Japan's Land Problem

Land is so limited in Japan. Particularly in Tokyo city.

They had to protect whatever little bits of nature left...

Even recycling is a complex issue...

Categories of rubbish - plastic, bottles, tin, paper... burnable and unburnable rubbish.

Bullet Train in Japan

I took the bullet train!!

It was from central Tokyo to Osaka. A journey of over 500km in just 2.5 hours on the Nozomi train on the Tokaido line. Bullet trains are called Shinkansen in Japan. This one goes up to a maximum of 300 km/h. A return trip costs JPY 27,700 (USD 275).

Oh yeah, you bet I got excited about it. This is a day trip I'm taking (for work though), so to maximise my time, I had to go there early. I took the 8am train (means I had to wake up and leave the hotel pretty early). My Dad says I'll be passing Mount Fuji on the way. Yay!

I had my little breakfast (bought the night before) on the train. The train was really smooth. At one point, you can feel it accelerating as it gets out of Tokyo city. But other than that, you don't feel a thing. You never realise how fast the train is going, until an opposite train by pass us - and you realise you cant even focus on any window or see anyone else on the other train, everything is just a white and blue fuzz.

Ah... it was a really comfortable ride. So comfortable, in fact, that I easily fell into a deep sleep (factor in the early morning and nice breakfast). Until I woke up mid way... and freaked out!

DID I MISS MOUNT FUJI?!?!?!

This is the only 'mountain' I managed to see until I fell asleep again.

Dancing on Sundays

You can go dancing on Sundays!

Located just beside Yoyogi Park entrance (actually, very close to the cosplay area).

You can do the whole rock concert thing - head shaking, fist pumping action. Its really cute...

 

Or you can do the sweet little 60s dance

Or the more aggressive dance by leather-clad bikers with dubious hairdos.

You asked for it...

(there's a little surprise halfway...)

Cosplay in Japan

If you have a Sunday free in Tokyo - head to Harajuku. Interesting stuff awaits you there!

Head towards the entrance of Meiji Jinggu Shrine (just beside the Harajuku station).

You may see a sign for "No Photo!" - but then, everybody takes photos! So, don't bother about the sign.

This is COSPLAY in action! Everyone dress up as they fancy (but usually following some character in their favourite mangga comic)

 

There's even a make up artist cum hair stylist on standby.

But most of the time, they're really posing just for themselves. They are camwhores!

   

Don't ask me what character they are - how would I know?!

Tokyo by Night

Bright lights dominate the Tokyo scenes! Here's some photos from around Tokyo... enjoy

   

 

Even quiet streets in Tokyo are all lit up!

Harajuku Fashion Guide

Harajuku is more or less the teenage fashion street in Tokyo. It's uniquely Japanese - you cant quite compare it to any other place in the world. This is a brief guide on what to wear in Harajuku.

Its best to go with a good friend. Then you can dress up like twins.

 

Of if you're with a several friends, dress like you belong in a group - not the Mafia kind, but the boy-band kind.

You cant go wrong with either black or white.

 

Accessorise! Hat or head gear, ties, long stockings, wooly boots, etc

 

The "school girl" look is in - and easier to go as twins too.

 

You don't have to be Japanese - fashion applies to foreigners too.

And if you're a couple - dress in matching clothes.

 

And if all else fails... just dress weirdly.

  

Doesn't matter what you wear - you can always get free hugs

How to Order Food in Japan

Japan is famous for its "fast food" - the food bar (that's what I'm gonna call it from now on).

How do you order from these kinda bars? Well, its easy. At the entrance of this place, there's always the menu.

 

Pick what you want. Though, not all of it comes with English words.

Since its the land of the vending machines - there's this vending machine at the entrance. You place your money in it, and pick the food that you want. If you're lucky, you get the pictures there (and if you're even luckier - it'll be in English!). Otherwise, it'll be just Japanese words, and you'll have to randomly pick out something to eat. Hopefully its something edible.

Then you get your ticket. Walk into the bar - sit at the stools (but some places there's no stools - you'll have to stand!), and give the ticket to the person behind the bar.

Then comes your food! Usually water or tea is for free.  

Continuation... all things weird in Japan

Japan, land of the vending machines. That doesn't make decisions any easier!

Also, I noticed that some toilet wash-butt thingie can actually WARM your toilet seat! And I finally found one with some English writing on it.

Wonder why they need the "flushing sound" for????

Japan - land of the vending machines

I've arrived in Japan! Japan... land of the wonderfully weird stuff.

Land of the vending machines.

Automatic External Defibrillator - just in case you get a heart attack looking at all the prices in Yen.

Land of sake - even in a bamboo "cup"... Kampai!

 

Where looks are just as important as taste.

 

Where you can adjust the temperature of the water... for cleaning your butt!

And where else would you have flights cancelled due to VOLCANIC GAS???