So, spent the past week or so in Japan. My friend, her boyfriend and I took the overnight ferry from Busan to Hakata on the 29th, arriving in Japan on the morning of the 30th and got back the 6th of January. Here is a brief description of what we did, before I forget everything:
30th
*Got our JR passes that would allow us to take the Shinkansen (bullet train) as much as we want (they were expensive but well worth it) and made our way from Hakata to Himeji to see the Himeji Castle. It was closed.
*After a short regrouping in the form of lunch over a bowl of handmade udon noodles, we got back on the shinkansen and continued on our way to Tokyo.
*Arrived at Tokyo and tried in vain to figure out the Tokyo Metro system. It's needlessly complicated since there are about 3 private companies running the lines. But we did eventually make it to our traditional Japanese tatami-mat guest house. It as REALLY nice.
*Went out to Shinjuku with the gang (it's filled with gentlemen clubs... as well as some ladies clubs kkkkk. Actually I'm not so sure they're strip clubs or those manga-places where you get a room or a table and pretty Jwo/men wait on your hand and feet...). Then went to this other area nearby (forget the name) that's will with tiny little bars (more like hovels) that only cater to regulars. We got lucky and found a (small) place friendly to foreigners.
31st
*Got up early to go to the fish market and ate the most wonderfullest sushi I had ever tasted in my entire life.
*Took the tram across the Rainbow Bridge.
*Failed attempt at the Ryokugi-en(?) Garden
*Went to Harajuku and shopped at Uniqlo <3 <3 <3
*Went back to the guest house for a well-deserved nap.
*Got up for dinner at Roppongi and then went to celebrate New Years at the Roppongi club aLife. I realize we were in Japan, but it was FILLED with Js. Absolutely packed. It was also 3 floors. Jmen (some not all) are tall and cute <3 <3
*Crawled back to the guest house (aka got in a cab) at some mysterious house. We somehow got the one cab driver who could speak Korean. It was most entertaining.
1st
*The day before we ordered breakfast so at 7:30AM a little Japanese obaa-san (grandmother) came to wake us up and refused to leave till we had rolled away our futons so she could give us our breakfast tables.
*Dragged ourselves to the Meiji-jingu (shrine? temple?) for a Japanese-style New Years morning celebration. Didn't actually pray (obviously) but it was interesting watching everyone else (including the posse) pray for the new year (which btdubs is year of the rabbit <3 <3 everyone born this year will be my 띠동갑). Wait a minute... 헐~ my new little cousin and I will be 띠동갑!!!!
*Failed attempt at seeing the sumo wrestling stadium and Edo museum (it is after all New Years).
*Went to Akihabara (Electric Town) where they sell electronics and manga. There was a LOT of manga porn and even those maid cafes you read about in mangas (or at least I read about). Went looking for one (we were given a flyer) but couldn't find it :[ Went to a bookstore and bought manga (Boy, if you're reading this, then yes. Just yes.).
*Post lunch I decided to do what was best for me aka pass out at the guest house while the posse went frolicking about Japan. I don't know where they get their energy.
*Had a McDonald's dinner table for 1. It's almost as sad as it sounds but not quite.
2nd
*Went to see the Emperor. The castle opens and apparently the imperial family makes a public appearance at their castle every 40 minutes from morning to afternoon. We stood in an intense crowd (pics coming soon) for 30 min waiting for his imperial majesty to wave his hand for 3 minutes (I timed it). It was so~ worth it. Because yes, I saw in person the emperor, empress and their 2 sons + wives of Japan. Princess Masako is fabulous <3 But then I've always had an obsession with royalty.
*Made our way to Kyoto.
*Dropped off our stuff at hostel and made our way to Gion - the very rich district with fancy restaurants who sometimes order geishas. Unfortunately we didn't see one (or maybe we did?). They're tres secretive.
*Went to a more price friendly (relatively speaking as Jworld is ridiculously expensive. I'd say some things are even more expensive than NY. And that's just unforgivable) area and ate okonomiyaki and yaki-soba. LOVES LOVES LOVES.
*Karaoke for 2 hours. I sang 2PM and 2NE1. Kpop <3
3rd
To Be Continued...
