We have spent the last couple of days in Sendai. You may remember it from the news about 5 years back when the Tsunami claimed their airport. Its a smaller city but still massive. And cold. Which has given us an excuse to buy cute Japanese winter wear.
Yesterday was spent along the coast close to where the tsunami hit. Luckily the area we were in was saved as it was within a bay. Which was lucky as the area was just absolutely stunning. Had our first experience of the autumn leaves at 'peak' and jeepers it is beautiful.
Today we hop on the Shinkansen again and head all the way south to Kyoto.
Friday 18 November 2016
Tuesday 15 November 2016
So Kawaii!!
Our return to HellonKitty World did not disappoint. This time there was a massive line up, like should we bother massive line up. So glad we did, the park swallowed up all those people without batting an eye. We watched 2 stage shows 'one about friendship where apparently farting in ones face is the height of comedy, and then Kitty in Wonderland which was basically a full musical
Production. It was magnificent. Then there was the parade, the shopping, the adorable sweets and the all round weird kookiness of it all. Don't forget I had zero interest in Hello Kitty until our first visit here and now we have a spiritual connection.
Last night we managed to get drunk and stay out until almost middnight! A first for us when holidaying alone. It was all courtesy of the robot restaurant. I would give them all of my money. All if it. Such epic level fun. Basically consisted of hot warrior women leading robots into battle against one another. Sooooo good.
We also managed to squeeze in trips to Golden Gai and Piss Alley - some older parts of Shinjuku where you will find the tiny little yakatori and sake bars. When I say tiny, you'd be lucky to fit more than 6 people in most of them.
Needless to say we are having a great time.
Production. It was magnificent. Then there was the parade, the shopping, the adorable sweets and the all round weird kookiness of it all. Don't forget I had zero interest in Hello Kitty until our first visit here and now we have a spiritual connection.
Last night we managed to get drunk and stay out until almost middnight! A first for us when holidaying alone. It was all courtesy of the robot restaurant. I would give them all of my money. All if it. Such epic level fun. Basically consisted of hot warrior women leading robots into battle against one another. Sooooo good.
We also managed to squeeze in trips to Golden Gai and Piss Alley - some older parts of Shinjuku where you will find the tiny little yakatori and sake bars. When I say tiny, you'd be lucky to fit more than 6 people in most of them.
Needless to say we are having a great time.
Monday 14 November 2016
Visiting our spiritual home
Everyone love Harajuku Sundays. The Mecca for all thing cool and hangout for disaffected yoof. If you want a taste of all those crazy Japanese things you see on the internet this is the place to experience it. We stumbled across a genuine cat cafe and of course squeed until we were hoarse. They somehow make kitties differently in Japan and it is no wonder they are so revered here. Some have tibybstubby legs, all of their eyes are unnaturally anime large and there fur is so soft it's like petting clouds. So freaking adorable.
Takeshita street is lined with the coolest (too cool for me) fashions in Tokyo. Just don't take pictures or you will be asked to leave the store. My favourite is the store jammed so tightly with exquisite sequence over the top show girl/boy outfits you can barely move. They have dressed all manner of celebrities- think Madonna, Beyoncé, Gaga and I want it all. Mostly I want the mirror ball spiked shoulder pads. Then there is the Lolita, goth, punk, gangster and some other weird ass fashions that probably don't have an English term yet.
Last night I tried my first ramen and it has changed my life. On a side note there is a common misconception that it is expensive here but we have found that not to be true. I had a massive bowl of ramen, goyza and a beer last night for around $13AUD. You couldn't get that in Aust for less than $25. Although we also had lunch at a crazy themed cafe with shows and weirdness that was closer to $100. So you can spend it if you want to!
Today we are heading back to Hello Kitty world!!!!
Takeshita street is lined with the coolest (too cool for me) fashions in Tokyo. Just don't take pictures or you will be asked to leave the store. My favourite is the store jammed so tightly with exquisite sequence over the top show girl/boy outfits you can barely move. They have dressed all manner of celebrities- think Madonna, Beyoncé, Gaga and I want it all. Mostly I want the mirror ball spiked shoulder pads. Then there is the Lolita, goth, punk, gangster and some other weird ass fashions that probably don't have an English term yet.
Last night I tried my first ramen and it has changed my life. On a side note there is a common misconception that it is expensive here but we have found that not to be true. I had a massive bowl of ramen, goyza and a beer last night for around $13AUD. You couldn't get that in Aust for less than $25. Although we also had lunch at a crazy themed cafe with shows and weirdness that was closer to $100. So you can spend it if you want to!
Today we are heading back to Hello Kitty world!!!!
Sunday 13 November 2016
And...... we're back!!
The siren song of Japan is just too enticing. 5 years after our first Asian Odyssey we are back to celebrate Ashley's 40th year of not doing anything so stupid it might kill him.
If you remember, our last trip was made in the weeks after the tsunami that devastated parts of Japan, saw a max exidous of gaijin and all but obliterated tourism. This was one of the reasons we wanted to return, we were not sure that was the real Japan we had experienced. That and everything about Japan is awesome and kooky and headscratchingly bizarre. Or stunningly beautiful. Most times both!
The minute we stepped on to the Japan flight it was clear this was going to be a different trip. Last time the plane was nearly empty, we were the only foreigners going through immigration and the airport was apocalypticly deserted. Not so much this time around. Navigating the immense crowds in the airports, train stations and alleyways has been a challenge we have not before experienced. We knew some lights had been turned off in Shinjuku, but wow - it is realllly lit up now. And there's just this overall feeling of calmness that wasn't there last time. Chaotic calmness. And lots lots more foreigners. Hearing other languages in the street is something that was glaringly absent last time.
This time we are staying in the heart of Shinjuku where the syrrrts below are awash with people, good time, odd bars and so much food.
Today is Sunday. And everyone knows what Sundays in tokyo are about.... HARAJUKU DAY!!!!
If you remember, our last trip was made in the weeks after the tsunami that devastated parts of Japan, saw a max exidous of gaijin and all but obliterated tourism. This was one of the reasons we wanted to return, we were not sure that was the real Japan we had experienced. That and everything about Japan is awesome and kooky and headscratchingly bizarre. Or stunningly beautiful. Most times both!
The minute we stepped on to the Japan flight it was clear this was going to be a different trip. Last time the plane was nearly empty, we were the only foreigners going through immigration and the airport was apocalypticly deserted. Not so much this time around. Navigating the immense crowds in the airports, train stations and alleyways has been a challenge we have not before experienced. We knew some lights had been turned off in Shinjuku, but wow - it is realllly lit up now. And there's just this overall feeling of calmness that wasn't there last time. Chaotic calmness. And lots lots more foreigners. Hearing other languages in the street is something that was glaringly absent last time.
This time we are staying in the heart of Shinjuku where the syrrrts below are awash with people, good time, odd bars and so much food.
Today is Sunday. And everyone knows what Sundays in tokyo are about.... HARAJUKU DAY!!!!
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