AkissA's Trip in Japan =^_^=

Damn, I woke up early coz I set my alarm clock wrong >< Time to head out soon! Aaah Im late.

11am. I'm in Shibuya ^_^ It's raining once again. In the morning, I spent one hour with the group. We went to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. It's all locked up so it was boring as hell. It's ok though, I escaped. And I bought an umbrella. It's only 400 yen. How cheap is that! Less than a burger. Then I saw some for like $2 wtf o_o

I'm at Shibuya 109. This shopping complex is bloody amazing! There is nothing like it in Sydney. Sure it's a fashion mall, but the stores are all very open. Like a massive department store. Some shops only have two walls *faints*.
Ok the rain stopped. Im off to find Hachiko the dog statue and the love hotels.

I found the Tokyo Drift Intersection! Somehow it doesn't look as big as in the movie -_- I found a stone bunny, but no stone dog anywhere. I give up. Shibuya is not Aki friendly lol.

Ok I found the blasted dog XD He is said to have been loyaly waiting for his master at that spot until he died T.T Now I'm looking for Johnny's Entertainment and Akanishi Jin! I found a music school but even they don't know where JE is! I do know I'm on the right street though.

2pm. I'm in Ikebahura whatever its called. wow there is so many shops here! It's like Shinjuku hosts, but here it is shops and shops. I somehow found a bookstore and bought two books Ravient requested. I wonder how I can email her o.o I'll ask the tour guide tonight. Only two hours in Tokyo left. I want to find K-books and Animate, but I don't know how! Someone on Liver Journal said there is KenKen stuff there!

3.30pm When I finished in Ikebukuro, I went down to Harajuku again! Coz it's tha bomb! There (at McDonalds) I made friends with a Korean boy. He looked so young but he was old like me. He doesn't speal Japanese and doesn't speak English well either XD Him and I went walking around. The plan was to take photos, but then we noticed that a lot of the stores (the goth and punk ones especially) had 'no photo' signs! Wtf o.o It's ok though, I snuck some pix yesterday!

I found a cutey store selling dog clothes only YAY. So there is dogs in Tokyo. Then I went (and dragged the poor boy) to the idol stores, that had photos of jpop and jrockers. I bought an Akanishi Jin mousepad and badge. I'll put it on my bag later. Or on ME!

Now I'm on the train. It's so nice and cool here. I don't wanna leave.

6pm. I'm on the train again. We are headed to Nikko. Man my group moves fast! 5pm on the dot we were off! o.o There's a cute girl beside me. She's like so Harajuku style. And she's got like a mini computer for writting on. Maybe its a Nintendo thingo. I want one!

11.30pm. I'm in bed. Well, on a futon XD It's rainy outside, how relaxing. I have my own room again. Amazing. Looks like for the whole tour I will have my own! It's my first time in a traditional Japanese room, complete with tatami mats, rice paper windows, futon, yukata etc. Plus I have my own bathroom =p When I first walked in here, I got scared. I watched too many Grudge and Ring movies lol. And I'm on the top floor (3rd) kinda like an attick. So no one can hear me scream. Everyone's below me. Even in Kinuya (Uneo) I was on the top (7th floor). By the way, this ryokan is called 'Annex Turtle' LOL!

After we arrived in Nikko, we went to dinner at a local little place. The food took forever to prepare but it was nice. I had some cinemon toast with salad. Coz Im cheap lol. I sat with the two my-age British students, Steve and David. They will be my buddies for the trip. The oldies are very nice too, but one woman annoys me a lot.

After dinner, we invaded the 7-11 convi. Wtf is it doing out here in the country? And the guy had a SARS mask on LOL! Walking on the rainy streets of Nikko at night was surreal. It's llike being in another world. One that only exists in dreams. I think Dave's quote sums it up! "This is not real! This is a movie set. There is no one living inside these houses." He's right, there was no sign of life in the houses. Was everyone sleeping? o.o The streets are one-car breadth and the houses are so cute! Very Japanese looking. I could imagine Tomo and me here.

Now I don't know if I like the country-side or Tokyo city better. Ok time to sleep. Soon it will be midnight and we have a 7.30 am breakfast! I already washed my hair, yes again. Well today was very hot too. Especially lugging my luggage around was bad. The humidity is frizzing up my hair ><. I should have brought conditioner with me to Japan. I want to look nice for any boyz I see ^^

Im on the plane to Japan! I think I slept for 6 hours or so. Not bad huh. We got woken for breakfast. I saw the sunrise ^_^. Oh, I have a window seat! And two Japanese girls beside me. So yea I saw the sunrise. It was orange^^ It's the 'Land of the Rising Sun'. I thought I saw the Japanese horizon with skyscrapers too, but turns out they were clouds lol. It's weird, we are flying about the clouds. Up ahead is only blue sky. I wonder how long till we land. I found the tv guide 'Kris World'. 80 movies, 105 tv progs, 180 CDs o_o There is no Nicholas Tse at all *cries* but there is Rain. Im watching movie trailers now.

Im in Japan! Landing was good. The whole second plane was good. I didn't feel scared and I felt like a pro coz I already did it all just hours ago XD The airport was simple, I found everything pretty soon. I caught the train to Tokyo. I had a reserved seat along with another n00bs entering Japan. The trip was one hour 'exactly', so I had a sleep. Then I wondered Tokyo Station like a lostie. But I found the train to Ueno by myself =p far out, it was hot in Tokyo! But the train was cool. Walking to the hotel was hot >_< Glad I packed summer clothes! The hotel lady took my luggage and I went wandering Ueno.

So I was sitting in the park, reading paperwork & a man walked past saying 'pleased to meet you'. ROFL! Then an old man came to talk to me. He didn't speak english but I said stuff like Australia jin desu XD. I have no idea if he was a pervy old man or if he was a friendly local. I brought out my map and escaped soon after lol. Now it's 12.20 and hotel checkin isn't til 1pm. Mate I need to shower before I head off to Harajuku.

2.30pm. Are you for real o.o Time flies! I went looking for Tokyo University coz it was on my map. But it must be farther than it looks coz I didn't find it. I was hot, so went to shower. Now Im clean and heading off to Harajuku!

I am in Harajuku ^_^ The first street I went on is the best ever! So way cool. I saw tons of jrock/ goth fashion stores and even lots of my Akanishi Jin! There is so much things to buy, I can't decide what to get! I saw one or two jrock guys but I froze and didn't ask to take photos. Strangely, I saw at least 5 black guys down there XD During my exploring, I wandered onto the more affluent side of Harajuku. It has tons of trees along the road & Armani and LV! At about 4pm, I decided it's time to eat, so went to Maccers lol. When I got out, guesse what! It was and still is raining! And it's still warm. There is tons of Japanese people with umbrellas around. Where did they pull them out from? =o Now Im on a corner hiding from the rain. I swear there is no street names here. I can see 'Royal Host' whatever that is lol. Let's go check it out! And Im going to head back to the uber cool side of Harajuku.

5pm, Im back. 'Royal Host' was only a restoraunt =/ The rain has stopped. I'm hopelessly lost and enjoying every minute of it! Woohoo! I'm wandering the tiny, ever cute backstreets, lookin at indy shops and people's houses. I just met a white guy but he is as lost as I am! LOL. Im an animal lover, so I'll tell u this: whilst in Ueno/ Harajuku, I have seen three cats and two little dogs. Yay. There was even a doggie clothes shop. And I saw two women in kimono today. Ok let's continue to explore the backstreets.

I'm on the train. 5.30pm wooh! I found my way back to Takeshita st by instinct XD The trains are so easy to catch! I just got on the first one (green line) and it seems to be taking me home XD We have a meeting at 6pm. I'm gonna ask my guide if I can explore Shinjuku tonight.

I'm at the meeting XD On my way here, I saw a police car racing like mad in Ueno Park, amongst the temples. And it was so noisy, it had loudspeakers lol.

Now Im walking on the Ueno shoping district streets. I went lookin for a place to exchange some Aussie money. I saw this hot host-looking guy workin in a shop, with his dad, and I asked him where the exchange place is. He was so cute and helpful! He didn't speak english though. At the end, it was his dad that shouted 'I love you' LOL. I went and exchanged my money, then I was gonna go back and ask for a photo. But when I went and said I found the place, they looked like losties. I think my dictionary is faulty -_- So I just said Daijobu, arigatou, and left them alone hehe. Damn dictionary ruined my groove!

Now Im off to look for a hairdrier, coz mine is too weak. And I want to look my best everyday hehe. I'm still walking on the street as I write this, what a dork.

LOL I just bumped into my hotel desk man! He was wandering the streets too! he actually took me to an electrical shop and to the hairdriers the hotel buys! I bought one for like $15 (1500) yen, amazingly cheap! I was by myself after that and spoke Japanese to all the staff! I just made it up lol. Credito Cardo daijobu desuka? ^^'

My tour group is at lunch now. I'm on my way to Shinjuku first. I'd rather wander alone, coz I wanna meet hosts! XD But later on they are coming to Kabukicho too! *Faints* I wonder if they know that it's a red light district. Most,, almost all of our group are oldies, damn it -_-

I just arrived at Shinjuku. It's hot here man! And a hot guy just checked me out! But he went down to the trains before my mind clicked.

9pm, Im back. Aaah time flies when you're haveing fun. This is so surreal! I'm like O_O WHOA at every second guy! Seriously, OMG good God in Heaven!! Talk about Host overload!! I'm in host heaven! Ffff! There is hosts on everystreet here in Kabukicho! And along with it, tons and tons of host clubs. And Im not even shy to stand there taking photos of their photos XD I'm waiting for the hosts to approach me before I ask them to take photos with me. But guesse what! None of the hosts approached me! o_o Only touristy guys -_- Ok let's keep trying! Take host pix till my camera dies lol.

9.30pm Yay one host approached me. More like he looked at me, so I approached him XD We took a photo. He was so small and new looking though lol. Now it's sprinkling rain again. Damn. I wanted to go sit with the Shinjuku station boys grr. Why God?! Bloody hell it's hot too. Oh yea, there is black guys on every street here. I wonder if they are pimps lol. I met one and took a photo too. I have to be back home by about 11pm. I still have one free hour. But Im stranded, and Im not even in Kabukicho with the hosts. I think there is a subway beside me but nah I'll wait. Oh! Every second person in Japan has a clear umbrella. LoL it's the cool thing to have, even for the guys. I'm off in search of one too.

11pm almost. I went home after that. On my way, I met an english speaking asian dude, who helped me navigate underground. The metro vs trains is confusing. Man Im so tired. I'm gonna organise my stuff and wake up at 8am. I still can't beliebe I have my own room. And the freedom I have is imense. I just wish we could spend more time in Tokyo. Well, I discovered a lot in one day! I am able to use the trains without feeling lost or out of place XD I discovered Ueno, Harajuku and Shinjuku ^_^

I wrote all my travel blogs on paper, and now Im writting them here ^__^

Mon 3 Sept 07

Im in the airplane now. I will tell you about today.

I woke up bright and early, to take Cookie to his dogsitter in Kuringai Forest. I actually got there faster than I thought! A bit over an hour. Well I hope my doggie will be ok. Afterwards I had time to stop by Castle Towers and I bought a purple backpack for travelling. It's right here beside me XD At 11.30am my shuttle-bus arrived. Yay, express to the airport. I even drove past Rin's restoraunt and my work too!

This was my first time travelling. Wow it's quite simple! Find your checkin (that's about half an hour in line, and less if you check in online). Next you go in the 'departures' gate and customs xrays your bags. o_o someone's job is to look for weapons and bombs. Then you wait for your boarding call and get on.

After I checked in, Ravient and I met up! She's my Live Journal friend. I'm gonna buy her some books in Japan. We took some photos and ate. I had Oportos. then we walked about and talked about Kamakari Kenta. Amazing! KenKen has fans in Sydney AU! It's so cute that Ravient came to see me off ^_^ Oh and Minh phoned goodbye! Plus Tran, Bianca and Tina messaged bye. Plus family, who was quite mushy.

Walking onto the plane was surreal. It's so different than I thought. The plane is so small and it's purple and blue!! (Singapore Airlines). My chair is purple XD. The host and hostesses are so cute. Everything is madly squashy, more than on trains! We were like sardines in a can. But actually when I'm in my seat, I don't mind. We got our own tv! And I have my learn Japanese books, phrasebooks, dictionary, storybook, info printouts. Yea that's a lot of crap XD But I thought the plane will be boring!

Takeoff was scary when we started rolling. It was even scarier when our speed increased to like shinkansen speeds. Then we were up in the air! Aaah that's it! Our fate is in God's hands now. Im ok now though. It's a bit like a train... except you feel more weightless coz of going up and down! I dont know,,, is that turbulance? Going up and down.

I can see a little kid covered in stickers two seats up XD Oh, the airlady took the sticker boy sightseeing. Cute! The catering here is fantastic. We got drinks as soon as we hit the air & dinner not long after. Green thai chicken! Then ice cream! Man I'm stuffed. They handed us hot towels too o.o Wtf that's just bizzare. Anyway, my seat is near the window. There is a young girl between the window and I, and she hasn't made any effort to socialise. There is an Indian man on my other side. He set up my headphones for me and is now watching Bollywood movies XD

Im watching 'Surfs Up'. Oh crap, turbulance. Woooh we are shaky yo! Im not scared though. I'm enjoying my time in the plane watching movies. 'Surf's Up' is so funny^^ It's an awesome animated film, about surfing penguins. It's made sort of documentary style, which is unique. I should have a nap. Nah, I'd rather see more movies. But wouldn't that mean I'll be tired in Japan? Does this airline actually set a bedtime and lights out? o.o

Now I'm watching 'Pirates of the Carribean 3rd' o_o Another ocean movie! And all this time I thought we were flying above the ocean, but nop! Over Australia! Hay, one of the pirates just said something about Singapore. LoL that's where we are headed. Wow the cast is quite hot! Kiera Knightly is so pretty! Now my tv is hurting my eyes. It's got too many black dots!

10.30pm. I finsihed watching Pirates 3. I don't effin get it o_o It doesn't make sense! We just got fed again. I had some hokkien noodles 'seafood noodles'. I never ate so much as on this airline. Now Im watching some Singapore promo tourist channel. Man these promo ads are annoying -_- They're aimed at rich people. I'd rather go to Cambodia than high class shopping in Singapore. We have just hit some turbulance again. We have to put our seatbelts on. Woohoo we're in for a ride.

Im exploring the 100 channels we have XD. there is defiently some weird stuff here rofl. I found a chinese game show, a French channel, a tutorial on uploading videos from your camera, many Indian channels, YaY here we go: Korean movies. Channel 71, isn't this 'He was Kool'? Ch 70 Korean again, no idea what movie. 69 Korean. 68 Japanese. 67 Japanese black and white film. 66 a Geisha film! I'm returning here after I finish exploring. 65 Japanese and there is anime looking actors. A little kid just asked his sis 'What about him? You're looking for a bf!' >_< Fark we got told to switch off the electronic devices. Wooh the pressure is changing. Are we landing? Already? o_o It's 11pm Sydney time. I think that's 9pm Singapore time.

Landing took a long time! Like 20 minutes, damn. And my ear hurt! They turned the lights off and I dozed off XD I wokd up to the shake of touchdown. Yay I made it to Japan alive! So Im in Singapore now. It's so empty here in departures. (I have another plane to catch). I think we have two hours wandering time. But I don't even have Singapore money, so I can't buy postcards even. Man there is so many model looking air hostesses walking by. I could go on the internet but nah. I should use the time to learn Japanese. Ok let's plan. Two hours of learning, then on the plane sleeping, then exploring Japan! By the way, there is a flower garden with a money pond and crap fish, smack bang in the middle of the building here lol.