Japan

Saturday

I arrived to Narita airport at 4:00 pm. I got to my hostel by 7:00 pm. I dropped off my stuff and went off to look for some dinner. I finally chose a place that they were grilling the fish in the front window and had this amazing meal for under $10! I headed back to my hostel and got ready for Sunday.

The hostel I stayed at is Khaosan Samuri Hostel. The hostel was recommend by Brooke and really was a nice place to stay. There was free wifi, a kitchen, and lounge area, and everything was really clean.

My first impressions of Japan were that they are dog friendly. Not just the cutesy dogs like in Korea but all kind of dogs. They also drive on the other side of the street. I was not aware of this until I noticed something was different when I crossed the street. Also, everyone really goes out of their way to help you. Whenever I was trying to figure something out, out of nowhere someone always appears asking me if I need help. People also don’t gawk at me like they do in Korea.  People also seamed genuinely happy. It’s hard to explain but they are just happy.

Sunday

I woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed. I think I had the best sleep since I have left California. The room was pretty dark and the AC was on all night!!!  I also had a memory foam bed. It was simply amazing!

I went to Denny’s for breakfast. Although I would not eat this back at home it is difficult to find breakfast food in Japan (and in Korea) Even at Denny’s they had mostly meals which consisted of fish, rice, soup, and salad. They did have a meal with eggs, toast, and salad. I settled for French toast and coffee. When I ordered, the waitress asked if I wanted half an order or a full order by showing me the calories. I like this method! I chose half an order. I think this should be implemented back at home. Things in Japan are also a lot smaller. I saw the smallest bag of M&M’s at a liquor store. I also noticed a lot of people were ordering ice cream after their meal! I love that they were eating ice cream so early in the day.

I started Monday by going to Asakusa Temple, which was right next to my hostel. There was a huge row of shops in front of the temple selling all sorts of stuff.

I started to notice people where walking around with towels around their neck. I thought it was odd as it wasn’t that hot. Little did I know! When I got out of the temple I purchased this candy that was sitting on ice. It was strawberry on a stick and it was covered in this hard clear candy. With the heat the candy started to melt. It was nice to have fresh fruit and candy together.

I purchased an all day metro pas for $10. I first went Ameyoko Market from Ueno Station. This market had all sort of street shopping. For lunch I ate at a stand and had Takoyaki, octopus balls.

I then went to Ueno Park. This was a huge park and had a zoo and museums. I just walked around for a little bit. By noon I think was going into some sort of heat stroke. I was dripping sweat all morning (disgusting I know) and I was really hot. I was drinking everything I could find: water, juice, shaved ice, and ice cream but I just couldn't keep hydrated. I really started to feel ill.

After Ueno, I went to Akihabara, which is known for electronics. There was so much to see here! All sorts of electronics such as stuff to make electronic stuff with such as wires plugs and everything you expect to see if you open your computer tower, there were also phones, computers and video games, and some of the cartoons/games looked like it was for adults. So I got a little lost here trying to get back to the subway, and a kind man walked me to the metro. I am sure I was looking distressed.

I then went to Odaiba. First to an outlet store where there was a Toyota museum. I purchased some earrings and a watch there.

This reminded me of Bellagio 

I then went to the other side and there was a beach there! It was such a shame I  didn’t have more time since it was a beautiful day and would have been a good day for the beach.

Then I went to Seibu-Shinjuku. This area is known for shopping,and from what I gathered it was some upscale shopping. I went to the Isetan Department store and there was a food hall in the basement. It was Amazing! There was everything you could imagine. Cheeses, wines, fish every type of cuisine (well almost no Mexican). I have never seen a selection of food in Korea like this. I purchased an ell roll for $10. The only down side was that the food was to take home and there was no place to eat it at.

Then I went to Harajuku another place known for shopping. I walked around for a little and found this thrift store that was really unique had all sorts of Japanese things. Stores started to close by 8:00 so I decided to head back to my hostel and come back the following day.

That day turned out to be a very unexpected shopping day filled with yummy food and I really got to see a lot of different areas all, which had a unique feel. I also got sunburn on my face and regretted not buying a hat.

Monday

I started my day early because I wanted to go see the Tsukiji Fish Market in action. Unfortunately, it was closed. This was supposed to be the highlight of my trip. Apparently it was a holiday. Most the little shops around the market were also closed. I decided to come back in the afternoon for lunch since I didn’t want fish for breakfast.

So I went Tokyo Station to see the Imperial Palace. There was a long walk to the palace from the station and it was so hot. It was defiantly cooler then it was on Sunday and it was forecasted rain. Everything around was just dead. I took a few pictures of the outside of the palace and headed back to the Tsukiji for lunch.

I found this sushi place that had a good deal for a set. The sushi was amazing I got to try a little of everything. The one difference from the sushi at home is that this set was made fresh to order and you can eat it at the sushi bar.

I went back to Harajuku for some more shopping (i really just walked around) I did find some little side streets that was Harajuku Street and it was filled with a bunch of thrift stores. They all seemed that they where trying to have clothes from the states and calling the stores names like Chicago and New York but they were wall had a very unique selection.

I then went to Shibuya (more shopping) and theses streets were filled with people maybe because of the vacation.

I planned on going to Ginza but my travel book said to go at night. So I headed back to my hostel for some rest. I fell asleep on the metro way back and then rested for 30 minuets at my hostel. You may think its weird to sleep on the Metro, but that’s what people do in Japan (and Korea), so when in Rome…

Before Dinner I walked around Asakusa Temple and walked around and bought this pumpkin ball that was really yummy.

I then went back to Tsukiji for dinner and had sushi at this restaurant. The sushi was not as good as the one for lunch but the lady out side was really nice. Her name was Yuko Suzuki. She worked outside of the restaurant trying to get people to come in and she also worked as a caretaker for Alzheimer patients. She went to Korea for one month 5 years ago to study Korean. She also knows English and now she is studying Chinese. She gave me sushi candy before I left.

I then headed to Ginza and looked for the San`ai Building. After some help I (apparently was right in front of it) I found it. The building looked nothing like the picture in the book. It no longer has the Coca Cola logo on top and didn’t it look as nice. It was a little disappointing. I then went back to the hostel and prepared for the next day.

Tuesday

I chose to do a day trip to Kasmakura. The decision was between Kasamkura and Nikkio. I really wanted to go to Nikkio because it sounded beautiful and it was more outdoorsy and had waterfalls. Kasmakura was more about temples. There were a few hikes in Kasmakura though. I choose kasmakura because of the weather. It appears the rain followed me from Korea. So that’s how I made my decision.

I left the hostel at 7:00 am. I decided to go to the fish market one more time because I would regret that I went to Tokyo and never saw the fish market. It was so crazy inside. They’re where cars people, carts everything just going by so fast. From the outside I could smell the sweet aroma of the fresh fish. Inside the market there was tiny aisles all selling some type of fish or shellfish. A few times I would hear some fluttering and water flying. Every time I looked there was someone hacking at a live fish! The market lived up to my expectations and I wish I could have purchased something to cook.

I then headed to Kasmakura. It took about an hour and a half to get there. I took bus 6 to the Great Buddha and then I went back to the station.

I walked around the main street and saw another temple. The rain was off and on all day. I had tempura for lunch at a nice restaurant.

There wasn’t too much street food or cheap food for that matter. It cost me almost as much as my sushi lunch from the day before. By then I was wet enough from the rain and decided to go home. It was about 780 yen each way.

Wednesday

Before heading to Kyoto I went to Tokyo station and left my luggage in a locker. I then head to Hakone. Now I knew that I would not get to view Mt. Fuji because of the weather but what I did not expect that everything would be closed because of the typhoon. That's right no cable cars, no park, nothing. I decided to walk around the city since I was already there. This city was made up of the station many hotels and one main street filled with restaurants and shops geared towards tourist.

I had lunch at a restaurant and had soba a buckwheat noodle that was served hot or cold. I got it hot. The waitress informed me that it was supposed to represent a fish’s head.

The egg is supposed to be the nose, the bread is the forehead, the green stuff is the mouth,  the side stuff is the cheek, and the stuff on top is the eyes. I really have to use your imagination. 

I headed back to the station and went back to Tokyo station. I had a hard time finding where I left my stuff. Apparently there are many lockers at Tokyo station. Luckily I got a map when I asked about the lockers that morning, so I went to the information desk and they told me how to get there. I then took the bullet train to Kyoto. It took 2 1/2 hours. I got to Kyoto by 6 pm. Kyoto had a different feel to it then Tokyo. Everyone looks more natural and clothing is not as stylish. I found this restaurant that they were making Japanese pancake I sat at the bar and watch the cook make it. Kind of like teppan style, and it kind of tasted like the batter and toppings of the Takoyaki I had earlier in my trip.

Thursday

I decieded rented a bike for the day. I wasn't sure if the weather was going to allow it, but I took a chance. I went to Nijojo Castle and walked around looking at the paintings and gardens.

What I really liked was the floors. It sounded like birds chirping when you walked on it this was to let people know if there were intruders. When I was done the weather looked like it was going to hold hope so I rode my bike to Arahiyama it was about an hour away. I went through the path of bamboo and had lunch at a restaurant near by.

I had cold soba this time. I got to grind sesame seeds and poured it to my cup then I added wasabi and green onions. Then I took my noodles and dipped it in he cup there was so much flavor from the sesame seeds.

After lunch I went to Iwatayama Monkey Park home to 120 Japanese monkeys. I hiked up the mountain and at the top found a nice view of Kyoto and a hut I was able to feed the monkeys. I could have of stayed there all day.

I rode my bike from way out there

I wanted to also experience a tea ceremony. I was trying to make it there by 4 but had a hard time finding it. Eventually I did find it and was able to attend the 5 pm ceremony. The tea ceremony of composed of four aspects. The whole ceremony was so thought out and she explained it was compared to meditating. Theses usually last 2 to 3 hours but involves a meal, a break, and then something sweet and a strong green tea is drank and then a lighter green tea. The tea was a powder green tea that had to be whisked to make a foam on top. You could really taste the green tea.

Then I headed to Shimogamo-jinja shrine for the Mitarashi festival. The festival involves people putting their feet in the stream running through the shrine and praying for a healthy life.

It was so neat to be apart of this ritual. I then walked through the main entrance where they were selling food and had games, cotton candy, and fish and turtles kind of like a fair. I ate dinner and headed back to the hostel, as I needed to return the bike by 9 pm.

Friday

I spent my last full day in Japan by going to Nara. It took about 70 min to get there by the local train. The rapid train would have only taken 30 min but I would have needed to wait another 30 min to take it. It was about a 15 to 20 min walk to Nara Park. I was looking for my first temple when I noticed deer droppings. This place is known for the deers but I didn't think they would be roaming around. I looked to see if I could see a dear but nothing. Then I saw a male deer and then I looked further ahead and found a whole bunch of deers. I was fascinated and took several pictures I could get as close as I wanted but wad still careful because I know they can cause real harm if they wanted to.

I first went to Todai-ji temple. It is the biggest wooden building in the world even though it is not as big as it used to be. There I saw the great Buddha Vairocana it's the biggest bronze Buddha in the world.

 I then walked through the deer enclosure and saw many baby deers with there mom they were all very cautious with me. They were not at all like the other deer that hang out with the people.

I walked to Kasuga grand shrine. The walkway leading up to the shrine was filled with 3,000 lanterns. This place really did feel magical. You could almost feel how it would be to walk down the road back when this was a way of life and not a tourist location.

I then headed back to the station I found a shabu shabu place and settled there for lunch. It was kind of pricy maybe because of the meat but there was no vegetarian option. The sauces tasted more vinegary then the ones I have had and the flavor was not as strong as the ones I have had. Nonetheless it was delicious.

When I got back to Kyoto I walked on the philosophers walk. This walkway was nestled by the side of the mountain and a stream ran by the path. The walkway was lined with cherry trees but they where not in bloom. It was a peaceful walk and there where many neat shops and specialty cafés along the way.

I then walked to the handicraft center that was supposed to have craft products but was mostly “made in chain” stuff. Then I walked to Gion Corner and attend a show of tea ceremony, Japanese harp, flower arrangement, court music, a traditional play, and a puppet play. Gion Corner is famous for being a geisha district. 

I then walked to Pontocho Street that was filled with restaurants. I had a snack of mochi dipped in sweet sauce. The mochi was grilled on the grill and then the sauce was put on top.

I then headed to Nishiki market that sells ingredients to chefs but this was closed by the time I got there, which was 8:00 pm, so I walked back to the hostel and found a restaurant that they were grilling skewers and had dinner there.

Saturday

My flight was scheduled to depart at 3:45, which meant I had to be at the airport by 2:00 pm. I had planned on going to Osaka before heading to the airport, but I felt I would loose too much time traveling and decided to day in Kyoto. I spent the morning by walking around Gion Corner and Nishiki Market. I then checked out of the hostel and headed towards the airport.

My whole trip was amazing. The only thing I would have done differently is that there is a night bus I could have taken from Tokyo to Kyoto and it would have been $70 cheaper and I would have not needed to pay for somewhere to stay for the night. I also wish I would have had more time to stay in Japan. At least 2 more days would have been enough to experience Nikko and Hiroshima. I hope I will be able to return soon.