Tokyo 東京 Trip

Finally a Tokyo trip on the weekend.
I think there was a holiday, so we (the Summer programme exchange students) decided to make a trip down to Tokyo. Luckily for foreigners ONLY, we get to buy these special passes for transportation (just go to any tourist centre and ask & remember your passport), so we went to Tokyo from Akita by the ever-so-amazing Shinkansen, it was insanely fast!

See we should so learn from them, everywhere, every station there is this designated smoking area which keep the place clean and no second hand smoker!

designated smoking area

Due to budget constrain (student ma), we picked a backpacker's hostel which is surprisingly cheap (RM50+ per night), but it's a shared dorm. PLUS, it's very near to the famous Senso-ji & subway station as well. So after exit from the station, you'll see Senso-ji first, then the iconic Asahi building.

Senso-ji at night

Asahi building (Sky Tree building at the back)

almost there

Finally! Asakusa Smile hostel

So there's a reception/bar when you first entered (hang out place for fellow backpackers). Here is the link AsakusaSmile I like it cuz it's cheap and it's at a convenient location.

So settled down and what's next is FOOD! In Tokyo everywhere there will be restaurants like this where the food is ok but cheap. So to be cheap, they replaced waiter with the order machine. After paying you will get a small order ticket, hand it to the chef at the counter and voila! food is served (you don't even have to talk, so no worries for those who don't speak the language), just 'talk' to the machine and feed him money!

order machine

Well another thing about Japan is that there's nothing spicy! Don't be fooled by the name "curry" rice, it's absolutely uncurry XD When I saw the option to choose the level of spiciness for my curry, I was pretty excited, being in Japan for a few weeks now and I do miss curry (Japanese food are generally plain), so I go for the most spicy and guess what...it turned out to be SWEET! fine... but yummy nonetheless.

my fav not-so-curry-curry rice

 Next stop, the Meiji Shrine

 It's just walking distance from the Harajuku Station. Apparently it's also a popular shrine for wedding as well. gosh I just love their costumes.

Ok, some Chinese might think, oh my gosh, black and white on wedding? WTH. For the Japanese, it's perfectly normal, in fact, it's more polite to wear black/white. (for Chinese, it's only during funeral that we wear black/ white)

Next stop, the crazy Harajuku

It's a very interesting place to hangout, just to look at people, often you will find teenagers dressed like a doll/ cosplay and some crazy unique people as well.

Friends with the cosplayer

stalking the pretty dolls

the very "unique" UNCLE, yes he's an old guy

Craaaazy crowd

Then, Shibuya

very fashionable district and equally crowded as well.

Shibuya 109 (expensiveeeee)

the crazy crossing

the "hipster"

street .. performance

Lastly, Tokyo tower

walked a long long way and finally saw this mini-Eiffel Tower-look-alike-Tokyo tower =P ok at night it's really beautiful.

Sweat like hell....walked like $#@$#$ but very interesting indeed! I do like the clear sky on Summer, but the heat o.o!! well at least not as humid as Malaysia.

Till then, adios! or sayonara ; )