Mega Happy Japan Trip '15: Day 7

Sunday was my last full day in Japan. I was finally going to do what I intended to do on this trip and that was to meet my friend Jun. I had no idea what to expect. I just knew it was going to be good.

That morning I got away from the Western foods for the breakfast buffet and decided to go for the Japanese side. I'm so glad I did.

Ok I had miso soup, steamed rice, soba noodles, umeboshi, (sour plum,) croquette, vegetables, mackerel, and some tasty nori. Also a nice salad. I should have gotten this earlier on my trip.

After, I walked outside to the nearby drink machine and bought ice cocoa. I have had plenty of hot cocoa but never ice from a can. It was good.

I walked outside, waiting for Jun to arrive. Across the street at an izakaya I saw high school boys in black uniforms shouting. They were celebrating someone's birthday. They took him outside and in a big group threw him up in the air several times. It looked like a lot of fun.

Soon, Jun arrived and I got into the SUV. His wife Kaori was with the kids, July and Jessica, in the back. We drove for about 20-minutes. I used that time to find out what Jun had been doing. He told me that I was fatter. I asked him how did he stay in shape. He pointed at a pizza delivery car and asked how many slices I ate and how often I ordered pizza? I said twice a month and 5 slices. He said that was why. They order a large and only eat one to two slices and they order once a month.

 There is truth to that but I also feel that walking everywhere helps.

We stopped at a traditional Japanese restaurant for soba noodles. This is the nice restaurant where you take your shoes off.

I let Jun and Kaori pick out my lunch.

It was really good and better than the soba I had for breakfast.

Following lunch, we got back inside the SUV and drove off for the highway. It is so relaxing to go for a Sunday drive in Japan. The interstate traffic was not jammed like on Saturdays. Also it was a treat for me to see Tochigi from a car instead of a train.

We headed to the resort town called Nasu. It is a quaint town and only certain colors are allowed. I saw lots of black and brown and no harsh reds on any of the buildings. Jun explained that people love to own a second home in picturesque Nasu and that European and Western style houses are the most popular. We passed several lush green forests that looked serene.

Ok we were going to an amusement park but the Gundam exhibit had already passed. So we went to Safari Park instead.

At Safari Park we first went to feed the rabbits and see the petting zoo.

Next, we got into a rental car and drove through the gates to see animals up close. We each had food to feed the animals from the car. 

I had my window down and Kaori told me that there were free roaming tigers and lions inside so I rolled it back up. Here are some of the animals we saw.

Then it was back to feed the rabbits again.

Group photo time. My antler hat was so heavy.

Seeing the Tanoi family interact made me sad and I wanted to be married and have my own children.

I still have hope for the future.

Here is a short video on what is was like driving through Safari Park.

One last look.

Next we went to the Sapporo Beer Garden, also in Nasu. We had the whole place to ourselves on this lazy Sunday afternoon.

 It is a nice place with a beer sampler with meats and cheeses. I believe there is a beer factory here.

New beer.

I could have stayed here all day. However, time to go.

Seeimg Palm trees made me miss Tampa.

We got back on the highway and headed back. We stopped at a department store because I needed a bag to take stuff back in.

That night we were joined by Joshua and went out to dinner at my favorite unagi (eel) restaurant

Children's beer that foams up and tastes like ginger ale.

Fried eel bones that were so addicting. I didn't want to stop eating them.

My favorite Japanese food is unagi don, which is grilled eel over rice with a sweet, tangy eel sauce.

 It was all so good. The only thing I didn't eat was the shrimp head. You are suppose to suck the brains out from the head and I couldn't bring myself to do it. So I gave it to Joshua. He liked it. I'm glad it wasn't wasted.

 I was dropped off at my hotel and July shook my hand and I said goodbye to Jun and his family. Jun told me that they would be visiting Tampa soon.

On Monday morning I was up at 3am to pack up. Then I waited at 4am at the bus stop in front of the hotel. I was advised to get on the bus early due to Tokyo Monday morning traffic jams. 

Here is Utsunomiya at 4am.

Soon the highway bus arrived. It would take me from this point to Narita International Airport.

I was sad to leave.

Then I waited for my long flight to Chicago on this plane.

Last minute souvenirs.

I felt so sad seeing this last view of the land and the Sea of Japan. Maybe it is because I hate goodbyes. Most likely it is the good friends that I leave behind.

Usually I get cranky when I return to the US. This time was different. When I got off the plane at Tampa International Airport, I was glad. There is nothing like being able to sleep in your own bed at night.

So ends my trip and I hope you enjoyed reading it because I had fun writing it.

Mega Happy Japan Trip '15: Day 6

I woke up around 8am Saturday morning, unsure of what I was going to do. I did know that I was hungry so I decided to take the elevator down. Saturday was busy at the hotel. Lots of high school guys and girls, each wearing matching sport outfits. There must be a game nearby that they were here for, Anyway, the restaurant was packed so I decided on what my friend Colin calls, "random Japanese breakfast," and he is right, it is the best.

Walking out into the sunlight, I crossed the street, went to Lawson's at the station. The idea is to pick a convenience store and pick out anything you have a craving for. Here is what I bought and brought back from my Lawson's haul.

Obviously I needed energy after my night adventure at Sega World and Georgia Coffee Max was the best choice.  Either that or an energy drink, however, I rarely drink energy drinks because I don't think they are healthy. I have to be extremely tired to get one. So I got pancakes in a bag that were amazing. In between the pancakes was butter, maple syrup, and whipped cream. They were really good considering they were in a bag and I was surprised how fresh they were. Next, was curry fries and they were good. I washed everything down with coconut water. Now the coconut water was very bland and I'm not sure if I would buy it again. What I wanted were the coconut drinks that contain coconut pulp that you find in Thai markets. This was like drinking water with a faint coconut taste.

Following breakfast I called Jun and was shocked to learn that he had to go to ER last night due to stomach problems. He caught something in either the food or the water in Vietnam. He wouldn't be able to hang out today. I was bummed. I was hoping to get together with some of my friends from USF like Tomomi and Taeko. Looks like we will have to get together on my next trip. Tomomi has his own hair salon in Tokyo. He is from Oita in Kyushu, the southern part of Japan. I would love to go to Oita one day. Beppuu in Oita is famous for hot springs. I will definitely go using my Japan Rail Pass next time.

Jun encouraged me to enjoy Saturday and do something relaxing like go to Asakusa, an area in Tokyo that celebrates traditional Japanese culture. Honestly, I was in the mood for something crazier so I decided to see Harajuku instead.

The idea for Harajuku came from reading Japanese Schoolgirl Inferno by Patrick Macias. In that book Macias explains that Japanese schoolgirls set popular trends that start in Harajuku and eventually spread all over Japan and all the way to America. Just take a look at Gwen Stefani's video for her song, Harajuku Girls, to see who young Japanese girls are influencing internationally. Also, I was influenced by the Japanese street fashion magazine, Fruits, and the Tokyo Look Book by Philomena Keet that has pictures of the Harajuku look, including Goth Lolita. So I was on a mission to seek out crazy fashion.

Exiting Harajuku Station, I wasn't sure what to expect but I knew I had to see Takeshita Street, the heart of Harajuku fashion. Looking up I saw it right away and crossed the street to check it out.

There were so many people!! It was difficult to move around and take pictures. The shops and the clothes outside were cool. However I didn't see any interesting fashion on the people walking around. I wanted to take pictures of unique fashion styles and cosplayers. I found out after my trip that the cosplayers usually come out on Sundays. Maybe it was too early to get to see anything weird.

I walked along the loop of Takeshita twice, just to scope it out and get a feel for it. Kawaii crepes were sold everywhere and the only thing annoying were the Nigerians who occasionally shouted at each other. They looked mean for some reason.

After my second time around, I was getting hungry so I left Takeshita, and found a really cool looking upstairs ramen shop that was packed. I was in the mood for something different so I ordered Kyushu ramen. The broth was amazing.

In Japan you are expected to slurp your noodles loud to let others know that you are enjoying your meal. So with a Chinese spoon in my left hand and chopsticks in my right, I slurped as loud as I could. I highly recommend this ramen shop.

Here are some pictures inside the shop. I love the little touches like the faces.

With my belly full, I walked back outside and just wandered around. I wanted to see Yoyogi Park to see if I could find cute girls in Goth Lolita fashion, cosplayers, or the Rockabilly dudes. So in my wandering around I found a park and looking at a street sign with a map was happy to discover that it was Yoyogi Park.

Now if you can find them the Rockabilly guys are the perfect photo and video opp. They dance to 50's rock, blasting from a nearby boom box. Generally, Sunday is the day to see them and the cosplayers.

I was forced to abandon my mission when I couldn't locate any crazy fashion. I created a new goal to enjoy a nice, leisurely stroll around the park. The park is huge.

I did see groups of people dancing in a circle.

Pictures from my long walk.

After enjoying some live music it was time to say goodbye to Yoyogi Park.

Ok now that I was relaxed it was time to head back to Takeshita and be bold with picture taking.

Back for more street action.

I almost stopped to buy some baggy pants to hang down and show off my underwear.

80's pop culture.

Still no one wearing this and I thought I would see someone any second.

After taking this I was told by a staff girl, in English, to not take pictures of the merchandise. I know not to do that but sometimes you just have to.

I did see a kawaii candy shop with a very genki girl outside, handing out free samples, and encouraging shoppers to step inside. I stopped and politely asked to take her picture. So sweet!! I should have told her to come to the US with me and I will make all your dreams come true.

I love random bits of pop culture like this.

It was time to leave Harajuku and all those crazy shoppers.

It is so nice to see anime everywhere and not just at anime cons in America.

On the train ride back, I did something good that made me proud. I was sitting on a crowded train when three elderly gentlemen stood in front of me. Immediately I stood up and offered my seat. When they left, the one who I gave my seat to, thanked me in Japanese and bowed. I was moved by this. In Japan, always respect the elderly.

Returning to Utsunomiya Station, I went to Mos Burger because I knew I couldn't get it back home.

I have to agree with my Japanese friends and say that I like the burger at Mos Burger better than McDonald's.

I got Melon soda with mine, a green, very sweet drink that is popular with kids. You can get it in bottles back home but it is not as good as from a soda dispenser.

Just look at this burger!! Pure mouth pleasure!!

So good. 

Then it was time to return to my room. I called Jun and he told me to wait for him in the lobby tomorrow morning. 

I had no idea what to expect.

Day 7 was my last full day in Japan and will be coming soon.