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Pleasure Gardens

Tuesday, May 29th, 2007

One unexpected delight that I’ve found most enjoyable about Tokyo is the various pleasure gardens scattered throughout the metropolis.  I’m not talking about a mere public park or the stereotypical Zen rock garden.  Rather the scenic, nature sanctuaries, secluded from the chaos outside the walls that protect them.  Today, Mihye and I met again to spend the afternoon visiting two of the most famous.    [read on]

Conveyor Sushi + The Japanese Movie Experience

Monday, May 28th, 2007

At ¥2700 a night, the Hotel New Koyo is definitely not the cheapest bed in Tokyo, but for the private room and friendly expert advice offered by the staff it is worth it.  I decided to stay another night, and set off to Asakusa.  I had a few hours to kill before meeting Mihye for lunch, so I spent the morning taking photos and wandering the temple area.    [read on]

Ueno-Koen and the Omikoshi at Ameyokocho

Sunday, May 27th, 2007

One night in an internet café is tolerable.  Not so comfortable, but sleep is possible.  You can get computer work done and then easily pass out in your oversized recliner when you are ready.  Very helpful for blogging, uploading photos, and staying in touch with out a ketai (cell phone).  It is a worthwhile experience, and definitely a must for a budget traveler in Tokyo.  However, two nights in a row is too much.  In the few times I’ve stay in one before I never realized the quality of sleep wasn’t as good.  Compound two nights in a row and you simply don’t get enough rest.  None of my friends could put me up for another couple days, so I decided to seek out a cheap bed.  I found a ryokan in Minowa.  Hotel New Koyo is only ¥2500 per night for a private room and located near Ueno and Asakusa, two areas that were on my itinerary before coming to Tokyo.    [read on]

A Walk in the Park II: Yoyogi-Koen

Saturday, May 26th, 2007

Since the internet café didn’t have a shower this time I started my day heading to Roppongi to find a cheap sento (public bath only… not a full fledged onsen) recommended by Lonely Planet.  The ¥400 sento turned out to be closed, so I broke down and used the upstairs onsen for an outrageously expensive ¥1280!  

I was even more surprised to find that this place was an overpriced dump, unlike the elegant onsen I found in Yamanashi!  The faucets hardly worked; if it wasn’t spitting out scalding hot or freezing cold water it wasn’t working at all!  The sauna and bath were both unbearably hot.  I couldn’t stand more than a few seconds of it before getting out and regretting the shocking sum I spent to endure this unpleasant experience.  Please heed my advice and avoid the Azubu-Juban onsen like the plague.  It is overpriced, dysfunctional, and if it will give you the worst impression of this sacred part of traditional Japanese culture.   [read on]

Yamanashi Adventure Day

Thursday, May 24th, 2007

    [read on]

Back to work… if you want to call it that

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007

I’ve really been spoiled as backpacker and before that as a freelance musician.  The idea of staying in one spot and working a nine-to-five job terrifies me.  I grudgingly woke up for work on Wednesday and started laboring.  Not very long into it I remembered how much fun the work is, and the good times that would follow hanging out in the café afterwards.    [read on]

Fight of the Mostly Naked Fat Men + The Tokyo Underground Music Scene

Monday, May 14th, 2007

Yoyogi-Koen + Irezumi + Manga Cafe

Sunday, May 13th, 2007

On Sunday morning I walked Megumi to work and begun to venture towards Yoyogi Park for a massive Thai festival that Anthony told me about. I took my time enjoying the European-city feel of Kawaguchi before heading into the JR Station. Just before I bought the ticket Megumi came running up to me and explained that they changed the schedule and today is her day off.   

[read on]

Children’s Festival & Baleric Sunrise Rave

Sunday, May 6th, 2007

5.6.07 It’s hard to deny that you are alive when you look up to the dawn sky, dancing in the mud amongst the falling rain with a girl named Ai (Japanese word for love) who earlier the night before dropped a hit of acid on your tongue. As surreal as that sounds on its own, once you throw Mt. Fuji being at your doorstep and the contrast of events preceding the moment it is hard to think of any day remotely comparable. [read on]

5.14 – Mō Atode…

Tuesday, May 1st, 2007

Sorry for the lack of regular updates these past couple weeks. Between farm work, the rave, children’s festival, and a short trip to Tokyo (which I’m still now on) I have been sooooo busy that I’ve hardly found time at a computer. I plan to take it easy this next week and catch up on some blogging and tell you about my adventures in Japan, but if you can’t wait for more verbal descriptions you can check out the several hundred photos I’ve taken recently by clicking here. After all, they say a picture is worth a thousand words.