June 2, 2008
11:30 PM
^______^
Day 2Got up at 7am (6am Singapore time), ate the crappy hotel breakfast.
Destination: Hanazono Shrine
I went to the JR Shimbashi station (Yamanote line) and took the train all the way to Shinjuku station. Hardly knowing the place at all, I somehow managed to make my way to the destination without much problem. Am I good or what?
The shrine was relatively small, and the flea market was kinda sad, with old guys attempting to sell their junk. 5 minutes spent there and I'm off again.
On the way back to the station, the UFO catchers at some random arcade stole my money and gave me 2 'cat hands' back. Nya nya!
Destination: Sennoji
The temple that put Asakusa on the map, this temple is HUGE. I've been here once, but that wasn't on a Sunday. Imagine: any other day -- deserted / Sunday -- angry mob. Yes, today was a Sunday. The flea market they have here shouldn't even be called a flea market, more of a giant regional event instead. Souvenirs, food, SWORDs, toys, name it they have it.
The weapons selection include REAL katanas, nodachis, shurikens, spears, flails, nunchakus, tonfas, and daggers. No kidding. Some of these weapons look awfully vicious too. Anyway, I have finally had the honour of holding and unshealthing a real katana. I can die without regrets now. But for obivous reasons, I shall not. On the way, I tried those fortune telling things (shake a container of sticks until 1 falls out) for 100 yen. I got good fortune. =)
Destination: Asakusa Kannon Onsen
The building with the ivy - took me some time find to it. Paid the entrance fee, got a towel, and started screwing up onsen ettiquette. Luckily, the old man running the onsen was really helpful and directed me on the process.
When they say the water is hot, they DO mean it. I only managed to stick half my body into the water. Anymore was too much. At the time I went, there were only middle-old age guys. Probably the typical type of crowd at that onsen. One of them had a giant back tottoo which yelled out yakuza all over. Or so I think.. I didn't take my specs into the bath. He was ok though.
Know how in those Japanese tour shows, where people go sightseeing throughout Japan.. they always enter some onsen and say stuff like hothothot or the way the onsen water makes their skin smooth. I guess I can believe that now, though I suspect the reason for the smoothness is because of the water burning off your sense of touch, rather than the water's healing properties.
Destination: Asakusa - Harajuku
I was hopelessly lost on my way back to the station, but that allowed me to come across the most ownage shop. A shop dedicated to weapons, mostly Japanese swords. The best part was that they sold katana parts separately, so you could practically make your own katana.
Most of the parts only cost 100yen each, making a full set of katana parts cost just around 1500 yen. Thats S$20 for real sword. You can't bring swords back to Singapore though, so I just bought the handles instead.
Pick'n'Dip
Steel blade for 1000 yen
Now everyone can be ninjas
The treasure trove
Those shurikens are sharp. Their prices too.
Destination: Harajuku
It took around 1 hour of taking the train and stumbling around to finally reach Harajuku at 5pm. I thought there would no longer be anyone there, but I couldn't be more wrong.
Went to the famous cosplay bridge. Saw many random-style cosplayers, some people giving free hugs, a guy crossplaying in a pink gothic-style dress.. yep, thats pretty much about it.
Typical scene
Typical squat down gathering
The good stuff
Those 2 don't look very Japanese..
Shes the man!
Wish you didn't see that?
I went in the Yoyogi park next to the bridge, and unwittingly ended up in some forest temple. Bought one of those iconic charms. I got the one for good mind and body.
Entrance to Yoyogi park
Just a small portion of the entire park
For the memories
Giant crossroad
The forest temple
Walking ALL the way back through the whole park to Harajuku, dinner was at McDonalds. Ordering my meal was the first time I spoke in Japanese in this trip. Its extremely basic Japanese, but I'm sooo happy she (the cashier) understood me. =) On a random note, the enthusiasm she put into her job was mind-blowing.
The meal portion looked awfully small, but its actually tricksy. The fry pack contained 89 fries, compared to Singapore's average of 73. The drink is still way too small though, like kid's size.
Macs in the main stretch of Harajuku
The 'Happi Setto'. Told you I'd find it.
The value meal that cost 590 yen. (Fillet o' Fish not in picture)
Fillet o' Fish japan wrapper.
After dinner, with my feet aching, and my shoulder dying from all the stuff I bought, I slowly make my way back to the hotel...
(GAH I CAN'T BE BOTHERED TO ADD ANY MORE PICS RIGHT NOW. TOO TIRED. WILL ADD PICS WHEN I GET BACK. FOR NOW, IT'LL BE TEXT)