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.

19 June, Love?

Image by Vina

Had an early breakfast with the whole herd. Salty stuffs.Then we went to pack a little and off to our little tour of the day.

Yay! We're Here!! Mori Art Museum! (Vina)

Mori Art Museum day!

Saw Takashi Murakami's signature flower soft toy at the lobby. It reminded us of our dreadful days doing vectors assignment of his works. Was quite hellish i would say.

Takashi Murakami flower soft toy (Vina)

First, we went to the observatory, it was so high up, and it feels as though we’re playing Sims, everything looks as small. 

Tokyo Tower view from the observatory  [Eugene]

Kang Hoon and the Tokyo view [Vina]

Cute food store we saw up there. [Vina]

Cute, aye? would you eat it if your food looks like this?? [Vina]

                 Then we went to the museum, was amazed by the exhibition they put up. 

The ¥2000 ticket of Love (Vina)

Grand Entrance (Joey)

Works of Damien Hirst, Yayoi Kusama and lots of others, depicting love. I love the way they don’t depict love, just as love, but it can actually branched out to a lot of other “love”s, such as broken love, family love, lust love, love love and weird love-obsession, hobby and such. As simple as the theme seems, I feel that it takes a lot to bring out the “love” artworks.

I was impressed by the Japanese old paintings of “Genji Monogatari” the famous Japanese novel. The colours they use are so earthly, just like the residence housings in Japan I see while hopping from one place to another.

Yayoi Kusama never fails to capture my emotion as how meticulous and detailed she can be, the forms she placed in that small room, makes it large and grand and many, as though one is overwhelmed or engulfed by those things. 

The carefully arranged and prepared free-form sculptures are placed in a way that every angle one looks, it never gets boring. Adel Abidin’s 52 Guaranteed Affection, brings laughter and looks of satisfaction to the ladies and gentlemen who watched it. I love how the exhibition is planned as from one section to another, different feelings arose with it, I was a little taken aback by Sophie Calle’s way of approaching the theme “love”, the way it woke me from the happy fantasy of the first two sections of the exhibition, it was more like a reality, that there is love, there is separation. Simple yet meaningful letters and pictures of those broken hearted people were so saddening. Sadly, I didn’t have enough time to look through the other two sections but I merely look through them.

Engulfed in Yayoi Kusama

After the museum, Joey, Eugene, Alicia, Jefera, and I got separated with the rest of the group, thinking they went for lunch, we did too. We tried the McDonald’s pork burger that we’ve been eyeing long before we touchdown. The meat was so juicy! a Must try in Japan!

I'm so sorry to my Muslim friends for posting this.

I just love the way the Japanese decorate their spaces. Who can imagine toilets can be this cute?

Next! We head off to meet with the rest of the group. And we got warned by Erica, for going missing T_T””

Anyway, we took the subway to Tokyo Wondersite (Shibuya).

Andddddd Here we are!

There's one ongoing exhibition at that time. "Not something i had in mind for a Wonder-site" as Eugene described. But it was enjoyable, i think? hahaha

At the reception area. Artwork 1

Details of Artwork 1

Guess whoooooooooooooo...........

None other than our lovely Erica! <3 wonderfully caged and lest she comes out to
 wreak havoc upon the minds of the weak. Never lose that youth, people!

Leads to....Artwork 2! secluded at one corner

Then we went on to the 2nd floor where we found..

THIS!  -Artwork 3-

They gave forms for us to sign if we are interested in taking part of their exhibition. Only Sheila and Vina were interested (after a lot of thinking - as it requires a minimum 30 minutes).

The group went on their seperate ways, those who stayed to watch these two species are: Erica, Joey, Vina, Sheila, Eugene, Melissa aaaaaand Chloe!

Sheila in her cage

Sheila happily in her cage.
"p.s. p.s.! look at bottom left! that's what erica do to provoke our feelings as a defenseless caged animal, not to tease us!!"

Poke the angry Ogress, poke sommore.

(images by Sheila)

"It goes from excitement and curiousity to boredom to alertness of the slightest sound and excitement when you see anyone and embarrassed (to other people whom i did not know). pretty much like what a dog would feel." - Vina
(images by Sheila)

View from inside - ("Shows how curious and bored i am,no? haha" -Vina)
(images by Vina)

They were told to stay in there, caged, for 30 minutes (or more..) and write down their feelings. Sheila stayed for around 20 minutes and Vina for around 25 minutes.

We head off to the Shibuya district and the group further divide itself.

From Eugene, Vina and Erica's point of view...here it goes..:

We at Shibuya, yo! yay!
(Photo by Eugene)

Meet the famous Hachiko bronze statue! at the Shibuya station entrance.

Something that captures my eye. beside the metro entrance.

We were on our way to kittyland - a cat cafe! We get so curious why the Japanese modern culture love fan cafes so much. whats worst, they pay so much money just for these "things"(ninja cafe, maid cafe..etc..), Erica said she's been to a cat cafe and kindly bring us there to experience it!

and... after lots of walking, WE FOUND IT!!

The place looks suspicious at first because its so hidden but not really hidden since its in the busy street of Shinjuku. We braved ourselves and went on, trusting Erica who happily brought us. Just look at that worried face. haha :D

Went up the lift and Tadaaaaaaaaa! HERE WE ARE~!

the Kitties!!!
(images by Vina)

 "The cats were super fat, and sleepypigs, and sooooo lordly! I tried to trick this particular beauty into staring at my camera while holding some shredded chicken on my left hand, but... after 3 seconds of not giving it the food, it HMPH me and flee to another person for food!!!!!!!" -Vina

The trick even works on human! and...one stupid cat

busy socializing, deep in thoughts, finding the rightful partner.

the curious lonely people

I had this funny feeling when i was there. as though its okay to be there but not okay either. so many japanese spend HOURS in there just to have the company of the cats, some visits so often that the cats are comfortable with them and thus became their "partner-pet". It's quite freaky yet interesting at the same time. I think it is due to the busy lifestyle in Japan and all the rush hours, people has no place to relax away from their daily stuffs, or just needed that certain affection. Im wondering the Japanese are so rush, yet how come these people can spend the whole day there? heh. Funny. -Vina

We headed for dinner. looking for a yummy store around the area. we went to walk round and round and round under the japan mist and FINALLY, this store that give such warm lights and nice aroma, attracted us. The store wasn't grand, it's just a simple store just like how the dramas often shows. but the food was excruciatingly good and CHEAP!! Its so good it hurts.

We weren't hungry at first but we ate like gluttons the moment the scent penetrates our senses.

Im surprised for one thing, The japanese actually allowed smoking inside the shop!

PROMOTION MEALS! :D CHEAP AND TASTY! A MUST EAT!

That's the end of our day, we took the metro and back to our hotel. Found a shortcut. INTENSE but its a 45 degree Staircase! No day we aren't exercising here.

Lastly, Thank you Erica for kindly showing us around and bringing us to this memorable experience! *kiss kiss*