Day 8: Ikebukuro and Homeward Bound for Honolulu (JUly 19)

Our very last day in Tokyo, Japan was somewhat of a drag because the excitement and tension of being in a foreign country dies down when you know you need to let everything go, reluctantly and get back in the Hawaii-mode. Besides, I need to pack there was not time to think where I could explore until that gets done. On the other hand, Judy-chan had nearly everything packed the night before, I swear if the apocalypse came any day now, she will be ready and she will have a bullet-proof plan in saving the rest of humanity. Judy-chan instead spent the better half of her morning going back to the manga kissa we went to the night before.
As I suspected, I was late to reach the lobby to check-out time because of my bad packing habits. Once we had all of our luggages outside, Jayson gave us the 'Ok' to do whatever around Ikebukuro until 1pm. During this time I spent most of it with Ron-chan checking out Otome Street (street for the female otakus). Although in actuality, it was Ron-chan who explored more of Otome street, while I only went into K-books with her and got a Bleach keychain for my efforts.

After hanging out with Ron-Chan, I went to meet up with Judy-Chan at Sunshine City's Uniqlo and from there we headed out into Sunshine City in hopes to have lunch at the ramen restaurant that Jayson says that rumor has it that is ranked number one. After a very frustrating search, we realize we did not know the name of the place except that it is located at some basement of a shopping mall. There are tons of shopping malls in Ikebukuro's Sunshine City, so which one is it!? Looking at our cellphones, we realize we need a place to eat lunch now or we do not eat at all and head back to the hotel. It was then that Judy-chan recalled the ramen place that Jayson and them went the night before, the Kamakura Ramen restaurant. So, we headed there and ordered the ticket for the ramen we wanted, pork ramen and sat down in the restaurant waiting for our food. The ramen came to us in record time and we had to chow it down as fast as we can. Once again, our eating time was rushed but the ramen was really well-made, so we marveled at it a bit.
After we ate what we considered "grade A"-ramen, we head back to the hotel to meet with the others on time. After what seems to be a brief period, the Airport Limousine shuttle came right on time and packed our suitcases into vehicle as we filed our way into the bus and into various seats. The bus ride was nearly two hours long which is why I fell asleep with Panda-kun ( my Panda puppet's name) keeping watch over me.

After what seem to be a blur, we arrived at Narita International Airport again. After the check-in point, we said our good-byes to Jayson and Yoko. Then, we were on our own again as we headed to our boarding gate. It was at least several hours of waiting, before we get to board the plane. During the several hours, I snacked on curry, chocolate breads sticks, and drank my very last can of Apple sake here in Japan. After boarding the plane, we realize that our seats were near so really rowdy adolescents who have decided to leave Japan when we did. Needless to say, the plane ride was stuffy and loud. I have to add that I was also really sick, I could not stop coughing and wearing the face mask with a top-hat on just made me look like some abstract- terrorist. How much I wished I was back in my hotel bed back at Ikebukuro, it was nice and comfy and the air-condition was full blast. With the vending machines that holds alcoholic beverages nearby the room just seems so surreal now. Stupid kids I wish they would put a sock in it!, the sickly are trying to sleep.

In conclusion, the entire Japan trip was very eventful in good and bad ways. Back in Ueno, the bit of misunderstandings with the shop vendors and I. Finding Jackson's Hole in Choufu and being able to eat what I would say one of the best burgers I ever ate in my life. While in Tokyo, I was able to see not one but two live-band performances on the streets for no charge. For the first time being able to step into Tokyo's otakudom, Akihabara and to got to Harajuku to see lolita-fashion at its full height. Thanks to the typhoon weather, it really gave me a run for my money.
If one were to ask me if I grew or learned something from being on this trip. I would say I never grew, I did not suddenly start maturing since I still find myself to still be very immature. However, if you asked me what I learned from this trip, I learned many things and the full account of that was allocated throughout in my blog as I hope you have all enjoyed reading. I apologize for certain parts of my blog that seem a little vague because I think at that time I was probably too sick to find anything interesting or too sick to care. On another note, for those who swore off alcohol forever ( stares pointedly at Judy-chan) you will be surprised that you too would become an alcohol enthusiast in no time while in Tokyo.

As for the theme "no strings attached" for the most part I met the challenge of keeping my morals, well most of them anyways. But my social grace, I totally lost it back with the shopkeepers at Ueno's Ameyoko Market. And perhaps, I got a bit rowdy in my state of drunkness. Overall, I was able to be who I wanted to be (the lolita fan, the otome, and the sake lover), who I am, and not care what others thought. I also had the best time ever spent with my best friend, Judy-chan. As much as I hate to admit, I spent more in Tokyo than I ever did anywhere else.

Day 7: Harajuku, Shinjuku (in the daylight), Ikebukuro, and Shinjuku [Night-Life] (JUly 18)

On our free day, Judy-Chan and I decided going to Yokohama for the Ramen museum early in the morning was just a bit too difficult to do because we still needed to sleep more, the after-hour activities the night before really wore us out. We just figure that other time we went to Harajuku that it was just not enough, we still have not reached the end of Takeshita Doori Street yet. Both Judy-chan and I itched to see more of Tokyo's trendy lolita fashions and purchase more things, which was a given.

It was around noon, when Judy-chan and I met up with Bev, Aja, and Stacey for what was to be our (Judy-chan, Aja, and I only) third time around at Harajuku. By the time we got to Harajuku, it was just like any bright and hot day with no traces of the rainstorm few days before. The first thing, I wanted to do was to see if the lolitas were out on the bridge, but it seems they are only out to play on sunny Sundays or they knew Mango was coming and just went into hiding instead. I like to think it was the first case of the two.
As all of us mosey our way down Takeshita Doori, we popped in and out of stores with new shopping bags in tow. I went back to the punk jewelry store and bought an even smaller Vivienne Westwood replica necklace. It was back to Bodyline again where I more than any of our five-person group had spent the most time of all in. I was really glad that Stacey had so much patience with my picking out clothes and asking for her help and advice, also for being my Japanese-translator. Thanks Stacey for staying with me even when the others went ahead of me to other stores and shops while I was liternally, 'holed' down at Bodyline. In the end of my shopping frenzy at Bodyline, I had bought nearly $300 USD-worth of lolita outfits and assessories. Before the narrow down of my selections, I had goods that were well-worth over $600 USD. This is a scary thought because I know I would not have been able to stop myself from buying all I wanted if I was able to fit them all. I envy Judy-chan for making good judgement in getting the things she really wants, while I just could not make up my mind. Summer sales are just pure evil!

By the time I got out of Bodyline, I only had enough time to show Aja and Bev the NANA-made-famous-Vivienne Westwood lighter necklace I found at a store nearby and they too agree with me that it was insanely expensive for a European brand name item. I swore upon my grave, I will come back for that lighter (for the record, I do not smoke.) the next time I come to Japan whenever that it is, which is probably never again. I sigh sadly, as I turned my back on that lighter as I made my exit.

Pretty much right after that, I stopped at one of the numerous crepe stands that lined the Takeshita street and bought my first crepe in Tokyo, a chocolate-ice cream with banana crepe which was soo godly. Judy-chan already got a crepe while I was inside Bodyline and she said her's was too sweet! I do not have a clue which crepe stand she got hers' at, but my crepe was the Olympics in my mouth. Happy..happy-adrenaline rush! After I greedily devoured my crepe, Judy-chan and I decided to separate ourselves from our group, so we can both check out Shinjuku during the day and hopefully be able to check out one of the famous brand-name store chain for, Baby the Star Shines Bright which was one of the setting-plot basis for the Japanese movie, Kamikaze Girls that we watched back in our orientation at UH West Oahu.

We, Judy-chan and I arrived at Shinjuku station and my first impression of Shinjuku was made when we spotted some bishounen (pretty boys, or as I like to put it, "Greek gods of the Asian-variety") in casual trendy clothes waiting around for something. No doubt they were probably hosts hanging out with their clients who have yet to make their appearances. But I would like to think they are just out for a day of fun with their friends or their girlfriends. We made our way through the streets in search for Marui Young Department store, 'rumoured' to have several floors that house overrun with several famous lolita name-brand clothings with Baby the Star Shines Bright at the top ranks. We nearly went in circles before we found our way to the department store, but as luck would have it Marui Young was only closed on this day for some reason. I knew I should have went into the giant Buddha statue with Judy-chan and rubbed its tummy for luck back when we were at Kamakura the day before. After some further explorations of Shinjuku, we headed back for Ikebukuro's Sunshine City.

Our bad luck did not run out on us just yet because when we got back to Ikebukuro, Judy-chan and I went out the wrong exit and ended up getting lost for nearly 30 minutes before we found our way to Sunshine City through some helpful instructions by other people. I tell you gettinf lost it was not fun, Judy-chan did not really buy anything that day, while I was lugging all my shopping bags and purchases giving me the numb feeling that my hands and arms were about to fall off. Getting lost really exhausted us greatly, so we just went to a manga kissa (manga and internet cafe with other relative accomodations). I do not know how Judy-chan was able to use the internet, as my computer displayed all Japanese-text, I was just easily frustrated with it and instead of breaking the cafe's equipment I excused myself and spent the better half of my thirty minutes in the back looking at their manga collections and trying as many of the free cold drinks they had to offer. After our time at that manga kissa, we both agreed that we will try to come back here before we leave Japan.

After freshening up a little bit at the hotel, Judy-chan and I met up with Jayson and the whole group for a special night excursion to Shinjuku for the purpose of seeing the night view of Tokyo on top of the Tocho and for those who want to see Shinjuku's 'red-light district' as well. Once again, Jayson lead us all through the unfamiliar grounds of Shinjuku to the Tocho (the Tokyo Metropolitan Goverment Office). Once we got to Tocho, it was one elevator up to the top of the 48-story building to what I would call the observation deck. At this floor we could see Tokyo for miles and miles, we spotted famous features like the neon lights of the Odaiba Ferris Wheel and the Tokyo Tower 's blinking lights in the distance. As I handed my camera off to Judy-chan to play with, I went straight to the gift shop as a bunch of furries caught my eye, as I examine closer they were animal hand puppets that when you squeeze the roof of their mouths they make the sound the animal makes, and the Panda-one was just too cute, I had to buy it, and I did.
After the expedition to Tocho it was already getting late and some wanted to go back to Ikebukuro to get some good night's rest. It was also when Kathy had to leave us for the rest of the trip, we will miss you Kathy! Hope to see you again for the get together in August. Those of us who remain followed Jayson and ventured forth to the realm of Shinjuku's 'red-light district'. I was beyond tired and wanted to go back to Ikebukuro but I wanted to see for myself the hot spot for the 'host clubs'. If I recalled correctly, Ron-chan once did her final presentation on 'host clubs' , the male employees of these host clubs are within the age range of about seventeen years to twenty-two years old who would keep in company the rich women or at least women who have the time and money, and drink with them throughout the night. These charming 'bishie' hosts earn their keep through how many drinks they get their women clients to buy. A real good and popular host can earn up to ten and thousands of yen in a course of a month, or even in just one night. The possibilities of sex with their female clients are not out of the question, but it is not part of a host's job. As Jayson lead us through the hot spot of the 'red-light district the streets were lined with hostess and host clubs alike in all directions. In Insight City Guide: Tokyo, it had warned us of the Tokyo's notorious "Pink" trade also know as the sex trade business in Japan. Within Tokyo's sex industry, there are various forms of the "pink" trade, and the hostess bars that we saw all around Shinjuku's 'red-light district was one kind of that business. For some reason, the host clubs were not mentioned in the guide even though it was a growing business. It was then I saw it a building covered from top to bottom with illuminated portraits of various hosts as advertisement for their respective club establishments. In jest to the group, I claimed that I could afford one of the hosts to serve me and technically, I could I had enough yen with me to pay for one with an hour-tops, but that will be my limit.
Jayson humored a drunk Japanese middle-aged woman who called herself 'Betty Boop' into leading us to the Shinjuku station. I thought it was a waste of time, if she was drunk we should ignore her and head back to see if the live -street band performance was still going on a few blocks away. Surprisingly, Betty Boop's English was pretty decent and I start to think this drunk of a lady was doing a better job than the ones we meet a Ginza, I wonder why, is she a gaijin just like us?
When we got back to Sunshine City in Ikebukuro, Jayson suggested for all of us to go out for ramen and drinks. As it was pretty late, although Judy-chan and I never ate dinner yet, we declined, we needed sleep! So, off the rest of the group went to Kamakura Ramen, while JUdy-chan and I head back to the hotel. But before we did that, we could not ignore our protesting stomachs anymore and so we sat down at the ramen stand at the corner of the street where Judy-chan and I shared a steaming bowl of ramen which is just what our bodies needed, even though it was rather bland. We reget not going with Jayson and them for some good-quality restaurant ramen.

The night of our free day ended with both of us fast asleep on our beds as soon as we went through the door, even though Judy-chan insisted that I should start packing. After I yawned, I just do not remember anymore after that. Soo tired!

Day 6: Kamakura [Amida Buddha's crib] and Ikebukuro (July 17)

Waking up bright and early for what would be a handful of a day at Kamakura, the city-town that is home to a dozen of famous Zen Buddhist temples and shrines that are a located within a near vicinity of an all-natural beach. As Morton in his book, Japan: Its History and Culture defines zen Buddhism as type of Buddhism where those who practice this belief will try to reach or have a breakthrough in some enlightenment and release that will suddenly come to them only through discipline and constant inner control on oneself.

The day started in Sunshine City, Ikebukuro again, but this time there were no stops for breaks, we headed straight for Kamakura by train. The subway station where we got off to switch trains before Kamakura had a food shop were the vendor was selling fried food and yakitori. I stuck with the Yakitori because of my sore throat. As we took that short snack break, Jayson hurried us off to the train that just pulled up to take us straight to Kamakura.
When we reached Kamakura, we were all surprised at what we saw. We understand Kamakura being a beach-town, their shops would have a near-the-shore feel with seashells and all, but instead of just seashells we found shops selling Hawaiian crafts and products like the ones you would find at Hawaii's Waikiki International Market Place with the many shops here replacing the many shop cart-stands back in Hawaii. As Jayson explains it a lot of Japanese people, especially the locals who do not have any chance to make vacation-getaways to the Hawaiian Islands and so they would settle for less, settle for a town-model of what they see Hawaii as. Hence, the numerous Hawaiian signs and shops we saw.

Making our way through these shops, we finally made it to the entrance of the famous Kotokuin Temple where the Great never-relenting Amida Buddha statue that although rusty and green with age had for the most part braved-through natural disasters like ancient tidal waves, and the like. If we were to go to Nara, we would find Buddha statues of greater sizes there, but Kotokuin's one is probably the most photographed and alluded to. I regret not asking someone to take some pictures of me and the Buddha, now it seems all the pictures I took of the statue were like postcard selections instead. As Judy-chan and the others explored the inside of the Buddha statue for 20 yen more, I decided to venture to the back where I spotted a small temple shop that was to my amazement selling green tea and vanilla ice cream. Of course, I had to satisfy my palate just for a little bit with a green tea and vanilla ice cream cone against the protest of my straining and sore throat. While I was enjoying my frozen treat, Kathy found me and we stroke up a conversation. Kathy end up eating ice cream as well as I treated her to one in return for her company. I found out that we both got sick on the trip, and she offered some Japanese throat lozenges for Judy-chan ( she joined us out of nowhere LOL, I guess she answered to my mental-call for her) and I to take which did the trick, made our throats feel ten times better.
After visiting Kotokuin temple, we were given some free time to have lunch or shop around the area. Judy-Chan and I decided to join Terri, Shawn, Vince, Travis, Charlie, Roxanne, and Skye for lunch at a ramen restaurant right across the street. It was already starting to rain heavily, so we were not picky on where to eat, but if we followed Jayson we supposedly would have been able to go to the best ramen shop in Kamakura or something like that. Oh wells, I guess it is our loss, mind you the ramen we had the restaurant was not bad, it was decent. JUdy-chan and I had the udon, but I ordered a bottle of hot sake ( Kamakura was known for their microbrewery and their crackers) which I nearly drank all of it, but I think either Charlie of Travis took pity on me and helped me out a little. It was after we left the restaurant to head back to station to meet up with the others, when my stomach was aching up, I suppose a combination of ice cream and hot sake did not sit well with it. DOh! I am such a baka!

The next temple, we visited I already forgot where or the name of it as at that time (Hase Kannon Temple, was it?) all I cared about was if the temple had a Western toilet or not. So, you can guess how much I could not really focus on the regal beauty of the temples' artifacts and statues. But there are pictures to prove that I was there. Ha-HA!

The next place we went was the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine which was pretty interesting in which at the foot and to the side of the stairs before leading to the temple there were rows of barrels of various kinds of sake (for sacrificial purposes, I forgot?) stacked at least three-story high and stretching at least several hundreds of yards. I never got to test my theory whether those sake barrels were empty or full. Another interesting thing about the shrine was there were kawaii (cute) miko, shrine maidens walking around with their red and white miko outfits. I caught a glimpse of a heavily-made-up miko with shimmering eye shadow on and I just wondered for a minute was that part of her work-get-up or was she trying to impress somebody?
At the top of the shrine, there was some wooden slabs where you can write down a personal wish of your choice and hang up with a small fee. I think Roxanne was the most self-less of all of us, she paid 500 yen to wish that we all had a great time. I could not contain my gratitude towards her that I just suddenly 'bear-hug' her with adoration, I think she was not expecting I'd do that, but I did. Hee-hee... erm, I hope you don't mind Roxanne and I am kind of bummed I never got your number too.
It was right after we left the shrine when my stomach started acting up again, and I had to make everyone wait for me once again as I took a detour to the shrine's dirty and poor-facilitated-restroom . I want to apologize to all of them for making them wait, I hope you guys forgive me, and most of all I apologize to Jayson and Judy-chan for having them worry about me. I felt like such a black sheep or bad egg of the group.

Tonight was also the night of our farewell dinner at Ikebukuro. So, we as a group boarded a subway train back to Ikebukuro where we met up for dinner at the Shirokiya restaurant. We all paid for the "nomi hodai' (all-you-can drink) deal as Jayson covered the rest of the meal. The rest of the night was a drunken blur of awesome teri-chicken wings and various alcoholic beverages of kahlua milk, "fuzzy navel", mixed drinks, and of course copious amounts of sake that never seem to stop coming. It was also my first time trying calpis milk, which I will be sure to buy again when I get back to Hawaii. After what seem to be an un-ending night of drunken stupor, some of us were sober enough to go to karaoke, and of course I will never deny myself a chance of a good session of karaoke.
When Judy-chan and I got back to the hotel, this time around let's just say I passed out on my bed instead.

Day 5: 'Old Japan', Asakusa, Harajuku Again! ( JUly 16)

Judy-Chan and I slept-in, unawares that during the night before the typhoon had pass over Tokyo already. On today's agenda we as a group was to explore Ikebukuro in the daylight, visit the sites of "Old Tokyo", and go to Asakusa. Jayson gave us all a chance to explore the surroundings of Ikebukuro during the morning hours. It was not much to explore all we did was probably get some breakfast and I think I remember pointing out to Judy-chan while she snapped a few shots of the Pachinko Parlors, where already there were many of the local Japanese lining up to get in that there was a good portion of the people who looked like middle school or high school students. I wondered if they were playing 'hooky'?
According to Morton's Japan: Its History and Culture, the Japan's education system has been in a poor state with a good number of the young people who just opted to not fit in their society anymore (in this case, to not play their roles as students) and instead use their parent's disposable income ( most Japanese families are middle-class) for Pachinko, as I see to it and the numerous 'otaku' who wandered through Akhibara everyday with no sensible purposes. Still others would 'whore' themselves to the rich, women and men alike.
The "two-track work system" (general clerical track and the elite managerial track) is not of priority to many and just seems to be a thing of Japan's past. The big part of the blame should go to Japan's bad economy and the chaos it has created for many to affect indirectly or directly into lives of their children. Japan's 'children' we find on the streets on a weekday in the daylight, who truly can be labeled "the burden of society". I was just flabbergasted to see what Jayson called the 'dark side of Japan' happening in broad daylight.
After a brief morning stroll around Tokyu Hands and breakfast, Judy-chan and I finally met up with the group who were chatting animately over some occurrence. As I came closer, my classmates were talking about some earthquake, as it turns out at 10:30am sharp there was an earthquake in Tokyo with a magnitude of about 6.7 more or less. Probably when the earthquake hit, Judy-chan and I were up in the 4th or 5th floor of Tokyu Hands department store and we could not feel a thing. I am not sure if being at an higher-elevation would mitigate the severity of an earthquake, but LOL I guess it does.
Once we met up with Jayson and the group we start to head down to the left side of Sunshine city and walked nearly a mile or two and already we start to notice the hustle and bustle of Sunshine City, Ikebukuro died down as we entered the residential areas. During the walk Jayson pointed out to us various things from the story and mechanics behind the "Japanese bike" to Japan's gas prices being too high. Forgive me, but I was not paying attention to these pointers, so I cannot elaborate on them as my ears took in the information and went out the other, and besides, I was preoccupied in playing with the silk worm or catepillar that Travis had handed to me. It was so soft, I wanted to name it "fuzz".
Before we know it the long walk lead us to a street car stop where people were waiting for the next car to come. I could not really tell you much about the scenery of "old Tokyo" while on the Arakawa Street Line. I could say after seeing a couple old, worn buildings and some rural-like settings and finding a seat, I just got bored and am guilty of taking out my I-pod to listen and was sleeping the whole way. By the time we got off the car, I entered what Jayson termed " Old Tokyo" and not having a clue where we had landed. In my zombie-like state, I followed the group around as we passed by a hut where a tatami mat maker lived and worked. Met the couple's adorable cat, Kenji-kun ( was it?) and we were offered chilled- orange slices, which was a delectable treat especially on that scorching day. After traveling a bit more on our feet, we boarded a subway train for Ryogoku, where the famous Edo-Tokyo Museum awaited us. While waiting for the museum tour outside, there was a street performer in all his greasiness making art work with a music blasting in the background for his inspiration. I think he called himself something along the lines of the 'god of art" and his artwork was really nice. Once we got into the Edo-Tokyo museum, Jayson gave us the 'OK' to explore around and to meet up a certain time at the exit. I, repeat " I am not a history buff" and my foot was aching like mad. Basically, I just followed Judy-chan around listlessly since nothing really interested me, but we did try to keep tab to see if a 'panic room' that Travis told us about, truly existed. In our dismay of not being able to find the 'Panic Room', Judy-Chan and I gave up our search and head to the gift shop instead where I bought nearly rest of my souvenirs there.

After visiting the Edo-Tokyo Museum we took a subway train to Asakusa, a popular tourist attraction known for the famous temples and the long line of shops and street stands that seem to speckle their way into them. It was at Asakusa that we, as a group had to come to a 'stand-still' since we noticed one of our members MIA , our dear old Ron-chan. We did not know where we left her and we all felt responsible for her absence, especially for me since she was my friend. I tried to abide by Jayson's buddy-system every time, which is why I never let Judy-chan out of my sight. Or at least I try not to let her out of my sight. Sure Tokyo is not a crime scene, but with a city over-populated with people and everywhere else is just as crowded from subway stations to streets there was no telling where we lost her ( she was not kidnapped since Japan is somewhat a crime-free country), and we as naive tourists are subjected to losing our way most of the time. It was nearly dark out when Ron-Chan finally came back to us safe and sound due to her exceptional Japanese communication skills in finding her way. I think she will get along with Japan just fine when she goes back in the fall for her study abroad.
Regardless, I was really worried about her, I blame my American-self for not looking out for Ron-chan. But would my Japanese-self be any different and prevent this incident in occurring in the first place? T.R. Reid's Confucius Lives Next Door talks about the 'East Asian social miracle' where one of the characteristics of this phenomenon is that Japanese would look after each other as if they were in a group and to make everyone feel included, for example at karaoke get-togethers or even a student banquet- dinner as we had earlier on the trip, etc. Individualistic thinking was just too out there for the Japanese, but the tables are turning and now, even the common Japanese are starting to think independently; however, in very selfish ways. For example, some of the younger Japanese generation are just doing what they wish with no one to stop them or no one who cares. Getting back to the point, maybe my Japanese-self would look after Ron-chan as she is part of the group and not on an honor-dishonor basis. But the friendship code is universal and so I should have known better to watch out for her. As a friend, I have failed my duty.
Our time at Asakusa was cut short for the circumstance mentioned above. Whatever time we had, I just focused on shopping for trinkets, getting my hapi-coat ( hopefully later I can transform it into a genuine 'yanki coat' someday), and snacking on some fresh 'manju'. Judy-Chan and I also spent some time in the inside of the temple's vicinity to amuse ourselves in some fortune telling for 200 yen. The funny thing about in our fortune-telling was that we had the same fortune. I already forgot what my fortune says, but Judy-chan knows.

After Asakusa, Jayson allowed us to decide what we wanted to do for the night, as he offered to take whoever in the group interested in going to a sento (a Japanese public bath) in Asakusa. BUt Judy-chan, Aja, and I were kind of wary of that idea that we had to expose ourselves in our 'birthday suits' in front of other people ( Author note: If it was a real onsen (hotsprings) , I would have went) and decided to skip it entirely to go together to Harajuku again. Back at Harajuku with our 'trash-mouthed'- chaperon , Lahela in tow, we all went to our favorite shopping spots again with the little time we had left. This time around we went straight to the "Lolita Bridge" hoping to snap at least one picture of a loli, and we caught one in all her cute-pinky-goodness as she was about to leave. Thanks, Judy-chan for letting me use your camera for that. I was in much better spirits since I was able to spot at least one lolita at the bridge even though it was not a Sunday. During our short shopping spree at Harajuku, I was able to pick up a goth-lolita outfit, a top hat, and I finally spotted the Vivienne Westwood golden-lighter ( the NANA one) I was relentlessly looking for, but the shop was closing at 8pm, so if anything it was a glimpse. That one glimpse made my jaw drop at the price, if converted correctly it was worth nearly $3,000 USD, a very crazy amount if you ask me. Needless to say because the shops at Harajuku were closing up, Bodyline was also out of the question. If I remember correctly, the once friendly lolita-clad salesgirls shooed us out.

After Harajuku, it was back to Ikebukuro again with our empty stomachs. Judy-chan, Aja, and I breathe a sigh of relief when Lahela finally saw us off from the Harajuku station. Lahela, as we ( Judy-chan, Aja, and I) all agreed was a very rude person but we appreciate her for looking out for us, but we do not like the 'babying'. And for the first time in my life, I felt the need for soap for the sole purpose of washing out Lahela's mouth, but you know whatevers.
As we hit home in Ikebukuro, our stomachs churned for the need for food, so we stopped at Matsuya (like another Yoshinoya) for some dinner. I think we ordered about the same time, but this time was our first time ordering by the ticket which took a bit in figuring how it gets done. I ordered a beef bowl or a pork bowl, the meat was just really salty, I did not really like it. After a somewhat satisfying meal, I persuaded Judy-chan and Aja to come exploring with me around the street to look for a live-house of some sort and at the same time to walk-off the food before we head back. As it ends up we could not find a live-house, but we found a live- punk band playing across the street instead, in the front of the Uniqlo department store. The music that Cubic Setts, the band was playing was ok, but to me was not as great as Ocean Box. But Aja and I bought a cd from them for 500 yen, anyways.
With the performance of a live band, it ended what was a great night for all of us with the exception of Aja being locked out of her hotel room and in that light, Judy-chan and I playing our roles as gracious hosts to her until she could get back into her room. I hope everything went all right with Aja that night. As for me, I passed out on the carpet floor again finishing the last can of the sake I kept in the fridge.

Day 4: Harajuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro (July 15)

Today is the day that we change hotels from Shinagawa's Le Pacific Meridian Hotel to Ikebukuro's Sunshine City Prince Hotel. I was stubborn the night before to not pack my stuff until the next morning in which really messed me up with keeping time and such. Which is exactly why Judy-chan and I were rather late to get our breakfast at Yoshinoya's where we had to gobble down our sukiyaki bowl combo in record speed. Both Judy-chan and I could have won some gold medals at the rate we went. And the meal was top-notch, I regret we did not go sooner in a atmosphere that was not so rushed. After we got back to hotel and had our suitcases packed into the truck that was to deliver our stuff to the next hotel, we went with the group to our first destination of the day, Harajuku. Can I hear a "Banzai!!"

The weather was not favorable at all at Harajuku because of the typhoon-climate we were experiencing, which meant constant rain. I remember blurting out " Awww...lollis can't come out to play!!" to those who would listen to me whine. Umbrellas over our heads, Judy-Chan, Aja, Bev, Stacey,and I headed down Takeshita Doori, the street that is renown for all its trendy punk, rock, and lolita fashions. And upon my own discovery the street was also known for having many crepe stands. After a checking out a few punk lolita shops, Judy-Chan and I separated from Bev and their group and went exploring on our own. Through our findings, Judy-chan and I bought some hip jewelry for our friends back home and ourselves for ungodly cheap prices at Paris Kids. At random, I also picked up some gifts from an idol store and more clothing for myself. However, Judy-chan hit the jackpot or rather the mother load when I pointed out to her the Body Line lolita-clothing store upstairs. Laughing out loud, I wonder if I never pointed it out to her would we have totally missed the shop? Drum rolls, please! Judy-chan and I passed the store's threshold to the whimsical land of lolita-fantasy. Feelings of *Moe* erupted within us, probably. It was like someone switched up Judy-chan's "On" switch as strode over to the clothing selections with a purpose blending in with the store's 'regulars'. I wanted to stay with Judy-chan and explore the numerous possibilities of happiness that Bodyline had to offer. But my inner struggle to find Vivienne Westwood merchandise, particularly to find the NANA's Shinichi-character-made popular Vivienne Westwood golden lighter beckoned me out of the shop. I , mean I had to make an opportunity cost somewhere especially in such a place like Harajuku, right? To my dismay, through much effort in searching around I could not spot a shop that sold Vivienne Westwood stuff. I learned later on a different day that I just had to keep my eyes to the second-stories shops at the left of the street to spot it. As I returned into Bodyline , Judy-chan was already at the counter paying for her purchases. I felt overwhelmed with all the clothes that I could buy, but without any time to buy it as my cellphone time indicated to me. Instead, I hurried Judy-chan out of Bodyline so we can start heading back to the Harajuku station to meet up with the group. I remember taking sneaking-glances at her Bodyline shopping bags and felt the throes of envy rush over me. But it was my fault I did not stay with her and instead went on the quest to find the lighter. If you had to compare myself to a fictional character I portrayed when I was in the search mode for Vivienne stuff, I was the obsessive and delirious Captain Ahab seeking the legendary Moby Dick over the seven seas.

Our next destination was the busy district of Shibuya. One of Shibuya's most famous landmark is the statue of Hachiko, the loyal dog. According to the Insight City Guide: Tokyo, in the 1920s there lived a Hachiko who was the faithful dog owned by Ueda Eisaburo, a university professor who travels to and from work by train, which is why Hachiko accompanies him to and waits for him everyday at the Shibuya station until his return. But one day, Hachiko's owner died at school and never came home, but Hachiko continued to wait for him day after day with his routine unchanged. Many locals were incredibly touched by this dog and cherished the dog's samurai-like loyalty to its master. So, in honor of Hachiko the Japanese people raised a small bronze statue in likeness of Hachiko at the exit of Shibuya Station. Personally, I heard about the story Hachiko from the NANA manga and anime which made references to it often. Thanks to Wikipedia, I knew about Hachiko before this trip. Nowadays, nearly every Japanese knows who Hachiko is and the story behind it, but yet in Chiyoda-ku; a statue of Kusunoki Masashige who was a samurai loyal only to the emperor and not the shogunate was a historical figure that the everyday Japanese cannot recall and if you are lucky maybe one of the Japanese elderly could tell you about him. I just find it strange that the Japanese would prefer the idea of a dog being loyal to its master; whereas, a samurai who swears allegiance to his emperor for the most part does not even cross their minds at all.
After spotting Hachiko and snapping pictures of the handsome, loyal dog we as a herd migrated uphill of Shibuya. There was the major street intersecton in Shibuya where hundreds of people crossed at each time from all four directions. If I had a term for my experience crossing that street, I'd say I was pretty cooped up in a "mass of humanity". Of course, Jayson pointed out to us all the different trendy shopping places as we headed up to the NHK TV Studio Park.
At NHK Studio Park we went through as a group, everything was really cute and Domo-kun (NHK's most famous big brown mascot) was everywhere. After the trip to NHK Studio Park, Jayson gave us time to do whatever until 5:30 pm where we meet back at the Hachiko statue. During this time Judy-chan and I checked out HMV, Vivienne Westwood, and Uniqlo, the trendy and affordable clothing store. I apologize to Judy-chan that I end up missing to meet up with her at Uniqlo because of extended search for Vivienne Westwood merchandise, which I found but it did not contain the punk assessories that I was looking for. I was also guilty of taking a little detour to HMV, so I apologize to Judy-chan for worrying her and the like when I did not end up meeting with her as planned.

As scheduled we met up with Jayson and as a group traveled to Ikebukuro's Sunshine City district to check in our hotel, Sunshine City Prince and do some further exploring around the area. As soon as everyone settled in with their belongings and their purchases in their respective rooms ( in particular, the room that Judy-chan and I share was directly located in front of the vending machines that sell alcohol beverages). Then, it was back to meeting up with Jayson and them where he was going to show us all the different places we can scavenge for food. They end up going to a tempura restaurant located in the shopping mall that leads to the back-opening of our hotel. While I was eating at the Soup Tokyo restaurant to the left of them since I cannot stand for having tempura two days in a row. Soup Tokyo was probably the same place where I left my awesome clear umbrella, my first souvenir to be purchased in Tokyo.
After dinner some of us went to play Pachinko ( gambling with pin balls) which was rather boring to me, I could not see why most Asian people, not just the Japanese love this 'dirty' (note: to me gambling is dirty) hobby. Looking around at the Pachinko parlor, I can see their various clients who were the "big winners" with trays and trays full of pachinko balls in the back of them. But as Judy-Chan, Ron-chan, and I did not know what the ::bleep:: was going on with the game we ended up wasting $10 USD each. I ranted and raved when we got of the Pachinko Parlor, the 1000 yen could have went into shopping money instead. After 'gambling', we went to a karaoke bar that was much too expensive for our taste but we went there anyways because I thought it would be our only and last chance to do karaoke at all in Japan. After at least two hours of karaoke, Ron-chan , Judy-Chan, and I went back to the hotel and called it a night. For me, I did not call it a night until I passed out on the floor at the foot of my bed with a can of grapefruit sake from the vending machines outside in my hand.

Day 3: Akihabara, Ueno: Ameyoko Market (Hate!), Roppongi Hills (JUly 14)

"Grr!, I hate rain!" grimaced one irritated Mango. The nice breezy weather the day before left without a trace and was replaced with nearly thundering rain-storm it seems. Which is exactly why our professor, Jayson insisted that we stop by the local 7-11 store to buy some cheap 400 yen umbrellas ( that were so cool looking!!). At 7-11 I bought my awesome clear-umbrella and I never wanted to part from it ever. After getting our carcasses together, we made our way to the Shinagawa station to head of to the land of Otakudom, Akihabara, well more like the electronic headquarters of Tokyo.

Here, at Akihabara with the heavy rain still dampening our spirits, Judy-chan and I ventured off from the group to the Yodobashi, the biggest electronics store in Akihabara so she can buy some souvenirs for her friends and family. In particular, her brother's Naruto game and her friend, a DS. Whereas, after helping her find what she needed I wandered off to the gashopon ( instant gumball-like machines that spurt out toys and models instead) section hoping to pick up some Mai-HIME models for my guy friends back in Hawaii. I gave up that endeavor as soon as I ran out of loose change, after getting one gashopon model. Wandering aimlessly, I found the CDs and DVDs section, and spent a better half of my yen on CDs there. It was also there that I found the not-so-hidden Hentai-room, and well leave it at that. Readers are wondering: Did Mango go inside? The answer: "Ask Judy-chan."
By the time we got out of Yodobashi, we only had less than an hour left to do stuff, so we walked back the way of the station and found our very first 100-yen store (Mango and Judy-Chan does the Indian victory-dance, literally). At the 100-yen store, I dashed to the umbrella stand in hopes that they have the off-white umbrella I was looking for and they did. Another win for Mango as she walked out with the purchase in hand. Right next to the 100-yen store, was McDonalds' and at first Judy-Chan and I were hesitant to walk in since Jayson gave us fair warning that fast food restaurants in Japan permits smoking. With cautious steps, we made our way in and to to our surprise for some reason this particular McDonald Akihabara branch was rather clear of smoke. It was decided then that we would have our brief lunch at McDs to enjoy an ebi (shrimp) burger, which I swear by Buddha out there probably one of the most awesome McDonald concoction I have ever tasted. For me, this burger could stand in the first place ranks of the glorious McGriddles I adore.
With time still to spare we figured to experience Akihabara= maid cafes or butler cafes, means that we definitely need to check out one. A little bit out of the way of the major attractions, we got to the maid cafe that allows picture-taking recommended by Jayson. I believe that little quaint maid-cafe was called Hiyokoya (translated: chicks' place). I think Judy-Chan and I can testify and admit that we both had the pangs of the "Moe-syndrome". I think I gushed like-some otome(female version of otaku) -pervert when I got through the door. If Judy and I were some manga or anime character, our characters would have sparkling-eyes and our minds and body would be overwhelmed with this uplifting-feeling while in the background of the frame there will be in big, bold-font *Moe* gurgling out of us. The cafe's shelves were stocked full of cute, cuddly chicks, teddy bears-galore. I felt like I was in some Mother Goose' nursery. The walls were plastered with cute maid drawings and there was also a spot where regulars' kept their wine bottles, so that when they visit the cafe, they will drink from that. We were soon to be joined by Roxanne and Skye as we shared a light dessert of coffee and ice cream parfait ( we did not know what else to order). While we waited for our food, I asked the maid-tress [sidenote: Get it? a maid-waitress is a maid-tress..LOL] (the only one working that day..I wished there was more) if I can take pictures of her. The milky-skinned maid was just so pristine and innocent that I felt like I was some dirty photographer taking pictures of her for *Not-Safe-For-Work-Material*. But I was mentally prepared because those pictures were per request from my guy friends back home. Man, the things I do for them ::glare::

After what seem to be a very brief stay at Akihabara we head off to Ueno. And by the curses of the Buddha I hated Ueno's Ameyoko Market. To make it a long story short, it was still raining heavily, and shopkeepers started shouting at me. One shopkeeper shouted at me because water from my umbrella dripped on his merchandise. I apologized and held my umbrella back right when he pointed this to me, but I still think he was very angry because of seemingly-display of insolence. After that little incident, I had another bout of bad luck. While we were making out way to the meet up with the group, so we could head out to Roppongi together, I decided that I really needed souvenirs for family and friends and what better way than here at Ueno where they sell various snacks!. So, Judy-chan came with me to the last snack stand and apparently one of the owners was trying to bargain with me. The problem was I wanted to take my time to look and they were getting on my nerves, so I just said "'mite mite'= Look, Look at me" when it was lack for a better word trying to say, "wait a minute, I am looking around." Because of my word fart, we were chased away maybe because they think we were strange. For all they know, they must of thought I escaped from a mental hospital nearby as they waved us off saying " Bye-Bye" with such contempt. I was just furiously embarrassed that I thought for the longest time that I was saying the right Japanese phrase at the appropriate time, how wrong I was. That good grade that I earned ages ago in Japanese seemed like a bogus now. I repeat, I will hate Ueno from now on, just too many bad memories.

Our next stop, the pricey yet sophisticated Roppongi Hills which is nearly the Japan's counterpart of America's Beverly Hills. Beverly Hills is more glam while Roppongi Hills goes beyond and ventures into high-technological development and depth in their artistic structures. The first thing we did as a group was to take the tour of Roppongi which was for the most part very informal as our English-speaking tour guide pointed out to us various structures and buildings that had great significances in their titles and the famous masterminds behind them. Some structures that really left me with the greatest impressions in the tour was the spider structure right outside the Roppongi shopping mall, " Monmo(sp?)" to symbolize that Japan will continue to expand technology and innovations into the far horizons of the future and to be an icon of the web that communication-on the international level is what powers Japan's success. Another structure that the tour-guide pointed out was the fish pond that contained the "fish in space". I thought what a peculiar name for a pond that was but upon further reading of the sign, the fish in the pond were the first species of fish born in space and were brought back to Earth and now currently, residing in that pond. This exotic fish pond was clearly an 'jaw-dropper'. After the tour, Judy-Chan and I decided to check out the shopping mall but after going into one clothing store and seeing that the on-sale items were still several thousand yen too much for us to afford, we just high-tailed our way out of there.
Our feet were so sore that all we did was settle down on a table at the basement of the mall and just unhinged ourselves until the time came when we had to meet up with the group again.

Judy-chan, Ron-Chan, and I decided to go back directly to Akihabara to find the Radio Kaikan and hit other spots that we were not able to find or check out previously. Once again at Akihabara it was raining cats and dogs which fueled our annoyance and temper at the whole situation. The fact that we got lost and Judy-chan was getting sick that we had to back out from our quest and just settled down for a quiet dinner of tempura at a restaurant in the heart of Akihabara. After that I left with a heavy heart as we boarded a subway train back to Shinagawa, so we call all get a good nights sleep. I just never got to buy any NANA-related merchandises among other 'otaku-must-haves'. ::cries::