Day 7 - Ikebukuro and Sunshine City

Today we went to Sunshine city, also a place I was looking forward to alot! We got an earlier start today so we got to the subway at 10am. When we arrived in Ikebukuro Shouma showed me some of the west side before we went over the the east side when the Sunshine City is located. When we got to the East side we went into the Parco and Seibu departo looking for some sunglasses for Shouma. I got a few things from Loft, and I saw a Betsey Johnson (plus millions of other cute stores)




After we left Seibu and Parco we headed towards Sunshine city in a kinda indirect approach. First we stoped at the Don Quixote (Donki) to look at the suitcases because I was planning to buy one for all the items I was hording. Even though we didn't find a suitable case we didn't want to bring one all the way back to the hotel from there. We walked by a Wendy's and neither one of us were hungry but I took Shouma in since he had never tried it before. I order a frosty (called a Chocolate soft there) and a chili off the 99Y menu and boy I was in for a shock! The chili was SO much smaller then here in the US, it was about 1/4 of a cup. The frosty was smaller too but the chili's size was ridiculous. Atleast it tasted the same.


Inside the Wendy's in Ikebukuro

Next we went to Tokyo Hands, I would have liked to explore it more since the one we went to in Ginza was quite small, but Shouma was becoming antzy so we just used the bathroom and left. We crossed a few more streets to get to Sunshine city. Sunshine City looks very unassuming from the outside (and inside) it just seemed like a regular large office building, and I guess since it was a weekday there weren't many people going in. When we got in we had to walk by a bunch of bakeries with super cute cakes and pasteries, that was hard but I wasn't hungry! I found Alta and I knew it was large but I didn't realize it was so large! It is two floors of girls clothing and accesories and it's terribly cute as well. There are pink neon lights on the outside (it's like a mall within a mall). But anyhow the sheer size was bewildering so I decided just to focus on finding Swimmer. Swimmer is in the left half, 1st floor just to the right of the the esclators. I bought a cute bag, magnet and 2 hair bands.

View from a terrace on Sunshine City

After we left Alta I shopped at Loft again haha, and got some postcards and a portable ashtray for Shouma. We went and looked at the facade of Namja Town but I just could go it because I wasn't hungry at all, and whats the point of paying admission into a food theme park if you're not hungry? T_T Shouma wanted Starbucks so we sat on a terrace along with many other people and sweated in the heat. Shouma was looking for sunglasses so we went to one of his favorite stores Murasaki Sports located in Harajuku, there was also one in Seibu in Ikebukuro but they didn't have what he wanted. We breezed through Takeshita Street and went to the Murasaki sports located about halfway down, he bought sunglasses there, but we also looked as the Murasaki Sports at the end of Takeshita Street haha. As we walked back up the street I noticed my ankles had become swollen so we had to end the day and head back to the hotel.

Takeshita street Harajuku

Day 6 - Shimbashi and Odaiba

The breakfast provided by Toyoko Inn

Today I went to visit Odaiba, I wanted to visit Decks and AquaCity and just see a place I had never seen before. We left a bit later then usual, at 12, and it was very hot! We needed to change trains at Shimbashi and Shouma suggested we walk around Hama Rikyu garden since we already there. It wasn't the best day for strolling through a garden however. There were many older people and foriegners visiting, but the garden itself wasn't as amazing as the guide books may lead you to believe. There are some areas that seem to be completely unkempt, but it's only 300Y to enter so you might as well visit if you are near. We only managed maybe 30 minutes in the heat so we went back to the station, got lost, then went off to Odaiba.

Shimbashi

Hama Rikyu


The train ride to Odaiba is rather fun, you get nice city views, and can watch the Rainbow Bridge as you approach. It's very amazing to think Odaiba was built on garbage. Also since Odaiba is such a dating/tourist type of place, you don't really realize that people live and work there! I passed many condos, high-rise apartments and even a school. As we exited the train we came out right in front of a hotel, we could immediatly see the Fuji TV station to the right and turning to the left there is the mini Statue of Liberty. So I snaped some photos of these Odaiba icons.



Shouma really likes(liked) Kua Aina burger, so when we spotted this very notably facade he got excited and our lunch spot was decided on the spot. I wasn't hungry so I just had an orange juice. He had a burger, and popcorn shrimp. This branch is decidely more expensive, but Shouma says that the food is actually not as good as the one in Yokohama.


Then we did a little shopping in AquaCity. I got some window gel clings and Shouma got a air freshener with a Hawaiin picture on it in some random trinket shop. I looked around Claires and they do have some cute stuff, but I wanted to save my money. Then we went down to the boardwalk and stared at the ocean, the heat ruined that too tho. We went to decks next and enjoyed a bit more shopping. I saw some really cute bags and clothes, but I can't shop too much because nothing fits and Shouma gets bored by it. I saw Joypolis, didn't go in, and walked through the Showa era floor and got a gashapon.


Decks and some apartments

Joypolis

Then I went to Toys R Us, which I had been excited to do for a long time. I always loved Toys R Us (before it changed and became not so cool) and I worked there once so I really wanted to see the Japanese version. First off was a big section just for Pokemon and also a large baby section. But they have sooo much cute stuff in the girls section and some next models in the boys. I bought some stuff, and enjoyed going there. There main difference between the two is size, and cuteness.

I didn't get home until after 8pm and so we just got take out gyudon from Yoshinoya for a quick dinner. It was a fun day, but it would have been really fun if the heat would have been tolerable.

Day 5 - Harajuku, Shibuya, Ginza

Today I had plans to meet up with a friend to walk around Harajuku with, however we ended waiting in different spots and missed each other completely. The heat was very bad, but still there were many people hanging out in Harajuku. I hung around the station for about 25 minutes before I turned around and decided to head to Ginza.

Some harajuku fashion

Before I got to Ginza, Shouma took me around Shibuya for a little while. When we first came out of the station it was bewildering as I realized at was at the Hachiko crossing that is so famous in movies and photographs. So after I stared dumbfounded a bit, I took a couple pictures and the light quickly changed. Then people were going every which way, in front of you across, around and there were also bicylces zig zaggin through. I wish I could have talken a photo or video like other people, but photos and videos just don't capture the feeling right. Especially if you have been waiting to see it, it's something very different for anything else. Well after I crossed I walked to Center Gai.

Famous image of Shibuya

Walking down Center Gai was very interesting as well, there were girls and guys dressed very Shibuya kei everywhere, hip hop music blasting and men shouting to get people into their stores. It was rather narrow and a but shabby but also very exciting. Shouma dicided to eat at Lotteria and just wandered over, so I quickly took a pic of the exterior before someone ran me over from behind. I got inside and I saw a Center guy!

Center Gai

Center guy inside Lotteria

I got the gourmet cheeseburger, it was really small but just like everyone says - amazing. The meat is tender and the cheese is real cheese. It's really good for a fastfood burger, but it is expensive as well. I had a melon soda to drink with it and fries with butter and soy sauce flavor. After we finished eating we headed back to Shibuya Station and got on a train to Ginza. I wanted to go to Tokyu hands, and the one in Ginza is closest to my hotel. You can really tell you are in the fancy part of town as soon as you get out of Ginza station. Everyone is impeccably dressed in designer wear, and the shops look so polished and have many attendants. Well Tokyu Hands in Ginza, or Ginza Hands as it's so called was small compared to others so I didn't find much to buy.

A street in Ginza

After Ginza Hands we went shopping at the Bic Camera in Yurakucho, and that was crazy busy! Especially the first floor, where all the new phones are and the aisles are narrow and everyone is trying to get up to the next floor. It was fun to look around but I felt pretty sad that I didn't have enough money to get something. The Laptops and cameras are so amazing and far ahead of what we have in America! After that we went to a Starbucks, I got a matcha frappachino and we drank our drinks at the Imperial Palace Gardens again hehe.

We went back to the hotel and rested until about 8 pm when we went out ot have dinner at an Izakaya near the hotel. It was very fun, the interior was a traditional wood and there were a good amount of people inside. There was a group of oyaji and they were very noisy. We ordered salmon fried rice, gyoza, yakitori, salad, ochazuke, tamagoyaki and I had black sesame ice cream. Of course afterwards we visited some conbini and went back to the hotel and to bed.

The Izakaya

Yakitori

Shouma buying some vending machine drinks

Tokyo Day 3 - the Imperial Palace

Today I woke up about 7am and went to eat the breakfast provided by Toyoko Inn. They have croissants and a savory type of bread. Shouma wouldn't wake up early so I went and eat by myself, it was kinda fun to be the only white girl amoung many Japanese business men haha. I didn't bring my camera so I don't have a pic of the food, but I will get one tomorrow. When I went back to the room I ate half of the chestnut daifuku I got the night before. It was really good!

Then we got ready and rode the train to Tokyo station which was only 2 stops away, it was full but not packed haha. We got lost in Tokyo station for awhile but it was interesting just looking at everything and all the people. When we got out we wandered a little bit before going to the Imperial Palace grounds. Marunouchi is kinda a stuffy place and has a pretty western look.

Tokyo Station

We had to walk quite a few blocks because Shouma wanted McDonalds, which was fine with me, but it seems that type of food is not appreciated in downtown Tokyo haha. I wanted to try a Tsukimi burger, but I knew I couldn't finish it so I got a Chicken Shaka cheese flavor and a McBakery Chocolate Danish. They were both good, and the chicken was bigger then I thought it would be. It's about the size of a large chicken patty. The cheese flavor was good but not quite strong enough for me.

My lunch
Then after a bathroom break at a very clean restroom we walked over to the Imperial Palace grounds, it was quiet warm and there wasn't as many white gaijin as I thought there would be. I walked all the way up to the gate only to find it was closed today! haha. They said they are closed every friday, but I thought they closed every monday, huh. Anyhow I got a few nice photos even though it was closed.

Looking towards Marunouchi

Since it was so hot I just headed for a area with lots of trees and sat in the shade for a looooong time. Lots of people were also relaxing, and talking and eating ice cream. I saw a cicada shell for the first time, laying in the grass, but also there were ants everywhere. I started to head back to the hotel a little after 3pm and took the subway instead of the trains, it took longer but it was less busy. Now I have been watching TV and relaxing in my hotel until 7 and then I will go eat dinner at Skylark Gusto.

Where I was just chillin' all day ha!

Tokyo Day 2 - arrival in Nihombashi

Today I left my room at Holiday Day Inn Narita, I headed back to the Narita Airport and ate breakfast there. I had some zaru soba and a piece of stewed egg plant. Both were really good and I was really good so I forgot to take a photograph haha.
I got to the Keisei express platform at about 11:30, and it was a pleasant ride passing many farms and small towns. Here is a short video from the ride, there's nice houses at the end.

First thing I did was check in at Toyoko Inn Nihombashi Hamacho. It was hard letting go of nearly 1000$, but I suppose it really is cheap for 2 people staying 12 nights. I left my bags and headed across the street to Jonathan's for lunch. I had a chicken Japanese style spaghetti set with a nice little fruit yogurt. It was yummy!

Then I went over to Hamacho park to pass some time. They don't let you into your room until 4pm. It was really humid, and the cicadas were going nuts, but the park was nice. I also walked along the Sumida river and saw the Himiko. Also there was a small group of homeless trap homes. But it was really humid and I didn't feel motivated to walk alot.

So I went to the drugstore and bought some shampoo and conditioner, and then I went to Lawson for snacks. I got a nice banana pan and chestnut daifuku. I walked about to the Toyoko Inn and waited another 10 minutes before they would let me in. The room was hardly worth the wait. It's so small its laughable. I would never stay here if it weren't for the price, free internet and breakfast. But it is very clean and I appreciate that after the Holiday Inn! haha


The Toyoko Inn lobby


and my room.

Arrival in Tokyo

So today I arrived in Tokyo at 4.30pm local time, an hour ahead of schedule luckily. I rushed through passport control and customs since I didn't check any luggage. Then I meetup with my...boyfriend, I guess I can still call him that for now, haha. We got on the free bus to Holiday Inn Narita, it arrives at the # 16 bus stop every 20 minutes during the afternoon hours. The ride to Holiday was pretty short but luckily the had the air conditioner on full blast. It's very humid, the heat is pretty high, but not much higher then in Minnesota.

Well Holiday Inn at Narita is not much to look at, there seems to be extensive water damage in the hallways, dated furnishings, unpleasant stains in the room, and rose pink tiling in the bathrooms. Otherwise it's adequet. There is a desk, and free LAN internet (cables provided at front desk) But it's quite small and I can't imagine westerns would be very comfortable.

That's about it for now, I may go to the Mini-stop conbini at 10pm, so I will update with food later if that happens.

Exploring the neighborhood

With the launch of Google street view in Japan, you can now explore all the great sights of Tokyo. I found this to be especially useful when locating my hotel in Nihombashi. I'm going to be staying at the branch of Toyoko Inn in Hamacho, a residential area. So now I can take a nice tour of my soon-to-be temporary home in Japan. I'm glad there's plenty of conbini within walking distance and a Jonathan's right across the street. Only 23 days until I leave!

The street that my hotel is on!

Snack Review: Riska Corn Potage chips

I bought this snack on a whim just to try a new flavor that I never actually tried in Japan. I had noticed corn potage fairly often in Japan, but I was never really sure of what it was. I assume its some sort of corn soup, as pictured on this package.

Anyway this product is a puffed product, so it has a texture similar to puffed cheetos, but softer. It still has a crisp, but not a crunch haha. It is covered in little green flecks, which I am not sure what seasoning they are. The flavoring coating leaves a little residue on your hands, but its not profuse. And the smell, they smell exactly like cream corn!

My mom was the first to give them a taste test, and by her reaction you would have thought they were a toxic poison! haha. She told me promptly she would not eat anymore and I had to eat the rest so they wouldn't stink up the room. At first I was a little put off by the taste, I'm not sure why, but it just wasn't right to me. After I ate a few more a started to like them, and quickly finished the bag a few days later.

I think this sort of flavor can't be enjoyed by everyone, if you decide to try it don't give up after the first few tastes! It may grow on you! Or not, who knows haha, but it's a unique flavor and an interesting try.

= Quick Facts =
Name: Riska Corn Potage puffed chips
Source: Uwajimaya market
Amount: 85 g
Rating:★★.5 ☆☆ (2.5 out of 5)

Waves & Rocks

Something from Umi no hi

Snack Review: LOOK premium chocolate apricot flavor

This review is coming in very late, I'm not sure why I had put it off for so long, but better late then never I suppose. Today I am reviewing LOOK premium filled chocolate apricot flavor. I bought these at a local shop that sells cute goods from Japan and Korea. They have a tiny section of snacks, but often have things that you can't find elsewhere (in MN) my mom choose this from their offerings.

I wasn't sure that it was going to taste that great, considering the price and the fact that it was imported, but it really was fabulous! There is a coating of chocolate that is just the right thickness and tastes very creamy. It wasn't gritty or bitter in the least. Inside the chocolate is a center of solid white cream, that slowly melts in your mouth.

All this sounds really sweet and perhaps a bit too decadent, but there is a surprise hidden in the white filling - apricot bits! These are crunchy and very flavorful pieces of apricot. I'm not sure if it's real freeze dried apricot or something synthetic, but it's tangy non-sweet taste stands out well against the chocolate and cream.

If it had just been cream filled chocolate it really wouldn't been anything special, delicious, but not special. The crispy apricot pieces really make this snack choco very satisfying, and very difficult to put down.

= Quick facts =
Name: LOOK premium chocolate, apricot flavor

Source: import store

Amount: 10 pieces

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5)