Tokyo Update 3 ts
en v E y l k Wee Monday
Drama in Yoyogi, Interview on the Street in Ginza
Tuesday Drama in Yoyogi, Chuo-ku Govt Building, Softbank in Omanstando
Wednesday Drama in Yoyogi, Koto-ku area Tomioka Haschimangu Shrine, Fukagawa Fudo-son Temple, KiyosumiGardens Park, Sumidagawa River Terrance with Hope Bridge
Gre e tin gs
H
ello everyone. This week was sort of busy. So, I tired to sort out the events into a daily account so there was a way to follow my week.
I do not guarantee that you will like this format but it’s what I’m trying for this Update.
This Update may be longer then the other two but consider this to be a special case. I do not plan to do large magazines every time. However this week I will share the sites I got to visit while going to work. But I have no drama acting lesson photos because no cameras are allowed in the studio.
Thursday Drama 1:1 lesson in Shinjuku, Kiowa Edo, Oshiage and the Tokyo Sky Tree
Friday Drama in Ebisu, Kiowa Edo local Shrine and trial lesson, Kinshicho Kameodo-ten Jinta Shrine
Saturday Language lesson in Chuo-ku
MONDAY
JUNE 20,2011
G
ot to tag along on a live interview-on-the street. Snap a couple of quick shots during set-up. Since no one spoke English I was there to just to observe. The filming was done in Ginza. A half a block away from the Apple Store
I got more looks from the people passing by than the camera crew filming. A little strange but I guess I am obviously dierent looking. So I am getting more attention than I want. Getting use to it. This area is next to Nihonbashi neighborhood where I live. So walking here only takes 20 minutes. Eventually I’ll go see a movie. The no TV in the buildings is giving serious withdrawal. A movie may help.
The Ginza Apple Store is huge.The first two floors are the display computers and accessories available to look play with. But just like the ones in the USA you need a salesperson to get the items for you and handle the payment. The store also oers, people in the area---- RICH PEOPLE, free delivery, special box handles, free accessories like a carry-on bag for the printer and designer cases.
The store is in the heart of Ginza is the main Metro station called GINZA (Ginza Line) has like 20 ways to enter the station underground and be used to connect from to other areas like Shibuya, to the center of Tokyo which is Nihonbashi, all the way north to Asakusa.
Unlike other areas, Ginza has a more casual dress code. The area is more for shopping, strolling, going to the Toho cinema, and being seen buying stu. But very nice sales people.
TUESDAY
JUNE 21,2011
G
ot a prepaid cell phone from Soft bank. It cost about $20 USD. I top-up online about every couple of months. It’s can be useful when the location changes because of rain The top-up cards only come in the choices $3000 0r $5000 yen.
I got my phone in about three hours. I had to wait for a sales person, like at the Apple store. But I had to wait for one that spoke English. I told her any cheap prepaid phone. No contracts......
I GET: Camera, movie camera, calendar, dual world clocks, Unlimited email, Unlimited Japan incoming calls, alarms, currency converter, notepad, voice recorder, English/Japanese Dictionary. Of course when I make a call I lose top-up card money. It costs double for a call than in the USA. But I think a got a good phone. It does way more than I ever expected it to. It was the last pre-paid phone in the store.
The you are here on the right (all in red) is where I exited the Ginza line (Orange G). Around the corner is a Forever 21 store. It looks more chic than in Tucson, however they are in Omotesando area. It’s like Ginza with the Designers having individual stores. But most stores here do not have clothes out, you wait until a sales person shows what’s available and you buy!!!! NO Browse. The path is lined with trees. Sunlight does not touch your flesh. This area likes white skin. No tanners.... Ethnics okay..... On the map go left past the Wheelchair and the red stamp of Omote sando and there you will find the Soft bank with Foreign assistance (80 locations and 1 for me to use), the Oriental Bizarre store, and then you have entered Harajuku. On the way to Soft bank I spotted the Michael Kors’ store. There are handbags on the wall, a couple of mannequins in the window with large advertisements, but the center of the store is a sofa where the customers wait for their purchase. Not a shop to browse in or come as you are. Reminded me I was really going to miss this season of “Project Runway”. I want to watch so bad...
The other street that people visit when they get off the metro is Aoyama. This is Aoyama Theatre when stage shows are performed. They also do their versions of shows like “My Fair Lady” “The Lion King” “Hamlet” but in Japanese with minor changes. I think I am suppose to go to a show in July or October????? But I found the place ..... So I’m ready to go for a show whenever.....
This is just a strange art piece in front of the theatre. It helped to get my attention to stop and then I noticed where the theater was. The theatre is very hidden in the background. All the buildings in the area all look the same . The ‘art piece’ lets me know I’m at the the theatre. The theatre itself you don’t even see the sign from the sidewalk. The posters are behind a wall of bushes.
Wednesday
JUNE 22,2011
S
ince it was a short day I had time to visit some places nearby. I inserted a map to show the path I took on my selfguided tour across the river in Koto-ku area. I started off going to Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine which is one of the largest and oldest shrines in from the EDO period of Japan history. This shrine was where sumo wrestling matches were done until they moved north to the Sumida area (number 7 on the map, the river divides Koto and Sumida). I made my way to the Fukagawa Temple. I think They have a very active river park. People exercise, ride their bikes, have lunch, and it’s one of the few places in Tokyo with an authorized smoking area. So its very popular. They jog and then smoke half a pack. Very healthy...huh....
The Path I walked, But I started at the Furthest Shrine and worked my way back to the park and then to the room.
you’ll see in the photos how different the two sites are. I also took photos of the bridge, Sumida River Terrance, and the Kiyosumi
Gardens Park, but no Lake House ---charged too much to see a house near water. In August I can get in for free.
This is the Sumida Terrance River Park. People also get watch the boats zoom past. The connecting bridge over the river translates into Hope Bridge. In August there will be a ceremony for it where people will join together and wash it. Its a good spot to get photos of the boats going by and the cityscape.
Tomioka Hachiman Shrine (富岡八幡宮 Tomioka Hachiman-gū It is the largest Hachiman shrine to date. The shrine was founded in 1627 with reclamation of the shoal. The God Hachiman whom the shrine reveres was also a local Shinto deity of the Minamoto clan thus the shinto shrine received cordial protection by the Tokugawa shogunate. Tomioka Hachiman Shrine is also known as the birthplace of Kanjin-zumō (勧進相撲), founded in 1684 and origin of the current professional sumo. Two basho (Spring and Autumn) were held at the shrine every year under the permission of the shogunate, and banzuke and other major systems were created in this period. After almost 80 years, basho had been held also in other places in Edo (Tokyo). The shrine has a very traditional look. It’s surrounded by the community. There is a small park, a high school, a recreation center, places to eat, and very relaxed and family oriented.
Shrine was very busy, but people sit by the trees and get hidden by the shadows. People are also very casual about photographs being taken. This shrine does not pressure visitors to buy anything and welcomes visitors. Many people were here just eating lunch and relaxing.
The left photos are of the shrines basin. The water area where you perform the purification ritual of washing your hands mouth before you approach the main building.
The bottom left picture is of the building that houses the Shrine boxes that people carry during festivals. The man standing in front gives an idea of how enormous these ornaments are. Twenty plus men will carry these Shrine boxes for several blocks which would be about four miles.
Shrine of course needs to try to make money. The little building off to the side has a woman selling the various charms, keychains, rocks, and blessings to anyone that wants one. She was very helpful in explaining which charm did what. The charms at different shrines sometimes try to be more distinct by using a different kanji character.
The picture is of another small building off to the side and they sell the stickers, the paper products with Asian writing. They also sell some prepackaged food for people that want to eat or taste something different.
Here’s a view of the way out. They keep it very clean and polished. People on their own were picking of pieces of paper and fallen leaves. The neighborhood takes very good care of their shrine. I will definitely come back...... It was very nice visit and very friendly like in commercials.
Fukagawa Fudo-son Temple The temples construction started in the Edo period. The inspiration came from a kabuki actor. He was Ichikawa Danjuro. His performance in the play appeared immovable [meiou]. The time era was a tendency to want to see immovable. A thing considered to be very Tokyo or Tokyoite.
The path to the temple is much more like a shopping arcade with various food shops and the disposable trinkets.
This temple has a few large building areas devoted to sales. There are lots of charms and kick-knacks available. But a Very high pressure sale area. They was you to buy and if you pick up something for $2 (cheap something) they tell you its better sold as a set or pack or you’ll have bad luck.
The temple is much more commercial than the Tomioka Shrine. The two sites are only a block apart in distance but the atmospheres are very dierent.
The two photos up above on the left have dragons. That is their water basin. They put a metal cage barrier so it could not be used for the purification wash that is traditional at a shrine. They remove it only for special days.
The other two photos on the right are of a small shrine in the area. Things in this shrine are here to appeal to visitors or to look cool. The dragons and the fox spirit and the Buddha shoe (common for Kamakura). Actually have nothing to do with shrine.
Temple has more places to buy gifts before you leave. The way out will lead to the station Monzennakacho. It means “Temple town in the thousand generation temple”. This temple is very easy to find and leave. The place really doesn’t have a lot of information than it was inspired by an actor to be still. But sales people here are not still. They work like they’re on commission.
The are also a lot of vending machines for the soda, cigarettes, and alcohol. There places to eat like MOS Burger, Freshness Burger, McDonald’s, Baskin Robbins (13 flavors), Johnathons, and somewhere is a Denny’s.
The Family Mart is like a Circle K or AM/PM but they do not sell gas. They sell the snacks on the go and incidentals like batteries, soap, newspapers/ magazines, ice-cream, and liquor. But no iced drinks for the go. It is very impolite to be carrying a drink while out in public. So, drinks are sold as bottles and cans only and kept in a bag. Same as the fast food places
To solve the need for ice soda. I have discovered that Family Mart (only) will sell a large cup of packed ice. So I get the cup of ice, buy a bottle of Cola. [Most places do not have choices, if you want variety like a Dr. Pepper you have to go to a vending machine] I combine them both and I can enjoy my drink at the park sitting beneath the shade of the trees without breaking any social rules. I spent an hour or two in the park and studied my Japanese and again people were looking. But seemed happy....... or friendly,..........
Kiyosumi Gardens Park A really nice place to relax and only about 10 minutes walk from the temple. In another 10 minutes walk I’ll be back in the room. So It’s really close to me.
The park has walkers, joggers, bike ridders, dog walkers, and lots of kids. It is a family oriented park so there are no issues with strange guys or homeless. There is a girls school and a high school is the Koban (police) are nearby or here in the park on their bikes. Lots of trees and shade. The trees and grass and some flowers are tagged with their Japanese names (I don’t think that put English because it’s not that visited by foreigners). Very peaceful place to relax. No one bothers you, but people do nod for acknowledgement.
There are gas stations in Tokyo and other areas. To get gas is easier outside of Tokyo city limits. The stations can usually only accommodate four cars at a time. So it is very possible to be turned down for service.
I hope you can see the photos clearly. Nozzles are hanging from above. There are no gas tanks.
Which means there is no self-service option in Tokyo or Japan. Gas prices are not listed at pull in which means if you have to ask you can not aord a car in Tokyo.
You pay for the gas and the service. You park where they want and if it is NOT right you have to re-park the car until their satisfied.
Walking back across the bridge to get back to the building to rest for tomorrow.
Through the bridge I take photos of the city scape. In one of the views there is the Tokyo Sky Tree.
Thursday
JUNE 23,2011
O s hi ag e St ati o n i n Sumi d a
Tokyo Sky Tree The tower reached its full height of 634.0 metres (2,080Â ft) in March 2011 but will not be finished until at least late 2012.
S o c ii s C u r s u s
Tokyo Sky Tree’s main purposes is as a television and radio broadcasting tower. Tokyo's current broadcasting tower, Tokyo Tower, is at 333 m (1,093 ft), and is no longer tall enough to give complete digital television broadcasting coverage because it is surrounded by many high-rise buildings. The Tokyo Sky Tree is currently the tallest in the world.
Only thing to see in Oshiage. But had to get out here to switch from the Tokyo metro to the Keisei line.
Now I’m here in Keisei-Koiwa Station. Koiwa is filled with working class people. The helpful map just show the places to shop, get your hair done, and park your bike. I don’t know what the cat symbolizes. I saw saw food places and then saw a shrine across the tracks to go photograph.
Can you guess what this place is? Heart Attack It’s a grocery store............... I have no answer why............ but it is and here is where I found a ketchup bottle.
Since I’m early for my appointment I have time to look around.
This is a very nice and large neighborhood shrine.
In Tokyo city limits they are much smaller. This one is very large in size and stature.
On the side is a very well-maintained garden.
On the other side of the garden is the burial place for the relatives of people in the neighborhood.
They have the statues of deities that they worship. Decorative sticks with Kanji writing (usually names of the dead or a prayer)
Oh yes. My appointment in Koiwa went well. I went to do an interview. Tomorrow I will do a trial lesson. I found out I will get Fridays off in a couple of weeks. Would be Mon-Thurs. work, and Sat. Japanese class. But found out the day off is not really off. They want us to do a Japanese hobby or part-time job interacting with Japanese people. The hobby sounded great but there are initial fee to teacher (thank you money), money dues, the clothing (Japanese uniform $200-$800 depending how well made you like it or if its special order for Western body types) and then equipment ($$$$$$$). The would be great and closer, but the cost is too much right now. I opted for the part-time job. I already have the suit and dress shirts. I will do the English lesson conversation 1:1 lesson with a Japanese person. I will get 1600 yen for every adult I speak to Fridays 2 pm - 6 pm plus I get transportation cost paid back to me. If no one comes I get to study for my Japanese class. So I will be busy Monday through Saturday still. Sunday if mainly catch-up day and laundry.
Leaving is simple on the metro. There are signs everywhere to tell you where you are, directions to go, or to exit the underground train station. The Keisei Line deals with Japanese so there is not a lot of English writing, English announcements, or people that can say anything in English. I know it looks empty but there were a hundred people here, but when I got the camera......... poof......... all gone........ Japanese are very fast walkers...........
Friday
JUNE 24,2011
inshicho is South of Oshiage and next to Kameido. But fairly easy to walk between stations as long as you remember which way is North and East.
K
Since I had to de-board the train I went looking around. It was only twenty minutes to walk to the Oshiage Station. Why not explore...........
p o rt a le c t us es s e po s ue re
See the The Tokyo Sky Tree. It’s everywhere.... And if that can’t point you north to Oshiage Station ..... You should not be walking around alone. The larger it gets the closer you are to Oshiage.
From Kinshicho station exit 5 turn right. You will past by a park. Or you can look up for the sky tree and follow that towards the Subway. Walk towards the Subway and then turn right on the sidewalk. You will see this mall. This mall shares the street with a Subway. Walk down the street for 15 minutes straight. You will cross a bridge and you will arrive at the Koban box. Keep going a couple of more feet and turn left and you will see the Kameodo-ten Jinta Shrine.
Japan has a thing for some dogs. They have boutiques, clothes, groomers, parks, and babysitters. Lots signs have images that look like Princess.. Maybe she’ll like that....
Past the Koban box will be a map, but it shows that you are here at the shrine.
Kameodo-ten Jinta Shrine is famous in Japan because it was build over ponds of water. It was also a place that gives thanks to the radish. During war, famine, and tough times this shrine was able to feed people when there were no other sources of food
The wreath in the center is suppose to be lucky. You walk through but there is a circle system with directions and times. I didn’t want to risk doing it wrong because you could bring very bad luck upon yourself. You can pray to deities or touch the ox (ox does expect a coin payment) but suppose to be very good luck.
It was much larger than I thought. It’s not very well known. So there are not a lot of foreign visitors that make their way here. They have couple of bridges you have to cross over to get to the main building. The special part is that everyone can cross the bridge. In Kamakura there are these bridges over ponds, but they were for royalty, nobles, and the Samurai class. To walk above was for the people that were above the regular. This shine was very lovely and casual. They still have active food gardens on the side. They have side shrines available for people to pay respect. Their water basin is the first elegant one I’ve seen with a waterfall. They consider the ox and turtle good luck. Makes sense because this area is working class and their idols would be workers moving at their own pace.
Outside is a 7-11 and about a block away is a Dominos. I go to Koiwa for the trial lesson and find out about my hobby part-time work.
Saturday JUNE 25,2011
I had language class today. Up above is my National Health card. I get to go pick-up my Alien Card in July.
Thanks to finding the Shrine and Temple I was able to find this place. Its like a Kmart/ Walmart. But it has more choices in food and I can find things like Ketchup, Mustard, black pepper, Philly cheese, and sandwich meat for a good price. Peacock had luch meat as deli so everything would cost more.
You see this 2 inch mustard. This is the exlarge size and the only one I’ve found in Tokyo. Tokyo is Not really into mustard.
Freshness Burger is a new place I tired after class. Its right new to the Tokyo version of Kmart. I haven’t been able to translate the name, but no one else has been able to either. They use fresh lettuce, seeded wheat buns, and grilled baby onions, and they give a little pack of mustard. The meat tasted really good and it was char grilled. I will go back when I have time.
See the cheeseburger. I got that and it was big like the photo. I got fries (potato skin like Pat’s Hotdog) and a ex-large drink. Their size is the largest in Tokyo, but in the USA is still a Medium. I thought I would eat in the room, but I stopped at the park and ate there for about an hour and relaxed. So, a very simple Saturday trying to unwind.
The first Japan chain I tried was MOS Burger The BLT was so good Their bacon is just like the picture. The only thing is its flamed but not grilled. The white sauce is okay but if you don’t like Greek food or liquid cream you may not like the burger if it has too much sauce. Then it may be hard to eat. Their fries are peeled and large three times larger than McDonald’s.
Of course there is McDonald’s but only the T-CAT has made a meat tasting Big Mac. The others were very bad tasting.
Burger King in Akihabara was really good. They did flame the meat, it was real meat, and they do the “have it your way” Plus the speak ENGLISH. Makes better service if you have instructions. Well that’s it for now. I did the weekly plug and type in the computer. I have to get to the laundry, study my vocabulary, and do some homework. Be in touch later Coming next week: I get to visit the Tokyo Palace officially on tour. I found the meet spot so I’m ready for Thursday.
BYE EVERYONE