Wanderlust V2 - Japan & Beyond

Haha, I had to start it with that. Days go like a blur and it doesn't help that Japan is one day ahead of the states! I think after Harajuku we hit Ueno zoo with enormous lines to see the pandas! They were new and we had come on the second day of the viewing. Unfortunately it was just too long to wait and see them. We had a lovely time and we went out the back exit, near the shrine ( or temple). There was a tiny street of vendors that extended over water. They had various foods, traditional Korean, Chinese, and Japanese. I bought Dango. J had a taste from mine. She thought it was meat when I first bought it and didn't want it. But I explained it was heated rice cake with a sauce on it. In which after a taste, she started really mauwing it down :) Must of been good! Tastey!!

I wanted to buy everything there!! So tastey, but my funds are readily draining!
We also went to Fuji-Q. Expensive venture but very fun. I loved the haunted hospital because it was really scary!! We took the highway bus and used the Fuji-q pack. It's an 1hr and 40mins ride. You can see Mt. Fuji majestically in the distance. It's really lovely! We went to Evagelion world first. Then the Haunted Hospital, Gundam Crisis game, Carosel, Ferris Wheel, and a few side games. :) I'll post more pictures soon!!

We went to our new stay today! It was fairly cheap, but it's a take care of yourself kind of place. More like a guest home for those who are staying in Japan for a while. Guest home is misleading too I guess! They are like apartments,but you get a room and you share the bathroom & shower on your floor. There's also a kitchen as well as washer & dryer for a fee. It was a heck of a time getting over here, mainly because it's so far from the train station. It's got lovely wooden floors and closet and the shower is super hot and strong! :) I mean you adjust according to taste :)

We also went to Harajuku today! It was seriously crowded and on the way home we were squashed, with men in white gloves standing by to shove if needed. We did purikura again ( print party was packed, but there was one down an alley)! Visited Daiso ( 100 yen store) in which I bought some tissues which were well used. I pat myself on the back for such a level headed purchase. We also had green tea cheesecake crepes and Jess used a squat toilet for the first time! :)

Well that's all for now! Should I leave something like.. pictures?? YAH!

Gotta look cute right?

SO BUSY!

Cute matching couple!

Can it be the second day already? I feel like this trip will go fast! Today we went to Akihabara Electric town... Is Tokyo a ghost town? You tell me!!

Left to Right: Aoi, Mama, Ishi

Cute toys !

Eva lockers!

Today is only one day away from lift off! Tomorrow at about 4am I will be on a plane, groggy and weird!!
There was a small 6.5 earthquake yesterday in the Sendai area and also a Tsunami warning. Fortunately it was small and the Tsunami warning was over as quick as it began. It appeared there wasn't too much more damage and none of it affected Tokyo. So pretty soon I'll be on my way reporting from Tokyo or simply enjoying myself too much to make any kind of proper postings. Heh:) This time I will be seeing different things like Fuji-q land, maybe some marimos, a mountain nearby!! I only regret that the aquarium and zoo will be closed. Also that I will not get to see beauty and the beast Takarazuka style.. ^^ BUT WE"LL BE IN JAPAN!!  WOOHOO!!  Again I shall be doing it on a budget heh.

Me and J ( don't know if she wants to be named) are going to Tokyo and staying there the full time. We are going to visit Fuji-Q land ( it is open now!) and have great accomidations! I'm really excited and proud of Japan for really putting so much effort into revival! If you think about it, it's only been about a week since the disaster! I'm really excited!!! I will update more as it comes along. We also found out, near our stay is a "bigbox" a huge building with shopping, fitness, arcade, and restuarants! WOOT:)

It's getting more difficult to waylay my family and friends about this. Most of the sensational news is getting through to them and most won't listen to me. I've been reading several articles and reports over the past few days since the Earthquake happened. Also I've been reading people's first hand accounts of going to Tokyo and finding that it's not torn into pieces and radiated, but trying to get back to normal. A few less lights for conservation and slightly reduced schedules ie, instead of the train coming every 4-5 mins, they are coming every 9-10 mins... That's still fast here, compared to the buses! Also the Metro is running as normal, without reduced schedules. As of now I would still like to go, but I'm getting annoyed by people who don't actually inform themselves and now are trying to yell at me about it. Sorry, I actually take the time to research what's going on, so in order to convince me, general panic is just not going to make it happen. I'm make a more solid decision next week.