First off... *bows my head* I am so sorry for the huge delay with my Japan blogs! >___< It is really difficult these days for me to find long chunks of time to sit and blog. For me, when I blog, I prefer to do it all in one sitting. Any my Japan blogs can take quite a long time, hahaha... again, I am very sorry!
So I'll start my Japan blogs by covering some places I already visited during my last Japan visits. Just like in my last Japan blogs, I won't say much about these places since my thoughts are generally still the same. You can read more about these places in the links below.
Japan Trip 2016: Akihabara, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku
Japan Trip 2014: Akihabara & Ikebukuro
Japan Trip 2014: Shibuya & Shinjuku
AKIHABARA
DAYS SPENT: 0.5
OVERALL THOUGHTS: Akihabara is still the same nerd place with the same nerdy shops. <3 Unfortunately, I didn't get enough time to re-visit Mandarake Complex nor Kotobukiya nor do too much in this area aside from visiting a couple places and Eorzea Cafe.
I will say this, though: now that I've played Akiba's Trip (video game) and have seen just how accurate Akiba's Trip's Akihabara is to Akihabara in real life... part of me now associates real life Akihabara to Akiba's Trip, hahahaha. It almost feels like I am in the game when I walk down those streets, hahaha.
PLACES VISITED:
Book-Off (RE-VISIT)
Just like when I went to Japan last time, I checked out the Book-Offs whenever I had the chance. It's just so fun to browse through used music CDs and video games and see some products listed at such ridiculously low prices. :)
"Partial Crane Game Shop"
I don't know the exact name for this shop, but I mentioned in past blogs about how there are some shops that carry crane game prizes to outright buy (instead of taking your chances of winning it through a crane game). Well, we checked out one of those shops. It turned out that only part of the shop carried the crane game prizes and the other part carried regular merchandise.
For the crane game prizes, you pretty much have to make your own judgement on if the listed price is worth it, or if you'd be able to win that prize from a crane game for less. I ended up buying one crane game prize, and they bagged the item in a black bag. I'm going to guess you're probably not supposed to buy crane game prizes, haha...
OTHER PHOTOS:
When I see this area I am reminded of the side mission in Akiba's Trip
where you have to take on 48 idols, hahaha.
I am suddenly tempted to look for Synthisters, hahaha...
that's a reference to Akiba's Trip.
Just had to take a pic of the P5 Animation TV ad.
Ahhh, Persona 5 <3
SHIBUYA
DAYS SPENT: 1.5
OVERALL THOUGHTS: I will always go to Shibuya when I visit Japan -- just for the karaoke! Hahaha.
Overall, though, Shibuya is still a fashion hotspot, and Shibuya Crossing is still crazy busy, lol.
PLACES VISITED:
Karaoke-kan (RE-VISIT)
So I went to Karaoke-kan twice this time (the same location as I've gone in the past). Once with my sister and her hubby, and once by myself. Just like in the past, karaoke rates here are really decent on weekdays soon after opening time. Also, you must order at least one drink.
When you enter, there is a sheet to fill out -- almost like a sign-in. The last times I went I said I didn't understand Japanese and was able to forego this sign-in. But this time I wanted to try filling it out. Just so I remember for next time, the details to fill out are: name, age, gender... and either # of hours that will be spent karaoking or # of ppl in the room (I better learn how to read Japanese so I can figure out that last part, hahaha).
When I karaoked with my sister and her hubby, we karaoked for an hour. It was really fun! None of us were really prepared to karaoke that day but luckily I had some Romaji lyrics with me for some songs and I also queued several songs with English lyrics.
When I karaoked by myself, I did so for three hours (like last time). I was a little disappointed in my room, though. For some reason it was really warm. I was sweating a lot in the beginning until I realized that it was likely a way to get me to go through my drink faster and to get thirsty faster and to order more drinks. When I realized this, I toughed it out. I don't like giving into such sneaky tactics!.
For song selection I was happy to find some songs from Persona 4 Animation. Where are the Persona 4 / 5 video game songs, though??! Hahaha. I was also happy that it had Nakitai Kurai, a fairly new song that I was exposed to while in Japan (will talk about this song in a later blog). I played that song about three times, trying to practice it. I wasn't very good, hahaha.
My total cost (room rate + drink) for three hours was 1296 yen. It's a bit more than last time, though that could be due to the drink cost or maybe the rate is a bit higher on certain days of the week.
Below are a couple songs I sung (not very well) during my session with my sister and her hubby:
Me singing "Houki Gumo" by RYTHEM. It's the theme song to Yakitate!! Japan.
I talk a bit in the beginning and I also mess up somewhat. I apologize.
This song is in Japanese. Just like with all my other karaoke videos,
the screen is black so click "Play" and do something else, lol.
Me singing "Zero" from Bump of Chicken. It's the theme song for Final Fantasy Type-0.
There's some small talks in the beginning and a bit in the middle,
and then some small talks at the end. My talking voice and
what I say sound so ridiculous here, hahaha.
And I mess up a lot with this song (so sorry!). But it was my first time singing it!
This song is in Japanese. A heads up that this video is about 7 minutes long.
Again, the screen is black so click "Play" and do something else, lol.
The Loft
What you see just outside the entrance.
So The Loft is a store that sells a lot of... things. They carry some products that any other regular store would carry (like phone cases, notebooks, some clothes), but they also carry some stationery products that seem more unique. I had visited The Loft the last time I went to Japan, but wasn't that impressed due to pricing and product selection. The Shibuya location is one of the larger stores, though, so product selection here was fine.
When we went inside, I saw a notice mentioning that a pop-up shop for Detective Conan was on the top floor. Immediately I thought, 'Another Detective Conan pop-up shop?!'. The last time I went to Japan, I was also fortunate to run into a pop-up shop for Detective Conan. I went to the pop-up shop and looked at everything.
The Detective Conan pop-up shop.
Some of the merch for the pop-up shop.
I spent a lot of time just looking at all this stuff.
Some "shaky" random Star Wars mini-figures.
OTHER PHOTOS:
A bunch of people in Mario character cosplay in go-karts. There is a service
in Japan that allows you to rent these go-karts and outfits.
Since you are on the actual road, you would need a driver's license to rent one.
You can check out the site for the Shibuya location below:
An ad featuring Johnny Depp!
I think this is the Shibuya subway location in Persona 5 where you can pick up job postings, meet up with Yusuke, and purchase the fruit juice on weekends.
Hahaha, I was really looking to see if this location actually existed.
SHINJUKU
DAYS SPENT: Some mornings + almost everyday after 5 PM
OVERALL THOUGHTS: Once again Shinjuku was my home base. As much as I love the area, though, I may consider changing it up next time so commuting to other areas will take less time.
Though, really... would I be able to find an area that beats being close to a subway line, 7-11, Lawsons, McDonalds, post offices, and a supermarket?? Hmmmm....
PLACES VISITED:
Shinjuku Post Office + other Post Offices (RE-VISIT)
So once again I went over my declaration limit of 800 CAD and had to mail some packages out. I am going to do my best next time to not let this happen... shipping costs were quite brutal. For an overview of using the post office, you can check out my 2016 blog on Shinjuku (link was also listed at the top).
After filling out the forms, this time I had to specify a lot more for some of the products. For example, for a stuffed toy, I had to specify in brackets "NO BATTERY". And for figures I had to specify "PLASTIC" and "NO BATTERY". I respect the employee for being so diligent.
OTHER PHOTOS:
Noctis and Lunafreya figures on display at Artnia.
Some instructions on how to properly dispose of milk cartons.
Some instructions on how to properly dispose of plastic bottles.
IKEBUKURO
DAYS SPENT: 1
OVERALL THOUGHTS: Ikebukuro is still Akihabara for girls -- especially now that an Otomate building exists there. I didn't get a chance to check it out, though, since I already had plans that would last the full day.
Next time, though...! ;)
PLACES VISITED:
Animate (Re-visit)
And again I am back at Animate, on the floors with all the nice anime / video game character goods (mainly male character goods). I was happily surprised to see some Yu Yu Hakusho merchandise (ahhh, Kurama... <3) and just surprised to see some Hoshin Engi merchandise. Of course I had no idea that Hoshin Engi was recently remade and airing on TV in Japan at the time.
Namco Namja Town
The entrance!
Finally I get to check this place out! But... unfortunately we didn't have much time in there since we wanted to check out other places. Namja Town is like an indoor amusement park with various attractions and food places, particularly gyozas.
Some of the attractions were English-friendly but many of the ones my sister and I wanted to do were not (my sister's hubby was off somewhere else). Due to not having much time, we paid the 500 yen admission and just explored the place and tried out some of the gyozas.
I will have to come back another time just to experience this place more fully.
A map of Namja Town. It's quite a large place!
The entrance to the gyoza stalls. This is a pretty cool area.
A patisserie shop. I wanted to try some of the desserts, but didn't have time.
A close-up. They look yummy!
The mascot of Namja Town being surrounded by kids.
Pokemon Center MEGA TOKYO
One of the entrances to Pokemon Center.
So this is a huge store selling Pokemon goods. There -- were -- so -- many -- things!! Hahaha. There were so many Pikachu plushies in different sizes and expressions and in different clothing. Pokemon-themed boxers, socks, plates, mugs, chopsticks, cookies, pens... the list goes on.
I spent a ridiculous amount of time in there, just browsing through all the merchandise (the reason why I didn't have much time in Namja Town). I'm not a crazy big Pokemon fan, but they're pretty cute, haha. I was looking for a really nice, cute Ditto plushie, but didn't find one.
This is very recommended for a Pokemon fan. Just -- do your best to keep your wallet closed! I will likely come back the next time I'm in Ikebukuro.
Uhh... I wanna say these two are Lucario and Mewtwo. If I'm wrong, please tell me! :x
I can't tell you how badly I wanted to bring so many of these home with me...
especially Mimikyu, hahaha.
OTHER PHOTOS:
I didn't try this out, but liked that everybody can be Daryl.
Some cute grass sculptures.
I have no idea what this music piece signifies...
but I want to try playing it on the piano.
So Code-V (K-pop group) was doing some performances.
I was too busy in the Pokemon Center to notice, but I did grab this shot.
That's it for Part 1. Thanks for reading! Next time I'll be covering more of the old areas, but a couple new places I explored within them. I really hope the next entry will be posted soon-ish... *fingers crossed* >_>
If you have any questions or comments about any of these places I visited, feel free to say something in the comments box! :)
