Hey, guess what? That's right, I
am jetting off to Japan
again!! Anyway, I need to go
and check through Customs so I will go now. JA NE!
Arrived safely in Tokyo. For fun I did a full anticlockwise loop on the Yamanote line. Saw a cute girl wearing a
sailor suit. Lots of cute girls in yukata as well.
From the hotel information guide......in case of fire "evacuate without clothing"......in case of earthquake "beware of tumbling furniture".
From the hotel information guide......in case of fire "evacuate without clothing"......in case of earthquake "beware of tumbling furniture".
Today I took the Yamanote
line train to Akihabara (geek area of Tokyo). First I dropped into SEGA. They had a mermaid character figure
which I took a fancy to but no luck. I am
especially fond of mermaids.
After this
disappointment I went into Maidreamin'. Naru-chan
and "Lime" were there. Naru-chan is a fascinating
little creature don't you think so? I ate cold spaghetti with prawns. Oh yes, they have those Korean pancakes
on the menu. Anyway, there was a local chap sitting near me called Danni. He was a
magician and did a card trick. Interesting?
After this I discovered I had a
headache so I went back to the hotel to rest.
Today I went to
Ueno Zoo. It is only five minutes by foot from my
hotel and cheap.
In the evening I went to Maidreamin.
There were new maids including one called "Junior" which I guess is not her real name? I told one girl she
looked young and she said she was 13 years old. I have heard this story
before.....all new maids tell you they are 13 years old. I had a cheki taken.
Today I went to Enoshima. There were no cats again this time either, but there were plenty
of turtles. I am a bit concerned the cats may have been forcibly
"removed". But perhaps it is just too hot for them so they are sleeping
in the cool bushes? Anyway, I did not bother to climb the "tower" as
you could not see Mt Fuji at all as it was too hazy.
After this I walked back down the hill and went into the same restaurant I went into on a previous trip and pointed to the same set meal in the menu that I pointed to before. I have posted a photo of the fat green wormy thing. I mooched around Shibuya in the early evening.
After this I walked back down the hill and went into the same restaurant I went into on a previous trip and pointed to the same set meal in the menu that I pointed to before. I have posted a photo of the fat green wormy thing. I mooched around Shibuya in the early evening.
Today I did nothing. Sorry!
Today I went
to Yokohama. I had a walk around the pier first of all and then made my way by foot to China Town. After this I
went to the doll museum. These are mostly not true dolls made for children to
play with, but mainly exhibition pieces showing off the doll maker's skills. I
wanted to rescue the sad looking girl doll sitting on the suitcase. She
looked like she had a tiny spirit which could be nurtured given time and
attention. What? You don't believe a doll has a spirit? For shame!
Today I went to Harajuku but it was so-o-o-o-o-o hot so I traded this in for Nakano
Broadway.
First stop was a
cafe where I ate soup, teriyaki chicken with rice, and gyoza. Then I went into a UFO catcher shop. Up for
grabs were small plastic bottles filled with water and swimming in each
bottle of water was a real live baby puffer-fish about the size of a
largish tad-pole. Honestly, it was the cutest thing that you could ever
possibly imagine! Not to be outdone,
later that day I saw a UFO catcher in Ikebukuro with live baby frogs, which
were almost as cute.
After this fun I bought a T-shirt and summer skirt for Minoko-chan in PARABOX
doll shop. Ikebukuro was next but nothing to report here, apart from the
frogs.
Yesterday I overslept and did not leave
the hotel till 4:00pm. I went to Maidreamin. It was busy. I had a nice
chat with some locals one of whom was called Hiro-san. He had two
friends with him of each sex but I can't recall their names. I was a bit
tired but they kept me entertained and were very friendly and boisterous.
Today I went to Ueno Zoo to enjoy a thunder storm. I have posted a few photos of the rain, a
hideous tapir and some girls' legs. After
this I took the train to Ikebukuro.
Yesterday I watched TV.
Today I went to Yoyogi Koen to chill out under a
tree. I went into Daiso as well.
At Akihabara Station they have
warning signs...a mobile phone with a red X through it and written above
in Japanese and English "Watch out for Upskirting".
Yesterday I went to Ginza to look for a depachika. It was overwhelming and I
got disoriented. I did not like it so I left. After that I forgot what I did,
probably nothing, sorry.
Today I went to Ginza again, this
time to look for Washita.
I looked for it but could not find it, despite the fact I have been there twice
before, sorry again.
After that I went to Odaiba on
the monorail to see 3D Miku Hatsune. It was so hot and so crowded I gave up on
this too. I did however, go to Heaven's
Gate in Akihabara to eat potato salad pizza. They were having a
"school girl event".
Today I
went to Ginza once again. I found Washita within two minutes of leaving Yurakucho
Station. It was right where they had left it. They sell all sorts
of delicacies here such as SPAM.
I had a
walk around Akihabara after that. There was a small maid handing out
flyers. I could not tell if she was cute because she was wearing a Jason hockey
mask. Another maid had a sticking
plaster on her cheek.
Today I took
the monorail to Odaiba. This is a reclaimed island in Tokyo Bay. Some parts
of Odaiba are interesting and some parts are dull. I went to the part which was
not dull. I took photos of a large breasted mermaid, a large chested Gundam, and
small kenkusei aidoru. After this I went to Joypolis to see Miku. Joypolis
is a leisure park in Odaiba and Miku is Miku. She has long legs and
sings nicely.
In the
evening I went to say goodbye to the maids at Maidreamin. I took
Cheeky and Tomochin the rat with me. They are both very popular with the maids.
I bought a maid-bag. Later I went to SEGA and grabbed squid-girl (the invader
comes from the bottom of the sea).
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J-HOLIDAY BLOG XMAS 2012
21/12/2012
Hello こんいちは Guess what, I arrived in Japan this morning.
The plane was the first of the day to touch down in Narita, and had to slow down so as not to land before 6:00am. I suppose they can't land before this because of noise pollution issues? Anyway, I caught the フレンドリ limousine (bus) to Tokyo Station then on to Ueno Station then the very short walk to my hotel, where I arrived at 9:30am.
As my room was not available till 12:00pm I left my suitcase at the hotel and mooched around Akihabara for a few hours. I went into Heaven's Gate for food at the early time of 11:30am. The maids were dressed in santa costumes with ミニスカート, (but no beards). They did not speak English and my Japanese conversation with strangers was rusty so it was a bit tricky. One girl had braces on her teeth.
I also dropped in to a character shop and bought a figure of リッボン の きし (Princess Knight, Sapphire Princess). I think she is more famous in Australia than in Japan? I have posted a photo below.
I went back to my hotel and apart from two toilet breaks I slept for 15 hours (from 2:30pm until 5:30am the following morning, which is when I am writing this blog).
Catch up with you tomorrow!
22/12/2012
Hello. Today it was completely overcast. It was windy and cold. It rained heavily for most of the day.
I borrowed an umbrella from the hotel and took my chances in the rain. I was dry from the knees up for the most part. I soon gave up and took refuge in a maid cafe. Every now and then I went out to the balcony to check to see if the rain had stopped. I thought it only rained in Japan in the summer? Apart from some window shopping I did nothing else.
I am catching up on some sleep. Next week I will venture out of Tokyo to Nikko, Enoshima and Mt Takao. Oh! I just remembered that tomorrow there is a flea market in Akihabara!
Ja mata ne!
25/12/2012
Hello. I did nothing much from when I last posted a blog, and didn't wish to bore you.
Anyway, today I went to Mt Takao........Thank you so much Maiko 先生 for recommending this place, it is beautiful. Oh yes, it is Xmas day today I think? Where was I ?
Mt Takao is so easy to get to on the Chuo Line with a short connection either side. In case you were wondering, Mt Takao is a nature trail with shrines and temples and at the summit you can see Mt Fuji. I was a bit concerned beforehand that it would be crowded with visitors, but it was very quiet. It was cold but sunny and very still. I have posted some photos for you to look at.
After this I went to the Trick Art Museum, where I banged my head twice trying to negotiate low secret doorways.
It is now 4:54pm. I will probably go to Akihabara later?
Ja ne!
26/12/2012
Hello
みゆき先生、 ありがとうございました！
Today I went to Enoshima Island on the coast, about 1 hour from Tokyo by train.
At the train station I bought a pg rated manga, a picture of which is posted below. I will try and read it to 先生 but it has a not so happy ending I think. Mermaids are another of my obsessions by the way.
I was glad that when I arrived at Enoshima it was sunny and not so cold, and I could see nearly all of Mt Fuji. Also, it was surprisingly quiet.
I am sorry to say that up to now my phobia for eating in restaurants has gotten the better of me, and I wanted to go and eat at the restaurant on the island that I felt comfortable going into, having been there twice before.
Unfortunately it was not third time lucky. To begin with, I was seated next to the fish tank, which had lots of cute exotic fish, just like in a home aquarium. A customer pointed to a fish and a girl fished it out with a net and put it in a small bucket and went into the kitchen. This put me off a bit, as it was a very cute fish. Anyway, I ordered the same as the last two times and also maguro sashimi (raw tuna). The meal was very disappointing. The sashimi was icy cold and I had to prise the pieces apart, which were adhered with ice crystals. It was unpalatable but I did my best to eat it to avoid insulting my host. I could feel the icy old pieces sliding down my throat. Also, the squid was 青春 (i.e. small), and also barely hot. The sea-thing had bits of grit in it as well. I think it is karma for me not being adventurous enough to try a different restaurant. Oh, the tea was lukewarm as well.
みゆき先生、 ありがとうございました！
Today I went to Enoshima Island on the coast, about 1 hour from Tokyo by train.
At the train station I bought a pg rated manga, a picture of which is posted below. I will try and read it to 先生 but it has a not so happy ending I think. Mermaids are another of my obsessions by the way.
I was glad that when I arrived at Enoshima it was sunny and not so cold, and I could see nearly all of Mt Fuji. Also, it was surprisingly quiet.
I am sorry to say that up to now my phobia for eating in restaurants has gotten the better of me, and I wanted to go and eat at the restaurant on the island that I felt comfortable going into, having been there twice before.
Unfortunately it was not third time lucky. To begin with, I was seated next to the fish tank, which had lots of cute exotic fish, just like in a home aquarium. A customer pointed to a fish and a girl fished it out with a net and put it in a small bucket and went into the kitchen. This put me off a bit, as it was a very cute fish. Anyway, I ordered the same as the last two times and also maguro sashimi (raw tuna). The meal was very disappointing. The sashimi was icy cold and I had to prise the pieces apart, which were adhered with ice crystals. It was unpalatable but I did my best to eat it to avoid insulting my host. I could feel the icy old pieces sliding down my throat. Also, the squid was 青春 (i.e. small), and also barely hot. The sea-thing had bits of grit in it as well. I think it is karma for me not being adventurous enough to try a different restaurant. Oh, the tea was lukewarm as well.
After this I climbed to the top of the island, or rather, walked up the steep path, and then went to the top of the tower to take a picture of Mt Fuji. Unfortunately Mt Fuji was now obscured by cloud. After this I went to the aquarium, but I felt a bit guilty because of the poor fish in the restaurant. I forgot to take a walk on the beach. Anyway, here are some snaps for you to look at.
Yes, I did go to Maidreamin' in the evening. I was glad of this for a number of reasons.
Firstly,
I stumbled across an amazing shop by accident which is right next to JR
Akihabara. It is called AZONE and sells dolls clothes and dolls fashion
items such as small umbrellas and handbags. They also sell sexy
clothing for naughty dolls. Most of the clothes seem to cost more than
clothes for real girls. I bought a few things for Minoko and they gave
me a free calendar as well. I have posted a picture below.
Also,
there was a brooding Japanese youth 男の子 in the shop wearing interesting
clothing. It gave me a fantastic idea for cosplay. He was wearing tight
black jeans with mesh on it, and over this he was wearing a loose
fitting pair of long pants that he had more or less torn to shreds.
Higher up he was wearing a long black frock coat, also torn to shreds.
It gave me a great idea for cosplaying as a changeling from MLPFiM, see
picture posted below. I still would prefer to cosplay as a wonderbolt
however, but light blue cosplay is not so easy to do as black cosplay.
After
shopping I went to the maid cafe. I got to talking with a Chinese guy
who I think is working in Japan. Sorry but I forgot to write down his
name. His passion is drawing manga and anime characters and he showed me
his portfolio on his ipad. It was very skillful. He seems fluent in
Japanese and English.
The
maids have a customer note book for the mainly otaku customers to draw
pictures in and write how much they love the maids etc. I drew some
picture which are not too bad. I will take a photo of them next time I
go, as I forgot to take a camera and my ipod ran out of juice.Tomorrow I may go to Ikebukuro. If it is cold I will go to the cinema perhaps?
Ja mata ne !!
28/12/2012
Hello
Yesterday I went to Shinjuku, Harajuku, Nakano and Akihabara.
Today I got up late and missed an opportunity to go to Nikko. I went to Akihabara instead. I took those photos of the pictures I drew in the maid cafe fan book, see below. Sorry they are not that great, but it was fun to draw them.
I got an email from my friend from the other day. His name in Chinese is Zhang Xin, or Chou Shin in Japanese.
Anyway, it is still early and I may pop out to Ginza for a bit of shopping.
Ja mata ne !
30/12/2012
Hello
みゆき先生 ありがとう ございました !!
Today
I woke up early. There was not a cloud in the sky. There were not two
clouds in the sky. In fact, there was no sky at all, just a blanket of
whiteness. And it was raining. This was unfortunate as I had hoped to do
some sightseeing. I took refuge in the local maid cafe and drew
pictures. Even the flea market was cancelled. I waited for it to stop
raining but it did not. However, it eased off and I withdrew back to my
hotel., where I slept and then woke up to do some blogging. It is now
8:26pm and it is raining steadily outside. Therefore I will stay inside.
Yesterday
I went to see QSCS live show at Heavens Gate. It was very lively and
too much excitement for me I think. Oh, I also went to Ginza and bought a
few things at Washita shop.
I do not mind relaxing and doing nothing, but it must make for very dull reading.
Tomorrow is NYE I think? Have fun and best of luck for 2013. Here are a few of my drawings.........
31/12/2012
Hello こんにちは !! Today (actually yesterday) is New Year's Eve.
This morning I took the short train ride to Ikebukuro to do some shopping. First I went to BOOK-OFF to buy some Blu-rays. I can understand why Blu-rays
do not seem to be that popular in Japan compared to DVDs. They are
outrageously expensive. They seem to be twice the price of Blu-rays in
Australia. For example, the Blu-ray of the complete series of Crazy Shrine Maidens was
an unbelievable 20,000円. I got the DVD online from Malaysia for about
$25. If you want the Blu-ray of the latest Horie Yui concert tour it
would set you back about 8,500円. Obviously at these prices I declined to buy anything.
After that I wet to TOKYU HANDS. I spent a lot of money on stuff I don't need. I
bought a toy gun which I can customise; a bowl of cats; an electronic
glow stick; a model of a sushi-ya; and a small box with something inside
of it. I have posted a photo of some of the cultural items I have
acquired in Japan. Most will end up as small gifts. I was lucky enough
to get 5 pocket watches from a UFO catcher in Akihabara.
After this I went back to my hotel to chill-out for a bit. The shops were very busy. Later I went to Akihabara. I spent a few fruitless hours trying to find a model of a Kyushu J7W1 Shinden. The main drag in Akihabara was extremely crowded. It was very stressful to walk around.
In the late afternoon I went to Maidreamin' to celebrate NYE, which they refer to as "countdown". It was very busy. The maids were not dressed as maids. Some were in cosplay school-girl costumes, and some were wearing nightshirts. One maid was very small and cute. Her name is Himawari (Hima-chan). My new friend Chou-Shin was there. I ate some fried octopus, and some octopus pickled in wasabi. The pickled version is OK if you scape the wasabi off of it. By the way, Lime-chan has graduated. Perhaps she has found a husband? Fortunately nothing exciting happened. It was very organised chaos. I did drink a few bottles of some fizzy peachy stuff, but I was not drunk. Generally I avoid alcohol as it sends me to sleep.
Anyway,
here are some photos of some of the stuff I have acquired, some grainy
photos I took on my ipod in the maid cafe, and some pictures I drew in
my small note book between songs.
02/01/2013
I
am in the hotel lobby writing this blog. This evening I am flying out
of Narita. Please note I did not write blogs everyday as the lobby
computer was often used by small children playing computer games.
I managed to get a model Shinden from Yellow Submarine
hobby shop the other day. It is not a completed model but a
construction kit. I have not made a construction kit since I was 15,
which is XX years ago.
I
have nothing exciting to report to you. Some days I went out and forgot
to put a chip in my camera. Some days it was raining. Some days I was
too lazy to get out of bed early enough to go on trips. However, it has
been relaxing. I guess the highlights were Mt Takao and countdown in the
maid cafe.
Unfortunately I have been a bit too introverted this trip to take advantage of conversation with strangers and eating in scary restaurants etc. Also, I generally dislike going out at night, in case I run into a blood-thirsty vampire girl.
Unfortunately I have been a bit too introverted this trip to take advantage of conversation with strangers and eating in scary restaurants etc. Also, I generally dislike going out at night, in case I run into a blood-thirsty vampire girl.
The
other day in the maid cafe two American tourists came in to the cafe, a
young couple. It was obvious they were a bit freaked out by the decor
and maids. They only ordered beer. The maid told them that they must
recite a magic spell. The maid insisted on this. They left very shortly
after and were in such a hurry to leave they left their backpack behind.
I felt sorry for them as it was obviously not a pleasant experience.
There have been no earth tremors at all. Either that or I am so used to them it does not register.
I bought one of those fluffy steamed bun things with meat and stuff inside from LAWSON the other day. This was the first time I have ever eaten one of these buns. It was nice.
I had better go out now and have a look around the shops and maybe say goodbye to the maids?
04/01/2013
I
am back home now. My last day in Tokyo was OK. I was lucky enough to
run into Bakki-san in Maidreamin # 3. Unfortunately I was pushed for
time as I had to catch the Skyliner from Keisei Station. Also, I had
picked up a sore throat from blogging next to a snuffling child the day
before. I am not so bad now, so I am lucky it was not something more
serious, just a cold. Here are some photos.
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