Thank you to everyone who helped me.
Thank you to the man who spoke fluent English because he had lived in Europe for twenty years and went out of his way to help me find my hotel.
Thank you to the all of the lovely, helpful staff at the Hotel Asia Center of Japan.
Thank you to all of the railway personnel who helped me make sure I got on the right train.
Thank you to the person who showed me which platform I needed to be on to get to Tokyo from Akihabara station.
Thank you to the two Australian back-packers who helped me find out what time the last train back to Tokyo was from Kyoto (20:48)
Thank you to the man who spoke clear, but broken English and helped me when I was trying to find out how to get to Yoyogi station.
Thank you to ひろこさん who gave up her free afternoon to meet up with me, and for showing me around Shibuya & Harajuku and for taking a photo of me next to the statue of Hachiko. ありがとう、ね！
Thank you to anyone I forgot.
and Thank You, for reading this blog and coming with me on my journey.
I hope we have just as much fun next time!
and thank you everyone in Japan ... for being Japanese. :-)
- The End.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Day 8 Pt 2 - Shibuya.
The person I met took me to Shibuya, and I've got to say I didn't much care for it - I've never seen a busier place ... all those people, all that noise ... I hated it. I felt lost, my only comfort that the person who took me there knew where she was going and what she was doing.
All those buskers in er ... harajuku? park ... all those songs playing at once, causing a discordant cacophony, competing for my attention! - I just wanted it all to go away and for me to be somewhere quiet. Even though I try my best to portray a carefree exterior, on the inside, I actually find it all very upsetting. ;-;
Perhaps Day 9 will see me going back to Shinjuku National Park, just to again experience the serenity of a peaceful place to be.
or it might just see me lying in bed all day ... agian. -_-;
All those buskers in er ... harajuku? park ... all those songs playing at once, causing a discordant cacophony, competing for my attention! - I just wanted it all to go away and for me to be somewhere quiet. Even though I try my best to portray a carefree exterior, on the inside, I actually find it all very upsetting. ;-;
Perhaps Day 9 will see me going back to Shinjuku National Park, just to again experience the serenity of a peaceful place to be.
or it might just see me lying in bed all day ... agian. -_-;
Day 8 - Socially Awkward
Was lucky enough to meet up with someone today, who gave up a few hours or her afternoon to meet up with me, which I thought was very kind of her - I thought her and I got along just fine, but I guess I'll never know what she thought of me.
I said "Thank you" a lot in emails to her, and even though I felt like I wanted to say it more, and thought I probably shouldn't say it too much ... I hope I wasn't in anyway intimidating, or didn't make her feel uncomfortable in anyway.
When I meet people for the first time, I'm never sure of what to say, and of what not to say. Sometimes there's long pauses of silence ... Should that silence be filled with words, or left untouched? I'm fine either way, but I was personally perfectly comfortable in the presence of that person in silence.
You can't really judge someone - even though it's human nature to do so - on your first meeting with them. Usually in first meetings you're both on your guard, assessing what is okay and not okay to be said in front of this person. With those deep underlying fears like "Can I be myself around this person? Is it okay to be me?" etc.
Also, I was expecting to get along well with this person, and, even though I would've liked to get along better, I thought we got along just fine. And that makes me wonder if your opinion of a person can be altered by the shadow of expectations?
Also, sometimes it's hard to hear - not because you're going deaf, and not because the other person's not speaking loudly enough, but because the sound of your conversation is being drowned out by surrounding noises. In those times ... is it better to pretend to have heard them and nod your head politely, or is it better to ask them to repeat themselves (to clarify exactly what the conversation is about)? And what if you don't quite catch what they say the second time? Then what?
My perception of events was that her and I, in many ways, were quite similar (dislike of large social gathers preferring a smaller group of close friends; enjoying socialising when necessary, but enjoying your own company just as much, too), however, I could also see that in many ways here I are quite different (messy vs. tidy; unorganised vs organised).
When you meet someone for the first time, it's impossible to know that persons past and what life events (good or bad) have made them into the person that they are today ... But still, it's human nature to make snap-judgements on people (without even realising your doing it) based on the life-events of your past and the kinds of people that you've been previously exposed to that this new person reminds you of.
When you meet someone for the first time, you have to learn to be not only open minded but open hearted.
Sometimes I feel like no one will ever see through to my heart. How do I make it so this heart of mine will shine strongly through my rugged exterior? I can't help that other people find me intimidating - that's just who I am. You have to learn to accept people for who they are, "warts and all," all the old saying goes.
If my rough-edged exterior was coal and you had the strength and the patience to crush through it ... do you think you might find a diamond? ;-)
I said "Thank you" a lot in emails to her, and even though I felt like I wanted to say it more, and thought I probably shouldn't say it too much ... I hope I wasn't in anyway intimidating, or didn't make her feel uncomfortable in anyway.
When I meet people for the first time, I'm never sure of what to say, and of what not to say. Sometimes there's long pauses of silence ... Should that silence be filled with words, or left untouched? I'm fine either way, but I was personally perfectly comfortable in the presence of that person in silence.
You can't really judge someone - even though it's human nature to do so - on your first meeting with them. Usually in first meetings you're both on your guard, assessing what is okay and not okay to be said in front of this person. With those deep underlying fears like "Can I be myself around this person? Is it okay to be me?" etc.
Also, I was expecting to get along well with this person, and, even though I would've liked to get along better, I thought we got along just fine. And that makes me wonder if your opinion of a person can be altered by the shadow of expectations?
Also, sometimes it's hard to hear - not because you're going deaf, and not because the other person's not speaking loudly enough, but because the sound of your conversation is being drowned out by surrounding noises. In those times ... is it better to pretend to have heard them and nod your head politely, or is it better to ask them to repeat themselves (to clarify exactly what the conversation is about)? And what if you don't quite catch what they say the second time? Then what?
My perception of events was that her and I, in many ways, were quite similar (dislike of large social gathers preferring a smaller group of close friends; enjoying socialising when necessary, but enjoying your own company just as much, too), however, I could also see that in many ways here I are quite different (messy vs. tidy; unorganised vs organised).
When you meet someone for the first time, it's impossible to know that persons past and what life events (good or bad) have made them into the person that they are today ... But still, it's human nature to make snap-judgements on people (without even realising your doing it) based on the life-events of your past and the kinds of people that you've been previously exposed to that this new person reminds you of.
When you meet someone for the first time, you have to learn to be not only open minded but open hearted.
Sometimes I feel like no one will ever see through to my heart. How do I make it so this heart of mine will shine strongly through my rugged exterior? I can't help that other people find me intimidating - that's just who I am. You have to learn to accept people for who they are, "warts and all," all the old saying goes.
If my rough-edged exterior was coal and you had the strength and the patience to crush through it ... do you think you might find a diamond? ;-)
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Day 7 - Research Essay.
Went for a walk to that nice little park just next to Tokyo Tower again, but the serenity was completely ruined by roadworks, but I still sat for a while anyway.
Came back and found a nice park just past Tokyo Midtown shopping centre, so sat there for a while as well.
It's quite windy today, and even a few raindrops fell.
Why is orange flavoured Fanta yellow in Japan? Does it have 5% real fruit juice like the Fanta back home? I think I like the taste of Japan's orange flavoured Fanta more than Australia's. But ultimately, I still like Sunkist the best - do they have that here in Japan?
When I came back, I finished up my essay on "How is gender constructed in Asia?" and as good as it isn't, I'm sure it's worth at least a pass ... hopefully.
Hopefully meeting up with a local tomorrow who's gonna show me around for a bit ... hopefully.
Guess we'll just have to wait and see. Fingers crossed! XD
- Ian. :-)
Came back and found a nice park just past Tokyo Midtown shopping centre, so sat there for a while as well.
It's quite windy today, and even a few raindrops fell.
Why is orange flavoured Fanta yellow in Japan? Does it have 5% real fruit juice like the Fanta back home? I think I like the taste of Japan's orange flavoured Fanta more than Australia's. But ultimately, I still like Sunkist the best - do they have that here in Japan?
When I came back, I finished up my essay on "How is gender constructed in Asia?" and as good as it isn't, I'm sure it's worth at least a pass ... hopefully.
Hopefully meeting up with a local tomorrow who's gonna show me around for a bit ... hopefully.
Guess we'll just have to wait and see. Fingers crossed! XD
- Ian. :-)
Day 6 - Shonan Shinjuku Platform ... Which one!?
I was told by some people who I met on the Hello!Online forums that they were also in Japan and were heading to a Cat Cafe.
They told me where, but when I got there, it turned out there were one of several possible locations the sender of the message could have meant. She herself may not have known that there were multiple Shonan Shinjuku platforms on which to meet.
It doesn't help that my phone won't get reception over here, either.
So I spent one hour ducking back and forth, trying to find these three people, but ultimately to no avail.
Perhaps I can catch them later?
I wonder what Day 7 will bring?
They told me where, but when I got there, it turned out there were one of several possible locations the sender of the message could have meant. She herself may not have known that there were multiple Shonan Shinjuku platforms on which to meet.
It doesn't help that my phone won't get reception over here, either.
So I spent one hour ducking back and forth, trying to find these three people, but ultimately to no avail.
Perhaps I can catch them later?
I wonder what Day 7 will bring?
Day 5 - The Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
With the intention to go to Ginza, I went to Shinjuku instead, deciding I couldn't be bothered with any train-changing, and after browsing the shops for a while, decided to head back to my hotel ... until ...
Walking back home, I came across a street map (The "You Are Here" kind), and noticed there was an area called "Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden", and thought it might be a nice quiet place where I could sit for a spell before returning to my hotel.
When I arrived, I discovered there was an entry fee ... but given that it was only $2, I thought it was well worth the price. I mean, $2 for this place, when Sydney's Chinese Garden of Friendship is about the same price for considerably less space! (144acres vs ... about a few hundred metres ... if that?)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinjuku_Gyoen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Garden_of_Friendship
It was kids day, so there were many families there, which was fine by me, as the place is incredibly spacious, with a few restrooms and vending machines strategically placed around the borders of the garden.
It was also there that I learnt that my new Pentax Pentio80 has a limited recording capacity with in "movie mode", and even though the instructions say to hold down the button for as long as you want it to record, that doesn't work.
On the whole, I think I like Shinjuku much more than I like (what little I've experienced of) Akihabara.
Walking back home, I came across a street map (The "You Are Here" kind), and noticed there was an area called "Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden", and thought it might be a nice quiet place where I could sit for a spell before returning to my hotel.
When I arrived, I discovered there was an entry fee ... but given that it was only $2, I thought it was well worth the price. I mean, $2 for this place, when Sydney's Chinese Garden of Friendship is about the same price for considerably less space! (144acres vs ... about a few hundred metres ... if that?)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinjuku_Gyoen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Garden_of_Friendship
It was kids day, so there were many families there, which was fine by me, as the place is incredibly spacious, with a few restrooms and vending machines strategically placed around the borders of the garden.
It was also there that I learnt that my new Pentax Pentio80 has a limited recording capacity with in "movie mode", and even though the instructions say to hold down the button for as long as you want it to record, that doesn't work.
On the whole, I think I like Shinjuku much more than I like (what little I've experienced of) Akihabara.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Day 4 - Laundry.
Stayed in the hotel room today, and did the laundry.
Was over all the train travelling I did yesterday.
See you later.
Was over all the train travelling I did yesterday.
See you later.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Day 3 - Shinkansen
Got the JR Metro from Shinanomachi Eki (Eki = train station) to Tokyo (actually went in the wrong direction, got off at Akihabara, only to find a young American who is here for a year who needed directions - he was told that both exits to the train station were the East exit ... luckily I had my phrase book with me and looked up the word ... higashi. And he went on his way.
I got back on a train to Tokyo, then hopped the Shinkansen to Osaka, but got off at Kyoto ... (I thought Kyoto was further away than Osaka, but the Kyoto stop was before Osaka??)
On the train there were two men talking, and I asked about seating - on the Shinkansen someone with a non-reserved seat can sit anywhere they please, but only on cars 1-5.
Anyway, I got off the train, walked around the block, did some gift shopping at ... was it "GRAND SHOP"? at the Kyoto station, then came back to Tokyo.
Had to catch a connecting train from ... Ochamizu??? to Shinanomachi ... stopped at a convenience store on the way and got a chocolate almond ice cream that was lovely - I think it's the same brand of ice cream I bought when I was in Hawaii.
That is all from me for today.
I got back on a train to Tokyo, then hopped the Shinkansen to Osaka, but got off at Kyoto ... (I thought Kyoto was further away than Osaka, but the Kyoto stop was before Osaka??)
On the train there were two men talking, and I asked about seating - on the Shinkansen someone with a non-reserved seat can sit anywhere they please, but only on cars 1-5.
Anyway, I got off the train, walked around the block, did some gift shopping at ... was it "GRAND SHOP"? at the Kyoto station, then came back to Tokyo.
Had to catch a connecting train from ... Ochamizu??? to Shinanomachi ... stopped at a convenience store on the way and got a chocolate almond ice cream that was lovely - I think it's the same brand of ice cream I bought when I was in Hawaii.
That is all from me for today.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Day 2 - Tokyo Tower.
The day began with corn flakes for breakfast at the hotel's restaurant.
I noticed last night that I could see what I thought was Tokyo Tower from my window, and this morning went to confirm that with the staff. I still can't quite believe that I can see it.
After confirming it with the staff, I asked them how to get there, and went on my way. Two lefts out of the hotel and a very long walk, I was there, only to discover the hundreds of people lined up both for the Michael Jackson Lifetime Exhibition, and the actual tower itself. Apparently it's holidays here now, so I don't fancy my chances of it being any less busy on a weekday.
On the way I noticed a place that was General Nogi's Residence and Stable, where there is a plaque at the front in English and Japanese, with all other plaques being in Japanese. There's also a ... shrine? temple? at the back, which is quite nice ... the sound of the metal brooms scraping the pebbles drove me nuts, so I moved on.
Anyway, getting back to Tokyo Tower ... just across the road there is a really peaceful garden, so I went down there, took some photos and sat around for a bit.
On the way back, I looked into the shopping centre where the video game company Konami is located - were my Japanese at a higher skill level I would have perhaps gone in, but alas my Japanese is very limited.
Later on I went to a "FamilyMart" and was a little shocked by what was on the covers of some of the magzazines ... non-shrink wrapped and all ... that is, a child could easily walk up to it and browse through it.
Anyway, as much as I want to, I don't really like Meiji Chocolate. :-( (Sorry Meiji).
Later again, I went for a walk to find the nearest JR station which isn't far away at all ... well ... for someone who doesn't mind walking it isn't far away, anyway.
Got a bit lost on the walk home, but found my way again thanks to the people who ran the bicycle shop - arigatou!
and now here I am again.
Thank you.
I noticed last night that I could see what I thought was Tokyo Tower from my window, and this morning went to confirm that with the staff. I still can't quite believe that I can see it.
After confirming it with the staff, I asked them how to get there, and went on my way. Two lefts out of the hotel and a very long walk, I was there, only to discover the hundreds of people lined up both for the Michael Jackson Lifetime Exhibition, and the actual tower itself. Apparently it's holidays here now, so I don't fancy my chances of it being any less busy on a weekday.
On the way I noticed a place that was General Nogi's Residence and Stable, where there is a plaque at the front in English and Japanese, with all other plaques being in Japanese. There's also a ... shrine? temple? at the back, which is quite nice ... the sound of the metal brooms scraping the pebbles drove me nuts, so I moved on.
Anyway, getting back to Tokyo Tower ... just across the road there is a really peaceful garden, so I went down there, took some photos and sat around for a bit.
On the way back, I looked into the shopping centre where the video game company Konami is located - were my Japanese at a higher skill level I would have perhaps gone in, but alas my Japanese is very limited.
Later on I went to a "FamilyMart" and was a little shocked by what was on the covers of some of the magzazines ... non-shrink wrapped and all ... that is, a child could easily walk up to it and browse through it.
Anyway, as much as I want to, I don't really like Meiji Chocolate. :-( (Sorry Meiji).
Later again, I went for a walk to find the nearest JR station which isn't far away at all ... well ... for someone who doesn't mind walking it isn't far away, anyway.
Got a bit lost on the walk home, but found my way again thanks to the people who ran the bicycle shop - arigatou!
and now here I am again.
Thank you.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Day 1 "The Labyrinth"
I arrived in Japan on time, with the left half of the plane landing first, but overall not too bad of a landing.
Got of the plane, then was taken to the main part of the air port by a shuttle train.
Went to the toilet as soon as I could, as I was busting.
Went and got my luggage.
Went and got my Japanese Rail voucher exchanged for my Japanese Rail Pass (The queue took forever).
Then proceeded to the train which took me from Narita airport to Tokyo - a very enjoyable 59min ride with some great scenery.
... oh ... dear ... God ... An unnecessarily complicated network of mazes ...
Kept asking random store vendors for directions, and eventually got pointed to information.
Went where information said and got lost ... again.
A kind stranger noticed I looked lost and so I showed him the map I was given when I got my rail pass and pointed to where I wanted to go, and he told me how to get there.
After eventually getting to where I needed to go, not being sure of how the train system works here, I chanced it and darted through an open gate ... I made it ... mu luggage didn't, so I picked it up and lugged it over the gate. I hope no one noticed, but no one made a deal out of it anyway, big or small.
I eventually got on the train that took me to Kasumigaseki station (second stop after where I got on - red line) after which I had to change onto the green line to get from Kasumigaseki to Akasaka - myy final stop before having to walk to my hotel.
To get from Kasumigaseki red line, to green line was ... epic Luckily, a girl from information, whose English was limited but good, was kind enough to take me the whole way, even pointing out the right platform.
After I finally got to Akasaka it was a matter of asking random strangers directions and hoping that they spoke English.
One Japanese man, noticing I looked lost, came up to me and asked where I was going, and actually walked most of the way with me, even though he was going in the opposite direction - He spoke fluent English as he had lived in Europe working for a trading company for twenty years.
I arrived at my hotel where it turns out they were expecting a day previous, due to my travel agent having booked me in at that time.
Got to my room; unpacked; freaked out about not having keys but found them; went to reception to ask where I could by a universal converter - turns out they sell them. $6.50
Anyway, it's 9:17am on Day 2 no, so I must go or else I'll have nothing to write.
See you later!
Got of the plane, then was taken to the main part of the air port by a shuttle train.
Went to the toilet as soon as I could, as I was busting.
Went and got my luggage.
Went and got my Japanese Rail voucher exchanged for my Japanese Rail Pass (The queue took forever).
Then proceeded to the train which took me from Narita airport to Tokyo - a very enjoyable 59min ride with some great scenery.
... oh ... dear ... God ... An unnecessarily complicated network of mazes ...
Kept asking random store vendors for directions, and eventually got pointed to information.
Went where information said and got lost ... again.
A kind stranger noticed I looked lost and so I showed him the map I was given when I got my rail pass and pointed to where I wanted to go, and he told me how to get there.
After eventually getting to where I needed to go, not being sure of how the train system works here, I chanced it and darted through an open gate ... I made it ... mu luggage didn't, so I picked it up and lugged it over the gate. I hope no one noticed, but no one made a deal out of it anyway, big or small.
I eventually got on the train that took me to Kasumigaseki station (second stop after where I got on - red line) after which I had to change onto the green line to get from Kasumigaseki to Akasaka - myy final stop before having to walk to my hotel.
To get from Kasumigaseki red line, to green line was ... epic Luckily, a girl from information, whose English was limited but good, was kind enough to take me the whole way, even pointing out the right platform.
After I finally got to Akasaka it was a matter of asking random strangers directions and hoping that they spoke English.
One Japanese man, noticing I looked lost, came up to me and asked where I was going, and actually walked most of the way with me, even though he was going in the opposite direction - He spoke fluent English as he had lived in Europe working for a trading company for twenty years.
I arrived at my hotel where it turns out they were expecting a day previous, due to my travel agent having booked me in at that time.
Got to my room; unpacked; freaked out about not having keys but found them; went to reception to ask where I could by a universal converter - turns out they sell them. $6.50
Anyway, it's 9:17am on Day 2 no, so I must go or else I'll have nothing to write.
See you later!
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