First Hours in Kyoto

We took our first shinkansen (bullet train) today.  We left Villa Fontaine Roppongi about 11am, bought lunch and the train station (to eat on the train), and boarded the 1.03pm shinkansen.  The train was amazingly fast and smooth. We were in Kyoto in about 2 1/2 hours.

We didn't arrive in Kyoto until around 4pm (and since it gets dark here around 5, we didn't have much time to explore or sight see).  In fact, we only managed to take in one temple before it was too dark to see much.

Higashihonganji Temple with Kyoto Tower in the Background

Many places are closed for the New Year holiday until January 3rd or 4th, including the Higashihonganji Temple, so we were unable to go inside.  

Higashihonganji Temple with Kyoto Tower in the Background 

The sun set and it was soon dark.  We spent some time wandering around small streets near our hotel (which was very near both the train station and the Kyoto Tower). We got hungry and headed back toward the hotel to find some food near the train station.

Nighttime view of the Kyoto Tower.  Our  hotel
was just around the block from the tower.

Greg checking out a wall of toy vending machines.

We spent the rest of the evening hanging out at the hotel watching Japanese television.  Although today wasn't very productive, we needed a rest after such an active New Year's Eve.  

We are using Kyoto as a base from which we will travel to Nara and Osaka.  Tomorrow, we will visit Nara.

Happy New Year from Tokyo!

Happy New Year! 

Tokyo Tower

So it's not January 1st in California or Texas yet, but it's morning on the first here. Last night we counted down to the new year at Zojo-ji Temple in Tokyo near the Tokyo Tower (Tokyo's homage to the Eiffel Tower) and later today we will journey by shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto.

Zojo-ji Temple, Tokyo

The temple was abuzz with people excited about 2012.  Hundreds and hundreds of people were standing jammed together.  They waited, talked, watched the fire, held onto their balloons (which were later let go for good luck), and looked at the Tokyo Tower.  We stood clumped together with a few Americans and a couple of British guys.  We were all waiting for the moment.  Every few minutes we heard the countdown from someone in the crowd, "Eight minutes left."  

The Tokyo Tower had been lit when we passed it on our way to the shrine, but the time neared midnight, and the lights were turned off.

And finally, the moment came. It was January 1st, 2012.

Zojo-ji Temple with Tokyo Tower in the background.

The Tokyo Tower lights flashed back on with the beginning of year.  Hundreds of people let go of their balloons.  

As 2012 began, the crowd thinned out and we were able to walk around.  We witnessed monks chanting and playing instruments, people throwing their old good luck charms in the fire and purchasing new ones, men in costume pounding dough with large mallets, and people ringing bells and banging gongs for good luck.

We made our way through the crowd of people leaving to go home and walked back to the hotel, stopping at a convenience store for a snack on the way.

That's how our year started, at a temple in Tokyo.

Here's to a fabulous start of 2012!

First Day in Tokyo

Today was my first day in Tokyo, and I'm already exhausted.  We ate breakfast at the hotel, then hopped on the metro to go to the Meiji Shrine.

Meiji Shrine, Tokyo.

The shrine was my first real taste of Tokyo.  Last night when I arrived, it was already dark and I wasn't able to see much from the train.  We went to the downtown Roppongi area to find food, but didn't see much other than some neon lights and African hawkers.  So today, I was excited to experience Tokyo with Greg.

Meiji Shrine, Tokyo.

The Meiji shrine is a popular place to go on New Year's Eve.  Millions of people visit the shrine during the New Year holiday.  We heard that the line to get in New Year's night is 3 hours long so instead we went in the morning of New Year's Eve.

There are two primary religions in Japan: Shinto and Buddhism.  I've read that there are over two million Christians in Japan as well.  Shinto, an ancient religion, means, "the way of the gods," and centers on closeness to nature and ancestor worship.  Buddhism came from China during the 6th century.  Shinto and Buddhism are often practiced in tandem.  The Japanese believe in religious freedom and often incorporate various religious characteristics into their belief system.

The Meiji shrine is Shinto.  Tossing coins at an offerings box is traditional at a Shinto shrine. To worship in front of the main shrine, you throw a coin into the donation box (usually a 5 yen coin), bow twice, clap your hands twice, then bow again.

We messed up and forgot to clap, but we had the best of intentions.

Meiji Shrine, Tokyo.

From the shrine, we walked to the JR station, got on a train, and got off at the Harajuku station.  Harajuku was a fun district crowded with interesting people and interesting clothes.

Harajuku, Tokyo.

Toward the beginning of the street, we bought a crepe filled with cream, custard, and strawberries to share and walked slowly through the crowds people-watching.  The Japanese are obsessed with French desserts and the crepes in Harajuku were awesome!

Harajuku, Tokyo. 

About halfway down the congested pedestrian only street, we went into one of those multi-level shopping centers and walked up the stairs to the food court where we found and Indian place that satisfied both of us.

Harajuku, Tokyo.

We entered a clothing shop or two, but unfortunately, we are both much taller and therefore bigger than the average Japanese person.  Greg tried on a couple of shirts at an H&M, but they were far too small, and the correct size wasn't in stock.  I often buy clothes and accessories when I travel in Europe, so I was a little disappointed when I realized I wouldn't be able to in Japan because of sizing issues.  In fact, we both gave up on the possibility of purchasing clothing.  

Since we had purchased day passes for the Tokyo metro, we rode the metro to our next destination: Shibuya.  We got off the metro a short distance from the train station, and meandered through the district and through the crowds.  We were amazed by the multitude of people.  The area around Shibuya train station, one of the busiest train stations in Tokyo, is a shopping mecca and fashion center, especially for young people.

People crossing the street in Shibuya, Tokyo.

Shibuya, Tokyo.

People crossing the street in Shibuya, Tokyo. It's hard to 

believe that this is actually an intersection there are so many 

people.

I thought the McDonald's ad was hilarious,
 particularly when paired with the Sexy Zone boy band.

People crossing the street at the intersection next to the train
station in Shibuya, Tokyo.

From the Shibuya train station, we took the train to Shinjuku.  Shinjuku was our last stop for the day.  Our idea was to see the west side of Tokyo today, and the east side when we return in a couple of weeks before we go home to San Francisco.

Because I was already so exhausted and my feet were already sore, we didn't spend much time in Shinjuku.  It was also getting dark (even though it was still only afternoon).

Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo.

We wandered around Shinjuku a bit and found Kabukicho, one of Tokyo's red-light districts.  Kabukicho was named because a kabuki theater was planned in the area in the 40s.  The theater never materialized, but the name stayed.  Today, the district is known not only for its "red lights" and love hotels, but also for its entertainment, nightclubs, shops, and restaurants.  

Like I said, we didn't stay long.  I was grumpy, tired, and still recovering from a 15-hour time change.  We got back on the metro and went back to our hotel in Roppongi.  Today has already been a full day, and tonight is New Year's!  We are resting at the hotel for a few hours before we head out to celebrate 2012.

Off to Japan!

I've been up all night packing my bag and doing last-minute preparations. The first leg of my flight to L.A. leaves at 6am, so it's time to leave for the airport now. I'll be in Japan the next time I post!

Until then...

Takeoffs and Landings

G left for Tokyo this morning, and according to the airline's website, his plane landed about 30 minutes ago! I am excited, nervous, and a little worried. I'm hoping things go well. He had a list of tasks he had to check off even before he left the airport. I am hoping to hear from him soon and am sure I will feel better once I do.

I'll be leaving for Tokyo in about 30 hours and I am really hoping that everything goes according to plan. A lot of things have to go right; G is supposed to meet me at the Tokyo airport. And Tokyo Narita is one crazy airport. The worst part is that I won't be able to contact him when I arrive and he won't be able to contact me either.

He is planning on renting a phone, but if he is unable to contact me prior to my departure, I won't know the number (and do payphones exist in airports anymore?). I remember using a payphone at Gatwick Airport in London a few years ago to tell them the flight had been delayed and my connecting flight in the US had been bumped. But that was 5 years ago. I admit I have a million negative worry thoughts floating around my head: "What if he's late?", "What if my plane is late/early and he doesn't know?", "What if he gets lost on the way to the airport or the train breaks down?"

Although I have a few more things I really should check off the to do list tonight, I think I will go watch Lost in Translation and go to bed.

Countdown until takeoff

G and I are both finishing up last minute preparations: washing, packing, etc. I still have a couple of days left before I leave, but G will be on a plane in 24 hours.

As for myself, I am about to start packing. I flew from San Francisco to Austin to be with my family for Christmas, and I will be flying from Austin to Tokyo (so no dropping off Christmas presents). I actually already sort of packed for Tokyo once already (when I was packing to come to Texas, I had to throw in anything I'd want in Japan as well). But now I will be attempting to squish everything I accumulated here in Texas in a carry-on sized bag.

Wish us both luck!

Excited about the New Year!

G and I are excited that we will be in Tokyo for New Year's!

Merry Christmas!

I'm happy to be with my family in Texas this Christmas. The time has passed so quickly; I'll be leaving for Japan in just 4 days. I'm excited to be going on a new adventure, but still a little sad to be leaving Texas and my family.

Wishing all of you a happy holiday.

Planned Itinerary

We fly into Tokyo and plan to spend New Year's Eve in the capital.  On January 1st, we'll take the train to Kyoto.  From our Kyoto base, we will visit Nara, Osaka and Himeji.  From Kyoto, we'll take the train to Kanazawa, and then continue on to Nagoya.  After spending a couple of days in Nagoya, we will return to Tokyo.  We will finish sightseeing and daytrip to Hakone to check out the views of Mt. Fuji.  And from Tokyo, we fly back home to San Francisco (area) January 11th.  And that's our whirlwind Japan trip!

Japan!

So Tuesday, I came home and G asked me if I wanted to go to Japan.

"Yes!!! Of course, yes!!"

He works for a Japanese company and it's amazing that he has this opportunity.  Basically, he'll fly over first and then I'll join him (after the work part is over with).

"We'll be leaving in 2 weeks."

This whole thing is last minute (our tickets were purchased less than a week ago).  We are scrambling to make plans and come up with an itinerary.

Even crazier, last Thursday I hopped on a plane and flew from San Francisco to Austin to visit family.  This Texas trip had been planned for 3 months, but because the times overlap, I am now flying directly from Austin to Tokyo (well, not directly - I have a layover in L.A.).  I had already packed for my Texas trip, but because of the last minute change of plans, I had to repack, fitting everything I would need for both Texas and Japan in the same carry-on sized bag.  I'm quite proud that in about 24 hours I went from initially finding out to having my whole bag packed.  And I wasn't even able to buy my Japan ticket until after I was in Texas (G and I had to wait for verification from his company that his ticket had been purchased).

So now we are trying to figure out what we want to see and do and where we want to go.  And all of this is long distance - he's still in the San Francisco area.

In the near future I will post our tentative itinerary.