Nihon - day 15

Day 15 - Accidently Odaiba

Had a minor panic attack about having so few days left in Tokyo, despite the really bad cold weather I headed out anyway.

The plan was Daimon station but I just kept walking, wanting to see what was ahead in this neighbourhood. I saw on a map that the bay was close by, so I kept walking.
I came apon the ocean. Though it was raining madly and cold as hell it still looked nice. I walked around the bay noticing a train station and wondering where it went. I saw the rainbow bridge ahead and wondered if I could get there, the guide book says you can walk across it to get to Odaiba.

I walked to the bridge and noticed you could not get on it from here, but then there was another train station. What is the harm in getting on and seeing where it goes? Turns out it was the un-manned train to Odaiba. Goody! The guide says you had to catch it from Shimbashi, which turns out is the last stop on the mainland, but there are heaps of other stops.

Still the weather is horrible and all my photos end up dark. Seems the statue of Gundum was taken down some time ago, but I found the statue of Liberty. I walked from one end to the other and made it to Aqua City! A shopping centre and went in search of food.
When I came across a steak place playing Dropkick Murphy's I knew this was meant to be!
Sizzling steak with garlic sauce and I even managed to order a plate of rice in Japanese. YAY!

I bought a few things for the etsy shop at the 100 Yen store and had a look around Fuji TV then with the cold seeping into my skin chilling me to the bones headed back on the un-manned train to the hotel.

Ramen is on the cards for dinner tonight, a lovely big bowl of broth and noodles, oishi!

Nihon - Day 8

Day 8 - Wear Kimono around Asakusa experience.

Today started in a mad rush as I had spent too long on the internet and was now going to be late for the tour.

The tour was amazing! I can not say enough about how worth it is really was. The tour is run by 3 people, the camera man, the kimono dresser and the dance teacher. All were so wonerfully nice. The camera man was waiting for me at the Kaminarimon gate, when i arrived he took me to the dance school (not far from the gate). Here I met the two ladies. They had 4 kimonos for me to choose from, of course I chose the purple one. I then chose an obi from the selection and they did the rest.
First the kimono dresser took me into the change room where i changed from my clothes to the under parts of the kimono. I then sat down and let the dance instructor (Ms Yoko Namishima) do my hair. She put it up in a japanese bun then added a hair piece and some beautiful hair decorations. Then they both dressed me in the kimono and the obi. Then I was ready!
We walked out to the temple and walked around taking many photos. Then the dance instructor and I walked around and window shopped while the camera man took the photos back to be developed. She showed me all the places she got her dancing supplies from and a beautiful paper shop.
Many people stopped us for photos. Photos of just me, of just her and of both of us in our kimonos. It was a bit silly, but nice to be the centre of attention (in a good way).
WE then headed back to the dance school and she did a performance of one of her traditional japanese dances as a gift for me, and showed me how to twirl the fan. They then helped me undress, and I got back into my clothes.
The camera man came back and gave me 2 photos and a cd with all my photos on it. YAY! I gave them each a koala clip toy and they also gave me a beautiful kimono bag.

I headed back to the temple afterwards and had a look around, bought a few things. I bought these silly little candies that look like sushi, and two more Duramon dolls.

I then headed back on the subway.
I went back to the hotel to look through my photos and sort my souveniers then headed out to the tokyo tower as it was getting dark. I went up to the first observation tower. Besides the Tokyo haze it was a beautiful site, specially during the sunset.

I then headed to the ramen joint for more yummy ramen, then back to the hotel for an early night.

No idea what I will do tomorrow

Nihon - Day 6

Day 6 - Harajuku Part 2!

Harajuku again today, with loads of money.
And spend i did! Finding Takeshita Dori again was so easy, no idea how i got lost last time and I can't believe how close the bridge was....... no harajuku fashion though.
I went to McDonalds for lunch and had a salt and lemon burger.
There were so many westerners here today, groups and couples and kids tours (maybe).
I totally blew my budget too, oops!
Kiddyland was insanely busy, so hard to get around the 3 story toy shop, much busier than the toy park at Ginza. It was also hotter than it was outside.
I saw tokyostreetfashiom.com photographers and an Alice from wonderland. I found 6% Dokidoki down a narrow street and discovered Angry and Hangry, two total gothic kitties.
I found it much easier to find my way around this second visit and oriental bizzare was open today, so I went in and got all my souverneirs for the family.
Got home and realised I got a freebie from kiddyland, some rice craker stick.
After my PM internet session I headed out to get some dinner.
There is a wonderful ramen place nearby.
You put your Y1000 in the machine and select what you want from whats pictured, it then spits out a ticket with your order on it. The lady takes this ticket from you and seats you, then reads the order to the ramen cook. You then sit down and wait for your ramen. I was seated next to a german guy who entred just before me and we chatted and enjoyed our ramen.

I tried my card at the Family Mart but it was rejected, will have to find a 7-eleven or citibank soon.

Tomorrow - GHIBLI MUSEUM!!!