2010.08.02 Shiodome, Narita

Made plans to meet up with my Lea, my sister, on the day I was leaving. Since she was working that day, we had to go meet up near her workplace in Shiodome around lunch time. After checking out of the hotel at 10, I wanted to go try check out a few places before then.

Saw some guys pushing a shrine into a shop. I wonder if they were getting ready for a mikoshi or just getting over one.


Was riding the Keihin-Tohoku to try and check out Yokohama when I got a text, so I got off and switched to the train going in the opposite direction to get to Shiodome.

Don't know the significance, but there was a train in a little park-type area that can be seen from the platform.


After some misunderstanding, we were able to meet up and hit up the buffet @ Restaurant Harmony in the Royal Park Shiodome Tower. If you have the chance and a big appetite, you should definitely go!

My sister is too quick to be caught off guard by a camera.


Foie gras omelette!


Curry!


Talt!




The goma dessert was good but the portion was too much and it looked creepy.

No problems with the citrus sherbet though.

After the biggest lunch I remember having in a while, Lea had to go back to work but, after hearing about my neck issues due to the bad pillow at the hotel, she offered me her monthly massage voucher @ Temomin. The massage wasn't as hard as the place I usually go to in Honolulu, but the service was nice and relaxing.


It was suggested that I could go check out Ginza, but with the insane amount of sweat I was in danger of generating due to the heat, I took a break in a Starbucks before I decided to head back to the hotel and grab my luggage.

On the way back to the station, I checked out a bunch of the displays and events going on outside.

Miyazaki-esque wooden thing.


Shiny rock sculpture.

Yamazaki Ryo's artwork.


Shiodome Expo 2010



The guy with the hat had a really high voice.


The two girls might be Cherry Pie, a comedy duo.


There was some exhibit for one of my favorite shows, DERO!


I guess I had not been able to fully explain the extent of my JR Pass privileges to Junko since her latest plan was to ride the JR from Ueno to Narita Airport (even though it would have been faster for me to catch the Narita Express from Tokyo Station and for her to catch the Keisei from Ikebukuro.

So the plan was to ride the Joban Line from Ueno, even though it stopped at Narita Station (not Narita Airport) and transfer to the Yokosuka Line Sobu Line. The Joban may have been designated as a Rapid Train, but I could have been fooled by the amount of times it stopped. At one point, the train stopped for almost 10 minutes at one of the stations. I'm guessing this was because there was only one track and a train was coming in the opposite direction. Train was super crowded so until people started clearing out, my feet were smashed by my bag which I tried to pull in as close as possible.

Anyways, we eventually got to Narita Station and it becomes rather apparent that Junko has probably never been here before and/or didn't know how to get to the airport from here. As we're waiting for the next Yokosuka Line Sobu Line train to get us to the airport, I am finally able to explain fully that the JR Pass I bought allowed me to ride the Narita Express, so we didn't have to take the cheaper, slower trains.

Junko's "I had no idea, sorry. Nothing I can do but read Conan until the next train comes" expression.


After transferring at Narita Station, we finally made it to the Airport, almost 3 hours after we left Ueno Station! Well maybe we'll have something to laugh about years later?

Narita's JAL terminal was super empty around this time.


Last meal in Japan was ironically super American.


Was a fun trip, but it will be quite a while before I try and come back to Japan during the summer.

2010.07.31 Odaiba, Giroppon

Woke up and ate the melon pan I bought the night before in Tsukishima and it was good even after a night in the fridge.

Maybe the best melon pan I ever had!


Since I didn't get to go to Odaiba the last time I came, it was one of the few things that stuck out in my mind as far as places to go. Masa was the only person who confirmed that he had time that day. I was a little concerned because he's a quirky guy, but he did a good job of showing me around and making sure I didn't get lost. Sorry for doubting you Masa!

Got off the subway at Tokyo Teleport station and saw Masa right away. Since there was some kind of summer festival going on at Fuji TV, that would end up taking the bulk of our time. Even before we left the station, Fuji TV's influence could be felt. Along the escalator leading up to street level was an ad for their idol variety show Idoling!!!, complete with headshots of all twenty (!) members of the group. In retrospect, I should have probably took video of that or something for the sake of the otaku who couldn't go there. Oddly enough, there didn't be too many displays, posters or merchandise for them inside the Fuji TV complex.

Fuji TV!


Sazae-san: the most famous Japanese anime you probably never heard of.

Booth for Waratte Iitomo, the longest running talk show you probably never heard of.

Some stage where various performances and such were going on.

Going up the wavy escalators to the main entrance on the 7th (?) floor.

Ant's eye view of the Fuji Sphere.


Got up to the Sphere and the view was pretty amazing!
Rainbow Bridge!

There was a beach but looks like someone in a speedboat was ruining for everyone.


Me and Masa took pictures on a replica of the Sazae-san set. Yay for free photos!

Apparently, a sequel to the live action adaptation of Sazae-san was going to be airing soon.

Next was Chicken Ramen Hiyoko Cafe where they were selling some, apparently super popular instant ramen for 300yen. They must have been super busy since they forgot to give me my ticket. No ticket, no ramen, no life!


They even lend you a timer for your ramen.

Ready! Hmm, doesn't look that special...but not bad considering this was Odaiba and a tourist destination.


There was a whole floor dedicated to Odoru Daisasousen (Bayside Shakedown). Never seen the show or the movies, but interest has increased a little. Pictures to come later.

Not sure what these girls were dressed up as but does it really matter?


Chibi Maruko-Chan, another mega popular, long-running anime you probably never heard of.


Took the elevator down to the ground floor since the other one was crowded then walked back up to check out the gift shop and other stuff.



In case you haven't heard, Sazae-san is kinda popular.

Big crowd gathering for what might have been a boyband.


Masa's favorite show?


Guess the economy is bad when they leave big gaps in the middle of a building.

Oh look, more stuff to see over yonder!

One Piece!


Got Masa to use his phone for something so I could get the stickers! Thanks Masa!

Me and Luffy.


Bon Clay!


The poison guy...um...

Jinbei! (and bad lighting)

Shirohige (Whitebeard)!

Ace! Nooooooooo!

Mechaike Outlet Park based on the comedy show Mecha Mecha Iketeru!

Yes that is what you think it is.

Soba-ghetti

Various costumes worn by Okamura (Ninety-Nine).


Didn't want to wait to take a picture with ???-san so I poached one. Sorry.

Sachiko no Heya!

Wanted to try the Rubik's Cube looking ice cake but not for 750yen!

Giant sculptures implore you to consume mass quantities and part with your money.

Mommy Talk English Village Hawaiian Cafe?

Almost wanted to try out of curiosity and because the girls were trying so hard to get customers, but if I tried to reward everyone's effort, I'd be a much bigger and/or poorer person, I think.

OK, mini Statue of Liberty.

Kua Aina Burger.

Went to Daiba Station and caught the Yurikamome unmanned train across the Rainbow Bridge. Foolish me took no pics of this, but it was ridiculously crowded.

Transferred somewhere (?) and got to Roppongi to meet Shoko. We went to some quasi-Cuban bar. They served Mexican food too. How random to come to Tokyo and eat Cuban/Mexican food!


Fried cheese, or something, I forget.


Cuban Burritos


Cuban Jamaican Jerk Chicken


Shoko thought the non-Japanese waitress was cute so she got me to take a picture with her.

I'm sweating because of the hot candles behind me.

Kazu! Ikemen sensei.

Out of nowhere Kazu called. He was on some kind of camp for his school and just checked his messages after returning home earlier that day.. We went to some izakaya, had some drinks and talked. It was really fun despite me only meeting him once when he came to visit Hawaii. Japanese people are good like that. Seems like most of the people I hung out with on this trip were people I didn't hang out with too much in Hawaii, but somehow it turned out better than I expected every time.