Toshi Center Hotel Tokyo

... home. So there isn't as much originality here as the guidebooks and TV makes out, but we were still able to catch a glimpse of a cosplayer or two in the classic 'Lolita' get up that Harajuku is famous for. Shopping wise, I got nothing done because a medium in Japan is like extra, EXTRA small.<br><br>But now, onto the important stuff. We made two day trips whilst here, one to a place called Nikko that was so devoid of people that it felt like a ghost town. It was, however, home to a ...

... of people was challenging, but on our way we spotted something that people who live in Japan can go their whole lives without seeing. A Geisha. Well, two really, and judging by the their extravagant Kimono's they were most likely Maiko; Geisha apprentices. Nevertheless, the moment was fleeting, and by the time I had gotten out my camera to take a quick snap they had disappeared into the crowd behind us. The temple itself has been my favorite temple so far, built high upon the hill ...

... about. Having snowball fights. Sliding around. Making snow angels. Building snowmen. Decorating snowmen. Naming snowmen. Punching snowmen in the face before completely flipping out and tearing apart all its snow-family in a ninja outfit whilst little Asian children stand by quite bewildered and confused regarding the events they have just witnessed. Good times, good times. Hell, there was even a giant snow maze and snow tower - like, made of snow. And no pictures or videos we ...

... manage to take a look at was beyond epic. I consider it reminiscent of New York with an Asian twist. That is, if I knew what New York was like. I've seen movies.<br><br>The nightlife was a particularly rad experience, with flashing neon everywhere and a tough time was had finding places to eat with the amount of choices on offer. Those that we did choose were, of course, filled to the brim. We ended up stumbling across an underground bar/restaurant called Tapai which seemed to ...

... time, she was fine with me but she is a little quiet. We played a card game trump and then a Japanese card game called Karuta in which Kuruta cards has Japanese characters written on them. A person will read a proverb written on a seperate card which features the sound of a Japanese character. The 2 players have to scan the cards and then grab the card featuring that character. It was me vs. the 4 year old girl, Manaka and I lost. I ...

... naked japanese men but attempting to sufficiently yet covertly cover my tattoo (as they are seen as a sign of the yakuza and therefore strictly prohibited in onsens). Fortunately, Sumiyo came prepared with bandages of every shape and size...and we were eventually able to find the perfect fit--and since I was never asked to leave, we can only assume that no one was the wiser. Well, after spending my final evening on Derek's floor (as I had to check out of my ...

We made it to Tokyo! I have no business being awake right now, but I am buzzing on a mix of beer, shoju, and sake and way too excited to be sleeping. So my brother E.J flew in Friday night. We met up with Minh and Chris for some Indian food and drinks in Pasadena. The food and company were great. Both Minh and Chris are good friends of my brother. Chris is an old childhood friend of E.J's. The last time we saw him was ...

July 29, 2006 Saturday I can't remember what I did during the day before meeting up with Kazuno in Asakusa, but probably I slept in or was trying to work on cleaning up my apartment. I can't recall even though it was just last weekend. So anyway, I met Kazuno at her station, Kamiedo, near Asakusa to go watch the HANABI (Fireworks). In the summer, there are a bunch of fireworks on the weekends and ...

... slept prostate jack-knived on the floor. We also managed to make it along to the fabled Fish Market. See attached photos for a glimpse of what is on offer. Thousands of kilos of fish pass through dealers hands every day at this market, in no small part to the slimey nature of fish. We walked around for hours, not because we were fascinated, but because we were lost. One Eel stall looks like every other Eel stall when you are looking for landmarks.