two weeks in tokyo

13 05 2010

Finally I’m almost finished blogging about Lauren’s visit.  We really did fit a lot into 2 weeks!  So this post is devoted to miscellaneous things.

The first weekend that Lauren was here was all shopping.  I’m pretty lucky that I have the largest shopping center in Japan only 30 minutes from my house, so after meeting Lauren at the airport and forwarding her bag to my house, we went there.  We walked around for a few hours before deciding to head home and crash on the couch for the evening.  Wayne’s World 1 was watched, and then quoted numerous times over the next 2 weeks.

The next day was spent in Akihabara, and Lauren managed to get the majority of her souvenir shopping done.  She also bought a new video camera, and I bought a new compact digital camera.  My new camera, a Nikon Coolpix S570, isn’t the latest model, but I’m really happy with it.  It takes really great portraits, I think the automatic face detection software softens the face (always a plus).

Next was our trip to Hakone, followed by the Cat Cafe and Yokohama.  On the 27th of March, we actually attended the YouTube Hanami party in Yoyogi park, which accounted for our slight hangovers on our trip to the snow.  The Hanami party was lots of fun, but I got far too friendly, and the lines for the toilets were really really long.  In the evening the party moved from the park to the Hub in Shibuya, but we were only able to stay for a few hours since we had to be up early to catch the train the following day.

After we arrived back from the snow, we needed a bit of a sleep in and easy day, so we went to the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku for high tea.  The Park Hyatt has the hotel bar that is featured in Lost in Translation, but personally I went for the food (big surprise there…).  I’ll be doing a blog about that next (^-^)v

A full day at Dinsneyland was next on the agenda.  We spent 14 hours there that day, and it was lots of fun.  Of course being the school holiday it was really busy, but we got to ride most of the ‘big’ rides, and a few of the classics.  It was also interesting as, for the first time, they were holding Easter celebrations.  So the decorations were really nice.

Disney's Easter Wonderland

Disney's Easter Wonderland

By this time, the cherry blossoms were starting to bloom, so we went to Ueno to see the flowers (and the crowds!).  Ueno is one of the most popular places to have hanami, and it’s super crowded all the time.  However, you can understand why, as it’s very pretty.

Ueno park in bloom

Ueno park in bloom

Ueno park was actually just a stop on our way to Alkatraz ER in Shibuya, a medical dungeon themed Japanese bar.  I do love going to themed bars in Tokyo, but this place was a bit of a let down.  There were some cool and weird things, like drinks served out of severed heads, drinks with banana’s that looked like… well…  and then there was the vibrator drink…  Where the waitress (in short nurses uniform complete with g-string) mixed the drink with a vibrator while moaning (0_o)….  But overall it was over priced, as we had to order the all you can eat and drink menu, and they neglected to inform us that drinks from the special drink menu weren’t included in that deal.  Next time I would prefer to go to the Lockup.

Our last couple of days were spent wandering around Costco (Japan is all about shopping at American stores…), singing karaoke, and looking at the local cherry blossoms.

Check out my album on flickr for all my photos, and of course, check out Lauren’s YouTube channel for all of her videos!

Pink and White Sakura

Pink and White Sakura


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Categories : flowers, general, travel

Kairakuen Ume 偕楽園　梅

18 04 2010
Kairakuen Gate

Kairakuen Gate

Another very famous place to see Ume (Japanese Plum) is Kairukuen 偕楽園 in Mito 水戸, Ibaraki 茨城県.  Kairakuen 偕楽園 is actually known as one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, and has over 3000 plum trees.  The Mito Plum Festival 水戸梅まつり is held every year from February 20th to March 31st, and lends the garden a fun, festival feel on top of the plum blossom viewing.

Kairukuen 偕楽園 is accessible from Kairukuen Station 偕楽園駅 during the festival, but trains are irregular.  It is also approximately 30 minutes walk from Mito Station 水戸駅.  Entrance to the park is free, but to enter Kobuntei 好文亭 (The traditional Japanese house) is 190yen.  More details are available on the Kairukuen 偕楽園 website.

Here are some photos from my visit to the park on March 18th.

View towards the lake

View towards the lake

As you can see, on a Sunday during the festival there are a lot of visitors at the park

Kobuntei

Kobuntei

Kobuntei was also really popular, with lines over 30 minutes just to enter.

White and Pink Plum Blossoms

White and Pink Plum Blossoms

The day I went to the park the blossoms were about 80% in bloom, and there was quite a variety.

Green Plum Blossoms

Green Plum Blossoms

These blossoms were unusual as they have a green center.  I was listening to a guide who said that even a week before the green was very strong.

White Plum Blossoms

White Plum Blossoms

Kairakuen also has a bamboo grove and cedar wood –

If you want to see some more pictures check out my flickr set.

Also, keep an eye out for my food report from the festival!


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Categories : flowers

Ume 梅

8 03 2010

Ume Blossom

Ume 梅 (Japanese Apricot or sometimes refered to as Plum) blooms from about mid February to March.  It’s really similar to Sakura, but lasts a lot longer and has a mild scent.  However, unlike Sakura, the Ume isn’t as abundant.

In Tokyo, one of the most famous places to view Ume is Koishikawa Korakuen, in Bunkyo ward.  The garden has a Ume grove, called Bairin, that contains over 20 different types of flowering Ume trees.  It is only 8 minutes walk from Iidabashi Station, and entrance is 300 yen.

Here are some photos from my visit to the park on February 21st.

Bairin - the Ume grove

White Ume

Weeping Ume

Pink Ume

for more photos of Ume check out my flickr set!


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tickled pink

25 10 2009

In a way, not much has been happening lately, but on the other hand, lots has.  We’ve just finished the mid semester exams and sports day at school, and during that time I had a number of days off.  Now its the 5 week hard slog until end of semester exams and winter break.

Because I’ve had extra time off, and because the weather has been great (well, barring that late typhoon on Oct 8th), I’ve had plenty of time to go hiking.  I’ve actually gone 3 times this month, which has me at a never before achieved physical fitness level (^-^)v

Firstly I hiked from Mt Takao to Mt Jimba.  It was probably the hardest hike (barring Mt Fuji) that I have done to date.  Mainly because it was 19km.  But I survived and had a great feeling of accomplishment afterwards.  It was actually really good timing, after the typhoon, because the sky was really clear and I could see Mt Fuji, Tokyo, and even all the way to Mt Tsukuba, which is pretty rare.

Last weekend I went to Hakone for 3 days 2 nights.  While I was there I did two hikes, the first from Gora to Hakone Yumoto, and secondly a walk around Lake Ashi.  The Gora hike was pretty hard, and I have to admit that I was kinda freaked out about the possibility of seeing a bear.  The hike around Lake Ashi was a lot easier, and I actually meet with a friend I had made at the summer camp I worked at, which made the hike really pleasant.  And of course I went to onsen and had a massage, so it was also a pretty relaxing weekend.

On Friday I decided to go to Nikko for the day and walk the Senjogahara marshes.  I was a little disappointed I was too late for most of the leaves changing, but despite that, it really was a beautiful walk.  I think I might try to go again in summer next year.

I worry a little that I’m somewhat of an addictive personality.  I really seem to have caught the hiking bug, but I also know I’ll probably only be able to go once a month from now, at least in the winter months.  But I’m totally excited about using my new thermal cup when I do go hiking –

Thermal cup/mug thingyopen thermal cup

Is it possible to have a thermal bottle/mug fetish?  because I swear I have about 6 things now….  Anyhow, this one is specifically designed for hot drinks, and is really easy to use.  Its kinda sad, but I’m particularly impressed with the pouring cap –

openclose

You just push down on the red button to open the spout, and to close you push the tab on the side in!  Very smart – I like that you don’t have to touch the spout.  I tried it out on Friday, and I was also surprised at how long the water inside stayed hot.  It’s supposed to keep it at 70deg for 7 hours or so, but it lasted longer!  So now I’ll be able to take tea with me when I go hiking.  How exciting!!Azuki Flavoured Pepsi

Apart from hiking not much has been happening, however there are a few things that have tickled my fancy.

At 7-11 the other day I spotted Azuki (sweet red bean) flavoured Pepsi.  Only in Japan…

It wasn’t flavoured cola, but more like flavoured sprite.  Actually, it wasn’t bad, however it really didn’t taste much like azuki to me.  But I’ll try anything once.

I also got a delivery of bulbs the other day, in the hopes that come spring I’ll have a lovely pot of lovely flowers.  I planted them up this morning, and here’s what it looks like now –

one day, I'll grow up into beautiful potted flowers....Let’s just hope I don’t manage to kill them…  I’ll post photos when they bloom…  If they bloom…  Really, I’m good at killing plants….


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Categories : general

Golden Week

14 05 2009

In Japan the end of April to about the 5th of May is Golden Week.  Golden Week (GW) is basically a week of national holidays, including the Emperor’s Birthday, Showa Day, Green Day, Memorial Day and Children’s Day. 

Most people have these days off, so it’s a peak travel time in Japan, with many people either vacationing or going back to their hometowns.

Unfortunately this year, the week was broken up, and so the longest period of time off most people had was 5 days.  Some years you can be lucky and get 6 or 7.

Because it’s peak season, it’s really not the best time in Japan to travel.  It can be hard to find accommodation and trains, shops, or anywhere really is packed.  However it also usually falls on the peak of many spring blooms.
This year I made the trip out to Tatebayashi Azealea Festival.  Also because it was close to Children’s Day, Tatabayashi holds a festival to commemorate that too, so the trip was well worth it.

After arriving at Tatebayashi Station, on the Tobu Isezaki Line, there were special buses (during festival season only, 300yen) to take you to the park.  It is possible to walk to the park in about 30 minutes, but by taking the bus you can start at one end and work your way back to the station through the park and then along a river.

Entrance to the park costs 600yen, and inside there are a variety of stalls selling food, souvenirs, and small azalea plants.    The park itself contains over 50 different varieties of azaleas, and even boasts to have a plant estimated over 800 years old.  The area has been famous for azaleas since the 15oo’s, and it’s not surprising, because in full bloom the park is a wash of color.  It’s also a pleasant place to spend the afternoon under a shady tree watching people or the river.

Heading back towards the station, along the river over 1000 carp streamers are hung around Children’s day.  Carp streamers, or Koinobori, are a symbol of being strong and healthy.  Many of Tatebayashi’s large streamers are made by school groups of local children, so all are unique in pattern and some are quite artistic.  It’s a relaxing stroll along the river for about 1km.


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Random-ness

16 04 2009

Well, the first week back at school has passed without too much fuss.  The excitement of the week being flashed by one of the 2nd grade boys – once accidently, the second time on purpose.  My new schedule is working out well, and the extra hour is just enough to keep me busy.  But to be honest, I have no idea how my coworkers teach in the evenings.  By home time I am exhausted, and then I have to cook dinner, clean the house, study, chat to mum…  I’ve decided I need a wife.  Do they do same sex marriages in Japan?

The cherry blossoms are well and truly gone.  It was only two weeks ago that they were in full bloom, and by Easter Sunday all the blooms had fallen from the trees.  The analogy of a warrior’s life being “a precious and fleeting gift” like the Sakura is certainly apt.  Full bloom lasts for less than a week, and within days the blossoms cover the ground like pink tinged snow.  So beautiful, I’m sad its over for this year.

Now its time for Azaleas to start blooming.  They are another favourite of mine.  In Japan they have a miniature variety which is quite cute, and all the bushes seem to have fuller flower coverage than what they do in Australia.  This year I will go to Kyu-Furukawa Teien garden in Tokyo, Tatebayashi (http://www.utyututuji.jp/topic_tsutsuji/topic_tsutsuji.html) and another place whose name escapes me at the moment.

On a final note, my pet fish continues to live, but I think it’s got fungus, because its lips are blackened.  Hopefully I can get him medicated up and healthy.  Still deciding whether he should be called ‘Fish’ ‘Mullet’ or ‘Dinner’, although I’m leaning strongly towards the later.


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