Blogs from Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, Asia - page 8

On my last day in Tokyo, we headed down to shinjuku to visit the government metropolitan building no. 1. On the 49th floor there is an observatory where you can get a bird's eye view of Tokyo. I even managed to get a small glimpse of Tokyo tower. After that, we went back to the station and had a quick lunch of "don katsu" which is lightly fried pork cutlet in bread crumbs. Our last train ride back to the hotel I couldn't help but think what a wonderful and eye opening experience this has been. Next time, I hope to stay in Tokyo a little longer and take a bit more relaxing vacation. Now, as I sit on the express train to narita airport, I look forward to what my second trip in Vietnam will ... read more

Today was my cultural assignment. We went to Yasukuni Shrine. Thanks to Professor Tom Haven's I had books and lectures upon lectures worth of information on it. After warning everyone else to be VERY VERY respectful when we were there. We set off, after seeing the shrine we went into the Museum, i have no photo's as they were not allowed, but it was very powerful. Afterwords me and some other stopped at Mc Donalds on the way back. Tonight was a easy night. I meet and drank with some people from the University of Wisconsin, Green bay. Than got some went to dinner with Kendal and Jess, I got ramen which was good. Afterwords we saw Professor Roc and Professor Wallin on the way back.... read more

Hello all, It all started so well when we knew we were getting the exit row on the plane. 9 Hours and a backache later we landed. Customs took our rib fillet off us, despite all assurances from super butcher. An email is already being drafted... The infrastructure in this place is amazing; there are roads on top of roads on top of railways on top of rivers on top of subways... A good portion of the city is underground! We arrived at our hotel around 8:30 on Saturday, we went for a bite to eat and while we were returning home it started to hail. That must mean good luck in some parts of the world. We have visited a few places already and Troy was in heaven in Akihabara where all the building is ... read more

Japan Feb/March 2010 after spending a night of 'free accom' at KL international airport (where I wrote my last entry, played with the luggage trollies & ate KFC for a wonderful 4am snack!) i finally caught my flight to Narita, Tokyo. My arrival in Japan was the most eventful so far. I landed at the same time as Ola, Maz & Hart (tho they were on a different flight from Australia). Going thru customs/immigration check point, I handed over my entry card where under the "address in Japan" section I had simply written "Onsen" coz that's all I could remember about the place we were going to for snowboarding. This didnt seem to please the Immigration officer & before I knew it I was being ushered into a side office with an official who was thoroughly ... read more

Our final full day in Japan! and we did absolutely sweet f.a, but it was totally great. Jared and Angela left super early in the morning so didn't really get a chance to say bye to them which was a shame, poor Zoe left alone in bed.. ha! Also I made sure that I set an alarm to get up early because originally for our last night we weren't allowed to stay in our Tatami room because it was already booked, so we were going to move into the regular beds. However after all that, after waking up and making Tomo get out of bed I notice a sign on the door saying that we were alright to stay in our room and didn't have to move.. so we went literally straight back to bed and ... read more