20 June, Dispersed

The day before, there was a meeting and the descision was to split up and go around places in japan. There were a few groups of people and thus this post can only cover, one particular groups story, unfortunately. But i will interview the other groups for an update.

After a little discussion before bed, we decided to go Tokyo Central Wholesale Market, or better known as Tsukiji Fish Market. It is the famous wholesale market in Tokyo handling the distributions from fishes to flowers. Also, best known as one of the world's largest fish markets. More info on this place : http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3021.html

cute floor. noticed this on the way to the train station.

Upon arrival, (10mins walk from station) we can smell the salty and fishy smell and hear the energy and rowdy-ness of the place. 

the way in. many shops selling different things related to the fisheries.

our tally posing (there's mini melissa at the back) 

As instructed, we look out for this:
-It's abit expensive but worth it, only about 1200 you can get sashimi with don(rice) set.
-It's better to go as early as possible to go there.
-Even though it's morning but there're super long queues! sometimes you need an hour or more of queuing!
-There'll be many stores over there to choose from!

So, with this provision, we went to hunt for the store. though we ate a little breakfast beforehand, we still hunt excitedly as though we hadn't eaten in days..!! We're dying to try the delicacy. 

We did get a little sidetracked to this one cute japanese store selling fishmongers clothings and bags with japanese colouring and animals and t-shirts. (Ooops..)

We went on our journey, through the misty rain, crowded spots, fresh fishy smells..

(Eugene)

We went there and almost everyone was packing up,at first we were disappointed thinking it was closed but, no thankfully :)

(Vina)

Whats inside the fish market. just look at that box of blood..... 

Anyway, we asked and that wasnt the place to eat. Obasan said "Here no eat!" while vigorously pointing at the front side.

Finally, we found the long queue! (check!) whee! fooooooood~

(Eugene)

with other shops around..(check!) (Eugene)

and the team here queuing! :3 (sheila taking the photo)

(Sheila)

We got seperated as there were two shops. sheila and melissa to the shop on the left, while Alicia, Chloe, Eugene and Vina to the shop on the right. they're the same shop just two different spaces next to each other.

Here's the men who served us melt-in-the-mouth-sashimi-s!
fresh meats that has no fishy aftertaste, the texture is smooth and soft.
Just love the japanese way of serving and their art or serving. from when you just come in to the way they place each sashimi on the wooden "plate". It's their sushi- art.

(Us)

 (Us)

Here're some fishes that are not in singapore (except the tuna). First is the spotted sardine (Kohada), tuna (Maguro), flounder (Hirame), and "Kisu" fish, the young chef told me. We ordered The Japanes Half beak or “Sayori” at first but they ran out of it :( thus they gave us a fish off-menu - the Kisu fish.

melmel& lala's sushi set (melissa)

"toro..one."  *gulps* "Two more." *grin*


The Tale if the three Otoro

This is a story about Sheila's special relationship with this Otoro (tuna belly). We all ordered the same sashimi set except that on sheila's side, her young chef do not let her order sashimi. So, she ate sushi instead. What happened was, after the set meal, we get to order some more, and sheila did. She ordered one more Otoro sushi and a few others (thinking they are all the same price - no they aren't, otoro is 500yen more expensive! Thus not even local Japanese could afford to eat much.) Here's a quote from Sheila. "Toro, one." puts toro in the mouth as she yums away. "Two more." with that grin on her face, plus the shocked look of the chef "two more??"the chef confirmed. "yes, two more."

Then came the bill and swears.

Here's how she looks while telling us her expensive story. Just look at how much she wanted to cry.  (vina)

Side note, a single Otoro sushi is around 10.50 SGD.

A little after that costly adventure, we head on to the station to meet Joey and the gang. On the way there, we want to cry, we saw the real store that they told us about, the just-about-1200yen-meal.

Otw to meet Joey. Just look at the difference. The tallest and the shorty-est.

AT UENO!

On the way to Ueno Park

An original reproduction of Rodin’s The Thinker and Burghers of Calais are set at the entrance of the National Museum of Western Art in Ueno park

We met up with Joey and the other sub group. consisting of Joey, LJ, Kanghoon, Amanda. (sorry if i missed out anyone, do correct me.) went in for a look. Some wanted to go in while others want to venture out to other museums. Thus, the group disperse again, only to meet and have lunch together.

Joey, Vina, Chloe, Melissa, Sheila and Eugene went to the National Science Museum.

National Science Museum entrance, the train display (outside), the 360deg Theatre and planet exhibition

WE GOT OUR STAMP from the counter! WHEEEEEEE! (Melissa)

Upon entrance. MORE gachopon craze. We were busy with the gachapon machine. look at what joey is doing. Carefully scrying and predicting what will come out.

I'm sorry, Joey. I tried......but i cant help it. this pose just..
just... well. i shall call this the Gacha stance. Here Joey adopts the Gacha stance
in hopes to scare her toy of her dreams out of the machine.

We soon moved into the museum remembering there wasn't much time. First stop, the 360 Threatre.

The 360° THEATRE was amazing. "I love just how they bring everything up. How hot the lava feels or how cold the winter is, just with moving visuals. How it tricks your mind into feeling all that."


This is the largest science museum that covers everything from the evolution of life to Japanese inventions and technology, in expansive, imaginative displays, with plenty of exhibits geared toward children. A highlight is an entire arena of 100-some taxidermic animals from around the world, including a polar bear, camel, gorilla, tiger, bear, and other creatures (some are animals that died at Ueno Zoo). Other highlights include a dinosaur display; a hands-on discovery room for children exploring sound, light, magnetism, and other scientific phenomena; re-created wood and marine habitats; a Japanese mummy from the Edo Period curled up in a burial jar; Hachiko (stuffed Akita dog, on the second floor of the main building) - dont think it's the real Hachiko since they said that Hachiko was buried; and an extensive exhibition that allows visitors to stroll through some 4 billion years of evolutionary history.

The first exhibition area

Biodiversity

The stuffed bear. with the real fur n all. ew and wow.

first n second exhibition area. second would be the evolution. the sculptures made are so real that even the sweat seems alive.

The Japanese mummy, was scary but amazing at the same time. Sadly we cant take picture out of respect.

The evolution

We rushed to see all other exhibitions. sadly we just snaps and not really looking nor have the time to woooooow at those as we have to meet up with joey and the rest. and so we did.

On the way to lunch. Ueno pathway has these little feet marks of animals along the way.

Met up with Joey and mini gang at the station's restaurant. They had this big udon thing with chopstick that will move up and down. such a cute way of alluring people.

the chopsticks and the noodle will move up and down

Lunch at Ueno station

Curry udon?? and the famous western-japanese style Hayashi rice. Japanese food never fails to amaze.

Harajuku!

We went to Harajuku to venture. Hoping to meet otakus or cosplayers Which is one of the popular district and, culture in Japan. Unfortunately it was raining thus not many can be seen that day. I've always been amazed with all their efforts whenever i saw on the internet or Japan Hour, by their craft of creating the clothes and hair and make up done to mimic a 2D character.

We spent some time blending in as normal japanese and bought a Crepes from what-i-heard-as a famous crepe store in harajuku.  They have many varieties and many colourful displays, displays that don't lie. you get what you ordered. same size same price. Just look at the glutton who ate to his heart's content.

We went on walking till we got hungry. Now food seems to be a good motivator for us to return home.

This wonderful HUGE and CHEAP display was first thought of as a "Challenge" meal - like what often been depicted on tv as many japanese love these challenges on eating. So we braved ourselves and "LETS TRY"

 After a long walk and we got hungry. we went back to a shop we went past, as it was so alluring. The portions looks extra huge.The displays were so colourful and emits tasty flavours that tingles our senses and stomach. Ever wonder why the display is so huge?

 We finally find out why it's so huge. It's a PASTA BUFFET restaurant. felt cheated but energized to eat nonetheless! They have a lot of pastas and pizzas and other stuffs. all western style. Thus we challenged ourselves to eat and fill our stomachs to the brim! record in hand : 3 plates! by Eugene!

And we head home, struggling back to the train station and UP the STAIRS AGAIN, and psst, extinguished in the hotel rooms. Prepping for the next day, the last day in Japan for Hong Kong.