Temporary flower shop at the back gate of the school.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Teachers Day
Just wanted to show everyone the flowers that they sell for teachers day in Korea. They really love their teachers here!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
J7: Workland and Drumming
Today was our last full day in Japan, so we decided to do something memorable; we went to Workland! Yes, although it sounds like some kind of slave labour intensive version of Disney land, it is actually where they sell Japanese work clothes. I must say that the Japanese are the most fashion conscious workers that I know of! So, we headed over to Kawasaki, where the Workland was located.
Remi, sporting the bellbottom-ish pants of the Japanese workforce.
After a couple of hours there, we explored Kawasaki and to our delight we found out that a small celebration was going on! Very cool!
After that, we did some shopping in the mall and picked up some nifty office supplies at Tokyu hands, like erasable pens. The day was concluded with an amazing meal at Mos Burger, which is a Japanese Burger resto that prides itself on freshness and consumer satisfaction. Very good and surprisingly, it was cheaper than McDonalds (figure that one out!).
Remi, sporting the bellbottom-ish pants of the Japanese workforce.
After a couple of hours there, we explored Kawasaki and to our delight we found out that a small celebration was going on! Very cool!
Traditional drummers.
After that, we did some shopping in the mall and picked up some nifty office supplies at Tokyu hands, like erasable pens. The day was concluded with an amazing meal at Mos Burger, which is a Japanese Burger resto that prides itself on freshness and consumer satisfaction. Very good and surprisingly, it was cheaper than McDonalds (figure that one out!).
Monday, May 5, 2008
J6: Ramen, Shibuya, Cigs and Hawaii
We decided to start today off with ramen. As you might know, I am *really* not fond on premade packages of noodles, what with their complete lack of nutrition and tons of salt. But real ramen is an entirely different story. Just look at the pictures and I think you will understand!
Since Erika had to return to Korea and Remi had just not returned to the apartment the night before (we weren't worried, we had been foretold), it was just Luan and I. So, we decided to go back to Asakusa temple/marketplace, since we had realized that we had not purchased nearly enough goods.
After that, we met up with Remi at the dog statue of Shibuya (I don't have a picture on my hdd right now.... too bad) and then proceeded to explore Japan's Time Square. Afterwards, we headed to the international village of Omote Sando, ate at McDonalds (very original, I know) and then headed to the night-club district of Roppongi (imagine Crescent Street in much, much bigger). However, en route to Roppongi, we decided to stop at the vending machines for cigarettes.
Yes! Not one, not even two, but three cigarette vending machines!!!
We selected the light menthol flavoured cigarettes. Perhaps needless to say, they were disgusting. When we finally reached Roppongi, we found this nifty little box.
Makes you wonder what exactly is in there...
So, after touring Roppongi, we went to meet up with another of Remi's half-Japanese friends, Louli. Since she hadn't eaten, we went to Hawaii-Burger to eat and chat. Finally, we all returned to the apartment shortly before transit stopped for the night and slept like good little boys and girls (yea... right...)
The ramen shop.
My favourite, the veggie ramen.
My second favourite, the meat ramen.
My favourite, the veggie ramen.
My second favourite, the meat ramen.
Since Erika had to return to Korea and Remi had just not returned to the apartment the night before (we weren't worried, we had been foretold), it was just Luan and I. So, we decided to go back to Asakusa temple/marketplace, since we had realized that we had not purchased nearly enough goods.
After that, we met up with Remi at the dog statue of Shibuya (I don't have a picture on my hdd right now.... too bad) and then proceeded to explore Japan's Time Square. Afterwards, we headed to the international village of Omote Sando, ate at McDonalds (very original, I know) and then headed to the night-club district of Roppongi (imagine Crescent Street in much, much bigger). However, en route to Roppongi, we decided to stop at the vending machines for cigarettes.
Yes! Not one, not even two, but three cigarette vending machines!!!
We selected the light menthol flavoured cigarettes. Perhaps needless to say, they were disgusting. When we finally reached Roppongi, we found this nifty little box.
Makes you wonder what exactly is in there...
So, after touring Roppongi, we went to meet up with another of Remi's half-Japanese friends, Louli. Since she hadn't eaten, we went to Hawaii-Burger to eat and chat. Finally, we all returned to the apartment shortly before transit stopped for the night and slept like good little boys and girls (yea... right...)
Sunday, May 4, 2008
J5: Nakano & Akihabara Duty Free
Today was somewhat of a lazy day. We went to a shopping complex in Nakano which had many different boutiques in it, ranging from clothing to hentai stores. After that, we returned to Akihabara and did some shopping (we actually found a duty free with many nice, well priced things in it!). It was a very relaxing day!
One of Japan's giant arcades.
Which happens to span several floors (I gave up after seven).
Little truck made by.... Cannon?!?
Which happens to span several floors (I gave up after seven).
Little truck made by.... Cannon?!?
Saturday, May 3, 2008
J4: Asakusa, Clock, Monorail and the Ferris Wheel
Today we went to the famous Japanese temple Asakusa. It is probably famous because firstly, it is a very large temple in Tokyo, and secondly because it has a huge open-air market within its outer walls.
After Asakusa, Remi had a rendez-vous with his French friends, so that left Luan, Erika and I to explore without our Japanese translator. After a moment of discussion, we decided to head to go take a ride on the monorail and maybe visit the Toyota show room if we could find it. So we took the subway for one line and then walked to the monorail (since changing lines tends to be quite expensive). But, on the way, we found this strange clock on the side of a building. On the hour it activates and does all sorts of strange things!
After the clock's show, we jumped on the monorail.
While on the monorail, we saw a ferris wheel and decided to visit it, since, well.... it's a ferris wheel!!! Cool!!!
While approaching the ferris wheel, we discovered that the Toyota showroom was located right next to it, as well as a giant mall. Pleasant surprise! So, after eating at the Toyota resto, we looked at all the pretty (and the pretty strange) cars.
After the showroom, we were somewhat saddened to discover that the ferris wheel had a huge lineup. But, the fire dancers we found thereafter cheered us right up! Following the show, we wandered around the mall, which was styled like a European promenade. We also found strange stores, such as this one:
Oh yes, it's the Barbie store, to make yourself into a life-size Barbie.
Finally, after a long day of exploration, we returned to the apartment to sleep (or rather to drink, but whatever).
That's *maybe* a sixth of the market. Maybe.
Erika and the temple.
Erika and the temple.
After Asakusa, Remi had a rendez-vous with his French friends, so that left Luan, Erika and I to explore without our Japanese translator. After a moment of discussion, we decided to head to go take a ride on the monorail and maybe visit the Toyota show room if we could find it. So we took the subway for one line and then walked to the monorail (since changing lines tends to be quite expensive). But, on the way, we found this strange clock on the side of a building. On the hour it activates and does all sorts of strange things!
Giant clock on skyscraper.
After the clock's show, we jumped on the monorail.
While on the monorail, we saw a ferris wheel and decided to visit it, since, well.... it's a ferris wheel!!! Cool!!!
The ferris wheel, posing with Erika and Luan.
Picture taken while on the monorail.
Picture taken while on the monorail.
While approaching the ferris wheel, we discovered that the Toyota showroom was located right next to it, as well as a giant mall. Pleasant surprise! So, after eating at the Toyota resto, we looked at all the pretty (and the pretty strange) cars.
Toyota's car of the future?
After the showroom, we were somewhat saddened to discover that the ferris wheel had a huge lineup. But, the fire dancers we found thereafter cheered us right up! Following the show, we wandered around the mall, which was styled like a European promenade. We also found strange stores, such as this one:
Oh yes, it's the Barbie store, to make yourself into a life-size Barbie.
Finally, after a long day of exploration, we returned to the apartment to sleep (or rather to drink, but whatever).
Friday, May 2, 2008
J3: Tacos, Temple and Akihabara
Today was mostly a day of walking around. Instead of walking towards Shinjuku, we walked away from it, intent on discovering new places. First, we found a truck selling tacos, which was mucho wonderful. Then, after some unknown period of time, we reached this temple, which happened to be next to a war museum. Pretty random!
After our walk, which took us through many neighborhoods and even a large park full of flowers, we decided to take the subway to Manga and electronics capital Akihabara. The model stores also had somewhat more questionable figurines...
We also passed by the maid cafe, where all the waitresses are dressed as, well, maid!
During our tour of Akihabara, Remi ran into some of his friends from France by coincidence. So, we all went to the second kind of Izakaya, the food type! Here, drinks are moderately prices, food is cheap and there is no entry fee. So, all in all, fun was had!
The guard didn't let us get close the first time we approached, as we had drinks...
Thought that the scenery was cool looking.
Thought that the scenery was cool looking.
After our walk, which took us through many neighborhoods and even a large park full of flowers, we decided to take the subway to Manga and electronics capital Akihabara. The model stores also had somewhat more questionable figurines...
This is Erika and her friends.
The car of someone obsessed with Rei Ayanami.
The car of someone obsessed with Rei Ayanami.
We also passed by the maid cafe, where all the waitresses are dressed as, well, maid!
Their sign had a *slight* mistranslation (see English to French)
During our tour of Akihabara, Remi ran into some of his friends from France by coincidence. So, we all went to the second kind of Izakaya, the food type! Here, drinks are moderately prices, food is cheap and there is no entry fee. So, all in all, fun was had!
The first course.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
J2: Erika, Harajuku, Shibuya and the Isakaya
Today Erika arrived at the apartment. Erika is an English teacher from Korea (originally Californian) who came to Japan for only five days instead of a week (due to the whole teaching thing). I would include a picture here, but I have a better one that I will introduce tomorrow (insert evil laugh here).
Anyway, moving on, we all decided to go (or rather to walk to) Harajuku today. Harajuku is the "fashion" capital of Japan, but as that is a very subjective term, I included the quotation marks. See for yourself:
This place is jammed with stores, restos, people and more importantly Izakayas! From what I gathered, Izakayas come in 2 main varieties: drinking and eating. In the drinking type, you pay a fee (I think it was 15$ a person or so) and then your group is brought to a curtained-off table in the Izakaya for two hours. There, one is entitled to as much alcohol as one wants (including amazing sake!!!) and orders somewhat (but not unreasonably) priced food. Lots of fun! The second type will be explained later.
I would include pictures, but they happen to be on someone else's hard drive at this time.
Anyway, moving on, we all decided to go (or rather to walk to) Harajuku today. Harajuku is the "fashion" capital of Japan, but as that is a very subjective term, I included the quotation marks. See for yourself:
3 pictures taken from one overpass. Needless to say,
there were many more Harajuku girls to be admired!
Strange panda pastries
Crepe masquerading as an ice cream cone. Nonetheless, it
was a very delicious (but much less nutricious) lunch!
there were many more Harajuku girls to be admired!
We also found some interesting food in Harajuku:
Strange panda pastries
Crepe masquerading as an ice cream cone. Nonetheless, it
was a very delicious (but much less nutricious) lunch!
And last but not least, Harajuku's Condomania, the store devoted pretty much entirely to guess what (Just a hint - not condominiums!!!).
Condomania.
After our afternoon in Harajuku, we headed over to Shibuya, which I like to call the Japanese Time Square.
This place is jammed with stores, restos, people and more importantly Izakayas! From what I gathered, Izakayas come in 2 main varieties: drinking and eating. In the drinking type, you pay a fee (I think it was 15$ a person or so) and then your group is brought to a curtained-off table in the Izakaya for two hours. There, one is entitled to as much alcohol as one wants (including amazing sake!!!) and orders somewhat (but not unreasonably) priced food. Lots of fun! The second type will be explained later.
I would include pictures, but they happen to be on someone else's hard drive at this time.
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