Tokyo Elite (Day 3 - Todai and Roppongi)

It's already day 3, OMG!  Time flies, especially when you are supposed to be on vacation.  Today isn't a long day like yesterday.  Today there is only 2 stops lined up, Todai (Tokyo University) and Roppongi.

Since the first time we went to Tokyo, I really wanted to see Todai.  Each Shojo manga or Japanese school drama always has some mention of Todai.  It's the elite university of Japan.  I FINALLY get to walk through the infamous Akamon (Red Gate)!

What's even better about this visit to Todai is that we get a personal tour from Jayson's senpai (mentor).  I am so excited to see the campus.  First we must take the train there.  Since it was such a short ride, Jayson wasn't paying attention and we almost missed the stop.  Good thing I was paying attention.  This is why Jayson MUST have an assistant each time he offers these courses.

As we walk towards Todai, there is a Natural Lawson.  That's something new to me.  I guess the health food fad is now in Tokyo.  It's so cute that the sign is pink.

We're almost there, I can feel it.  At one of the crosswalks there are yellow flags in a container.  "What the heck is that?" goes through my head.  Of course before any of the words come out my mouth, Jayson explains what the flags are for.  Since there isn't much of a fear about letting your children walk to school by themselves, at crosswalks there are these flags that they hold up.  I think they are cute.  Japan and it's protocols.

Now I can see the gate!  The gate I always wanted to see in person at least once in my life.  The Akamon of Todai.  To walk through that gate, was just an exciting thought.  I am ACTUALLY going to finally walk through it.  There are many high school students walking around.  They are taking pictures in front of the gate.  It's the goal of many high school students to be accepted into Todai.  If I grew up in Japan, I would probably have done the same exact thing they were doing.  Even though I didn't grow up in Japan, a part of me wanted to go to Todai.  The only thing that caused me to stop that goal was that they didn't have much of a business school or international population of students.

An exchange student from UH Manoa meets up with us at the gate, Alex.  It's time to go through the gate (Yay!).  I feel a little elite as I enter the university grounds.  Everything is so pretty and clean.  We have some time until we have to meet with Jayson's senpai.  We head towards the Todai souvenir shop.  Wow everything is so takai (expensive).  But since I'm here, I purchase some UT stuff (9,800 yen = $98.00).

Now we are a little behind schedule (Oh no!).  We have to rush to meet up with Jayson's senpai (Dr. Shunya Yoshimi).  He is going to give a tour of the graduate school area of Todai and also will give a short lecture of the graduate program (lucky!).

First is the tour of the graduate school building.  I cannot believe the entire building was a donation from one of Todai's graduates.  What a generous gesture.  I wish I had that much money just to donate back to my school.

We are first taken into the study hall like room for the graduate students.  There is an area that had computers and work areas for individuals and for groups.  There are a couple of students there working on their projects for their courses.  Their English is really good (of course it is, they are students of Todai).

Next we are taken to Dr. Yoshimi's office and the other professors of the graduate school.  It's amazing how much you can fit in a small space.  Japanese people are so smart.  I actually do stuff like this in my room (^_^).  Does that make me smart too?  I always like when they say "excuse the mess."  When you look at it though, it doesn't look messy at all.  Japanese people are too proud.

The next area we go to is my favorite.  It's the lecture hall.  This is where they have distance education.  I am all too familiar with this type of room.  The room I go to for my distance education is nothing compared to the one at Todai.  I am so jealous.  I think I would look forward to going to class if the room looked like this.  Everything looks so bright and clean.

Now it's time for the lecture by Dr. Yoshimi.  An actual lecture from a Todai professor.  I was in heaven.  I sound like a big dork saying things like this.  But for me, this is something I will never experience.  It's something that I was looking forward to majority of my life.  I was raised very Japanese.  I wanted everything Japanese kids experienced in Japan.  During the lecture, I realized that Todai is evolving just like the city it is in.  Before, I thought it was not even fathomable for me to go to Todai, but after the lecture, I may have a chance of going to graduate school at Todai.  There's still hope for me (Yay!).

It's time for our tour around the campus.  Well it's more what we see as we head to get lunch.  As we make our way to the cafeteria, we pass by another infamous building at Todai, the clock tower.  I didn't realize it was 40 years since the incident.  Who would have thought that 40 years ago something so violent occurred at this campus.  But, if I were alive during that time, I would have fought like those students.  Education cannot be status quo, it must evolve.  All I can think about as I see the clock tower is Love Hina.  It's been so long since I've read or watch Love Hina.  Natsukashii.

Lunch!  I am hungry.  What do Todai students eat on campus?  The answer, government subsidized food.  Go figure.  It was a very interesting experience.  It's like going to Yoshinoya.  There is a display of what is available that day.  Then you go to the vending machine to get a ticket.  You take the ticket to the cashier.  I was very lucky, I had the last one of the special meals (Yay!).  Next you have to go to the cafeteria area and go to the section the ticket says.  So I had to go to section "B."  Then you show your ticket and they hand you your meal.  So efficient.  I didn't even have to wait a minute and my food was hot.  Then you get your utensils and drink.  I decide to have some cool tea to relax.  The trip has been so hectic and it's not even half way done.  After eating you go to the conveyor belt and place your tray for cleaning.  Time to stock up on water.  Good thing there are vending machines by the exit.

Time to say goodbye to Todai (T-T).  It's time to head to another elite area of Tokyo, Roppongi.  I thought this was interesting to see at the train station.  The entire section had different sayings.  It is really eye catching.  But no time to read the wall, the train is coming.  Roppongi, here we come!

First stop at Roppongi, Tokyo Tower.  Last time in Tokyo we didn't have the time to get there.  So instead of Roppongi Hills this year, we get to go to Tokyo Tower!  We get out of the station and to find out that we are down the hill of Tokyo Tower.  What a d'oh moment.  So, what do we do?  We take a taxi!  I loved our taxi driver.  Of course, he is confused when we tell him that we want to go Tokyo Tower which is in the opposite direction he his driving.  What does he do?  He makes an illegal U-turn!  I was so shocked that this old man was doing this, but at the same time thought he was so cool to do it.  We reach there before the rest of the group (lol) and we were the last ones to catch a taxi!

Tokyo Tower!  Too bad it's the day time.  It's much prettier at night.  You can't have everything.  Of course it is busy.  Jayson gets our tickets.  We wait in line for the elevator.  This is so familiar with last year at Osaka (Osaka Tower).  There is the elevator attendant that does the announcement as we head up to the observation area.  It's also funny that there is a light show as we are going up.  We can only go half-way because the very top is under construction.  Why is everything under construction this year?

On the observation floor, we get a 360 view of Tokyo.  We have some free time to go around and take pictures.  First, of course, I look for Odaiba just to see if I can see Gundam.  Guess what, you can!  It's pretty tiny from Tokyo Tower.  As I go around, I see Mori Tower (Roppongi Hills).  Maybe I will have time to visit that area later on.  After the go around is done, we all head to Midtown for our guided tour.  So time to ride a taxi again.

OMG, Tokyo traffic.  Could not believe how long it takes to go about 2 miles.  It ended up being 1,200 yen (I think).  It beats walking though.  I wasn't really paying attention when the taxi driver says if it okay to drop us off.  Then I look and we are across the street from Midtown.  I could not believe how ritzy this place is.  I feel so out of place.  I'm dressed in BCX clothes and there are women in designer suits and dresses.

We head into the tallest building in Tokyo (previously Mori Tower).  My neck gets sore just looking up at the building.  It really is tall.


We need to hurry and get to the information desk for our tour.  As we go into the building, you can feel the ritzy-ness of the place.  Plus, I notice all the water just like the first trip.  Roppongi Hills had the same type of feel.  There was water everywhere, inside and outside.  I guess that's the theme of Roppongi, trees and water (or maybe just nature in general).  I think it's to remind people of the beauty and calmness of nature in a hectic and stressful city of Tokyo.  It's almost zen-like here in Roppongi.


We get to the information desk and they are all nicely dressed.  It makes us feel a little under-dressed.  We are handed earpieces with receivers attached.  Jayson is designated as the translator (oh no! lol).  We ask if it is okay to leave our bags at the information desk as we take the tour.  It's a good thing they said yes.  I really didn't want to carry around my bag from Todai.

Our tour starts right in front of the information desk.  There is a huge marble rock under a glass opening.  It's a beautiful sculpture.  Yes, it is a sculpture and not just a piece of marble.  It's called "Mother (母)."  You are allowed to go inside of the stone and feel the protection like a mother when you are in the womb.  I just wonder how much this sculpture is worth.

Next, we are escorted outside to the area we entered.  There is another piece of stone (another stone sculpture).  This time it is made out of onyx.  I really like onyx.  I think it's mysterious.  This sculpture is designed as a looking glass.  When you look through the opening you should have the perfect view of the Midtown building.  At first I was skeptic.  There is no way that opening can fit the Midtown building.  Well the Japanese are really ingenious.  Check out the picture I took from the opening.  They weren't lying.


Next we take the tour outside of Midtown.  First is the building right next to Midtown.  KONAMI (ooh)!  Too bad we cannot go into that building.  I would love to see how things are run in that company.  All I am thinking is DDR (Dance Dance Revolution).  Ah, the memories come back.  I was one of the best female DDR-er on Maui.  In the beginning, I was one of the only female DDR-ers.  It was hard competing against the guys.  I guess it was a blow to their ego whenever I would beat them.  But, my friends were better than me.  It was more they played more often than me and started before me.  Can you name other popular Konami games?  Konami gamers unite!


Next up, Fuji Film.  First thing I see is Matsuda Seiko.  I think Jayson was surprised that I knew who she was.  I have been listening to Japanese pop music (J-Pop) for a long time.  I have been listening to J-Pop before it was trendy in Hawaii.  I was in 4th grade when I started listening to J-Pop.  My friends would always say, "What is that?"  Or they would just look at me weird.  But now, they come to me for the older J-Pop CDs.  Turn around is fair play.


We just zoom by the Fuji Film Square.  I guess because it is a guided tour that there is no time to go browsing into the Fuji Film showroom.  I think that would take us forever if we were allowed into that place.  I probably would end up with something.  I LOVE electronics.

Up next is the main entrance to the Midtown building.  We are asked what does the opening represent.  After a while, we figure it out.  It's supposed to be a 鳥居 (torii), a Shinto shrine archway.  It proves the zen-like atmosphere Roppongi creates.



Next we head toward one of many sculptures around Midtown.  This one is made up with blue rectangle pieces.  It is arranged in a spiral pattern that goes up about 15 feet.

Next, more water.  There is a fountain next to a shallow pool.  Right after that is more water.  The walkway is lined with water shooting out of the ground onto smooth black rocks.  More zen representations.  It is rather soothing and makes me not think about my feet.

We pass another sculpture.  It's is a sculpture of a head.  I'm confused.  But, I guess they just showcase random artists around Midtown.  The tour guide mentions that the sculpture is very new.  It was just completed yesterday.  Wow, the efficiency of Japan.  In one day, it goes from the artist to being displayed.

There is still more water to be seen on this walkway.  The next thing we see is ashimizu.  What is ashimizu?  It is a place where you have soak your feet during the summer.  Since, it is so hot during the summer, Roppongi has a ashimizu setup to cool yourself down.  Plus, it is good opportunity for people to gather and drink.


I hope we have time to go back and do this.  It looks so good.  Plus my feet would be so thankful if I did.  But, I know we plan to go back to Odaiba during our free time after the tour.


Not too many people are here yet.  It's still early.  Plus it's a Friday.  People are still working.  It'll probably be busier during the night.  Roppongi is known for its Friday nightlife.

As we pass by the ashimizu without sampling, we head to the next area, trees.  Roppongi is known for trees.  It's part of its name.  Roppongi (六本木) literally means "6 trees."  So many varieties of trees line the walkway.  It ranges from sakura to ginkgo.  I would love to be here during sakura season.  It must be beautiful, but must be very hard to get a good spot in Roppongi.

What is coming up next is quite interesting.  It is a art museum that is featuring the same architect that donated all that money to Todai.  What a coincidence!  The building is extraordinary.  The roof looks like one piece.  With Japanese ingenuity, it is actually many pieces soldered together to make it look like one continuous piece.  That's a lot of work.


The tour guide says that we are halfway through the tour.  I thought, "wow, that's fast."  Then I look at my watch and realize that almost an hour has passed.  It doesn't seem like an hour.  But time does fly when you are on "vacation."

There is on open area for events.  Right now they are setting up for an event that is happening tonight.  It is a summer event.  They have food and drink booths set up.  There are some people already lounging on the grass area.  Everything is green and clean.  You don't see any trash around.  Why can't home be like this?  I think our nation is just too stingy with creating this type of jobs.  Or it could be that our nation is very ego-conscious and don't take pride in our low ranking jobs.  We have to learn from the Japanese when it comes to having pride in whatever job we may have.

Now it's time to head back into the Midtown building.  There is another sculpture before the entrance of the building.  At first it looks like it's supposed to represent water.  When you get closer to it, there is something different you can see.  It was really trippy.  It was a bunch of faces.  I could not believe it.  It was a very creative.

Back into the Midtown building we go with Vince.  Shopping, well high-end shopping.  Everything looks like it is high priced.  Everything is so zen-like here too.  Everything is supposed to remind you of traditional items in traditional homes.  Most things remind me of shoji panels.  And that's what the tour guide says when I think it (lol).  I guess I was reading her mind or she was reading mine.


We stop by a shop that sells Hawaii items.  I think it was funny how much mark up there was for all these items.  What a great business opportunity here.  Move to Japan, then you can have someone from Hawaii ship items like Hawaiian Host and other Hawaii items and then sell them in Japan.  During these trying times, a lot of Japanese are not traveling to Hawaii as much as before.  Also, not everyone can afford to travel to Hawaii ever in their life.  These shops helps them experience something Hawaii.  I wonder how much money you could make with this type of shop in a not so ritzy area like Roppongi.

The tour is almost over.  That's a good thing.  Need a restroom break.  See what happens when you follow the keep hydrated rule.  No repeats of last year.  But before that, we are shown this beautiful fountain (which doesn't help when you have to go).  The water comes from the ceiling and trickles down into the fountain.  "What does it trickle down?"  That's the question we are asked.  It's piano strings.  Japanese ingenuity.


Yay!  The tour is over.  I can rush to the restroom now!  My feet are hurting.  So much standing today.  I am looking forward to sitting down.  But first, picture taking.  We take a group picture in front of the first sculpture of the tour.  Now it's free time.  Everyone has to tell Jayson where they are going.  Where am I going, back to Odaiba.  Need more Gundam!


On our way to Gundam.  Yay!  First stop, the 薬 shop (medicine shope).  Need something for my aching feet.  Gotta find Salonpas.  I think it's the greatest thing ever invented.  After purchasing that and some padding for my shoes, it's time to get on the subway.  I think this Tokyo trip is so much better transportation-wise.  The Suica card lets us go on JR lines and Tokyo Metro lines.  So convenient.  Time to take the subway to Shiodome so we can transfer to the Yurikamome to Odaiba.  Shiodome station is AMAZING!  It seems more ritzy than Roppongi and this is just the train station.  Everything is immaculate.

Riding on the Yurikamome for the second time this trip.  There are many people getting on.  I guess they are all going to see Gundam too.  It is a once in a lifetime event.  How often do you think Japan would build a life-size Gundam?  This time I get a better view of Rainbow Bridge.  I wonder why I didn't have a chance the first time.  Maybe because this is my free time and have the time to actually enjoy the sights than worry about the rest of the group.  I didn't think being an assistant would be this tough.  Oh well, we are halfway through the trip.  I WILL make it through.

Back in Odaiba.  What to do?  That's not a tough question.  It's Gundam time!  Time to make the trek to Shiokaze Park.  This time we know which way to go.  Follow the crowd of people.  Again, there are 1,000's of people there.  It seems like more since it is the start of the weekend.  Families have gathered and have set up picnics.  Time to take some pictures.  This time up close and personal shots.  No, I did not wait in the line to touch the Gundam.  That line was too long.  I used my zoom lens to take a lot (and I mean A LOT) of pictures.

It's 8 P.M.  The Gundam is going to shutdown >_<.  What to do now?  I think it's time to eat.  I'm pretty hungry.  Time to head to Aqua City for some food.  Where to eat?  I think it's funny that there's a Kua Aina restaurant here.  I remember it from the first trip to Tokyo.  So is it a Japan chain or Hawaii chain of restaurants?  Well when I look it up on the web, it seems like it's a Japan chain because everything is in Japanese.  Instead we head to the food court area of Aqua City.  I really want to eat McDonald's.  I know that sounds weird, but I regretted not eating at least once at McDonald's the last two times in Japan.  The people who have eaten say that it's WAY better than home.  This time I made it a point to try it.  So I went.

All the employees are wearing nicer uniforms than those at home.  The girls have to wear skirts and they all wear collared shirts.  I realize that I have to say the entire order in Japanese.  It's not as hard as you think.  In the end, I ordered the Shrimp Burger meal (えびフィレオ ポテトセット = Ebi Fireo Poteto Setto).  OMG, it was so amazing.  Everything about it was better.  Even the fries were better.  They were neatly placed into the container.

While eating, something unusual (well to me) happened.  A couple came to the booth in front of me and the girl placed her purse on the table and they both walked away.  The girl went to order food and the guy went to get a rag to wipe down the table.  Only in Japan, I thought.  I wanted to take a picture of this, but the guy came back to the table too quickly (a missed opportunity).  Well, my meal satisfied me.  Weird, McDonald's usually doesn't, but I am eating Japanese McDonald's.  Time for more shopping.  Don't have much time, the mall is going to close up in about two hours, plus have to get back to the Yurikamome.

Back at the hotel.  Time to pack everything up because we are switching hotels.  At least I kept most of my stuff packed each day.  All I had to pack was things I purchased today.  That and all my laptop stuff.  Everything is packed.  Still have to get breakfast for tomorrow.  Good thing 7 Eleven is across the street.  Tomorrow is going to be another long day.  Asakusa and Akihabara.