Tokyo log 104.5 ,105.5

Additional note on Tokyo 104.5

Woke up late went to Yodobashi Akihabara to get more camera gears. Its photographer's heaven! Went to Tokyo tower to do the tourist thing, had quick dinner at Tokyo tower too. Cant wait to post, ,my photos.Then again no amount of photos and videos can capture any traevel experience.

Went to Roppongi early and experienced Japan world cup fever, people cheering nippon and although drunk they are all orderly.Some even brough the dogs out wearing Nippon Jersey! Later we went to Tokyo Hard Rock to get a t-shirt and pin for collection.

At the same area waited for Kelvin's friend David , he then brought us to chill at a bar with a quick beer.Then headed out to NewLex club at Roppongi where Paris Hilton had been to. The club play club hits that i like, girls are ..friendly. (probably will come back again) This club like many other food restaurant uses coin/coupon system. We paid 4000 yen with 3 coins , each coin entitle to almost any drink. We partied till 5:30 am and the sky was bright! Been ages since I last did this. Hailed cab to go back from Roppongi to Bakurocho station near Akihabara cost us 2600 yen.

Additional note on Tokyo 105.5
Woke up by the cleaner at :1230pm, not wanting to miss weirdos(youngsters dressed up in anime costume) I headed out to Harajuku earlier by myself. I stumbled upon a Shrine, found out later its Meiji Shrine near Harajuku. There is also a garden built by the Meiji Emperor for the empress for her to gain energy...it has like 100 trees to make it like a lil forest.

I only walked around the Meiji Shrine and not the garden as the ticket for full course is sold out and i dont wanna do things "half way", the course that was full was some kind of famous well.

I met up with Kelvin at Harajuku, and headed out to Shibuya. Discovered iconic buildings liek shibua 109 for guys 1 building and another building for girls shibuya 109, loft, tokyu.

Besides taking photos , while walking around , at train station, Kelvin and I felt like just standing there watching the crowd , it probably has got to do with the tiredness.

I like the many tv screen advertisement at the Shibuya main area.Always been my dream to experience such lively city. The crowd is just...crazy!

Tonight was the only night we came back this early 930pm!!Gonna go Tsukiji fish market tomorrow. Not gonna wake up early for warehosue tuna auction, just going there for sushi!

Japan log :Kyoto 102.5 Tokyo 103.5

Getting tired:

frm Facebook:
"Spent quite a bit of time looking 4 Ramen recommended by Jonathan Kok. Got back to Tokyo at around 3-4pm. Checked in back 2 Khaosan, Kelvin Lim went 2 see dad. Went 2 Akihabara 2 get another 16gb,then went 2 odaiba did long exposure shots under drizzling rain. Off 2 Ginza night walk. Had more rice rolls and vege fruit juice from convenience store at 12am"

While we were at the ramen shop, the lady that served us was from Shanghai and came to Kyoto 23years ago as that time economy was good in Kyoto ? another young lady also speaks mandarin. Not sure I got the right place as recommended by my friend Jonathan , but it sounds similar because the ramen is from Fukuoka. Slim version of ramen. the lady even explained its like how GuangXi(Guang Zhou West) ,Guang Dong(Guang Zhou East) different noodle type. She was trying to relate to us as she told us her niece studies in Harvard University!

While on the way back from bullet train it was a scenic ride as it just rain, there were mist all over, i took some video and photos but no amount of it can explain the experience.

Well, my travel mate spent the rest of his day with his dad, after reloaded myself with 2nd 16gb card, I went to Odaiba to take rainbow bridge and statue of liberty of Japan. It was drizzling but that didnt stop my determination in doing long exposure shot under the rain. I even did a self potrait :)

Trying to cover more of Tokyo, I took subway to Ginza and had a night walk and photography. Saw huge stores of Armani Exchange and I think it was LV(to be corrected later). I was relying heavily a lot on my 18-200 , pumping iso to 1600-2500 sometime even 3200 at f5.6! my framing is getting better even with holding umbrella and map on 1 hand and also umbrella on the other! I hope they turns out well when i view it on my 24inch lcd and upload them to facebook.

Ginza as shown in tv or similar to Shinjuku, lots of led advertisement and tv commercials. Except here there are more high end labels.

Maybe I "came" at the wrong time, I think Japan doesnt like me, I missed Mount Fuji and it was raining when i went to Odaiba T.T

Sunday tsukiji is closed and I am too tired to wake up early tml, probably will skip the Tuna auction session and just have fresh morning susih there!. I walked my ass off all the trip...I palms have like 3 blisters from holding camera, leg toe blisters, and leg felt liek breaking everytime I go back to backpackers.

I think I have covered a lot of nice shots of Japan to forgive myself not waking up at 4am for 5am tuna auction at Tsukiji market. Gomaneh Tokyo.

I have 8gb full and 16gb almost full. I cant wait to show the pictures so I am going to release these photos in stages

1)highlights(includes caption, and video attached to description where applicable. no photoshop , unless necessary and will mention)
2)all travel photos (everything but without photoshop)
3) Personal favorite with photoshop.

おやすみなさい, Oyasuminasai Tokyo.

Anthony

Tokyo Day 3

Off Early and in time for Sanno Matsuri at Akasaka mitsuke. Its praying for peace,not sure the details.

Nice experience for 1 of the major festival in Japan. Had tried the green tea ceremony, AWESOME, non of the green tea in my life tasted this good!! I swear its bloody authentic. Had beef BBQ stick and draft Asahi beer at 1 of the food stall at Sanno Matsuri, if Japan have anything that looks run down and outdated, dont be deceived!! Even local food stall have machine for draft beer!!

The festival itself drain out at least300-400 pics.

Went to Shinjuku walked around by myself while travel mate Kelvin Lim went to see his father. Expored Kabuki Street at SHinjuku. bought 16gb sandisk ultra2 and Tohoshinki(korea DBSK) for my housemate's cousin sister.

Got lost in Shinjuku Station, decided to hang out and pulled out my tripod at 6pm rush hour to take some long exposure shots.

Dropped by at Akihabara, approached few time by maid cafe girls. Doesnt feel comfortable by myself. Gonna wait for travel mate to go together. Had soba beef noodle, experienced purchase coupon meal before entering the restaurant thing.

WEnt to adult store to have a look, amazing how innovative and open Japanese are .They even have bluray versions! not sure if i want to get a copy. hehehehe

While at Akihabara station towards escalator, finally discover Yodobashi Akihabara building. Although headache from Sanno Matsuri exposure to sunlight, i decided to walk in. Again overwhelmed!

Shoulder is tired, might not bring tripod to Kyoto tomorrow.

Good night Tokyo,
Anthony

Tokyo Day 2

Tokyo day 2, 8gb of sd card is 50 percent gone, 500 more pics of storage left. need to get 2more 16gb frm Akihabara. Mount fuji was a disappointment but xperienced the suburb of Kawaguchiko of Mount fuji 5 lakes, Rotenburo, open air hot bath, and some sushis.
Went to SHinjuku, lots of ppl still around at 11-12am prolly because of World cup. Overly obsessed with vending machine drinks and convenience store snakcs such as rice roll, and doraemon red bean snack.
working ppl are mostly suit up, ladies are mostly with heavy make up( not that i am complaining).
People generally have 'high moral values' judging frm limited experience. Old people here still works, even till 12am.
There are junkies around of course but havent experienced them yet.
With only few words of Japanese we are able to communicated through using sign languages and writings.
Gotto love convenience of buying snacks in train and toilet.Gotto love ladies with beautiful dressing and make ups.
I m sensing certain city ppl are stressed out. For such a developed and 'productive' country shouldnt be a surprised hey?
GOing to bed, going for photo shoot at 11am for some local festival. Wish me luck hehe