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!