Gundam Front
Gundam to get its own mini-theme park in Odaiba 01 February, 2012 by Sho
Not too long ago, we reported about the Real Grade 1/1 Gundam Project and how it has shifted to Odaiba recently. This week, Bandai revealed their much bigger plans for the life sized Gundam figure with the announcement of the Gundam Front, a small theme park that will open inside of the new DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba come this Spring.
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Japanese Train Station Jingles
Unique Japanese train departure melodies 29 January, 2012 by Sho
Every once in a while my tetsudo instincts kick in and I’m compelled to write an article like this. Despite Japan being better known for its tendency to conform, there’s just something about Japanese train stations and how they each exude a distinct personality that is only possible with privately owned stations such as those by Japan Railways. One large contributing factor is the use of unique departure jingles at many commonly used stations.
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Nightlife in Asia
The most diverse and exciting nighttime entertainment can only be found in Asia 25 January, 2012 by Julia Maxwell
Many locations in Asia are famed for its nightlife, including perennial entertainment favorites such as Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok, and Macau, which offer virtually any experience under the sun depending on your tastes. Whether you’re looking to play casino games, dance into the wee hours at popular clubs, or spend a more refined evening at the ballet or opera, you’ll be able to find something to enjoy among the diverse and sprawling continent that is Asia.
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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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Hakone Winter 2012 Day 2
Revisting the giant volcano 12 January, 2012 by Sho
Woke up early this new years morning feeling unusually refreshed. There was something about a warm room in this cold climate that was rather comforting, that and a peace and quiet that we had come to miss.
In an attempt to miss the city crowds today, we decided to head somewhere outside the city but still within a day’s trip. It was a choice between Hakone or the nearby Kamakura and Enoshima island. But being a clear winter day we opted for the former, with hopes of viewing the elusive Mount Fuji.
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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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Real Grade 1/1 Gundam Project
The famous life-sized Gundam 21 December, 2011 by Sho
After making its debut at Odaiba back in 2009, the giant Gundam was moved to the Shizuoka Hobby Fair where it stood until March this year. Since August, parts of the famous life sized Gundam statue were returned to Odaiba where they were put on display. But last month, work began on reassembling the statue Gundam once more at Odaiba.
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Marimokkori
Hokkaido's less than subtle mascot 23 November, 2011 by Sho
Hokkaido’s mascot, Marimokkori is a play on the two words Marimo and Mokkori, the later of which is Japanese slang for erection. You’ll find this whimsical (to put it nicely) character for sale at almost all souvenir and gift shops from Hokkaido and as far as Tokyo. It’s apparently popular among kids too.
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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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Nabana no Sato Lights
Over 6.3 million LEDs light up the theme park this year 12 November, 2011 by Sho
Every year, the Nabana no Sato theme park in Kuwana, Mie is decorated with millions of sparkling LED lights during the Winter season. This year, the park outdoes its previous record with an amazing 6.3 million lights adorning the beautiful night time landscape.
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See Singapore Pass
Now you can experience everything Singapore has to offer for less 08 November, 2011 by Sho
If you’ve been with us for a while, you would know about the discount offers available when traveling around Japan. I always wondered why there weren’t any similar free and easy plans for when Singapore. But there is now. With the new See Singapore Pass by iVenture, you’ll an immediate discount of over 40%. Best of all, it’s not limited to tourists.
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Yokohama Port
Japan's largest port 04 November, 2011 by Sho
Yokohama served as the main port of Japan in the 1800s. Today it rivals Tokyo as the country’s largest city and retains its status as one of Japan’s main ports. Most of Yokohama’s port has been incorporated into an area known also as Minato Mirai 21. It’s a high tech urban center where skyscrapers, convention halls and shopping centers stand side by side with traces of the city’s heritage.
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Heijo Palace
Recreating Japan's former capital 27 October, 2011 by Sho
The Heijo Palace is the site of the imperial throne back when Nara was the capital city in the 8th century. The original castle had been long destroyed. But recent efforts by the local government have been made to restored the site to its former glory.
The main building (pictured here) was completed and unveiled last year, as part of it’s 1300th year anniversary. The landmark is open to the public for free, for those interested in experiencing this bit of Nara’s cultural history.
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