| Day 6 and Night 7 |
[Jun. 25th, 2006|03:44 pm] |
Yesterday we whent to Harajuku. It was crowded and
very busy. It rain lighty and very humid. There were
sadly not very many "Harajuku girls". The dresses alone
are abot 200$. David wanted to go to the Tokyo show room
in Ikebukuro. So we back to Ikebukuro,I was so bored, but
David's face lit up like a kid in a video game store, so
I'm gald he enjoyed it. After that we meet up with a Jay
and a few of my tourmates for a "pre-tour" dinner. I was
supised that Jay (this Sailor Moon expert)was male, and
there a few man of the tour as will as has women. I was
a supised to some of the boys, because It's not common to
see a female "otaku" (anime fan). The dinner was alright.
I'm glad I got to meet some of them before the tour. I
know how to get to Sunshine City by heart now, but everyone
was so new to Japan. It was also seeing them amazed the same
way I was the first night in Tokyo. The other thing that
surpised me was that Jay is working of his master in Japanese.
The restant was packed, so we were to an anime theme cafe
upstairs on the seventh floor from the restant while we waited.
Jay also share that Denny's in Japan is considered a "classy
place" in Japanese, with 20$ steaks. No "breakfast slams" here.
I'm so far excited about the tour, which by the way starts today
I dount that I'll have the means and time to updated the site.
We'll see what happens. I love you all, and I miss you. I'll call
you, and let you know that I'm save and having fun on the tour.
Huge Buddhist temple area in Asakusa
Water buses in Ginza/Tsukiji area.
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| Day 5 and Night 6 |
[Jun. 24th, 2006|05:34 pm] |
Sorry for the lack of detail, and pictures.
I'm also sorry for all the typos. I usually type
blogs in a hurry. I went though past blogs and fix
alot of types, (still alot more to fix though) and
add alittle more detail to them. This site is not
working out quit like I hope for. Some of it is the
pictures. The digital camera takes huge pictures. I
have to take the time to edit and make them alot smaller
just to fit on this site. I'll take the time tonight to
edit some pictures. I might not have internet during the
tour. Even if I do end up having internet, I might not have
time to blog. So I'll come back to Shinjuku on next Friday,
and tell everyone had happen on the tour. More pictures and
updates tonight, so stay tune please.
Where is what happen yesterday. I wanted to do
something more "Japanese". So our first stop yesterday was
Asakusa. An ancient Japanese city, with a huge beautiful
buddhist temple. David said it was his favorite place in
Tokyo so far. To get there we had to use the Giza subway,
intead of the usually JR Yamamoto train. It was still bilingual,
and still even easy to get to. An Japanese TV star was in come in
to the shopping area. I was taking in by the "human sea" of fans.
It was so crowded I actually had my nose agaist someones back.
It was crazy. The next stop was Ginza. It has a vey SF fell to
it. There are boat busees and cute parks with couples, and friends
hanging out. We didn't see alot in Ginza. We assidently left Ginza,
and end up in Tsukji, and look at the fish market for a little bit.
Every where in the area smelled like fish. Theres even a subway stop
right next next to it. Maybe tomorrow we'll get up early, and check
out all the action there. |
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| Day 4 & Night 5 |
[Jun. 23rd, 2006|03:25 pm] |
We had another random day. One of the places we went to was my
favorite musican's (Daisuke Asakura) store called "dogs for Peace".
It`s so cute small and cute. I was fun : D We did some more of random
exporing (David's favorite)and took alot of pictures. That night we went
to the Tokyo Tower, and had dinner there. It's expensive but I don't know
where the next time, if any, I'll be back in Japan. Even though I hate Mc.
Ds, but I promised Lucas (for laughs) that I would eat there at least once
in Japan. Since the Tokyo Tower was expensive thats where we ate. I still
can't believe we had Mc. Ds at the Tokyo Tower. It's kinda funny thinking
about it now. I'm not sure exactly where or what we going to do today yet.
I'm at least doing some more clothes shopping. Even though clothes are very
expensive, but I at least have to get something. Japanese like really dumb
cutie things. I'm tried of little cutie things. I want to find something
really cool and Japanese. I wanted a komono but those start about 200$ and
go up to about 2,000$. So I hope to find something really Japanese to bring
home. The japanese are big qeek, and are hardcore hobbyists, and are not afrid
to spead money. I see business man at Pachiko (slots), people wearing expensive
clothes with weird hair. Also qeek speading time and money on anime/manga, or
into models (like trains). David loves it, but I'm tried of qeeks. Before I
leave Japan I want to find some normality. That is if it even existence in Tokyo.
Maybe that want fascinated about Tokyo from the begining. A city were you can be
yourself, and found stores that fits your hoobies, and livestlyes. People in Tokyo,
are usually never alone. Everyone was someone in Tokyo. Friends holdings hands
giggling and charting away, or couples walking with their arms around each other.
Even business man walk with their coworkers. Thats when it hint me, thats why I
was alittle depress at Tokyo Tower. Seeing all those couples, and listening to
the DJ playing Jpop love songs, (at Tower Tokyo) made me realize how lonely I am.
Even though I'm doing one of my live goals (going to the top of Tokyo Tower), it
means nothing if I don't have anyone to share it with. If there at least one thing
I learn from Tokyo is no matter how busy and fast pace life gets, no matter where
you work, or how qeeky your hobbies are, you can't do it alone. People need other
people in there lives. Now I'm really excited to meet new friends on the tour next week. |
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| Day 3 and night 4 - recommend movie and shops |
[Jun. 22nd, 2006|02:43 pm] |
Tokyo Time - 6:45 am Friday June 23th
CA pacific time - 2:45 pm Thursday June 21th
Yesterday's weather:
Overcast/slightly foggy
Very light rain showers
Since I'm a huge Death Note fan girl,
one of the things I wanted to do in Japan
was see the new live movie adaptation. I found
a theater within a few blocks from the hotel
that was showing it. The theater was small and
cute. The theater was two stories, one upstairs,
and one underground. Death Note has underground! : D
The movie was awesome! It's number in Japan right now.
Before the movie, I saw the trailor for Pirates of the
Caribbean 2. (English with Japanese subtitles). The
Japanese trailor showed alot more then the U.S. tralior did.
A few online friends recommend some cools shops to check
out. Mosty music and anime related shops. So we had a random
day, exploring around for these shops, and look at cool new temples
and shops that we found on the way. We found all the shops that were
recommed, and more. It was extremely fun looking around and see what
we can find. Tokyo is huge. The more I find, the larger it appears.
I got alittle depressed last night during dinner at the JR station
in Ikebukuro. I'm getting too comfortable to Tokyo. I really love
Tokyo. Everything is so near prefect. My new found love for Tokyo
encouraged me to work hard, and come back sometime soon. I have a
feeling this isn't going to be my last time to Japan. Now that I know
more, I'll be more prepared for next time, and have more people come
with me. Just me and David isn't as fun as hang out with other female
student my age, with the same interest in Sailor Moon as me. Who knows,
maybe I can make a couple of new friends on the tour next week.
Finally a picture! : D sorry, it's so big. The digital camera takes huge picture.
I have to edit the picture to make it smaller, so it's able to go on this site.
Still one more week in Tokyo, so
alot more is on the way. Enjoy! ^_^
Photo 1: Me with Hachiko outside of the Shibuya JR station.
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| Day 2 & Night 3 - Ikebukuro and Sunshine City |
[Jun. 21st, 2006|03:44 pm] |
Tokyo Time - 7:45 am Tuesday June 22th
CA pacific time - 3:45 pm Wednesday June 21th
Yesterday's weather:
Overcast/slightly foggy
Very light rain showers
David and I have the pictures working now.
Look forward to them soon, maybe even by tonight.
Yesterday:
Since it was raining we needed alittle
Sunshine in our day. : D which worked out,
because David and I decide to go to Sunshine
city and walk about Ikebukuro. I was fun. We
went to the Sunshine city aquarium and observation
deck. For about 20$, you can get a combination
ticket, and go to both. They had mairne live there
that I had never seen before. (Like the huge Ocean
Sunfish) The observation deck was on the 60 floor.
Of couse the elevator had greeters, that guide you,
close and open the doors for you. Afterward we ate
a light lunch at a cute Japanese cafe, called Milkly
Way. I like Ikebukuro alot, almost as much as Shinjuku.
It was like a perfect mix of Shinjuku's alley stores,
and Japanese feel with the American style stores with
a SF feel like Shinbuya. There's also alot more cars
in Ikebukuro, then anywhere else we have been to so far.
We took picture of some cool buildings, small cute temple,
the aquarium and the view from the observation deck.
Last night:
It clear up alittle bit, and it was warm
enough of us to enjoy the Shinjuku night life
once again. We meet up with David's Japanese
family friend Yumi, and her 8 year old son.
He was shy at first but he warm up to us alittle.
She show us a great Sushi place close by our hotel.
Ymui and her son ate with us, and even help us order.
After dinner, Yumi's son wanted to go to his favorite
video game store, Sakura. It's an awesome store, and glad
that he showed it to us. After saying our goodbyes, David
and I walked around in Shihjuku so more. There are a huge
screens on the side of building in Tokyo. Shinjuku is no
differet. While David and I were walking, a music video to
one my favorite Japanese songs was playing. I sang along
lightly, and police man near me, smiled at my smiling.
^_^ It was cute!
Will alot of fun and excited happen yesterday.
I can't wanted to see what this next week has for me.
I'm going to leave to enjoy today's adventure.
See everyone tomorrow, love ya, bye-bye. |
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| Day 1: Shibuya and Akihabara |
[Jun. 20th, 2006|01:55 am] |
Tokyo Time - 7:00 pm Tuesday June 20th
CA pacific time - 2:00 AM June 20th
Today's weather:
Overcast/slightly foggy
Very warm, and humid
Sorry for the delay in updates and pictures.
The pictuers should be up really soon.
Since David and I have mild jet lag, we decided to
take it early for our first day. (So we went to Shibuya
only about a five minute train ride). The JR train line
goes to a nice big circle to alot of the places we wanted
to check out. (and most rides are less then 200 yen : D)
With that in mind, we chose to use the JR line. We found
the JR Shijuku station, and went on our way. Shibuya alot
like a SF just Japanese. There is more American style stores
then in Shinjuku. It's the hip and fun place to bee. Alot of high
school/college students. Shibuya was just as fast pace as Shinjuku.
I found the Hachiko exit, and got my picture taken with Hachiko
(famous statue in Shibuya). Since I picked Shibuya, I let David
pick our next place to got to. He chose Akihabara (a.k.a Eletric
Town), the qeek captal of the world. The world's newest technology,
and all the anime/manga you'll ever need. There are five stories stores
with every electrics you can think of. Each level having it's own theme.
Also more five story arcades. There's even a store just on porch lights,
(the small ones that look alot like Christmas tree lights).
Thats it for now, see ya next time. |
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| Night 1: Narita & Shinjuku |
[Jun. 19th, 2006|03:15 pm] |
Tokyo Time - 8:30 am Tuesday June 20th
CA pacific time - 4:30 pm Moneday June 19th
Weclome to Japan! ^_^ It still hasn't fully
hint me that I'm in Japan. I woke up wondering
here I was. I looked out my window at Tokyo in
disbelief.
Sorry that I didn't post yesterday. David and I were so
tried yesterday from the flight that went straight our
hotel to drop off your stuff, ate at a near by restaurant,
then went to bed. We have pics, so look forward to
them soon.
Our trip started back in the U.S. We had alittle trouble
with miscommunication about what lines to be in. Beside
that David and got on the plain without difficulty.
When we first got on the plain, it
smelled like green Tea and sushi. : D
All the signs and announcements were bilingual.
The 11 hour flight was so long. I slept for a few
hours, watch a couple of movies, listen to Jpop/rock
read manga, watch Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, and even a Puffy
(one of my favorite Japanese music bands) music after the
episode.
We landed at Narita International Airport.
(about 3:30 - 4ish) Went though customs,
get on the train and got to our hotel about
7ish. To our suprise Japan is very "green".
We took Narita Express train to Tokyo. It takes
an hour to get into center Tokyo, but I was so
excited looking out my window at Japan that the
hour felt short. We took pictures "green" Japan,
slowly true into the city. The Shinjuku stop for
the Naraita Express was different then the Shinjuku
sation, so we had to walk a more few blocks to our
hotel, but it wasn't that bad.
No problems with language barrier.
Infact so far everyone knows English.
We had dinner at this cute small "whole in the wall"
kinda place. The women outside greeting was a cutie
(and short like me :D) I told her she was cute in Japanese.
She was surpised that I knew same Japanese. It one of those
cool small Japanese restaurant were you buy a food ticket from
the a ticket machine. You buy you ticket and hand it over to the
cook,(who also greets you) and cook, and even brings our food when
she is done cooking it. The greeter and cook thank us when we finish
and I got a quick hug from her the getting she thought I was cute too.
(^_^ "Kawaii!")
After dinner David and I walk around in the quick, and busy
flashy Shinjuku night live. The weather was perfect for a
night walk. It wasn't cold or hot, with no rain or wind.
We found a four story arcade and I play a fun drum game!^_^
Everyone is so nice. Always smiling, bowing,
and really to help. Tokyo men are so hot! : D
Tokyo women are cute, and have awesome fashion.
Almost everyone looks like a model here.
Pictures and alot more to come, so please
look forward to it, and enjoy my site! |
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| "Warm Rain" |
[Jun. 16th, 2006|08:35 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  bouncy | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | Iceman - Beat My Life | ] |
Today's countdown ... one day left! :P
- Last day of work & last night at home
- My stomach is hurting less today! ^_^
- Rental Japanese cell phone arrived today.
- It'll be raining the entire first week of the trip.
Don't get me wrong...
I'm not going to let alittle rain ruin my trip! : D
... See ya in Tokyo! ~_^ |
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| painful : ( |
[Jun. 15th, 2006|11:32 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  stressed | ] |
This is how my stomach feels...
.. for the third day straight now.
Just two more days 'till I tokyo |
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| My stomach hurts : ( |
[Jun. 14th, 2006|09:19 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  nervous | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | OLIVIA - a little pain | ] |
I'm doing least minute checking on my plans and schedule
for Tokyo. I'm so nervous, and excited at the same time.
My stomach has been cramping for two days straight. I don't
know if I'm catching a cold, or caused by nervousness.
 |
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| Keeping you updated! : D |
[Jun. 12th, 2006|01:22 am] |
 I got my Yen, and It's less then a week untill the trip.
All I have to do is finish packing and get my hair cut.
Lala-chan answered some questions I had and gave me a
couple of maps. She's so awesome! : D Thanks Lala-chan! ^_^ |
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| FAQs about my Trip Tokyo to Tokyo part 2 (Sailor Moon) |
[Jun. 10th, 2006|12:25 pm] |
Question 5 "You're going on a Sailor Moon based tour o_o How did that come along??"
It was late night sometime in late February, I had this feeling to check for updates
on a popluar, and trusted anime/manga news site. I don't think anything new articles
would be posted that late at night. I followed my feeling and check the site anyway.
I see: "Sailor Moon based Tour of Tokyo" as the newest article that had been posted.
Jay Navok, (author of "Warriors of Legend: Refelection of Japan in Sailor Moon") will
hosting a tour of Tokyo featuring loctions that were in Sailor Moon (like the Hikawa
Shrine). I tried my luck to be one of the only ten people who get to go on this once
in a lifetime tour. When I woke up the next morning, I checked my e-mail. I received
an email from Jay saying that I was #7.
Question 5 "Why a Sailor Moon tour?"
I feel it's appropriate for my first time in Japan to go on a Sailor Moon tour
because Sailor Moon was what got me interested in the Japanese culture. It'll
also be fun going on a tour with other students my age, who love Sailor Moon as
long as I have (for about 8-10 years). Only ten hardcore "moonies" get to go on
this once in a lifetime tour. Plus the tour will be going to alot of places I
wanted to in Tokyo anyway. (Like the Jindai Botanical Garden, and Hikawa Shrine).
Quesion 6 "what is Sailor Moon"?
The Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon franchise started as a manga series.
(Japanese graphic novel for young adults) It got popluar, and an
Anime series based on it soon followed. Before long It hit #1 on TV
in Japan, Hong Kong, France, Italy, and Spain, before comes to American.
Back in it's day, Sailor Moon introduced Anime to the world, and provided
a window to Japanese customs & everyday life.
(Sorry, but the plot is to long to get into right now)
Question 7 "Where has Sailor Moon been aried on TV?"
Here a list of places Sailor Moon was been on TV:
China, (& Hong Kong) Taiwan, France, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil,
(& other Latin America countries), South Korea, USA, Canada, Australia,
Singapore, Portugal, Philippines, Malaysia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia,
Poland, Greece, Sweden, Britain, Finland, Hungary, and Turkey.
Qesution 8 "How much Sailor moon is there?"
- 13 volume long manga series
- 3 manga volume prequel, "Codename wa Sailor V"
(about the awakening of Sailor Venus's powers)
- 200 episode anime
(5 TV seasons long)
- 3 animated movies
(They're side stories, and have little to do with the main plot)
- 4 Super S special episodes
(take place after thrid season, leading to season 4)
- 49 episode live action series, a squeal movie ,
and a special prequel episode titled "Act 0"
(about Sailor V's and Tuexdo Mask's lifes before Sailor Moon)
- 26 different live stage musicals (since 1993)
- every type of merchandise imaginable and countless soundtracks |
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| FAQs about my Trip Tokyo to Tokyo part 1 |
[Jun. 5th, 2006|11:29 am] |
I've been asked a few questions about my Tokyo Trip.
If you're one of the many people who asked me a question
(or two) here are the answers you seek. : D
First question, "Why go to Japan?"
Ok, I understand that Japan is usually not a
vacationer's frist choice.
I chose Japan because...
- It's one of my life goals
- I want to experiance Japan for myself
- I'm highly interested in the culture and language.
- I'm going on a Sailor Moon based tour
- Just so happens that alot of my favorite entertainers are Japanese
- Anime is my favorite form of TV media
- I enjoy reading Manga (Japanese graphic novels for young adults)
Question 2 "Have you been to Japan before? Do you know Japanese?"
No, I haven't been to Japan before, so I'm really excited about going.
As for my Japanese, even though it's limited, it's understandable.
(A good start I guess)
Question 3 "What will you be doing in Japan?"
- trying new experiances
- make new memories
- sightseeing (and taking alot of pictures)
- shopping
Question 4 "What are your past experiances with the Japanese sceen?"
- My favorite musician, Daisuke Asakura, read my e-mail on TV
- I've meet my favorite Japanese voice actor, Tomokazu Seki
- I've been to conventions and Japanese culture related events
To be continued... |
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| Welcome to my new website! ^_^ |
[May. 23rd, 2006|11:09 am] |
私はシェリーです どうぞよろしく (^_^)
I'm Shelly! pleased to meet you.
I'll be going to Tokyo less then a month from now.
This blog site is here to share my experiences (and photos : D)
from Tokyo with my friends & family (maybe even the world?! 0_0)
Here is a list of places I plan on visiting in Tokyo.
The list is still growing. I'll posted more loctions
later when plans get more finalize.
Shinjuku (新宿区) A district of Tokyo
Shibuya (渋谷区) A district of Tokyo
Asakusa (浅草) An ancient Japanese city
Akihabara (秋葉原) Geek capital of the world
Minato (港区) A district of Tokyo (Azabu-Juuban, Roppongi, etc...)
*Alot of my Sailor Moon Tour will be in this area
 |
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