Blogs from Japan, Asia - page 799

Asia » Japan » Fukushima July 10th 2006

I just had my first and only weekend of full-time work. I am EXHAUSTED. After two full days of running around playing games, my muscles hurt and my patience is gone. I'm not cut out to teach children. It was a fun weekend, but there's no way I could do that on a regular basis, and even serious doubts I would do another weekend of events like that. My first full-day was in Iwaki, a city about 2.5 hours away from Fukushima by train. My day of work included a complimentary hotel stay because it took so long to get there and the trains did not run frequently. I arrived in iwaki in the afternoon, thinking that I would be able to spend some time exploring and visiting the local beaches. Unfortunately, the weather didn't look ... read more

4th of July

Asia » Japan » Tokyo » Harajuku July 10th 2006

AydinA

As you can tell from the title, this is a bit late coming, but better late than never. Fireworks excursion The Independence Day festivities began with Ryan and I leaving the lab early around 4:30 to buy our cache of explosives for the night's festivities. We originally intended to head to a neighborhood near Asakusa that's well-known for its especially good fireworks, but figuring that there was no way we could make it all the way across Tokyo in time before the shops closed (one learns quickly never to assume shops to be open past 6pm in Japan), so instead we settled for the closer option of the Tokyo Hands in Shinjuku near Shinjuku Times Square. After wasting time with silly costumes and old school video games, we settled down to the task at hand and ... read more

Sitting on the Throne

Asia » Japan » Tokyo July 10th 2006

The remote control of toilets. Attached to the wall or to the toilet itself.

Rosita

Just a quick entry to give you a taste of Japanese toilets. Of course like every other place in the world they have dirty, not so great ones, but at the same time they also have the best toilets I've seen. Not only are they high tech, but the toilets here also have options. Options? Yup, you can have the seat warmed to a temperature that's comfortable for you, which comes in handy on those cold winter days. Also, there's disinfectant attached to the wall which allows you to spray some on to the toilet paper so you can wipe down the seat. On top of that there are seat covers. There's also an automatic toilet seat raiser. Wait, it gets better. If you don't want anyone to hear your embarassing bowel movements there's a button ... read more

Take me out to the Ballgame!!

Asia » Japan » Tokyo July 10th 2006

Meg and Cam at Tokyo Dome

The Travelling Twines

Part 2 of our latest shenanigans! Greetings Sports Fans! Crazy Cam here as your detailed sports caster for all things sporty. Tonights show looks at our visit to the national sport; our intrepid trek to what Tokyo-ite's affectionately call "the big egg"; that's right Indian fan's, we're off the ballpark for some baseball! Okay, enough silly bugger talk. In a (sort of) repeat of my boys night out with Steve and Kevin last year, Meg and I went to the Tokyo Dome - one of the largest sports arenas in Tokyo - to see that wacky national obsession, baseball. Before we indulged in some baseball, we ventured into the theme park next door for some high-speed highjinks on a rather bumpy but fun indoor rollercoaster, and then went for the big boy version that travels across ... read more

Tanabata BBQ

Asia » Japan » Gifu July 10th 2006

BBQ 1

Nanako_707

Monday 7/10/06 Well it has been another eventful weekend here in Gifu city. Friday night I went out with Asai kun to dinner at a cute little ramen place and then to a CD shop. We just hung out and talked and it was really fun. He showed me some really good Japanese bands, which was cool, and it turns out that we both like the blues brothers ;) Saturday was the BBQ at Adachi’s house. It was amazing!! First of all it’s way up in the mountains about and hour and a half outside of Gifu city. Its beautiful, green trees and mountains everywhere you look, and so peaceful. When we arrived the girls set about cutting the vegetables while the boys set up the BBQ and tents, chairs, etc. Then Iwata and Asai started ... read more

I'm No Fool - Climbing Mt Fuji!!!!!!!

Asia » Japan » Mt Fuji July 9th 2006

Above the clouds

TravelQueen

For all that know me, I’m not the most athletic person in the world and if there’s a way out of walking somewhere, I’ll find it! All of that aside, I went ahead with one of the most challenging experiences of my life…and I made it back alive! I am also no longer a fool, as the saying goes…You’re a fool not to climb Mt Fuji, and you’re a fool to climb it twice! No chance in hell of that! Leading up to the climb, I didn’t even believe, myself, that I could do it - climb Japan’s tallest (3776m), most worshiped mountain, Fuji-san! Amy had always had her mind set on climbing the mountain and I couldn’t exactly let her go alone! My brother Peter arrived in Shizuoka on Friday and was also prepared to ... read more

Thoughts so far, Tokyo and Kamakura

Asia » Japan » Tokyo July 9th 2006

Tokyo at night

Quest for the Golden Carrot

I spent a week in Tokyo, first with my friends and then with my mum, who came to take me home. Tokyo has to be one of my favourite places so far, probably because it was here, after 10 days in Japan that I started finally getting to grips with Japanese culture - I love it! As our guide book says, you have to be open minded in Japan and do your best not to come with preconceptions - easier said than done! I realised that as soon as you make one assumption, something will happen to prove you wrong. For instance, we found the Japanese very pro recycling - we spent ages on the streets emptying our lunch bag trying to figure out which of the 3 bins the napkins (combustible) and plastic bottles (non-combustible) ... read more

Melanie's 25th Birthday

Asia » Japan » Tokyo July 9th 2006

Having dinner at LaLa

Laurence Melanie

Hi everyone, As some of you already know, I recently celebrated my 25th birthday here in Tokyo. After a couple dinners and parties with my friends and fiance, I realized that getting older isn't always such a bad thing! The first couple of pictures are from July 9th, my actual birthday, when Larry took me to the beautiful Tokyo Emion Bay Hotel for a delicious, Italian dinner at a restaurant called LaLa. LaLa, as you can see by the picures, was a gorgeous place....only lit up by candlelight. I even got a special dessert here with the message "Happy Birthday Melanie" written on the plate in chocolate syrup! The next group of pictures are actually from a few days before my actual birthday, when we went to celebrate at Monsoon (one of my favorite restaurants here) ... read more

july 9

Asia » Japan » Yamaguchi July 9th 2006

JohnWBrooks

July 9, 2006 Got up in Miyajima, rode the train for near 3 hours, and arrived in Yamaguchi. I was considering skipping Yamaguchi because it was a little out of the way, but I decided to give it a shot just because. I’m very glad I did. Yamaguchi has a population of about 1.5 million people, and it by far, the coolest place I’ve been thus far. When I arrived at the station, I walked into the visitor information office attached to the station. The woman behind the desk is probably one of the nicest people I’ve met yet in Japan. We talked about Yamaguchi, Georgia, her job (which is a high school teacher as well as working at the visitor info office), my stay in japan, and a few other topics. She knew English well ... read more

Getting Ready

Asia » Japan » Hokkaido » Sapporo July 9th 2006

Joyous

I just started this Blog for my Japan trip. It’s a couple months early but eh that’s alright. Better early than late. ) I’ll be posting my hopefully daily activities about what I am doing while in Japan. Orientation at Hokusei (university I’ll be attending) is on Sept. 7. I’m not sure when I’m leaving yet. Hopefully I find out soon. Joy ... read more

Brief history of Japan

In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Fol...more history

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