Too tired to do the photos in the midst here, so I created a set just for today on Flickr. Follow along at your own pace. :)
I thought I'd be posting that I didn't take that many photos today, but of course that's not the case since I went to a garden/forest area with a shrine with an old Japanese building in it. The gates, rooflines, and lovely details alone crank me into high-photography gear!
Anyway, the day started with no plans except for meeting Hiro-san, Shizuko-san, and Rumi-san for dinner at 7. When I got up I knew I wanted to see a few of the famous neighborhoods, so after breakfast I just set out to do that... no real plan. I took the Yamanote subway line (mental note: stay very close to this line when next I visit, because it's the loop that goes everywhere) down to Shibuya.
In Shibuya, the first thing I witness is this big building with a huge video blaring sound out as it goes. This and a few others like this make me see where those movie shots come from in so many sci-fi flicks. But the shops weren't really open yet at this point, so I went into the nearby Starbucks and had some coffee, watched the crowd through the window, and read some from my Kindle. Heard more English in the SB than I had since I arrived.
After a break, I went to walk around some more. Lots of street shots, some neat buildings and stores, and I wandered through Seibu, the deluxe high-end department store there. From there I wandered around even more, snapping photos along the way, and I made my way over to Harajuku. I quickly found my way to the mothership H&M store, but decided I didn't really feel like carrying more clothes in my suitcase, so walked a bit more and found myself in the heart of Harajuku fashion. A wild street with quite a few crazy store windows and outfits walking around. Not like the weekend, I'm sure, but impressive nonetheless. No Gwen Stefani, though.
While there, I was on the hunt for the Ukiyo-e woodblock print museum, and after a few loops around, I found it! I have no photos except for the entrance, but trust me, these prints from the 1700's-1800's are spectacular. So many amazing images. And one of them really hit me in an emotional way, and I don't really know why. But, if there are such a thing as previous lives, I definitely lived in the Edo period!
After that I grabbed some food at the Donner-party Kebab stand. I mean Doner Kebab stand. :) Tasty!
And from there I realized how close I was to the Meiji-Jingu shrine, so I had to go over there. My feet were already hurting at this point, but why stop now? So I hoofed it over, and found the first huge gate, a lovely path, a second huge gate, lovely chrysanthemums, and then the entrance building. I was taking tons of photos along the way, and then when I went into the courtyard, I was a wedding procession! The couple and leaders were all decked out in formal kimonos, and it was so lovely. I got a shot of the couple later, too. I ended up taking a million photos of these lovely buildings, including one I wasn't supposed to take of the interior shrine building. D'oh! But he didn't make me erase it!
And once I was done there, I made my way through the rest of the amazing forest-lined walk to another subway station and came back to the hotel.
This allowed me time to sit and let my legs recover before going out to dinner. Hiro and family were meeting me at 7 at the Tokyo subway station, and I got there and met up with them. We went to a traditional Japanese restaurant and had a huge 5 or 6 course meal, all amazing, and all gorgeous. It was a screened room, seats on the floor, and lovely company to enjoy it all. Great to see some friendly faces, too! And of course I took photos of every course.
Tomorrow it's a little bit of time in the morning (maybe seeing the nearby shrine) before heading out to ride the bullet train to Kyoto. Woot!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Long but fun day in Tokyo
(note: despite the huge number of photos in this post, there's TONS more on Flickr)
I woke up early this morning, around 6:30, after getting a good 9 hours of sleep or so. What a relief! This did not prevent me from feeling really tired really early this afternon with the jet lag and all, but it felt good. And wow, I want to get one of the fluffy comforters they have on their tatami mats here. So squishy and comfortable!
Once I got myself organized, I went down to the restaurant for the buffet-style breakfast. Who needs western food? I can get that anytime! So I had miso soup, rice, some pickled things, salmon, and an egg cake thing. Tasty!
Breakfast:
Then, I was part of the morning subway rush this morning and had to sqeeeeeeze onto a subway car where there was no room. It's very much like getting into a sardine can, but there weren't external people smooshing us on, and I didn't get grabbed so it was all good.
No photos from the train, but here's one of the station:
I then made my way to the bus station to meet up with my tour. It was a great mix of people and I spent a lot of time with Kobi and Andrew, from Brisbane, Australia. I may even see them when I visit there later this month! Our first stop was the Tokyo Tower, which provides for some great views.
The tower:
Me and a view of a nearby temple:
Then we went to see a tea ceremony and a really beautiful garden. The pond and koi were amazing, and then they had a huge number of bonsai trees, including one that's 500 years old. The tea ceremony itself was tourist-ized because it was pretty quick and we got to sit on chairs and keep our shoes on. But it was fun to watch the tea master do her thing, and I learned that the turning of the bowl is to enjoy the picture, but then not drink from the pretty part. Also, the sweets you eat before the tea are really amazing. I also found a lovely shrine and gate tucked away in the back, and really just enjoyed wandering the garden. So peaceful!
Tea master:
Me drinking tea:
500 year-old bonsai tree:
Pond, trees, and koi:
After that garden, we went to a restaurant near the Four Seasons for a bbq-style lunch, where the meal is cooked not on iron, but on a volcanic stone. It was delicious, and fun to chat with more of the folks from my tour (a Brit who is working on a book about Japanese hot springs, a Swede, a Belgian, the two Aussies, and me).
Cooking lunch:
Our crew:
From there it was off to the Imperial Palace edge. You can't go in without reservations and you can't see the palace from outside, but we did see some of the guard towers and the moat. Plus the lovely black pine forest.
And finally we were off to Asakusa, to do some shopping in the "arcade" and then visit the Kannon Temple, a great buddhist site. The shopping area had its cheesiness, but it was fun to walk around, and the area is beautiful. The shrine and gates and pagoda are all lovely, and it's neat to see people going through their rituals to cleanse and pray.
The shopping arcade:
Me and pagoda:
Incense cleansing before entering shrine:
After that, I said goodbye to my lovely tour guide, and my new friends as they were all going back south. Since our last stop was so close to my area, I went back through the arcade, grabbed some street food noodles (YUM), some bean paste cakes (YUM), and then made it back via subway.
Me, tourguide Mai-san, Pikachu, and Flat Stanley:
Dinner and dessert:
In between all this, I've been taking tons of pictures of odd signs....
Please put off your shoes (by my room entrance):
By a public bathroom sink:
Trash signs (combustible?):
Inglorious Basterds (In-gu-ri-a-su Ba-su-taa-zu):
Also found a few interesting store fronts:
Many neat buildings great and small, old and new...
And, of course many photos of Flat Stanley and the sites (more over here):
Don't look down!
Mmm, tea:
And some of my favorite shots of the day:
I leave you with this, the Asahi beer headquarters. Get it? It's a beer! Don't ask about the little golden, erm, thing. It's apparently a "flame of passion" designed by a Frenchman. Uh, yeah.
I woke up early this morning, around 6:30, after getting a good 9 hours of sleep or so. What a relief! This did not prevent me from feeling really tired really early this afternon with the jet lag and all, but it felt good. And wow, I want to get one of the fluffy comforters they have on their tatami mats here. So squishy and comfortable!
Once I got myself organized, I went down to the restaurant for the buffet-style breakfast. Who needs western food? I can get that anytime! So I had miso soup, rice, some pickled things, salmon, and an egg cake thing. Tasty!
Breakfast:
Then, I was part of the morning subway rush this morning and had to sqeeeeeeze onto a subway car where there was no room. It's very much like getting into a sardine can, but there weren't external people smooshing us on, and I didn't get grabbed so it was all good.
No photos from the train, but here's one of the station:
I then made my way to the bus station to meet up with my tour. It was a great mix of people and I spent a lot of time with Kobi and Andrew, from Brisbane, Australia. I may even see them when I visit there later this month! Our first stop was the Tokyo Tower, which provides for some great views.
The tower:
Me and a view of a nearby temple:
Then we went to see a tea ceremony and a really beautiful garden. The pond and koi were amazing, and then they had a huge number of bonsai trees, including one that's 500 years old. The tea ceremony itself was tourist-ized because it was pretty quick and we got to sit on chairs and keep our shoes on. But it was fun to watch the tea master do her thing, and I learned that the turning of the bowl is to enjoy the picture, but then not drink from the pretty part. Also, the sweets you eat before the tea are really amazing. I also found a lovely shrine and gate tucked away in the back, and really just enjoyed wandering the garden. So peaceful!
Tea master:
Me drinking tea:
500 year-old bonsai tree:
Pond, trees, and koi:
After that garden, we went to a restaurant near the Four Seasons for a bbq-style lunch, where the meal is cooked not on iron, but on a volcanic stone. It was delicious, and fun to chat with more of the folks from my tour (a Brit who is working on a book about Japanese hot springs, a Swede, a Belgian, the two Aussies, and me).
Cooking lunch:
Our crew:
From there it was off to the Imperial Palace edge. You can't go in without reservations and you can't see the palace from outside, but we did see some of the guard towers and the moat. Plus the lovely black pine forest.
And finally we were off to Asakusa, to do some shopping in the "arcade" and then visit the Kannon Temple, a great buddhist site. The shopping area had its cheesiness, but it was fun to walk around, and the area is beautiful. The shrine and gates and pagoda are all lovely, and it's neat to see people going through their rituals to cleanse and pray.
The shopping arcade:
Me and pagoda:
Incense cleansing before entering shrine:
After that, I said goodbye to my lovely tour guide, and my new friends as they were all going back south. Since our last stop was so close to my area, I went back through the arcade, grabbed some street food noodles (YUM), some bean paste cakes (YUM), and then made it back via subway.
Me, tourguide Mai-san, Pikachu, and Flat Stanley:
Dinner and dessert:
In between all this, I've been taking tons of pictures of odd signs....
Please put off your shoes (by my room entrance):
By a public bathroom sink:
Trash signs (combustible?):
Inglorious Basterds (In-gu-ri-a-su Ba-su-taa-zu):
Also found a few interesting store fronts:
Many neat buildings great and small, old and new...
And, of course many photos of Flat Stanley and the sites (more over here):
Don't look down!
Mmm, tea:
And some of my favorite shots of the day:
I leave you with this, the Asahi beer headquarters. Get it? It's a beer! Don't ask about the little golden, erm, thing. It's apparently a "flame of passion" designed by a Frenchman. Uh, yeah.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Made it to Tokyo!
The photos have begun here. And there's a set just for Flat Stanley, too.
I wonder if first evenings in any locale are wasted on me. I got in, managed to make my way through the Tokyo subway system with my luggage during rush hour, found a taxi to take me to my hotel, got to my room, and then needed to eat something. So I went for a little walk toward a very lit up area, and found what looked like a department store. I'd heard that basements of these stores were chock full of great food, so I went down and certainly found it. A huge football-field-length area filled with stands for all kinds of food, much of it stuff you wrap up to give as gifts, but plenty to just eat an enjoy. I picked up some takeout sushi (nigiri) and takeout tempura, grabbed a water from a vending machine, and walked home. Sure I was looking around, but really appreciating being here? Not so sure. With less than three hours of sleep before leaving, and maybe a total of 3-4 hours on the plane. I'm a little exhausted. Still, at least I didn't go for McDonald's (just down the street)!
To back up, the flight from Boston to Chicagowas easy-peasy, and then I got bumped up to Premium Economy (or whatever JAL calls it), which was very nice. It was over a 13 hour flight and it meant I had not only leg room, but a seat that had a leg rest, foot rest, and kind of pushed back. Not quite like the bed-types, but far better than typical coach.
Once in Tokyo's Narita airport, getting through the airport and customs was pretty easy. It started to go a little slow when I was trying to figure out where to get my Japan Rail pass, but I managed that and then getting onto the train was easy. That's about an hour trip and where I discovered I do have roaming on my phone here, and better yet, my kindle's international functions work and allow me to do a little slow web-surfing for free! Suh-weet! Also had an amazing view of far-off Mt. Fuji with a red-lit sky behind it as the sun set. Gorgeous!
Right, and now we're back to the beginning of my story... I got food, came back, and am enjoying the floor pillows, screens, big wooden bath tub, and looking forward to sacking out on the tatami mat.
Lots of photos are already up on Flickr, but here's a few.
Time to buckle up, Flat Stanley!
15 hours later, tired, and bedraggled, but we made it!
Takeout dinner
Where I'm headed now
Konbanwa and G'night!
I wonder if first evenings in any locale are wasted on me. I got in, managed to make my way through the Tokyo subway system with my luggage during rush hour, found a taxi to take me to my hotel, got to my room, and then needed to eat something. So I went for a little walk toward a very lit up area, and found what looked like a department store. I'd heard that basements of these stores were chock full of great food, so I went down and certainly found it. A huge football-field-length area filled with stands for all kinds of food, much of it stuff you wrap up to give as gifts, but plenty to just eat an enjoy. I picked up some takeout sushi (nigiri) and takeout tempura, grabbed a water from a vending machine, and walked home. Sure I was looking around, but really appreciating being here? Not so sure. With less than three hours of sleep before leaving, and maybe a total of 3-4 hours on the plane. I'm a little exhausted. Still, at least I didn't go for McDonald's (just down the street)!
To back up, the flight from Boston to Chicagowas easy-peasy, and then I got bumped up to Premium Economy (or whatever JAL calls it), which was very nice. It was over a 13 hour flight and it meant I had not only leg room, but a seat that had a leg rest, foot rest, and kind of pushed back. Not quite like the bed-types, but far better than typical coach.
Once in Tokyo's Narita airport, getting through the airport and customs was pretty easy. It started to go a little slow when I was trying to figure out where to get my Japan Rail pass, but I managed that and then getting onto the train was easy. That's about an hour trip and where I discovered I do have roaming on my phone here, and better yet, my kindle's international functions work and allow me to do a little slow web-surfing for free! Suh-weet! Also had an amazing view of far-off Mt. Fuji with a red-lit sky behind it as the sun set. Gorgeous!
Right, and now we're back to the beginning of my story... I got food, came back, and am enjoying the floor pillows, screens, big wooden bath tub, and looking forward to sacking out on the tatami mat.
Lots of photos are already up on Flickr, but here's a few.
Time to buckle up, Flat Stanley!
15 hours later, tired, and bedraggled, but we made it!
Takeout dinner
Where I'm headed now
Konbanwa and G'night!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
An auspicious beginning
Despite less than 3 hours of sleep, I'm considering today a complete win because I've been bumped up to Economy Plus or Premium Coach or whatever you want to call the seats with more leg room. Given that this flight is over 13 hours, I'm exceedingly excited about it.
So far Flat Stanley has been in an airplane seat with the belt buckled, and looking out the window while flying over clouds. :)
Time for the real adventure to begin! (I don't consider getting to Chicago any great adventure, though I did almost forget the replacement power cord I just bought because I left my netbook cord at Gram's in Jersey. D'oh!)
The plan for this upcoming week: Arrive Tokyo Nov 4, organized tour while jet-lagged Nov 5, visit with family friends for dinner Nov 6, then head to Kyoto. In Kyoto, I'll meet up with a coworker's sister, and hopefully with friend Marc, who happens to be there at the same time. I'll leave for Shanghai Nov 11.
I can't wait to eat the food!
So far Flat Stanley has been in an airplane seat with the belt buckled, and looking out the window while flying over clouds. :)
Time for the real adventure to begin! (I don't consider getting to Chicago any great adventure, though I did almost forget the replacement power cord I just bought because I left my netbook cord at Gram's in Jersey. D'oh!)
The plan for this upcoming week: Arrive Tokyo Nov 4, organized tour while jet-lagged Nov 5, visit with family friends for dinner Nov 6, then head to Kyoto. In Kyoto, I'll meet up with a coworker's sister, and hopefully with friend Marc, who happens to be there at the same time. I'll leave for Shanghai Nov 11.
I can't wait to eat the food!
A few hours left
I'm just about packed and ready, which is good since the car is picking me up in just over 4 hours. I really hope I'm able to sleep at least a little on the planes!
Oh, and I have a new traveling companion. Flat Stanley will be joining me, so that Aunt Evie's class can keep track of his adventures. Since he's been to space and met the president, I'm sure this trip of mine will be no problem at all.
Oh, and I have a new traveling companion. Flat Stanley will be joining me, so that Aunt Evie's class can keep track of his adventures. Since he's been to space and met the president, I'm sure this trip of mine will be no problem at all.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
It's almost time!
Hard to believe that in 5 days I'll be in Tokyo (or at least on a plane to get there). I'm not quite ready for the trip, particularly packing-wise. I'll have to finish that up Monday, after I get back from the wedding I'm going to in New Jersey.
As of now I don't have much in the way of specific plans for Japan. I'll be doing a general tour of Tokyo the first full day. Cheesy, maybe, but it will be a good activity for what will surely be a very jet-lagged day. The 15 hours of flight time to get there will give me a little more time to think about what I want to do!
The trip plan includes 60 hours of flying time and 27+ hours of layover time. Yikes! I'll have my kindle and some knitting to help pass the time, so that will help a lot.
Besides all of the good food in Japan and China, what I'm most excited about is seeing friends in Shanghai, and family in Australia. For that part, I can't wait! :)
As of now I don't have much in the way of specific plans for Japan. I'll be doing a general tour of Tokyo the first full day. Cheesy, maybe, but it will be a good activity for what will surely be a very jet-lagged day. The 15 hours of flight time to get there will give me a little more time to think about what I want to do!
The trip plan includes 60 hours of flying time and 27+ hours of layover time. Yikes! I'll have my kindle and some knitting to help pass the time, so that will help a lot.
Besides all of the good food in Japan and China, what I'm most excited about is seeing friends in Shanghai, and family in Australia. For that part, I can't wait! :)
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Resurrecting the travel blog!
I'm getting set up for my big sabbatical trip, and getting the blog ready. No sense in starting a new blog, I think, when this one served me so well on my trip to China last time. There's lots to do before I leave, but here's the general plan:
Nov 4-7 Tokyo, Japan
Nov 7-10 Kyoto, Japan
Nov 11-17 Shanghai, China
Nov 18-28 Brisbane, Australia (Nov 23-26 will be in Cairns)
Nov 28-Dec 7 Sydney, Australia (Dec 3-6ish will be in Canberra)
Dec 7-15 South Island, New Zealand (all over the place)
I leave early on Nov 3. 23 days left!
Nov 4-7 Tokyo, Japan
Nov 7-10 Kyoto, Japan
Nov 11-17 Shanghai, China
Nov 18-28 Brisbane, Australia (Nov 23-26 will be in Cairns)
Nov 28-Dec 7 Sydney, Australia (Dec 3-6ish will be in Canberra)
Dec 7-15 South Island, New Zealand (all over the place)
I leave early on Nov 3. 23 days left!
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