Crossover: Japan December 2016

Disclaimer: Some stories here are based on what our tour guide has told us, and I am no expert on Japanese history. I had to look up online as well to remember some of the info I provided below (You can find my references at the bottom of this page).

I was up at 6:00 a.m. (GMT +9) today, and being my usual sleepy self I dragged myself across the room just to perform my morning rituals. We had breakfast for a while, and by 8 we were out in the Ueno alleys on our way to Hamamatsucho Station, where we were supposed to meet up with our tour group for the day.

Good morning from Ueno bitchachos :V

Our bus seated up to 45 people, but there were only like 20 of us on board by the time we left the station. It wasn't a big deal though. The less people around, the better. Our first stop…

Tokyo Tower

Being one of Japan's most iconic landmarks, Tokyo Tower is basically the Eiffel of Japan in a sense, and was built in 1958 so that the Japanese could be able to watch TV and listen to the radio. At 333 meters, it is considered the second tallest structure in Japan, with the Tokyo Skytree coming in at first with 634 meters.

They have a website too, which has been kind enough to provide the rates if you ever plan to go. Now considering you're all independent and lonely travelers over 21, for adults their rate is 900 yen.

From their observation deck you can see the vast expanse of Tokyo, and I was lucky that today we had clear skies because I manage to catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji's ice cap from there:

The lower observation deck has lookdown windows. These are windows on the floor which you can stand on and look at the view below your feet.

THIS TRIGGERS ME

They have a souvenir shop you end up into after you take the elevator from the lower observatory. I bought some pins and a medal keychain as keepsakes:

Tokyo Imperial Palace

The Emperor's Palace was our next stop, located in the Chiyoda area, and home to the Japanese Imperial Family. We only remained outside the palace grounds and I learned that there are only two days when the inner palace is open to the public: December 24th, which is the Emperor's birthday, and January 2, when they commemorate the beginning of the new year.

Back then the Palace was called Edo Castle. The Tokugawa Shogun, who was Japan's big boss, lived there from 1603 to 1867, and in 1868 the shogunate was kicked out of the castle. The capital was moved to Edo from Kyoto, while Edo got a name change and became Tokyo, which meant "east capital" (as it was east of Kyoto).

During World War II, the palace got rekt. But it was rebuilt the same way, so all's good.

Asakusa

From Chiyoda, we made our way back to Ueno, and not too far east from there is Asakusa, a shopping district of Japanese knick-knacks, statues, and souvenirs along Nakamise Street. If you enter from the Kaminarimon Gate, at the end of the district you will find the Asakusa Shrine, also known as the Senso-ji Temple.

Back in the old days, Asakusa was known as an entertainment district and festivals were regularly held there. Today, it retains and continues to be known for its busy yet festive atmosphere. Its traditional, old Edo feel embodies the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, wherein one remains the same amidst constant change.

In front of the Senso-ji Temple is a large basin with incenses puffing out white smoke. It is said that people should take in the smoke and rub it against a part of your body that you want to improve on.

Akihabara

Our tour ended when we arrived at the Tokyo Station, and we took the train to Akihabara from there.

Known as "Electric Town", Akihabara is basically tech central here in Tokyo. The entire street is lined with buildings and stores selling all manner of electronics and appliances, as well as PC parts and pre-made laptops for cheap. Not only that, Akihabara is also anime and gaming central, so be prepared to find a lot of figurines, toys and games on sale and on display. Some shops here are also willing to buy collectible items and figurines, and their prices depending on the item's rarity.

This is also a gathering spot for the hikikomori (see also: basement dweller). Here you'll often find them mingling with their own kind… Usually bonding through things like card games.

Also, given their sex life (or lack thereof), don't be too surprised when you see people casually walking in adult stores and coming out with body pillows of anime girls, figurines of (partially to full blown) naked women, or sex toys. It's a particularly normal thing here.

When you see it…

That said, this is basically the lonely nerd's paradise. But who am I to talk:

I happen to be an avid collector of Pokémon paraphernalia myself :')

Ueno - Jojoen (Christmas Eve)

Since we weren't at home and didn't have the luxury of spending a traditional Christmas, we decided to spend our evening having Christmas dinner at a local yakiniku (grilled beef) restaurant. So if you're ever at Ueno and you end up near Ueno Park, you might want to drop by Jojoen to experience beef that melts in your mouth: