Blogs from Tokyo, Japan, Asia - page 236

Apologies for my long absence from this particular platform of expression, but I have been engaged in expressing myself in other such manners... The kitchen for example. MOre about that later. On a light (and "moohaha") note... Nihongo no curasu ga nai. (trans - no more bleeding japanese classes left!). Yep, my semester in Japan is over - from an academic point of view. So, now I'm just floating about entertaining myself (and taking care of a lot of paperwork - I thought there was a lot to get in here, but getting out is even more of a mission) and will continue to do so until they kick me off this island. Just before the nitty gritty part of the semester (ie last week) I was in Tokyo with the usual suspects. WE HAD A ... read more

On arriving in Tokyo we checked into a Ryokan, a traditional Japanese guest house complete with futon beds and Japanese customs, such as taking your shoes off at the door, wearing a kimono and having (very) hot baths. It was a really nice experience. One of the first sights we saw in Japan was the Sumo tournament which was really interesting, very ceremonious and ritualistic. The fighting itself was in very short bouts and often the wrestlers fell from the ring, fortunately onto other wrestlers as they are very big guys! Tokyo is a great city, the atmosphere is amazing, the neon lights, the crowded streets, the masses of people crossing the roads. It is a very cool and bustling place, the people are trendy and very polite. In and around Tokyo there are temples and ... read more

I wasn’t originally planning on updating until after Pieter and the gang came up and we had a few adventures, but the last few days have been amazing—I’m absolutely compelled to post. I’ve also been updating my photosite like mad, and finally had to buy a paid account. It’s the same web address, though. http://jetsetseattle.zoto.com/galleries So after a busy week (I’m actually doing work!?), I decided it was about damn time to blow off some steam. I’m never going 4 days without partying again. Saturday was supposed to be the IES community service project where we clean up litter and all that, but since it rained, some friends and I went to Ryogoku. Ryogoku is pretty much a town that was established by and for Sumo wrestling. Since May is the height of Sumo season, we ... read more

I made it safe and sound to Japan. It was surprisingly easy to navigate my way from the airport in Narita to downtown Tokyo, despite the lack of English. Through hand gestures and the odd Japanese phrase, I basically handed over all of my possessions to the baggage delivery counter at the airport and prayed that it would somehow make it to my apartment in Fukushima, since there is no room for giant suitcases on the efficient Japanese trains. I spent the night at a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn in the heart of the old part of Tokyo. Steps away from ancient temples and shrines, and sandwiched next to a Denny’s and a 7-11, my location pinpointed what Japan is like- simultaneously set in tradition and full of culture while still being loud, neon, and ... read more

It's for Nikko on the 8May06. We bought some fresh buns from Andersen bakery at Ueno station for breakfast. The bullet train was not packed, lucky us as we did not reserve seats. We travelled on SHINKANSEN YAMABIKO 47 at 9am and arrived at Utsunomiya at 9.50am and went on to the JR Nikko Line to catch the 9.58am train. We arrived at Nikko about an hour later. Weather was very pleasant and cooling. We walked uphill from the train station to the bus stop and took a bus towards the shrine area. We bought a kyotsu-haikan-ken (Combination ticket) for all 3 temples, outside Rinno-ji. We started at the Hobustu-den (Treasure Hall). This place a splendid collection of artefacts, sculptures and scrolls. Next to the Treasure Hall, there is a pretty little Edo-period garden Shoyo-en. We ... read more

My last full day in Tokyo, and it just so happens to coincide with the opening day of the Grand Sumo Tournament in Ryogoku. This is the fifteen day, once a year, ultimate Sumo contest, where fat men wearing nappies slap and push each other until someone falls over. It was extremely entertaining. I sat there for a solid five hours and wasn't bored for a moment. You get a full days line up of fighting, from the lower ranked Sumo right up to the top fighters including the current Yokozuna (Grand Master). There are strange little rituals, lineups of the different groups of fighters, the Yokozuna dance and more. There was a good turnout, especially when the higher ranked Sumo came on, and the arena was excellent. Apparently the Japanese are a bit pissed off ... read more