Hotel Sun Garden (or Mitsui Garden) afforded an intersting look at a suburban Japanese hotel. It's a Western-style hotel, but is meant for local clientele and is not a deluxe tourist hotel. (It has a signficiant wedding and family event trade. You may encounter one of these events going on for a look at local lifestyles.) Sun Garden was inexpensive compared with staying in nearby Tokyo. (Tokyo was easy to reach via train.) The hotel is in central Chiba, across teh street from Chiba's shopping and restaurant distrct. Rooms were comparable to rooms in a typical American motel. They were clean and comfortable, if appearing small from my perspective. A TV was provided and one could watch morning network news shows from the USA as well as Japanese channels. A computer with Internet access was also in the room as was the hot water carafe (for making tea or coffee) typical of Japanese hotels. The hotel's coffee shop serves both a Western-style and Japanese-style breakfast buffet.

After a very long flight from Toronto, arrived in Tokyo, and headed for an overnight at the Narita Comfort Hotel, which was very nice but small,
the next day it was off to Hong Kong onboard ANA business class, an excellent experience sitting in the upper deck of the 747 downing a few sake mini-bottles

Before heading to the airport, we headed to temple Naritasan Shinsoji which is actually a few temples set on a large park with garden paths, ponds and trees.  Quite relaxing and nice end to the trip.  Stopped over for some ramen at Ramen Bayashi (553-9 Hanasaki-cho) -- while it's a popular spot for tourists, the food was great and reasonably priced.

The Ushiku Daibutsu is the biggest buddah in the world and the biggest bronze statue in the world, though, I am given to understand that there is something else out there made of concrete which is bigger. Having said that, it dwarfs the statue of liberty... even with its pedestal. The inside is beautiful and educational and the overall experience leaves you glad you came. The gardens are lovely and worth walking through, though I'd have to call them average. When I say "average" gardens for Japan, though, I mean really great by international standards. There's a giant bell for you to ring after making a prayer, a huge incense burner, and a pond full of fish that will crawl over each other, out of water, to be fed. The entrance fee is nominal, so don't let that stop you. All in all, very worth seeing. And take a camera to get some great perspective shots.

This is probably one the shortest (and more high-maintenance) trips I've taken in a while -- quite a departure from basic backpack-and-hostel experience I ususally do.  This time I'm trading in the solo backpacker experience for the family and group tourbus that my parents booked us on.

This six day trip is more like 3.5 days discounting air travel.  After departing LAX Friday afternoon, I arrive in Narita Saturday evening.  In time for a quick dinner with my sister and parents in the hotel.  Tomorrow the actual trip begins with a 6:30 call and boarding the tourbus at 8:15 AM...god, did i just say tourbus??

So the flight was super long, but not entirely intolerable.  For some reason, there were hardly any people on the flight.  The seats were arranged in rows of 2 - 4 - 2.  I was seated in the 4 seat area all to myself, so when I got tired I just stretched out over four seats.  Needless to say, I appreciated that.

The movie on the plane was 'Dan in Real Life'.  Unfortunately I had just rented this movie the previous night was not so excited to see it again.  Not having much else to do however, I chose to watch it in French.

After a long flight we finally touched down in Narita.  It's pretty funny actually.  Coming from Vancouver, it didn't actually feel that weird to be the only white person in a crowd of Asian people.  However, this time, most of them and I were unable to communicate.

So in the lobby I went and purchased a phone card from a vending machine for $10 and called my friend in Tokyo.  I headed downstairs and waited about 30 minutes to get my Japan Rail Pass validated and purchase a ticket for the Narita Express to Tokyo Station.  My ticket had some English numbers on it but everything was in Japanese, so I had to ask a police officer what I was supposed to do.  He very kindly informed me which number represented my seat number. 

The train ride itself was longer than I expected and not too interesting.  It was dark out and I couldn't see very much of the city or countryside.   When I arrived at Tokyo Station I got a bit lost but found a pay phone and called my friend's cell. When he asked, "Where are you?", I responded, "I'm the white guy,"and we found each other shortly thereafter :). 

That night we went to a Chinese restaurant... I know... and it was really good.  We had some Japanese beer.  I ate the sama and a steak on rice.  Later we went to the convenience store to purchase another beer to bring back to the apartment and unwind.  Now as it was some ungodly hour my time, I thought I should be going to bed.

Journal Entry:

2007.06.26 [somewhere over the Pacific Ocean]

Date: unknown  Time: unknown  Location: somewhere over the Pacific OPcean, 9800 meters in the air

Hello, my name is caffeine.  My name is airplane.  My name is purple socks.  I smell like hazelnuts.  I taste my consciousness on my lips...my lips, which have the shape of her mouth.  Hello.  My name is Paris.

-

Just walked into a lavatory door.  I had forgotten...just before that, a bright young girl offered me a piece of maple candy.  She asked, "Do you want it?"  All i could come up with was, "I don't know, i don't like maple flavor."  You don't have to eat it," she continued to offer.  "No, no.  I think i'll eat it," i said.  "I've forgotten why i dont like it.  Im curious."  Hello.  My name is maple candy.

Dillan from MASS.ACHUSETTS:  Superman T-Shirt, Rainbow Wristband

-

scene:  its nighttime...boy is walking down the sidewalk; its lined with trees that billow in the night breeze.  The leaves are brilliant shades of red, orange, with a small spattering of yellow.  The air seems refreshing when it blows by, but when it stops, its apparent that the air is hot and humid...and it returns slowly, like a stone heating up.

As the boy nears the crosswalk to corss the sctreet, screeching tires can be heard faintly in the distance.  Across the street is a giant park, so there are more trees and vegetation blowing on the other side.  The whole scene has an off-yellowish tint to it, from the street lighting. [any camera pan, always pans clockwise from the center of the crosswalk.  can zoom in and out as it pleases]

The wind starts to blow in short spurts, a few seconds at a time, instead of a long steady breeze, like the night trees breathing, or blowing out small huffs, like a small child would blow in a pinwheel.

As the boy approaches the crosswalk, the camera pans behind him, looking across the street.  Camera cuts to the edge of the sidewalk, at knee level, looking across to the other side:  the crosswalk straight ahead into the darkness, the street is perfectly perpendicular, running left to right.  Four feet from the edge of the street, the "walk light" turns red...

May 28th through July 6th, 2002.

April 9th through April 17th, 2002.

August 15th through 27th, 2002.

Day 1:
After a 13 hour flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo, Arrived at Narita International Airport at around 5PM. Customs/Inspection/Getting a Visa took about an hour. Finally got out to the area where I met up with Alex after not seeing him since August. Found out that Narita isn't actually in Tokyo, pretty damn far from Tokyo actually, took us 2 hours to get to Hotel Accela which is in "Minami-Senju". We both learned that Japan has a very different understanding of "hotel" than we do. We did not have rooms, we had large boxes (you can read more in my review of the hotel). So Minami-Senju was the first place in tokyo that i stepped foot, and it wasn't a good vibe I got... We got to the hotel around 8pm, prepaid for 3 nights before seeing rooms, dropped our stuff off, went to walk around the area and get food. Alex told me that in his 4+ months in Japan, this was the shadiest place he'd ever seen. We walked around to find most food places to be closed as it was a quieter area of Tokyo and it was already 9pm or so. Finally found a place, didn't look very appetizing, but we were hungry. We walked in, it was fairly empty, the place had a karaoke machine and a drunken japanese man was using it. We ordered food, I ordered chicken strips and a salad and alex ordered some fishy food (something i didnt consider before coming to Japan, is that I'm allergic to seafood, so I was kinda screwed for a lot of the trip). They literally took our food out of a freezer, and stuck it in a microwave, atleast in mcdonalds, they dont show you. this guy, did it right in front of our face. and there was a roach on the counter 2 inches from my plate as I was eating. CULTURE SHOCK! (although alex told me Japan isn't normally like that, we were just in a very "dodgey" area (picked that up in London, dodgey=shady=sketchy, etc.) Got back to the hotel around 10-11pm after walking around a bit more and passed out.

It was the day before I left Japan and there's a lot of things that I'm really going to miss, with some exceptions of course like Wasabi and my Aunt. I wanted to remember the places, things and memories by heart and just be plain cheesy.

I went for a bike for the last time and dropped by at Daiso for some last minute souvenir shopping.  I am going to miss this 100yen shop where I have bought most of my souvenir gifts for my friends and family (chopsticks and fans) and the 100yen Purikura where I sometimes had to walk around the shop for an hour and wait for the 13yrs olds to leave the photo booth and have it all for myself.

I took some of my last Purikuras with tears in my eyes... well, not really... believe me!  I am definitely going to miss taking Purikuras! What the hell are they, you ask?? Purikuras are photo booths that are very popular in Japanese teenagers. The name Purikura is the shortened form of Print Club, in Japanese they pronounce it as Purinto Kurabu, hence Puri-kura! But Purikura now seemed to long for the Japanese and they like to shorten names a lot, so Purikura is also called Puri. The newer Puri booths are much bigger and can accomodate more people. They also have more features like personal messages, frames, backgrounds, and other sorts of fun designs for your pictures. It's a fun way to entertain yourself! I never really used the stickers onto anything, I just liked to collect them together and keep them.  Many trade their Purikuras with their friends to add more fun to it. 

After spending hours making the most of the 100yen Purikura in Daiso and being watched by a 3 yr old making a fool of myself, I went home with my bike. I liked biking in Japan. Many people use this mode of transportation most especially by students when they go to school or to meet with their friends. The countryside in the small city of Yachimata surrounded with fields of crops and houses is usually quiet. I liked biking in the cool afternoons the most. It relaxes me except once when I biked too long until dark and I went home with itching arms for reasons I do not know.

For dinner we left home and went to the same restaurant we ate at when I have just arrived in Japan. We sat on the same table and the same seats. And probably had the same food but I'm not so sure of the difference.  I am going to miss eating Japanese food everyday with chopsticks. Sushi, Sashimi, Yakiniku, Ebi fry, Sukiyakidon, Nissin Sea Food Cup Noodles etc.  I can just bike 2 minutes to the nearest convenience store and buy Sushi there, but I would recommend the Supermarkets to have it cheaper.

After dinner, my Aunt wanted to see if the Pachinko parlor is still open so we went there.  I tried playing Pachinko once but I never really got to like it which is a very good thing I must say! Daiso was next to Pearl Tomoe, the name of the Pachinko place, so Kenji and I went there for the last time to take more Purikuras *tears falling down*.  I finished packing when we went home, or at least I tried.

I'm going to miss my room with paper walls that I have used for my advantage in eavesdropping my Aunt's bad talking about me, the earthquakes that happened for 5 times in just one morning (imagine the horror I have to endure), the toilet with warm seat and many colorful buttons that doesn't include flushing, and using the bath tub filled with hot water used by all of us in the house. If you did not get the last part let me try to explain it.. You use the bath tub for soaking only but you do not use the water once and drain it after use, the other people in the house still get to use it too. The water is changed usually once every two days or until the water looks 'unbathable' (if such word exists).  The water is really really hot but even in summer, I enjoyed soaking in it especially when I get to be the first one who use it. In Japanese bathrooms, the toilets are separated in another rooms.

There are so much more that I miss like the places we've visited, the summer festivals, the upside down train, Japanese tv, and so many more I definitely couldn't rememeber them at once.  I have barely improved my Japanese but I am proud of myself I have used my cousin's laptop with no difficulties despite having most of the words and names written in Japanese. 

Japan is so wonderful!

I told my Uncle that I wanted to go to and explore more of Chiba before I leave Japan. Well, obviously I wasn't able to stay really long here (for some reasons like not getting along with my aunt, really not getting along with my aunt, and i was afraid my aunt will soon murder me) and so I decided to try have my luck in another place... again. But that doesn't mean I'm not gonna try living here anymore, just not yet this time.  ^^

For what reasons, my Uncle asked, why I wanted to go to Chiba I simply answered, "Because I want to ride the upside-down train." And the good man that he is decided that we're all gonna go so that means I don't have to force myself on spending any of my money that really doesn't exist.

As we got to the first end of one of the only two lines of the Chiba Monorail System, my Uncle bought me and Kenji our tickets and told us that they'll just pick us up at the last station. It was Kenji's first time too so I'm not the only one here who thinks it's going to be awesomely cool!

The ride was smooth but sometimes the train was a bit wiggly though but then when I think of it, even other less cool trains can also be wiggly so not really a big deal. What I like more about my upside-down train is it can get really high like 4 to 5 stories above the ground. Me and Kenji were taking pictures like as if it's one of UNESCO's world heritage site but who cares! Actually, no one did! I felt like we were invisible because none of the passengers even stared or look at us. 

But like any other journeys, whether upside-down or not,  our ride has to end.  While waiting for us to be picked up Kenji and I took a bunch loads of pictures. When my Uncle and Aunt arrived, we waited in our car for a photo opportunity with the upside down train until finally we did. So me and my Uncle jumped out of the car and I posed for a souvenir picture with my favorite train! 

We then headed our way to Chiba Port Tower to have some panoramic view of the city. It may sound stupid but I actually didn't realize at first that the Chiba Port Tower is actually... a tower until we got on the elevator and saw that  most of it were just made of steel and the difference between first floor and second floor was a hundred meters. It looked like totally a building from the outside because it's covered with mirror glasses. And it was really slim!

The first floor of the tower is the entrance and where, of course, you can buy your tickets to go to the 2nd to the 4th floor for the city view. And since Chiba is not very far from Tokyo, I was able to see the magnificent Tokyo skyline! And yes, I did say magnificent!  By the tower is where the Chiba Port Park is and where the Chiba Summer Festival with fireworks are actually held (see  'My Unwanted Marriage' entry if you care). And not very far, about a few meters, is a beach. Not so nice but good enough for some people to swim at.

Whatever happened to the rest of the day, I do not remember so end of story. ^^

Yachimata is a very small city which makes it's humble summer festival quite special for me because it just seemed like a huge family gathering. I mean it when I say it's special and I don't care if I sound cheesy!! ^___~.

There were still the usual water games for kids on the streets like fishing fishes, small poor turtles and also rubber balls and toys.  It is fun just walking around and watching. Spending summer in Japan is great because it's the season for summer festivals. Many people were dressed with their traditional summer wear called Yukata.

While walking and watching we grabbed some free fans from a couple of guys on the street since summer here can be really really humid.  Instead of flyers, the Japanese give out tissues or fans with advertisments on it.  We then made our way to the small park where most of the Matsuri (Japanese for summer festival) in Yachimata were held and there I saw more food stalls with lots of kinds of foods, people selling their old stuff and even a free concert.  But in the middle of the park was a stage surrounded by big traditional drums which was kind of cool!

We walked around the small park and I had my favorite pineapple, watched some singer and sweaty dancers dance around the other stage and then something I wasn't expecting happened.

Everyone, or most of the people, with their traditional clothes on came gathering around in a circle and started dancing as the drums rolled by with their folk music. It was fun especially when I was right at the center and couldn't get out because I wouldn't want to ruin their dance moves! I was glad they didn't get annoyed by me walking around them with my camera right in front of their faces. 

But I didn't know it would last longer than 30 minutes so somehow I needed to get out and I'm glad I did when I got the chance in between songs. We stayed for a little while until it got dark.

Matsuris are very relaxing and a nice way to enjoy the people and Japanese culture. ^^

I'm trying my very best to make this sound like a travel blog and not as 'Hanie's Personal Dilemmas and Rants' so I wouldn't say much on how annoyed, mad and frustrated I was being with my Aunt and her friend, who's also a Filipina, in a mall early this day.  Period.

In the afternoon we went to the city of Chiba as they were having their Matsuri or summer festival. Kenneth was still, as always, not in the scene and Kenji decided to have some fun by going with his friends instead. So I was stuck with my Uncle, my fantastic Aunt and their friends Mr. and Mrs. Ishii.  My Uncle and Mr Ishii have their own conversations while my Aunt and Mrs Ishii also have theirs. I was very bored and lonely. Glad to see the upside-down-train to cheer me up but I couldn't find its picture that I tried so hard to take. (x____o)"

Now here's something about the Ishii's. They're a really nice Japanese couple who's desperate to get their youngest son married. Their oldest son is already married and has three kids with a Filipina. And when they found out that I was from the Philippines as well they thought I would be interested in getting a Japanese husband by marrying their 30yr old bachelor just so I could live in Japan.  I didn't get offended since it wasn't the first time that I got into such issues. I had such experiences as well while I was in Norway and England like ugh-- getting marriage proposals from guys I haven't really gotten to know yet and even talked to much. There are women who would jump into marriage just so they could have permanent residency in a country instantly seeking a not-so-guaranteed better life.  But I am so not one of them. I don't need to do such things.  Wait, do I look like some sad lonely desperate single girl?? I hope not.

I only got to see Ishii's son once and never really got to know him personally so I'm proud to say now that I didn't get married and I am still so single, available and lonely.  If I would marry a Japanese guy I already have someone in mind and that would be Keita Tachibana, a pop star who I won't probably even see in real life. I have some connection with him though, I had a Japanese friend who's friend is a friend of Keita's brother.  Sounds like a very sad girl, don't I?

Ugh, now this is completely 'Hanie's Personal Dilemmas and Rants'! Going back to the summer festival...

This festival was a major one so lots of people were to be expected.  The fireworks show was the highlight of the event. Early comers will be lucky enough to get a good spot in the park by the beach where they could have a good view of the fireworks while some people who didnt get to have a nice spot to sit on  have laid their mats on the sidewalks instead. 

And then there were the really late comers who took an hour finding a parking spot, had to walk a mile and didnt even get to reach the park because the fireworks had already started, and had to climb up a wall of some harbour and sat there while some guard were scowling at them for doing so.  It would have sounded cool if all them were some teenagers! My Uncle got back to our car before the fireworks started and parked it near us so we wouldn't have to walk all the way back.

So after an hour of fireworks, a 150$ parking ticket and finding Kenji and his friend from the crowd we had dinner at some restaurant and went home.