July 2009 Archives

Dems some big nuts,


Yachimata Station -- Posted From My Softbank iPhone

It is now official, the Japanese do NOT know how to brew whiskey! -- Posted From My Softbank iPhone

Yes, Burger Kings in Japan sell beer.


-- Posted From My Softbank iPhone

Photos from Yasaka Shrine and lunch.











-- Posted From My Softbank iPhone

At Kyomizu Dera in Kyoto.





-- Posted From My Softbank iPhone

Not much to say. We came in on the Shinkansen and grabbed lodging for the night...then extended the stay. Nice hotel. Rain prevented any real sightseeing, but things have cleared up some so I hope day 5 goes better. Plans for day 5, flood of culture. Gion, handicrafts, Ginkakujin, Kinkakujin, and anything else we can fit in. Day 6 was adjusted from Tokyo return to be a Hiroshima run, with a Nagoya chaser if time permits.

 -- Posted From My Softbank iPhone

21000¥ a night after the extra charge for the extra bed! (base was 16000¥ per night). Why can we not get this kind of deal in the US?

















-- Posted From My Softbank iPhone

-- Posted From My Softbank iPhone

And we're off (almost to Kyoto at the time of posting, actually).











-- Posted From My Softbank iPhone

Third try to write the blog. Let us see if the iPhone eats this one. Caught 6:40 Rapid to Tokyo-eki (station) for Shinkansen tickets. Departing at 07:33 on Wednesday morning. Means catching the 5:40 Rapid to Tokyo to arrive in time to grab a bite to eat and board without rushing. Today's agenda: Odaiba. We took the Yurikamome across the Rainbow Bridge to get to Odaiba proper. The view the train provides is spectacular. In Odaiba, we headed over to see the replica of the Statue of Liberty there, then wandered through Odaiba Park. There we encountered the 1:1 Gundam erected for the Gundam celebration on the 11th.


We continued our meanderings through the park until we hit the other side of the island. There we turned around and made our way back near the Odaiba station. Lunch was Viking style Chineese (read: all-you-can-eat buffet). Good food that Warren claimed was "authentic". After lunch, properly worn down from 3 hours of walking in the beating sun, we returned to Sakura.


From the balcony of the Chinese restaurant. We rested up at the apartment for an hour or so before heading over to the Beisia for supplies. Warren cooked up a wonderful shrimp dish with rice and vinegared garlic cucumber. Good day. Tiring day. Tomorrow, Shinkansen to Kyoto!

 -- Posted From My Softbank iPhone

Our second day of the vacation was a long, dreary romp through Akihabara. Hot. Rainy. We were all sleep deprived, achy, and just plain cranky. Most of the time was spent wandering between and through shops. Figures, DVDs, CDs, and figurines. A trip through the Otaku subculture.

 -- Posted From My Softbank iPhone

First day. Shinjuku. Traveled out to Tokyo. Wandered through Yodabashi Camera (big electrics store). After we went to Seizayria for lunch.


Brent and I split off to go to the Square-Enix store. Nice stuff.





We met back up at Shinjuku station and walked to Meji Temple. There was a wedding going on; must have been someone rich and powerful as there were two or three heliocopters flying overhead the whole time. After the temple we wandered towards the sound of drums...only to find "Hippyville, Japan" (see pics in post below). Not much after that. We searched for food and headed home...dead tired. Total hours walking: 9.


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Our wandering has led us to "hippyville"











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Picked up 4 friends from Narita Airport last night. Thus starts the week long vacation/travel/"gaijin invasion" of Japan.


Armond and Daphne.


Warren "Blackup"


And Brent "White and Nerdy"

 -- Posted From My Softbank iPhone