Last days in Tokyo!
05. Apr, 2008 
9 Comments
Both Wednesday and Thursday were fairly uneventful! I wanted to go to Tokyo tower on Wednesday but it was so cloudy that I decided to just stay in at the hostel. I’d woken up fairly late anyway as Tuesday had been a pretty long day. In the evening I met three guys – Michael, Vincent and Jason – who invited me to go along with them to have a Korean style dinner. On the way there we stopped by a store called ドン・キホーテ (Donkihote) which was absolutely full of miscellaneous stuff! From the floor to the ceiling, I’d never seen anything like it. They’re actually a chain of stores so if you’re ever in Japan be sure to check one out.
So yeh, Korean barbecue was delicious! Michael is Korean (and a chef) so knew exactly what to order and how to cook everything while the rest of us were quite lost. We had little slices of wagyu beef and the taste was absolutely amazing. I think there’s a few similar restaurants in Perth so I’m definitely going to check them out when I get home. With dinner we drank Shōchū (I think?) it was really strong and I turned all pink which was a little embarrassing. Oh, I also ate roasted garlic! I thought Michael was shitting us when he told us to eat a piece but sure enough, he did it and we followed suit. It didn’t taste too bad but I don’t think it’s worth having icky breath for the next 6+ hours (that’s with gum and brushing!).
It was Jason’s last night in Japan so the boys wanted to go clubbing. I’m not really into clubbing but I’d decided in Australia that I wanted to try it in Japan so agreed to go too. We started off in Shibuya which was pretty dead but expectantly so as it was a Wednesday night. After going to a few empty places there we caught a cab to Roppongi and found a club called Gas Panic that was much more lively. I had a good time and it was amusing watching the guys trying to ‘pick up’ (their Japanese vocabulary consisting of “konnichiwa, rabu hoteru?”). So yeah, trains stop at about 2am in Tokyo and then don’t start up until 5am which meant we didn’t get back to the hostel until around 7:30am the next day! Oh I’m such a party animal. (never again, never again)
After minimal sleep on Thursday I went and visited the Yamazakis again. We had yummy karaage for dinner and I tried some weird cheese that tasted like fish.
Friday I hung out with Aaron (Russell’s friend who is teaching English over here) and went to Shibuya to check out an Australian style restaurant called ‘Outback’. Unfortunately it was closed so we had to settle for Subway. Ordering at Subway is quite a task. They ask soo many questions… what size, type of bread, filling, salads, sauces, toasted, sides, drink… and the lady we had spoke very fast even when we asked her to speak more slowly. We ended up just saying ‘hai’ to any questions we didn’t understand! Anyway, despite the restaurant being closed I’m glad I went to Shibuya as there are a couple of interesting things there.
First is the intersection right outside the train station which is apparently the busiest in the world. I’d like to be there at 9am one day to see it at it’s best. It’s just cars cars cars then people people people! Here’s a photo I took from Starbucks.
Also in Shibuya is a statue of a dog called Hachiko (ハチ公). The story dates back to 1924 where every day Hachiko would walk with his owner to the station and come to meet him in the evening. Even after his owner died Hachiko would go and wait at the station and he did so every evening for the next ten years (until the day he died). People were touched by the story and had a bronze statue built of him.
Next, Aaron and I headed to Ueno Park to see the cherry blossom trees. It was beautiful to see all the flowers though I think the best time of day to go is early in the morning when there aren’t so many people around. I caught a petal while we were there which made me happy as Mrs Yamazaki had told me it brings happiness. Not too long after that I dropped ￥100 under a vending machine! I’m not too sure what to make of that.
After a little more wandering Aaron and I parted ways and I went to see Tokyo Tower! It didn’t take long to get there and was only a short walk from the station with the best part being that even I couldn’t miss it – you just look up!
Above is a photo I took walking toward the tower. It’s right near a park where lots of people were picnicking under the cherry blossoms. When I got there I bought a ticket that gets you into the main viewing area and also the entertainment/display area. Once you’re at the main viewing area you can then pay extra to go to the very top but it was a rather foggy day so I didn’t worry about it. The main reason for doing that is because you can apparently see Mt Fuji. Anyway, I really enjoyed Tokyo Tower. There’s lots to do and it’s a perfect day out for a family (though a little lonely on your own). There are actually two levels to the main viewing tower and my tip is to go downstairs to the lower level one because it seems some tourists don’t realize it’s there as it’s definitely less busy than the upper level. Plus, there’s a cafe. I stayed up there for quite a while and waited for sunset, then made my way down to the entertainment area. They have a wax museum, hologram display, Guiness World Records museum and a trick art display plus a few other things to check out. Anyway, here are some photos I took from and of Tokyo Tower.
On Saturday I slept and packed my bags ready for Monday. In the afternoon Sakura Hostel hosted a hanami gathering down by a river in Asakusa. I knew a few people that were going but we didn’t expect the turn out to be as big as it was. It was lots of fun eating snacks and chatting to everyone so I’m really glad I went. We also got quite a few looks from the locals who were surprised to see a big group of foreigners eating Japanese sweets under the sakura!
Next entry : Ayumi Hamasaki and Shinkansen. Then, the Oi Family! Sorry for my lack of updates!! Xx
-I’ve had Korean BBQ in Northbridge, it’s delicious!
-Don Quixote is a pretty odd name for a store full of random junk.
-That intersection looks intense, I bet that billboard space costs a mint. Is Shibuya the business district?
-I like the story of Hachiko :3 Though it does remind me of a certain episode of a certain television program…
-Obviously Japan is telling you, money won’t make you happy
-Tokyo Tower looks awesome! What’s that cool looking building below it? Can we live there?
-I miss you very much, you better keep updating :3 I’ve run out of phone credit (rather than the month being up) for the first time in ages thanks to the international calls!
That Intersection and Dog Statue were shown on The Amazing Race back in 2006, so I wondered what it would be in real life… Guess you get to experience it. I’m so jealous
“The main reason for doing that is because you can apparently see Mt Fuji.”
So… could you see Mt Fuji? I see no photos of Mt Fuji.
Sounds like you’re having a lot of fun.
Well it was a long time coming but well worth the wait. The photos are lovely and I found myself reading your text really fast as Im used to you speaking at a hundred miles an hour. So many people. I remember London was like that but back then you were a little girl and we had to hold your hand so you didnt get lost. Now if you get lost Im sure you can find your way back. Keep the pictures coming when you get the chance. Its great to be able to share your adventure with you. Love ya loads. Mum & Dad. X
Konnichiwa Amanda,
Enjoying your journalistic prose. I can almost smell the fragrance of Japanese/Asian cooking….(unless it’s my next-door neighbour again !)
Sorry about the “Cherry Blossom” story,…looks like that myth has been well and truly “Busted !”….there again you could stand under a blossom tree with your hands out for an hour, passers by might take a sypathetic view of your pose, and drop some money in your palm, then Mrs Yamazaki fable might come true…..or you could get arrested!!!
Great photos of surroundings and food. See if you can get recommendations of food outlets here, for when you return.
Remember old Japanese saying..”Heavy drink make head very light.”
Sayonara.. Grandad and Nanna San
Wow the photos are really great.
I really wanna try korean food but I am a chicken as like everything is hot as.
I was meant to go to outback too! but yeah didn’t happen, not too sure why in my case though
subway in japan is worth it!
tokyos the only place that has it
i think it was my VERY first meal in Japan – EVER
I love that view from tokyo tower, where the streets look like it
Louisa lived in Shibuya when we were there, craaazy place
i’d heard the hachiko story before but couldn’t remember it, good thing you got it
roflmao at the sakura thing,
you were sure there at a good time though
holyshi that is one might fine gathering of gaijins
japanese ppl must have thought they were being invaded and gave you sweets to try and buy your affection
ummm….
yeeeeeeeeees
japanese test tomorrow! eep!
Russell→ I think it’s a business district but it has also become popular with young people as there are clubs and fashionable stores in the area.
I miss you too. <3
Daniel→
Yer, I’m pretty lucky to be going to all these places!
Morris→ I didn’t go up to the very top so I don’t know if you could see it or not. But it was very foggy and I spoke to some friends at the hostel who said that they couldn’t see it. I’d like to go back there again one day and I’ll probably go to the top.
Sue→ Hahah, I’ve gotten lost quite a few times! People are always happy to help though and because I’m on my own it doesn’t matter if I go off track. New blog post will be up very soon!
Grandad→ Funny thing is, while I read your comment I could smell my host mum cooking dinner! Weird! The family I’m with now eat western-style food as well as asian-food so I get a good mix.
And that can’t be a Japanese saying… they love alcohol too much!
Bron→ Yeah, I thought it would be really spicy too but I told Micheal beforehand and I guess he only ordered mild stuff.
Their Subway tastes the same as ours I think, but it’s much neater.
As if you’re eeping!
Oh hai yo Amanda, Oh genki?
Ore wa genki desu…kekeke
Hey thanks for dropping by, where are you now? I see you haven’t updated your blogs lately kekeke… I know me too as well.
You have really awsome pictures, so jealous lol
I’ll be back to read more of your stay in Japan… I am already having dreams at night staying in Japan and everytime I get up I realize how much I miss being there…
Ja matta ne,
Michael
Your picture from Asukasa hanami made me grin. I walked past you guys and thought the very same “that is a large bunch of westerners” Is I had a meet futher along the park. Btw, Odonata from JPforum