japanese) to have your tickets ready and to open your bags for inspection.  6 P.M. is 6 P.M. in Japan.  The gates are opened for people with the "After 6 Pass" exactly at 6 P.M.

First thing we are greeted with the fountain with the globe.  Everyone is taking pictures in front of it as they enter or exit.

What to do?  I have no idea.  We just start to walk where ever our eyes takes us.

First place we end up is the Tower of Terror.  I asked Scott if he wants to go inside.  He doesn't seem so enthusiastic.  I kind of get bummed because of his mood.  I guess I thought he would my excited to be in a Disney Park.

After going the Tower of Terror it's time to go around more.  But first, I think we need an umbrella.  It's starting to rain a little harder.  We go to a shop to find an umbrella.  At first I wanted to buy the bigger umbrella, but then Scott asked the question:  "Is it going to fit in our luggage?"  In the end, we had to buy 2 kiddie umbrellas.

I finally realize the reason for Scott's grumpiness, he's hungry.  Time to find a place to eat.  The question is "Where?"  Looking at the map I want to try Sebastian's Kitchen.  Now we just have to find it. 

We make it to Trition's Kingdom.  Now we just have to find the eating area.  Maybe this place wasn't such a good idea.  It's more of a place for families to take their kids to eat.  There's rides and play areas here.  But we are both hungry, so we eat here.  Of course, I have to order.

Time to head towards the Bon Fire Dance area.  I think it's almost time for the first performance.  So it's time to pick up the pace to get there on time.  I'm so excited to see this.  During this trip, I've been seeing commercials for this and it's only during the summer time when they do this.

We reach the area and there are others around waiting too.  Our luck, it's been cancelled due to rainy weather.  I regret not coming the other day when it wasn't raining.  I was so sad.

Oh well, time to head out and explore more.  We head to Port Discovery to see the Indiana Jones ride.

As we are heading towards the ride, we see Sheila, Heather and Jordan with some of the Meiji Gakuin students.  I guess everyone decided to go to Tokyo Disney Sea this year.  The first year, we all planned to go and no one ended up going.

We made it.  Feels like we walked miles in this park.  It seems like we didn't get to ride many rides.  Instead we've walked around roaming and looking.  I think it's time to ride another ride.  We wait in line for the Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull ride.  It was funny because Indiana Jones talked in Japanese.  Scott thought it was funny too.

Even though we came at 6 P.M., 4 hours is not enough time in Tokyo Disney Sea.  We wanted to go on the Journey to the Center of Earth ride, but there wasn't enough time.  The line was too long.  I was bummed.  I know Scott was too.  He really likes roller coaster rides.

Time to head back to hotel.  Time to take some pictures before we have to leave.

Time to say goodbye to Tokyo Disney.  I really wish I could stay longer so I can see the Bon Fire Dance.  Maybe one day I will be back to do that.

Tomorrow is our last day in Japan.

Shrine Hopping: From Giant Statues to Giant Trees (Day 6 - Kamakura)

6:00 A.M., my usual wake up time for this trip.  Today is a rough day.  I'm sick.  I can't stay behind, I must force myself to go.  I don't want Scott to miss anything because I'm feeling a little sick.

Today is a holiday.  It's Ocean Day!  There will be quite a bit of people getting to the ocean, especially in Kamakura.

We have a long ride ahead of us.  I think it's a little over an hour ride just to get to Kamakura Station.  Today is what I like to call 'shrine hopping day" for us.  Today we're going to visit 3 shrines/temples that are quite a ways from each other.  Today's agenda is:  Daibutsu, Hase Dera, and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu.

Time to head to Shinjuku Station.  It's not as bad as I thought it would be.  I guess it's because it's a holiday that there isn't the mass rush hour on normal weekdays.  Since tomorrow is our free day, I suggest to Jayson that those who want to fill up their Suica cards should do it now (because we can show them how).

Instead of going onto the usual Yamanote Line, it's time to go a different way.  We're heading out of Tokyo and going south.  Hopefully there will be a place to sit on the train.  Just our luck, the train is slightly full, well the seating area.  I decide to stand until a seat opens up.  After a couple of stops, seats become available.  Too bad Scott and I are separated for the moment.  At first, Scott was being stubborn and didn't want to sit down.  He said that he can manage, but I convinced him after saying how long the ride will be.


After over an hour in the train, we finally make it Kamakura.  It's amazing that the ride didn't seem that long.  I wonder why....

Kamakura hasn't changed.  There is just more people around since it's a nice sunny day for the beach!  The first year it was the ending part of the typhoon, so it was still cloudy and rainy.  As we head out of the station, Jayson's senpai greets us with his daughter.  After a short reunion, it's time to head to the Enoshima Electric Railway.

First thing at the station, I start looking for the コロッケ (croquette) stand.  That's the first thing I remember about this station.  I'm so glad that it's still here.  I rush over because I wasn't sure how much more time until the train comes.  I think everyone in the group thought I was weird.  Jayson cannot believe I still remembered the stand.

You can really tell that the recession is hitting everyone hard.  The croquettes are smaller this year.

As we wait for the train to come, there is a shrine at the end of the tracks.  There is a frog.  I get the joke, but I don't think the rest of the group understands.  It's a play on Japanese words.  The frog represents returning.  Frog in Japanese is kaeru and return is also kaeru.

The train finally arrives.  Same as always.  These are the things I love about Japan.  Like I have been saying, Tokyo is constantly evolving, but there are places like Kamakura that stay the same.

Time to take the short ride to the Hase Station.

Right outside of the Hase Station is a shop called Cafe Hula Hawaii.  The first Tokyo trip Jayson commented that Kamakura is as close as you can get to Hawaii.  People come here if they cannot afford the trip to Hawaii.  I didn't understand this the first year until going to the lookout point at Hase Dera.

Now it's time to make the trek to Daibutsu.  I remember that we need to head straight and we get to Daibutsu.  The walk up is the same.  First there are the Hawaii-themed or Hawaii-named shops on the way.

There are a lot of cars on the street.  Some are heading toward the beach.  Others are headed toward the Daibutsu.

This year there are more people walking about.  I guess good weather makes a big difference.  The typhoon during the first Tokyo trip really kept people indoors.  Of course, we weren't those people.  A little rain couldn't stop us!

Finally we make it to the entrance.  Yoko goes and purchases our tickets.  Nice souvenir.  All our admission tickets serve that purpose.

First things first.  We need to purify ourselves.  Jayson explains to those that have not done it before how it is done.

Once you pass that area, you can see the enormous statue of Buddha.  It's so big that taking this above picture was actually quite far away from the statue.  Like the rest of the historic landmarks around Japan, the statue still looks the same as it did 2 years ago.

Today is so hot.  Good weather for Ocean Day, bad for people sightseeing.  After taking a few pictures, I decide to go to the souvenir area.  I decide to get the usual charms as omiyage.  In the end I only spend around $20 (So cheap compared to buying back at home.  Another business opportunity?).

I cannot take the heat anymore.  I need something to cool me down.  I tell Scott that we should get some soft serve ice cream.  He doesn't argue with that suggestion.

While we both eat our ice cream, there are many squirrels around in the trees.  The first year was so rainy we didn't get to see them.  There actually was a man near us feeding them.  Too bad I didn't have a chance to take a picture of it.

It's lunch time!  I'm hungry.  It's free time and we have to find our own meal.  Majority of us go to the shop right across the street from the Daibutsu.  Since we are a large group, the lady lets us go upstairs.  I really want something cool since it is hot outside.  I order cold soba, while Scott decides to get hot ramen. (変, strange...)

Time flies by so fast.  Right after getting our orders, it's almost time to meet up with the rest of the group.  Time to pay our bill (no tip needed).  Well, Summer gave the lady a tip.  She gave her a Hawaii key chain.  She looked very happy to receive such a gift.  Is Hawaii really that much a paradise to others?  I guess perspective makes a big difference to everyone.  We meet up with the rest of the group and walk back towards the station.

Hase Dera is on the top of a street with regular homes.  You wouldn't think there would be a shrine in the middle of community.  That's the charm of Japan.  Things are put in random areas or communities are built around historic landmarks so they don't waste any space.

We have free time to explore the entire garden.  I don't think there is enough time.  This place is HUGE!  Last time we were here, I wasn't able to get to the cave.  This year I am making it a point to get there.

First things first at any temple.  Purify ourselves once again.

Everything looks the same as it did the first time I came here.  Here I took the same picture.  Can you tell when I took each one?

The one on the left is the picture I took the first year.  The one on the right is the one I took this year.  The angle is different but it is of the same area.  This is one of the quirks of Japan.  There are places that stay constant as the outside continuously change.

The garden are is so beautiful.  It's the perfect time to visit Hase Dera.  It says online that these flowers usually bloom during June and July.

Next it's time to head towards the actual temple area.  Too bad pictures are not permitted in any of the halls.  Scott doesn't seem too interested in going in them.  I don't think this is his scene.  Even though we do live in the country area, I think he'd rather be in the city.

I want to go to the path of enlightenment (I think that's what it's called).  I remember going on that uphill battle and being rewarded.  So, I dragged Scott to come with me. (^_^)

The beginning of the path is still the same.  The only thing different is that there aren't any flowers by the stairs.  It still is beautiful.  At first I thought I would try and count the steps, but soon I just stopped because of the amount there was.

Once we reached the top of the path, you can see all the way to the shore line.  With my zoom lens, you can see the amount of people at the beach.  The first time there weren't as many because of the storm.  It was amazing to see that many people on the beach.  It makes Maui seem so insignificant.

Once I get my pictures, it's time to head back down.  I really want to go into the cave this year.  If I don't now, I don't know when I will get a chance to come here again.

On the way to the caves, I stop by the area with hundreds of Jizo.  What does the Jizo represent?  Jizo is the protector of unborn children that have either been miscarried, still-born or aborted.  It's amazing to see the the amount seems to have increased in just 2 years.

We finally make it to the caves.  Yay!  It's so dark and low inside.  I guess this is the best time to be short.  It was nice a cool compared to the weather outside.  Maybe that's why so many people were inside.

I tried taking pictures of the statues, but it was too dark.  But it was amazing how everything was set up.  Each deity had it's own area and you can place your offering at whichever one you want to.  Exploring around the caves was interesting.  You cannot be claustrophobic.  Some areas were low and tight.  Cliff said he had trouble being hunched for that period of time inside the caves.

Time flies again.  It's time for us to leave Hase Dera and head to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu.  We have to get back to Kamakura Station.  Back to the electric train we go!  This time we are going to go by taxi.  Better than the first year.  The walk is nice but it cuts into the time we don't have.  We are dropped off across the street and must walk down the long pathway to get to the shrine.

This year there are many vendors.  I guess the first year there wasn't because 1) it was pretty late in the afternoon and 2) it was the day after the typhoon.

We finally make it to the lower level of the shrine.  Here you have a great view of the staircase to get to the main temple.  This is why it was a good idea to take a taxi here than walking.

My first stop of the shrine is of course the area with all the sake barrels.  Sometimes I wonder if they really are full.  These things are huge.  It must be around 3 feet high.  Must be a big party to drink all that sake.

At the base of the stairwell, there is a huge gingko tree.  It is said that this tree is approximately 1,000 years old.  I think it is really sad to know that in March 2010 this had been uprooted due to a snowstorm.  I am glad to have seen it twice.  The next time I visit, it won't be the same.

It's amazing how powerful nature can be.  A heavy snowstorm that can uproot a tree that had been sturdy for 1,000 years.

Time to make the journey up those stairs.  After this long day, it's a little challenge to go up that many stairs.

At the top, you can see the Hachimangu sign in more detail.  The "hachi" (Japanese kanji for 8) is made up of 2 "tsurus" (Japanese cranes).  It is the mirror reflection of each other.

After going into the temple and purchasing more souvenirs, Scott and I head back down the stairs.  For some reason I need a snack.  I was happy to see a yakitori vendor.  Scott loves yakitori.  Of course, I have to order since Scott doesn't like to try his Japanese.  This gives us a chance to sit down and relax before we have to head back to the station.

Our time in Kamakura is done.  Time to head back to Tokyo.  I can't believe that we only got to see 3 places in Kamakura in 10 hours.  It would take forever to see everything there is to see in Kamakura.  I guess we have to venture out to Japan on our own one day.

As we take the hour train ride back to Tokyo, we spot Kamen Rider V3!  変身 (henshin)!

I want to rest like I did the first year.  I passed out on the train.  I think Andy took a picture of it.  I couldn't believe it.  I was holding onto the railing and sleeping sitting up.  I blended into my surroundings.

For some reason I cannot go to sleep.  I feel tired and a little sick, yet I cannot fall asleep.  At least the class part is done for today.  Tonight is our farewell banquet and optional tour of Kabukicho because tomorrow is a free day.

The farewell banquet was something to remember, too bad some of it I don't.  I didn't take any pictures.  I was too busy drinking.  It was like the first year.  At one point I was just speaking Japanese.  At least this year I didn't cry.

After the dinner, we have an optional tour of the the Metropolitan Government Building and Kabukicho.  Scott isn't feeling so good.  I have to take him back to the hotel room.  Everyone else is waiting for me so we can head to the government building.


We get there, and to our luck, we just missed the last elevator.  No seeing Tokyo from above at night.  At least I got to the first time.  So now it's time to head to Kabukicho!


For some reason, I don't remember getting to Kabukicho.  I remember walking and everything, but I don't know which route we took.  I do remember bits and pieces.  I do remember going to Shinjuku station because that's how we got to Kabukicho the first year.  But I don't remember the rest.  But I do remember getting to the gate that marks Kabukicho (Kabukicho Ichibangai).

As we walk around I start taking pictures.  Even though I'm 酔っぱらい, I think I took pretty good pictures.

Our tour is cut short.  Time to head back to the hotel.  We are going to take a taxi even though we are close by.  It was amazing that I could tell the taxi driver where to go.  I even asked for a receipt.  All of this was in Japanese.  That's what Sheila told me.


Tomorrow is a free day.  In the morning, we are heading to Ghibli Studios.  Then we are going to Tokyo Disney Sea at night!