It was the year 1993, I was in Japan despite not having an interest or any knowledge of the language or culture prior to arriving as a 20-year-old squid in Uncle Sam's Navy.
On a good day back then, I would knock off work around 4:30pm, have dinner at the on base McDonalds then work out at the on base gym, then go to the calling center to call family and friends back home. Some variations to this would be do laundry or go out in town or Club Alliance (aka The "A" Club) at the old main gate after the gym for dinner instead of eating at McDonalds. Why would I eat then work out? I was not big into cardio-vascular back then or needed to be. I would lift since I wasn't too far removed from high school.
One distinct memory of those days was the video that played on the TV in the gym of Phil Collins. With today's technology, those memories can be accessed without having to hunt for an obscure video.
Today's clip is of Phil Collins and his "Serious Band" performing a tune of his 1984 album, "No Jacket Required", "Inside Out".
The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09
Friday, November 20, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan (Golden Week 2006)
Golden Week, a cluster of Japanese holidays beginning at the end of April and continuing throughout the first week of May, is like a double-edged sword since everyone in Japan has time off but traveling at this time is terrible due to destinations being crowded, traffic (it's bad enough in Japan) and air fare, lodging, etc. is even more expensive. But, we chose to travel at this time but would leave a few days before it started and in doing so, we beat the crowds and paid reasonable rates on air fare and lodging.
Day #1- Tokyo's Haneda Airport to Sapporo
After arriving in Sapporo, we took a bus to our hotel, ANA Hotel (part of the All Nippon Airways family). Since it was before check-in time, we left our luggage at the cloak and walked to the Sapporo Beer Museum for lunch.
Sapporo Beer is a popular Japanese beer in the US but the Sapporo Beer in US is made by a brewery in Canada. Anyway, at the museum was a famous restaurant that serves a signature dish to Hokkaido, lamb. At our table, we prepared the lamb and vegetables and drank beer out of tall steins. The meal was excellent and is a must on anyone's trip to Sapporo. However, I suggest eating at this place at the end of your travel in Sapporo since one set of the clothes that we brought smelled like BBQ.
Afterwards, we toured the beer museum which was established in the late 1800's (Japan's Meiji era). It was interesting to see the advertisements of the different eras and the different beer bottles. Before leaving the museum, we sampled different kinds of beer that are found only in Hokkaido. (those in Tokyo can't find the specialty beers that we sampled).
By the time we finished visiting the museum, we returned to our hotel and checked-in. After freshing up, we went out in search of a good restaurant for some good Hokkaido food. We found a sushi restaurant and had some excellent crab sushi and boiled crab. (crab and lamb is very abundant and popular in Hokkaido). We also and a variety of sashimi (raw seafood without the rice) and a tofu salad.
Later, we made our way to the largest entertainment district north of Tokyo, Susukino. This district is very lively and picturesque. Here, we visited a very popular alley of ramen restaurants. Ramen is a Chinese dish of noodles in a broth. People of Sapporo claim that their city was the first place to serve this dish in Japan. In the US, you can find cup of noodles and prepared in the microwave. I recommend getting a real meal of ramen if given the chance.
We finished up our first day in Sapporo by visiting the Sapporo Tower. Similar to the Tokyo Tower, this tower has many radio and TV antennas on it and a big clock (Tokyo Tower does not).
Day #2- Otaru, Hokkaido and more of Sapporo
Otaru, a town about an hour by train away from Sapporo is famous for it scenery, landmark of original buildings from when the town was first established in the late 1800's. Although it was May, there was still snow on the ground in the shaded areas. This town has many alleys where water from the nearby mountains flows. The alleys were very active of melting snow rushing down stream. Many of the landmarks had descriptions up in four languages (Japanese, English, Korean and Russian). Russia is close to Japan with Hokkaido being the closest. Not too many foreigners are in Hokkaido in comparison to the Tokyo area but when I did see a foreigner, in most cases they were Russian. After seeing the sights, we had a great sushi lunch (I can eat sushi 3 times a day!).
A half day is all you need for Otaru, so we returned to Sapporo and saw the various sights. We visited the former Hokkaiko government office which was modeled after the old Mass. state house. In the late 1800's this building was the largest building in Japan. Next to the main Sapporo train station in the JR Tower. At the top of this tower, you can see all of Sapporo City and the Sapporo Tower.
After catching the excellent views of Sapporo from the JR Tower, we called it a day.
Day #3- Sapporo's Fish Market, Dr. Clark Museum/Statue and Sapporo Dome/Japanese Baseball game
The most famous fish market in Japan is the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo. However, Sapporo's fish market is probably as good as the one in Tokyo since Hokkaido is so abundant in fresh seafood. We visited this place and bought some tuna and had it sent to my mother-in-law in Tokyo.
Afterwards, we went to the outskirts of Sapporo and visited the Dr. Clark museum and statue. Dr. Clark was an American professor who taught at Hokkaido University. He was famous for his quote, "Boys, be ambitious." Here, we had lunch. We sauteed fresh seafood at our table.
Later in the day, we visited the Sapporo Dome (opened in 2001). This dome is the home of the local pro soccer team and the Nippon Ham Fighters pro baseball team. Since I have never seen a Japanese baseball game and since there was a game that evening, we decided to watch the game. After visiting the dome's trophy room (pictures and models of the famous performers who have been to the Sapporo Dome), we killed some time at a local shopping mall and returned to the dome and watched the Seibu Lions from Saitama take on the Nippon Ham Fighters. The Fighters have the famous player, Shinjo who also played in the US for the Mets and San Fran Giants. While we were in Sapporo he announced that he was retiring at the end of this season. Anyway, the crowd was light due to the holidays, but the game was fun.
Japanese fans are very vocal and noisy throughtout the game but in a poliet and organized fashion. One team's fans will cheer wildly for the top part of the inning and the other team will do the same the bottom part of the inning. We left the game at the 7th inning and returned to Susukino and had dinner at the famous Ramen alley. Ramen is tradionally spicy but the cook wisely toned it down a notch for me since many foreigners visit this place. The place was small and the game that we left was still in progress on the TV. But for whatever reason, baseball games are not televised after 9PM for the rest of the prime time TV programming. (This would drive me crazy if I was a big fan of baseball). The Kimchi Ramen dish that I had was great and plenty hot eventhough the cook toned it down.
We took a stroll through Susukino and then called it a day.
Day #4- Hokkaido University, Okurayama Ski Jump, Winter Sports Museum
Hokkaido University is a very beautiful and picturesque site and reminded me of the local university in my hometown, Furman.
Spacious, lots of vegetation, and big western-style buildings. After visiting this place, we went to a restaurant that served "Hokkaido curry soup". Japanese curry is taken from the curry of India but is thicker and poured over rice. The Hokkaido version is a combinaton of the two.
Later in the day, we went to Okurayama Ski Jump where Olympic events took place back in 1972. Near the ski jump is a winter sports museum where lots of memoribillia is on display from the 1972 Olympic games and the other sporting events that have taken place.
We then returned to the Sapporo airport and caught our flight back to Tokyo with lots of great memories and pictures and stories to tell of Japan's most northern island.
The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09
Day #1- Tokyo's Haneda Airport to Sapporo
After arriving in Sapporo, we took a bus to our hotel, ANA Hotel (part of the All Nippon Airways family). Since it was before check-in time, we left our luggage at the cloak and walked to the Sapporo Beer Museum for lunch.
Sapporo Beer is a popular Japanese beer in the US but the Sapporo Beer in US is made by a brewery in Canada. Anyway, at the museum was a famous restaurant that serves a signature dish to Hokkaido, lamb. At our table, we prepared the lamb and vegetables and drank beer out of tall steins. The meal was excellent and is a must on anyone's trip to Sapporo. However, I suggest eating at this place at the end of your travel in Sapporo since one set of the clothes that we brought smelled like BBQ.Afterwards, we toured the beer museum which was established in the late 1800's (Japan's Meiji era). It was interesting to see the advertisements of the different eras and the different beer bottles. Before leaving the museum, we sampled different kinds of beer that are found only in Hokkaido. (those in Tokyo can't find the specialty beers that we sampled).
By the time we finished visiting the museum, we returned to our hotel and checked-in. After freshing up, we went out in search of a good restaurant for some good Hokkaido food. We found a sushi restaurant and had some excellent crab sushi and boiled crab. (crab and lamb is very abundant and popular in Hokkaido). We also and a variety of sashimi (raw seafood without the rice) and a tofu salad.
Later, we made our way to the largest entertainment district north of Tokyo, Susukino. This district is very lively and picturesque. Here, we visited a very popular alley of ramen restaurants. Ramen is a Chinese dish of noodles in a broth. People of Sapporo claim that their city was the first place to serve this dish in Japan. In the US, you can find cup of noodles and prepared in the microwave. I recommend getting a real meal of ramen if given the chance.
We finished up our first day in Sapporo by visiting the Sapporo Tower. Similar to the Tokyo Tower, this tower has many radio and TV antennas on it and a big clock (Tokyo Tower does not).
Day #2- Otaru, Hokkaido and more of Sapporo
Otaru, a town about an hour by train away from Sapporo is famous for it scenery, landmark of original buildings from when the town was first established in the late 1800's. Although it was May, there was still snow on the ground in the shaded areas. This town has many alleys where water from the nearby mountains flows. The alleys were very active of melting snow rushing down stream. Many of the landmarks had descriptions up in four languages (Japanese, English, Korean and Russian). Russia is close to Japan with Hokkaido being the closest. Not too many foreigners are in Hokkaido in comparison to the Tokyo area but when I did see a foreigner, in most cases they were Russian. After seeing the sights, we had a great sushi lunch (I can eat sushi 3 times a day!).
A half day is all you need for Otaru, so we returned to Sapporo and saw the various sights. We visited the former Hokkaiko government office which was modeled after the old Mass. state house. In the late 1800's this building was the largest building in Japan. Next to the main Sapporo train station in the JR Tower. At the top of this tower, you can see all of Sapporo City and the Sapporo Tower.
After catching the excellent views of Sapporo from the JR Tower, we called it a day.
Day #3- Sapporo's Fish Market, Dr. Clark Museum/Statue and Sapporo Dome/Japanese Baseball game
The most famous fish market in Japan is the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo. However, Sapporo's fish market is probably as good as the one in Tokyo since Hokkaido is so abundant in fresh seafood. We visited this place and bought some tuna and had it sent to my mother-in-law in Tokyo.
Afterwards, we went to the outskirts of Sapporo and visited the Dr. Clark museum and statue. Dr. Clark was an American professor who taught at Hokkaido University. He was famous for his quote, "Boys, be ambitious." Here, we had lunch. We sauteed fresh seafood at our table.
Later in the day, we visited the Sapporo Dome (opened in 2001). This dome is the home of the local pro soccer team and the Nippon Ham Fighters pro baseball team. Since I have never seen a Japanese baseball game and since there was a game that evening, we decided to watch the game. After visiting the dome's trophy room (pictures and models of the famous performers who have been to the Sapporo Dome), we killed some time at a local shopping mall and returned to the dome and watched the Seibu Lions from Saitama take on the Nippon Ham Fighters. The Fighters have the famous player, Shinjo who also played in the US for the Mets and San Fran Giants. While we were in Sapporo he announced that he was retiring at the end of this season. Anyway, the crowd was light due to the holidays, but the game was fun.
Japanese fans are very vocal and noisy throughtout the game but in a poliet and organized fashion. One team's fans will cheer wildly for the top part of the inning and the other team will do the same the bottom part of the inning. We left the game at the 7th inning and returned to Susukino and had dinner at the famous Ramen alley. Ramen is tradionally spicy but the cook wisely toned it down a notch for me since many foreigners visit this place. The place was small and the game that we left was still in progress on the TV. But for whatever reason, baseball games are not televised after 9PM for the rest of the prime time TV programming. (This would drive me crazy if I was a big fan of baseball). The Kimchi Ramen dish that I had was great and plenty hot eventhough the cook toned it down.We took a stroll through Susukino and then called it a day.
Day #4- Hokkaido University, Okurayama Ski Jump, Winter Sports Museum
Hokkaido University is a very beautiful and picturesque site and reminded me of the local university in my hometown, Furman.
Spacious, lots of vegetation, and big western-style buildings. After visiting this place, we went to a restaurant that served "Hokkaido curry soup". Japanese curry is taken from the curry of India but is thicker and poured over rice. The Hokkaido version is a combinaton of the two.Later in the day, we went to Okurayama Ski Jump where Olympic events took place back in 1972. Near the ski jump is a winter sports museum where lots of memoribillia is on display from the 1972 Olympic games and the other sporting events that have taken place.
We then returned to the Sapporo airport and caught our flight back to Tokyo with lots of great memories and pictures and stories to tell of Japan's most northern island.
The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09
Why they eat Cow tongue and cow's tail?
Monday, November 06, 2006
This past weekend, we did a day trip to Sendai and before I forget the things that I learned from this trip, here goes:
1- Why they eat Cow tongue and cow's tail?
After WWII, the Tohoku region was the last region to be rebuilt from the war-torn bombings that Japan received and for whatever reason, was a low priority. Of course, Nagasaki and Hiroshima were tops on the list, as for Tokyo and other cities that took on all of the bombing.
With MacArthur at the helm, and Roosevelt`s "Ronins" by his side, Japan made the transition from a defeated, war-torn nation, to the economic power that it is today. But back in those early days, the poor people of Tohoku had to survive on anything that they could get their hands on. As the occupants of Japan were not keen on eating cow tongue and the cow`s tail, this is what the local people survived on.
Aside from the unusual parts of the cow that are popular in Sendai, Kamaboko is also popular there. I remember back in my Navy days, returning to the base in Yokosuka after a long night of singing and dancing up in Roppongi. I would have the munchies and outside of the main gate was a 7-eleven "konbeni". So, I would stop by and grab a few sticks of kamaboko and scarf it down as I made the mile trek back to my ship. The sight of me walking down the road all hung over and eating a stick of kamaboko with backpack full of empty bottles of cheap wine bought the previous evening must be amusing.
Another interesting dish eaten in Sendai was whale.
2- Tohoku-ben
Tohoku-ben is the regional dialect spoken amongst the locals of this region. Japanese is difficult enough not to throw in the regional dialects. Anyway, the shortest conversation in Japan is when a mother in Sendai tells her child to eat something. It goes like this:
Mother- Ke.
Child- Ku.
In Tokyo, it would go like this:
Mother- Tabenasai.
Child- Hai, tabete imasu.
English:
Mother- Eat (command form)
Child- Yes, I'm eating.
3- One interesting thing about this day trip was where we ate lunch. Around lunch time, we toured the local fish market. Every Japanese town near the sea has one, and for some reason, foreigners love going there. Tsukiji`s fish market in Tokyo is always swarming with foreigners the times that I`ve been there. Anyway, in Sendai, we bought some of the local seafood and ate it with the rice and miso soup that was provided by the staff. We ate a few feet from a shop owners refridgerated display. Customers would walk by and see a group of people eating some of the local goods. Not a bad way to get people to buy your stuff!
Today's picture was taken on the platform of Sendai Station.
The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09
Budget Travel in Japan
I was recently asked by a panel of non-Japanese travelers about the most cost effective travel in Japan.
Since I will be doing this for the first time next week, I can`t be certain from first-hand experience but I would say capsule hotels are the most cost effective way to travel in Japan on a budget. The price per night is around US$40. You`re space is cramped like it would be if you were staying on a ship. The one that I will be staying in is in the basement of a regular hotel. I was informed that my cell phone will not work inside my casule. The bath is a public bath which is common in Japan. Aside from a small bed, I will have a little desk with a PC and Internet access. Upstairs I will be provided breakfast in the morning.
This type of lodging was featured in a recent TV program Quest- CNN Business Traveler when the host traveled to Osaka. He was able to travel on a budget of about US$200 a day in Osaka mainly because his lodging was a capsule hotel. Of course, his mode of travel was by train and subway and he did have a business lunch in a traditional Japanese restaurant. He was even shown eating at a ramen shop for far less than the business lunch. Once other thing that he did was rent out some temporary office space and pay for printing out some documents. However, he would have exceeded his US$200 a day budget by doing the same thing in Tokyo.
Earlier this month, I traveled to Hiroshima and stayed in a business hotel. It was a package deal in the amount of US$250 (total) including round trip air fare from Tokyo`s Haneda airport and two nights in Hiroshima`s downtown area. Sometimes this also includes a breakfast buffet.
One thing to keep in mind is that if you are staying in Tokyo, these kind of low-budget deals are no where to be found. I heard of a guy who traveled from Kyushu to Tokyo to take his family to Disney Sea and he remarked that this trip was nearly as much as taking his family to Hawaii.
Recap:
In case you are in the "Land of the Rising Sun", here are a few things to consider:
Lodging- Capsule Hotels are a stack of three bunks similar to what you would find on a ship. Bunks sleep one person and have a small LCD that can pick-up local TV channels. Cost per night was about US$40. Showers are Japanese style where you wash down with soap then bath in a community area.
Dining- Ramen shops are a dime a dozen near train stations. The fast food chain, Yoshinoya sells beef bowls and I recommend it. The sushi chain, Kappa Sushi sells plates that are brought to you on a conveyor for about US$1. Japan is know as convienence store heaven and a wide variety of food is available at an affordable price.
Transportation- Trains and subways are abundant in the metropolis areas. Check JR East's website. They serve the Greater Tokyo area. Taxis are good too especially if traveling in small groups.
Lastly, one thing to disregard is the scene in the 1980`s movie, Gung Ho starring Michael Keaton. It shows him staying at a capsule hotel in Tokyo and he is climbing over two guys to reach his bunk on the top. They improved the spacing in the past 20 years.
The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09
Since I will be doing this for the first time next week, I can`t be certain from first-hand experience but I would say capsule hotels are the most cost effective way to travel in Japan on a budget. The price per night is around US$40. You`re space is cramped like it would be if you were staying on a ship. The one that I will be staying in is in the basement of a regular hotel. I was informed that my cell phone will not work inside my casule. The bath is a public bath which is common in Japan. Aside from a small bed, I will have a little desk with a PC and Internet access. Upstairs I will be provided breakfast in the morning.
This type of lodging was featured in a recent TV program Quest- CNN Business Traveler when the host traveled to Osaka. He was able to travel on a budget of about US$200 a day in Osaka mainly because his lodging was a capsule hotel. Of course, his mode of travel was by train and subway and he did have a business lunch in a traditional Japanese restaurant. He was even shown eating at a ramen shop for far less than the business lunch. Once other thing that he did was rent out some temporary office space and pay for printing out some documents. However, he would have exceeded his US$200 a day budget by doing the same thing in Tokyo.
Earlier this month, I traveled to Hiroshima and stayed in a business hotel. It was a package deal in the amount of US$250 (total) including round trip air fare from Tokyo`s Haneda airport and two nights in Hiroshima`s downtown area. Sometimes this also includes a breakfast buffet.
One thing to keep in mind is that if you are staying in Tokyo, these kind of low-budget deals are no where to be found. I heard of a guy who traveled from Kyushu to Tokyo to take his family to Disney Sea and he remarked that this trip was nearly as much as taking his family to Hawaii.
Recap:
In case you are in the "Land of the Rising Sun", here are a few things to consider:
Lodging- Capsule Hotels are a stack of three bunks similar to what you would find on a ship. Bunks sleep one person and have a small LCD that can pick-up local TV channels. Cost per night was about US$40. Showers are Japanese style where you wash down with soap then bath in a community area.
Dining- Ramen shops are a dime a dozen near train stations. The fast food chain, Yoshinoya sells beef bowls and I recommend it. The sushi chain, Kappa Sushi sells plates that are brought to you on a conveyor for about US$1. Japan is know as convienence store heaven and a wide variety of food is available at an affordable price.
Transportation- Trains and subways are abundant in the metropolis areas. Check JR East's website. They serve the Greater Tokyo area. Taxis are good too especially if traveling in small groups.
Lastly, one thing to disregard is the scene in the 1980`s movie, Gung Ho starring Michael Keaton. It shows him staying at a capsule hotel in Tokyo and he is climbing over two guys to reach his bunk on the top. They improved the spacing in the past 20 years.
The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
CNN International- The Weather forcast in Japan
The music composed for this commercial is really tranquial and takes me back to my days in Japan. Fond memories of this when I was living in Japan and watching TV courtesy of Yahoo broadband from 2006-07. I noticed that there were no Japanese cities listed on this version. Enjoy!
The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09
The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09
Thursday, November 5, 2009
How to say the different types of sushi in Japanese
Saturday, August 26, 2006
In the US there are about 25 different kinds of sushi dishes. If you know of others, please post the name of the dish, the name of the restaurant that it is found and where the restaurant is located.
Here's how to say the different types of sushi in Japanese:
Japanese- English
1. Maguro- Tuna
2. Tako- Octopus
3. Uni- Sea Urchin
4. Temaki- Spicy Tuna Roll
5. Hamachi- Yellow Tail
6. Saba-Mackerel
7. Ikura- Salmon Caviar
8. Tekka Maki- Tuna Roll
9. Ika- Calamari
10. Tamago- Omelet
11. Amaebi- Sweet Shrimp
12. Unagi- Fresh Water Eel
13. Tai- Red Snapper
14. Toro- Marbled Tuna
15. Kappa Maki- Cucumber Roll
16. Hirame- Halibut
17. Anago- Sea Eel
18. Mirugai- Giant Clam
19. Ebi- Shrimp
20. Awabi- Abalone
21. Sake- Salmon
22. N/a- California Roll
23. N/a- Philadelphia Roll
The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09
In the US there are about 25 different kinds of sushi dishes. If you know of others, please post the name of the dish, the name of the restaurant that it is found and where the restaurant is located.
Here's how to say the different types of sushi in Japanese:
Japanese- English
1. Maguro- Tuna
2. Tako- Octopus
3. Uni- Sea Urchin
4. Temaki- Spicy Tuna Roll
5. Hamachi- Yellow Tail
6. Saba-Mackerel
7. Ikura- Salmon Caviar
8. Tekka Maki- Tuna Roll
9. Ika- Calamari
10. Tamago- Omelet
11. Amaebi- Sweet Shrimp
12. Unagi- Fresh Water Eel
13. Tai- Red Snapper
14. Toro- Marbled Tuna
15. Kappa Maki- Cucumber Roll
16. Hirame- Halibut
17. Anago- Sea Eel
18. Mirugai- Giant Clam
19. Ebi- Shrimp
20. Awabi- Abalone
21. Sake- Salmon
22. N/a- California Roll
23. N/a- Philadelphia Roll
The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Sightseeing in Japan: Tokyo, Yokohama, Saitama, Gunma, Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe
Japan Summer Travel- July 28-August 7, 2006
Day #1- Arrival at Narita Airport, Friday, July 28th
Nartita airport is about 1 hour by express train from Tokyo. After my mom's 14 hour flight, we paid 3,000 yen and rode the NEX Express Train to Tokyo Station in 30 minutes.
Day #2- Tokyo, Saturday, July 29th
Since my mother had been to Tokyo last year, we just took it easy and visited the Tokyo Dome area and had dinner at Chinzan-so/Four Seasons Hotel. On the way back to Saitama, the train was delayed and at Akabane Station (North Tokyo) we were packed like sardines. Unusual for a weekend, but common during the week.
Day #3- Yokohama Day Trip, Sunday, July 30th
Yokohama has always been fond to me due to my time spent in the Navy at Yokosuka (just south of Yokohama). We went to Chinatown, which is the largest district of Chinese immigrants in Japan. The restaurants are awesome with the best Chinese food without going to China. We had lunch at an authentic Chinese restaurant were the food was served on small dishes and placed on a smaller rotary table that was on the main table.
After seeing the sights in Chinatown, we went to Yamashita Park. The city of San Diego is a sister city of Yokohama and there is a large monument in this park given by San Diego. Here, you can see ships coming and going and the atmosphere is very festive with performers playing music, dancing, etc.
The last place we visited was Landmark Tower (picture). The tower is one of the largest towers in Japan and has a multi-level shopping mall. At the local Hard Rock cafe is a corner dedicated to Van Halen. There is a contracted dated 1979 and signed by all four of the original members.
Day #4- Saitama City, Monday, July 31st
Saitama City is the largest city of Saitama Prefecture, the state due north of Tokyo and houses the Saitama Super Arena (FIBA Basketball Champships are to be hosted next week) (picture), Saitama 2002 Statium (2002 World Cup site and Urawa Red Diamonds home stadium), and the John Lennon Museum. At Saitama Shinoshin Station, we ate at Sushi for Lunch at the local shopping mall. Across the train tracks is the John Lennon Museum. The Beatles are before my time but they were very influncial especially in Japan where English is far from their native language. The museum is very informative and has the actual items on display from the NYC mansion that Lennon last resided at.
Day #5- Leave for Kyoto, Tuesday, August 1st
This was a long day, but a good day because before the sun was up (usually up earlier than back home) we were moving. We took the "Hikari" Bullet Train from Tokyo Station. This bullet train is the 2nd fasted behind the "Nozomi". After arriving in Kyoto, we checked in at New Miyako Hotel, Kyoto. We then bought a 500 yen day bus-pass. We visited the main attractions such as “Gold Temple” (Picture), “Silver Temple”, Yasaka Shrine and Gion/Geishas District on this particular day.
Day #6- Kyoto/Kobe, Wednesday, August 2nd
On the next day, we started early to beat the heat (too darn hot in Kyoto!). We first started with Kiyomizu Temple. On the way I asked some junior high student if classes were in session and they replied in Japanese, "No, but we are going to practice in the swimming club." All dressed up in their uniforms on a hot summer day just to go to swim practice. After Kiyomizu, (waterfall
picture) we went shopping for souvenirs. For lunch we had Shrimp tempura (pieces of shrimp about 5-6 inches long lightly breaded) at Kyoto Station, then departed for Kobe.
Kobe is a mid-size city that was made famous in 1995 due to one of the deadliest earthquakes in Japan. It is also known for their Kobe Beef which was previously mentioned. They also have alot of sake and we visited the Hakutsuru Sake Museum. If you new to sake, I suggest "Nigori" sake. It has a milky color and is also known as, "Crazy Milk" in the US. From there, we visted Mt. Rokko via cable car. The view of the city from there was beautiful despite it being a hazy day. Then we returned to the city and went to Sannomiya Station area. It guess you could say it is the heart of Kobe with lots of bright lights and city life going on. Here, we found us a reasonably priced Kobe Beef Dinner fixed by a chef who was the waiter, dishwasher, etc. I guess that's why it was reasonably priced.
Day #7- Osaka, Thursday, August 3rd
This day was totally dedicated to Osaka, Japan's 2nd largest city. The first place on the itenerary was Osaka Castle and Museum. Probably Japan's prettiest castle. Then we headed into town and went had Okonomiyaki for Lunch (Japanese Pizza). Osaka and Hiroshima both call this dish their own. Then we walked over to the entertainment district of Dotonburi/Shinsaibashi. Kirin Plaza (picture) was here.
Day #8- Last day in Kyoto, Friday, August 4th
This was our last day in Kyoto and we finished up our visit at 33 Pillars Temple. The temple is about the length of a football field and had 15 rows of statues held up by 33 temples, thus the name. Due to the place being a place of worship, taking pictures was prohibited. I did get some postcards that portrayed the images seen. Afterwards, we returned to Kyoto Station and rode the bullet train back to Tokyo.
Day #9- Regroup in Saitama, Saturday, August 5th
On this day, we took it easy and did some shopping in the city just north of where we currently live, Urawa. We got some Urawa Red Soccer gear for myself and my dad. Later than night, we saw fireworks from the balcony courtesy of Toda City.
Day #10- Gunma Day-Trip via car, Sunday, August 6th
This past Sunday we rented a van a drove to Gunma. Awesome sites, unusual food (bear meat) but the highlight of the trip was the onsen (hot spring). It was an outdoors facility and as we were walking to the changing room, I noticed women wrapped in yellow towels in the same bathing area with men. Before entering the bathing area I noticed how the men were covering up their privates only with a white hand towel. I followed their lead and bathed for about 15 minutes in the first bathing area. The water was too hot for me. I walked across a bridge with both hands on my waist so the towel would cover my privates. My backside was fully exposed for the whole world to see. The 2nd bathing area was much more tolerable and more of the same. More women wrapped in towels and men holding a hand towel over their privates. Children were also in the bathing area with their parents. Some women did not wrap up in towels but only covered up the front parts. Some men decided to let it all hang out. One notable thing was that the towels on the women become transparent after they stood from soaking. I noticed this from the first bathing area after I held the towel too closely to my body. Definitely a one-of-a-kind experience.
Other highlights of Gunma were shopping in Minakami Station area, watching mountain climbers scale the side of a mountain, sightseeing atTanigawa Dake Ropeway (Cable Car) where there were incredible views on top of the mountain.
For dinner we had takeout from Mos Burgers. A Japanese hamburger chain that has one outlet in Hawaii.
Day #11- Warabi, Saitama, Monday, August 7th
The only thing eventful on this day was dinner at Kappa Sushi. Sushi comes to you on a conveyor belt and all dishes cost 100 yen.
Day #12- Farewell from Japan, Tuesday, August 8th
This day was like Day #1 only in the reverse.
The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09
Day #1- Arrival at Narita Airport, Friday, July 28th
Nartita airport is about 1 hour by express train from Tokyo. After my mom's 14 hour flight, we paid 3,000 yen and rode the NEX Express Train to Tokyo Station in 30 minutes.
Day #2- Tokyo, Saturday, July 29th
Since my mother had been to Tokyo last year, we just took it easy and visited the Tokyo Dome area and had dinner at Chinzan-so/Four Seasons Hotel. On the way back to Saitama, the train was delayed and at Akabane Station (North Tokyo) we were packed like sardines. Unusual for a weekend, but common during the week.
Day #3- Yokohama Day Trip, Sunday, July 30th
Yokohama has always been fond to me due to my time spent in the Navy at Yokosuka (just south of Yokohama). We went to Chinatown, which is the largest district of Chinese immigrants in Japan. The restaurants are awesome with the best Chinese food without going to China. We had lunch at an authentic Chinese restaurant were the food was served on small dishes and placed on a smaller rotary table that was on the main table.
After seeing the sights in Chinatown, we went to Yamashita Park. The city of San Diego is a sister city of Yokohama and there is a large monument in this park given by San Diego. Here, you can see ships coming and going and the atmosphere is very festive with performers playing music, dancing, etc.
The last place we visited was Landmark Tower (picture). The tower is one of the largest towers in Japan and has a multi-level shopping mall. At the local Hard Rock cafe is a corner dedicated to Van Halen. There is a contracted dated 1979 and signed by all four of the original members.
Day #4- Saitama City, Monday, July 31st
Saitama City is the largest city of Saitama Prefecture, the state due north of Tokyo and houses the Saitama Super Arena (FIBA Basketball Champships are to be hosted next week) (picture), Saitama 2002 Statium (2002 World Cup site and Urawa Red Diamonds home stadium), and the John Lennon Museum. At Saitama Shinoshin Station, we ate at Sushi for Lunch at the local shopping mall. Across the train tracks is the John Lennon Museum. The Beatles are before my time but they were very influncial especially in Japan where English is far from their native language. The museum is very informative and has the actual items on display from the NYC mansion that Lennon last resided at.
Day #5- Leave for Kyoto, Tuesday, August 1st
This was a long day, but a good day because before the sun was up (usually up earlier than back home) we were moving. We took the "Hikari" Bullet Train from Tokyo Station. This bullet train is the 2nd fasted behind the "Nozomi". After arriving in Kyoto, we checked in at New Miyako Hotel, Kyoto. We then bought a 500 yen day bus-pass. We visited the main attractions such as “Gold Temple” (Picture), “Silver Temple”, Yasaka Shrine and Gion/Geishas District on this particular day.
Day #6- Kyoto/Kobe, Wednesday, August 2nd
On the next day, we started early to beat the heat (too darn hot in Kyoto!). We first started with Kiyomizu Temple. On the way I asked some junior high student if classes were in session and they replied in Japanese, "No, but we are going to practice in the swimming club." All dressed up in their uniforms on a hot summer day just to go to swim practice. After Kiyomizu, (waterfall
picture) we went shopping for souvenirs. For lunch we had Shrimp tempura (pieces of shrimp about 5-6 inches long lightly breaded) at Kyoto Station, then departed for Kobe.Kobe is a mid-size city that was made famous in 1995 due to one of the deadliest earthquakes in Japan. It is also known for their Kobe Beef which was previously mentioned. They also have alot of sake and we visited the Hakutsuru Sake Museum. If you new to sake, I suggest "Nigori" sake. It has a milky color and is also known as, "Crazy Milk" in the US. From there, we visted Mt. Rokko via cable car. The view of the city from there was beautiful despite it being a hazy day. Then we returned to the city and went to Sannomiya Station area. It guess you could say it is the heart of Kobe with lots of bright lights and city life going on. Here, we found us a reasonably priced Kobe Beef Dinner fixed by a chef who was the waiter, dishwasher, etc. I guess that's why it was reasonably priced.
Day #7- Osaka, Thursday, August 3rd
This day was totally dedicated to Osaka, Japan's 2nd largest city. The first place on the itenerary was Osaka Castle and Museum. Probably Japan's prettiest castle. Then we headed into town and went had Okonomiyaki for Lunch (Japanese Pizza). Osaka and Hiroshima both call this dish their own. Then we walked over to the entertainment district of Dotonburi/Shinsaibashi. Kirin Plaza (picture) was here.
Day #8- Last day in Kyoto, Friday, August 4th
This was our last day in Kyoto and we finished up our visit at 33 Pillars Temple. The temple is about the length of a football field and had 15 rows of statues held up by 33 temples, thus the name. Due to the place being a place of worship, taking pictures was prohibited. I did get some postcards that portrayed the images seen. Afterwards, we returned to Kyoto Station and rode the bullet train back to Tokyo.
Day #9- Regroup in Saitama, Saturday, August 5th
On this day, we took it easy and did some shopping in the city just north of where we currently live, Urawa. We got some Urawa Red Soccer gear for myself and my dad. Later than night, we saw fireworks from the balcony courtesy of Toda City.
Day #10- Gunma Day-Trip via car, Sunday, August 6th
This past Sunday we rented a van a drove to Gunma. Awesome sites, unusual food (bear meat) but the highlight of the trip was the onsen (hot spring). It was an outdoors facility and as we were walking to the changing room, I noticed women wrapped in yellow towels in the same bathing area with men. Before entering the bathing area I noticed how the men were covering up their privates only with a white hand towel. I followed their lead and bathed for about 15 minutes in the first bathing area. The water was too hot for me. I walked across a bridge with both hands on my waist so the towel would cover my privates. My backside was fully exposed for the whole world to see. The 2nd bathing area was much more tolerable and more of the same. More women wrapped in towels and men holding a hand towel over their privates. Children were also in the bathing area with their parents. Some women did not wrap up in towels but only covered up the front parts. Some men decided to let it all hang out. One notable thing was that the towels on the women become transparent after they stood from soaking. I noticed this from the first bathing area after I held the towel too closely to my body. Definitely a one-of-a-kind experience.
Other highlights of Gunma were shopping in Minakami Station area, watching mountain climbers scale the side of a mountain, sightseeing atTanigawa Dake Ropeway (Cable Car) where there were incredible views on top of the mountain.
For dinner we had takeout from Mos Burgers. A Japanese hamburger chain that has one outlet in Hawaii.
Day #11- Warabi, Saitama, Monday, August 7th
The only thing eventful on this day was dinner at Kappa Sushi. Sushi comes to you on a conveyor belt and all dishes cost 100 yen.
Day #12- Farewell from Japan, Tuesday, August 8th
This day was like Day #1 only in the reverse.
The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09
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