Big Bad Tokyo
 

Just booked my flight and accomodation for a slap up visit to Tokyo (and Japan) I will be doing 3 months based in a GH by Ueno park.
Found a sweet direct flight and found a room via Oakhouse.

Will post form the great Tokyo as the laptop and camera are coming with me.

XDDD That sounds fun!!!!! I would kill to go to Tokyo. Mostly Akihabara. Have a good time!

3 months? i might come back in may!

tryin to find time away from my job =P

Ok I have arrived and am in place in my pokey little guesthouse (64k yen per month inc utilities, so cant complain). Not been asleep for 27 hours now. after arriving in Ueno at about 2pm I have spent until 9:30 walking around and taking in the sights and sounds. Sat in Ueno park sipping beer with the locals while taking in the sakura before setting out and scouting the area.
I think my brain is still in shock from the shear stimulation and lack of sleep. Speaking of sleep I am going to give it a try, hehe.

Marcus.

Ok here are some mails to friends I have sent out. Please excuse any badmouthing ect. as these are private emails.

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Well I just had a walk around Ueno park and the surrounding area and took a few shots with the camera that I have attached.
It is such a different world over here that it is hard to explain. The atmosphere is really cool and there are so many things to grab your attention. Most of the people in the park viewing the cherry blossoms were drinking sake and beer so I joind in for about and hour then took a walk down to the shops.
I have not slept since 6am Friday but still feel wide awake. what a cool city.

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Hi there guys. I just thought I would give you an update.

I have been in Japan since Saturday and I am staying just by Ueno park in NE Tokyo. I have to say that is a massive culture shock that I am struggling to overcome due to the language.
I know only very basic Japanese and as a result I am quite shy about using it. The locals are great though and very helpful even though I cant read a darn thing !
I spent Saturday afternoon (yes the same day I arrived) in Ueno park enjoying the cherry blossoms with the locals which was a great feeling, I had to pinch myself a few times as it did not feel real, the fact that I was now sitting in Tokyo.
I eventually gathered the courage to do some essential shopping and managed to find shampoo, shower gel, shaving cream and soap. I also managed to get coffee, milk, sugar and a cup and flask WOOHOOO! You may laugh but all of the packaging is in Japanese so I might have bought dog shampoo.

I am constantly asking myself if I am doing the right thing, as living in a totally foreign country with no language skills is a massive struggle. I cant tell you how many times I have felt like changing my return flight to a closer date but I keep reminding myself that it is only a challenge and one that I should accept seeing as how I made it for myself.

I have yet to find a place to eat that I can become a local at, I think I ordered horse meat and chicken shin!!! on a skewer although I cant be sure what it was. It is amazing what you will try when you dont know what it is. I think I am going to find a maid cafe so the pretty maids can take my mind off of the menu ;) and I guess they will give me good dreaming material.
I managed to buy a Suica, which is a prepaid travel card all by myself so the next main task is to get a mobile phone although the shear choice makes this a daunting prospect.
On Tuesday I might try using a bathhouse which is a same sex naked type affair that involves giving yourself a good scrubdown before enjoying a long soak in a communal bath fed by hot springs. I am not too sure about doing this but what better way to meet the locals.

I'm going to sign off now and practise some basic Japanese as I really do need to.

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Hello all.

Spent today in Akihabara. The PC shops are mental x 10, they can sort you out with anything PC wise and all top notch too. I bought some robot bits from a robot shop no less and there are 5 robot shops within 200 meters, they are punctuated by various maid cafes with some damn hot maids with squeaky voices calling you "master" COOL!
I must have spent 5 hours and a shot load of money in a five story arcade (fifty quid at least). Every floor revealed new temptations and I ended up getting this Japanese guy to coach me on a mad video game, he was using his phone to do translations on the internet and hitting buttons for me. Allot of the games require you to buy a smart card that you insert to keep a record of your level-ups and scores and some games use pokemon type cards on a intelligent surface to play the game.
I then went into a store devoted to all things Anime/Manga and film. FIVE FLOORS OF IT. One whole floor for anime figures, one for robot/gundam figures one for sexy figures and the top floor was for cosplay with maid and schoolgirl outfits. I have never ever seen anything like it. I had to sit down for a while when I found my way out as my brain was overloaded with all that goodness.
Next I found a vintage console shop with every console and even brand new cartridges and spare parts, It was stacked high with vintage goodies of every description and the top floor was dedicated to ancient arcade tables, all playable.
The electronics shops are the nuts too. They do a better job then RS and offer a shocking selection of tools and components. I dont know what the Japanese build in their spare time but they will never need for parts. I even found a shop selling valves of every type and some of them were fetching over 200 quid.

Well thats it for now.

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On a whim I got directions to the local bath house (sento) from the local police box. The policeman spoke good English but I tried to do the conversation in Japanese and I did it.
I ended up one street too far and asked a guy on a bike where the sento was and he kindly took me there.
I went through the front door and knew from reading about it to take my shoes off and put them in a locker, unfortunately I wound up going thorough the woman's door and was quickly told to use the other door by the desk Clerk.
I paid my entrance fee and entered the dressing room full of naked Japanese men and proceeded to go native. I picked my locker and disrobed taking my locker key with me into the washroom. It was then I realised i had no soap (to drop) or towel so I ended up asking the locals where i could find them. They laughed and joked and eventually pointed me in the direction of the desk clerk, who for a fee supplied me with the appropriate goods.
I grabbed my goods (not those) and made my way back to the washroom, grabbed my stool and bucket and tried again. the water was supplied hot and cold and fast flowing, so I got a good soap up and scrub down and rinsed myself off and made for the hot spring bath.
Let me tell you something I have always known. Women seem to tolerate hot water more then men. This was born out when i tentatively immersed myself in the hot spring water. F$CK was it hot. It was hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hothothothot!!!! Fortunately I know how to cuss in Japanese too the enjoyment of my fellow bathers I cussed quite allot. After about 4 minuets I had too remove myself to the washroom and douse myself in much less hot water.
I think that I am going to do this in stages as after an hour and a half my legs and feet are still stinging (women may know better then me) but I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing, just that I feel mildly cooked.

BTW I dropped the soap (over 3 meters at one point) and had no trouble from the natives, perhaps this is a western thing?

All the best.
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***I included pictures with these posts so some context may be lost***

Some pictures for context

Ha ha, I recognize the store :)

LOL, I know how you feel... I was pinching myself, "Am I really here or is this a dream? And how am I going to explain all these crazy things to my friends and family back home? They'll never believe me, and Japan is a place that you almost NEED to see and experience to believe..."


Have fun!

I defintaely think this will give me more of an idea of what it's like. At the same time i would love to be able to experience this myself.

I just visited Loopwheeler in Tokyo and was taken with a unusual sweatshirt. I was talking with the owner and found out it was a one off sample and as I am a Loopwheeler fan I decided to cough up the cash and buy it.

They call it the "Funny Biker Jumper" and here are some pictures of the said garment.

See next post for picture as I am having issues here
http://www.japanforum.com/forum/atta...5&d=1207471668

Ok, bit of a prob, here it is, The Loopwheeler Funny Biker Jumper
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Sweet, how much did u pay for that?

All I will say is, goto Loopwheeler and look at the price on the Blue and grey one ;)

Moe in a can
 

I had to buy a Moe in a can and see what it was as I am inquisitive like that. The basic idea is that it is a pussy in a can and as the Japanese seem to can everything, even whole meals I thought I would give it a shot at 300 yen (UK 2.00/USA $4).
I have enclosed pictures so that you may enjoy the wonders of canned pussy.
It has the pussies vital stats on the can I noticed after having a good look. The Moe was born on 11th June 1986 and the following you can figure for yourself. T:156*B:81 (c-cup) W:55*H86
By the way, she comes well greased and ready for action!!!

Marc.

Ps. I am taking orders ;)

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I think you might have to put it in the microwave for a good 30 seconds to get the real feel, hehehe

Did you have a chance to walk over to Akiba from where you live? Its a short walk :)

Anyways, your "canned puss*" is for one time use, they have these rubber ones for about $20US, and its a wash and re-use, you can find it in various stores in Akiba, they have samples too that you can stick your fingers in and try it.. again.. FINGERS ONLY :P lol......

Yea its about 10 min slow walk from me so I have been there a hell of allot. I think I know places that the locals are unaware of.
Most days if I set out I walk up to Akiba and have a wander about before hitting the station to go to my chosen place.

I think I have about 18 maid cafes down pat along with all of the arcades so far. there are many, many places that require a lift ride or a good stair climb too find, but I have endeavoured to look into allot of the nooks and crannies and have found some gems depending on your taste.

Yea I have some good photos of the virtual pussie selections and ranges. usually after navigating some pretty weird fetish porn dvds and stepping over drooling japanese men stunned into catatonic states.

I dont see many gajin(sp) in these places but I find them totally amusing and usually end up smiling for the rest of the day after seeing some of the more esoteric offerings.

Marcus

Are you over here now? (Hmmm, Mt.fuji prods me in the side so I guess you are).
If so, and you want to hook up for a fun tour then give me a shout and we can make arrangments.

There used to be a store that plays uncensored porn through out the day inside a shop, and you will see all these old man and sales person standing right in front of it. I don't remember the store name, I took my buddy there once, he was shocked.....

But yeah, akiba got some really weird fetish stuff going on.... you probably see more Otaku there on the weekends than Harajuku

Sorry, I thought I had seen you post on the Mt.Fuji climb post.

Harajuku for me was a blast as most of the people there were 14 year old girls buying trinkets and keychains and I was looking for one off designer clothing. It must of taken me a good 45 min to get to the shop I was after and that shop was like 120 meters from the station. I later found a much faster but less interesting route to and from the shop.

I had to hit my MP3 player with some drum and bass to block out the high pitched conversations that were taking place over which keychain or pin was the best.

On the return route I hit the Togo shrine for a most relaxing and enjoyable bypass. The sakura were in full bloom and the carp pond was an awesome sight as I passed through.

Marcus.

I ended up spending a few hours in yoyogi park and spent a good hour teaching some young J kids some street dance techniqes from the good old days.

Here is a nice sakura picture taken before the Togo shrine

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yeah, thats something I miss every year, the Sakura.... but maybe next year I will hit it the right time for my honey moon..

do take more pics and keep us updated with your daily life there, I am sure plenty of people love to hear it.. i should have done it when i was there, but i got lazy :)

Ok, to meet your request, here are some more pictures, may not be in chron order but I hope you enjoy. The titles should appear on hover over....


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And here are the next batch for your enjoyment..............................

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Nice ones...



You ll be staying for the Time of the Golden week as well so make sure you tell us and record whast gona happen at that time of year in Tokyo...





Blue

Oooh.. that is true, golden week, totally forgot about that.... yeah, show us some pics from your scouting...

Yea, I have some stuff lined up for golden week. I will be taking out my Hi-end digital SLR for that (most of the pictures I have posted are from a low end pocket cam) I have been buying a few additional parts for my beloved Digi-SLR and doing some light tests and some staged shots but I only bought two lenses with me out of my selection of 8. I bought a standard AF-S 24-120 Ed and a Wide angle AF 18-35mm ed.
I left my Tele's and macro's at home due to the weight, as bringing 200 and 400mm lenses would cost heavy on baggage.
In fact I only bought about 20% of my digislr setup. I only have minimal filters, no remote shutter, no tripod, one flash (left my second and ringflash back home) and left my favorite lens at home due to weight. I am kinda upset but I am happy to work with what I have.
M.