Tokyo Winter 2012 Day 10
Almost missing our flight back 24 January, 2012 by Sho
Today was the last day of our new year’s trip to Tokyo. The last minute nature of things meant that we would neither plan nor think through on a lot of decisions.
As it turns out this second Monday of January was the annual Seijin no Hi or Coming of Age Day in Japan. A day typically marked by women turning 20 flocking to temples and shrines in elaborate furisode. We would also learn during our concert visits that SUPERGiRLS were holding a free live and high five session at Yoyogi Park in the afternoon.
Our flight was at 5.10 PM, which meant that we had ought to reach Narita Airport by at least around 4. Considering that the live event started only at 1 and that it would take us a combined 2 hours to get back to our hotel for our luggage and to travel to the airport, we knew we were cutting it close. Still, I was sufficiently intoxicated by their catchy tunes to give it a crazy try.
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Tokyo Winter 2012 Day 9
A leisurely stroll through Odaiba 23 January, 2012 by Sho
This morning we’d make one final attempt at Akihabara before making our way over to Odaiba. It’s been a while since my last visit to the man made island and was looking forward to returning to the peaceful, spacious shopping arcades there. We first returned to Ueno’s Ameyoko in the morning though, since I had promised Wilson a carton of Pocky from there. Only continuing on our day’s adventures after we had dropped off our purchases back at the hotel.
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Tokyo Winter 2012 Day 8
Appreciating both natural and manmade wonders 22 January, 2012 by Sho
Today we’d headed down to Ueno Park to visit the Ueno Zoo. Fortunately, for us our hotel Candeo Hote Ueno-koen was named precisely because it was located beside the park. So far we had only explored so far as the JR train station around the corner of our street, but the park was just behind that. This gave us an excuse to sleep in till rather late.
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Tokyo Winter 2012 Day 7
Another day with the rainbow stars 20 January, 2012 by Sho
This Friday would be our second and only other day this trip spent idoling or so we thought, as we made our return to Harajuku in the early morning to pick up the leftover tickets for this evening’s last SUPERGiRLS New Year concert. Thanks to Gorakudoh’s convenient website that was updated at multiple times each day, we learned that the two back row tickets we had seen from yesterday were still available. After yesterday’s amazing live, I was eager for another chance to enjoy their performances.
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Tokyo Winter 2012 Day 6
JUMPing on board the SUPERGiRLS bandwagon 19 January, 2012 by Sho
First up, I would like to apologize for today’s lack of quality and quantity of photos. Today we made our way down to Shinjuku BLAZE for the awaited SUPERGiRLS concert. Most of the day would be spent indoors and I didn’t want the trouble of carrying such heavy shooting equipment or figuring out how to store it away during the show. Before the concert though it was first to Harajuku, where we had an appointment with the AKB48 Official Shop Harajuku.
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DisneySea Winter 2012 Day 5
Returning to the happy place 18 January, 2012 by Sho
Since the rest of our weekdays would probably be taken up, today was to be the last remaining advisable day to visit DisneySea. While technically really in Chiba, the Tokyo Disney Resort was close enough by train (just 15 minutes away) to not nitpick. All the walking in past days gave us trouble when waking up, so we ended up reaching Maihama Station later than planned.
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Tokyo Winter 2012 Day 4
More must see places in Tokyo 17 January, 2012 by Sho
We had initially wanted to visit the Disney Resort this Tuesday but couldn’t find the energy to wake up early enough this morning. Instead, another day was spent within the city, this time visiting more of Tokyo’s must see sights. The first destination would be Asakusa, for the famous Sensoji Temple.
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Tokyo Winter 2012 Day 3
Shopping for novelties, obsessions and necessities 14 January, 2012 by Sho
We would alternate between sightseeing and shopping for most of the trip and having already visited Hakone yesterday, decided to stay in Tokyo with hopes that the shops would begin to reopen today. Woke up fairly late before making our way down to the nearby Ueno station for Ameyoko Market.
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Tokyo Winter 2012 Day 1
A quick impulse excursion to Tokyo for the new year 11 January, 2012 by Sho
To explain the lack of updates in quite a while, I had been away in Tokyo again the past couple of weeks for an impulsive getaway. As with all the previous years, I’ll be uploading a day by day walkthrough of the journey over here.
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Sukajan
When cultures clash 21 November, 2011 by Sho
If you’ve ever been to any touristy area in Tokyo, or had the misfortune of watching either season of Majisuka Gakuen, then you would had probably have come across these jackets. Sukajan, an acronym for Yokosuka and Jumper refers to these snazzy jackets made popular by their badass appearance.
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Tokyo Wonderground
An image change for the government owned subway 09 November, 2011 by Sho
Since its rebranding as Tokyo Metro back in 2004, the city’s metropolitan subway has made great attempts to improve the company’s previous, less than favorable image. Japan’s sweetheart Miyazaki Aoi graced the subway stations for the longest time as part of “Tokyo Heart” and the campaign was continued by Aragaki Yui up until not too long ago.
Since May this year though, Tokyo Metro has been running a brand new campaign titled “Tokyo Wonderground”. It’s a more energetic and uplifting facelift, featuring fashion model Anne commuting to the tune of Tokyo Jihen’s “Brand New Civilization”.
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Evangelion Store
Official Evangelion life goods store opens next month! 26 October, 2011 by Sho
Spearheaded by Radio Eva, the cult classic anime Neon Genesis Evangelion has slowly evolved into a lifestyle brand in recent years. By collaborating with popular brands and designers, the Evangelion name has has grown beyond the usual gaudy merchandise featuring anime characters.
The enigmatic motifs used in their new products form a new branding, identifiable only by those in the loop. Having won over many new fans, this new identity has proven so successful that we will be seeing the first ever Evangelion Store Tokyo-01 open next month in Harajuku.
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DisneySea
The one place on earth you'll never get tired of. 22 October, 2011 by Sho
While it has been requested, I don’t think I’d ever be confident enough to write what I could consider a guide to DisneySea. Sure you could get the gist of the place with just a single visit, but it would take many days to explore every nook and cranny of Tokyo Disney Resort.
With the theme park popping up in more friends’ upcoming itineraries once again, I figured it was about time that we take a second, closer look at this magical land with some helpful tips to maximize your enjoyment at any Tokyo Disney Resort park. Warning, long read ahead.
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Fujiya Milky
Milky treats with a 100 year heritage 15 October, 2011 by Sho
A household name, Fujiya has been in the confectionery business in Japan for more than 100 years. You’ve probably come across their mascot, Peko-chan a cheeky looking child with her tongue stuck out. All of Fujiya Milky’s treats are decorated with the iconic symbol and occasionally her male counterpart Poko. The company is well known for their various pastries and confectioneries, often featuring their namesake flavor.
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Design Festa Gallery
Hipster art gallery come cafe 14 October, 2011 by Sho
Despite having been to Harajuku as many times by now, the streets still hide many interesting sights to be discovered with each repeated visit. One of the buildings here that caught our more recent attention was this quirky artsy type place along the back alleys of Harajuku Street called the Design Festa Gallery.
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Ginza Cozy Corner
Sinful delights for your way back home 10 October, 2011 by Sho
Perhaps it’s all that walking, but sometimes it amazing me how most Japanese manage to sustain their slim physiques when there are so many tempting confectionery shops all over the place. Departmental stores beside subway stations are filled with entire levels selling all manner of classy desserts and residential streets often have their own loved patisseries around the corner too. One of the shops that caught my attention was the colorful Ginza Cozy Corner.
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Akihabara Pedestrian Heaven Reopens!
Akihabara Hokousha Tengoku to return this Sunday 01 July, 2011 by Sho
Three years after the fatal Akihabara massacre, the world famous otaku paradise will return to being a Pedestrian Heaven starting this Sunday, 3rd of July.
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Tokyo Metro LOLCats
The government's new initiative involves cats 15 April, 2011 by Sho
Early last year, we wrote about the infamous manners themed Tokyo Metro Posters. The article was so popular that it caught the attention of CNNGo writer Robert Michael Poole who arguably wrote their most informed posts. Sadly like Poole, the posters are no where to be seen anymore. And instead the Tokyo Metro has begun a new monthly campaign this April featuring the internet’s favorite animal.
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Candeo Hotel Ueno-koen
Excellent value for money hotel in a convenient location 06 April, 2011 by Sho
Candeo Hotel Ueno-koen is a newly built 3 star hotel named after its immediate vicinity to Ueno-koen (Ueno Park). It’s position beside the popular tourist spot makes it a prime location for easy access to hanami (flower viewing) in spring. It was of course Winter, but we were still attracted to the affordable room rates and subsequently surprised by the hotel’s stellar comforts.
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Hotel New Tohoku
Old business inn opposite Ueno Station 03 April, 2011 by Sho
We stayed at Hotel New Tohoku on the first day of our trip, an old business hotel near Ueno Station. It was the only hotel we could at the time that still had empty rooms. They have an official site but here are some photos for a more realistic look inside.
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