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Japan Diaries [Day 5]

2007.09.30

First photo for the day sets the tone... rainy, cloudy, a little cold - and plenty of umbrellas!

This beautiful Japanese garden could be seen through a courtyard at the Museum. Sadly, there was no admittance but I assure you it was beautiful. In fact, the whole of the grounds were. This is something I respect about the Japanese people - everything seems immaculate, or at least compared to Australia.

Being artsy while sitting down having a break in the Museum.

(Some of the artefacts we saw)

We come out from the Museum and the weather was more of the same (this area would have been even prettier if the sun was out!)

Matt retrieving our umbrella from the stand (he lives in shorts, lol)

Mmm... afternoon tea at Mister Donut (we share three between us and a coffee each)

Apparently?

Oh! Oh! I've been looking forward to sharing this picture with you... look what we found in a convenience store? It's hot-dog buns filled with spaghett and other things... not even in the cold or hot food section - just on the shelf! *shudders* One of the stranger things we found on our trip! :P

We were still in Akihabara by the evening, just shopping and looking around :)

Getting back to the hotel, with saturated feets! (I didn't realise until now how much alike our shoes look :P)

Our purchases: Matt bought a Highwind (airship) from FF7 and some ball capsule figurines, and I buy CLAMP-in-a-box figures (squee!)

[ Our collection of figures bought (and found atop of) stores amasses... can you name them all? ;) ]

Day 5 [September 30th]

* Today we have a well-deserved sleep-in! We don’t head out of the hotel room until nearly midday (instead of 9-10am), but it’s raining heavily so not particularly inspiring! I’m still really tired with aching muscles and Panadol is only dulling it to an extent. Blegh :(

* We visit Tokyo National Museum, in Ueno. Get DRENCHED along the way, we sport damp feet and clothing for most of the day! Many fascinating displays and works of art, including weaponry and ancient urns. Very low lighting in parts, is amazing to be in such a quiet and spacious place after the rush of the past five days. A beautiful Japanese garden is within the grounds – though it’s off-limits but great for photo-taking! Can’t wait to visit more in the old capital of Kyoto (where we’re heading on October 4th).

* Revisit Akihabara (the electronics district) during the late afternoon and find a food chain called Mister Donut (which I later discover is called Dunkin' Donuts in the US... you can truly find anything on Wikipedia!). Awesome food, though the coffee’s not the best, and the doughnuts are so light and fluffy – yum! Very popular in Tokyo, long lines and hard to get a seat inside the store!

* Matt and I spend money on “ball capsules” (from machines, around 200-300Y per ball) and Final Fantasy stuff. Alas, I want more… maybe before we leave Tokyo? Always so much to see in this district, though I wonder when this city actually sleeps? Stores are still going strong at 8pm! Seeing the neon lights of both Akihabara and Shinjuku, I feel happy… this was how I pictured Tokyo in my mind for all of these years. Lights that are so bright that faces are illuminated and street lamps aren’t necessary… such a contrast to the cities within Australia.

* Wet weather hasn’t let up at ALL during the day/evening, but at least the humidity is lower than it’s been all week (hooray!). Nearly out of warmer clothes though – I’ll have to wash some clothing at some point. Hopefully our shoes both dry out before tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be improving (today was 19C in Tokyo) over the next few days… where is the Summer holiday I was hoping for?

* McDonalds is tempting on the way back to hotel. Procedures for ordering are different than back in Melbourne (which I find interesting, considering I worked there for seven years, before I taught). Matt and I try different menu items than available back in AUS – a ‘McPork’ for me, and a different sort of McChicken for Matt. The fries aren’t greasy or salty, but delicious – I wonder what they do differently here? Everything seems heathier in a way, and doesn’t disagree with my body the way fast food at home tends to.

* A strange comedian keeps popping up on Japanese TV – a creepy man who appears on variety shows in just Speedos (swimmers) and does a distinctive song and dance. Disturbing, yet funny! Must find out who this guy is when I’m back in Australia! (NB: I discover his name is Kojima Yoshio, click for a very strange video, lol).

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