This one is a little short and wierdly edited (as most of my videos are) because the temples in Kyoto don’t really appreciated cameras as much as you and I. Since I spent pretty much my entire time in Kyoto in the temples, there’s not much footage. However, I thought I’d share a little.
I also got to sneak a few snaps, so check my Flickr stream for some Kyoto goodness.
I swear, it’s the most beautiful place on Earth. It’s hard to express just how much focus the Japanese can give to details. While in the gardens of Ginkakuji, there was a group of gardeners attending the moss — just the everday moss that grows no matter what you do was given the same amount of care and attention as their flowers and trees. If you ever get a chance to go to Japan, do not miss Kyoto. It is friendly, beautiful, and moving.
Well, it’s my last few days in Tokyo. What a ride it has been. Call me sick, but I love the last few days of a trip the best. I’m excited to finally return home, I don’t want to leave, and I’m trying everything to relive my vacation one last time before I go. Because I know how memory works and soon Tokyo will only be a feeling — an event to be referred to in the past tense.
I saw so many things here and barely scratched the surface. I saw punk living on in a new culture and generation. I saw the most beautiful places on Earth. I saw a society struggling with accepting an international community that doesn’t understand it. I saw many stereotypes shattered and many more I didn’t expect. There is a feeling here that sings in my heart but is not mine to know, hold, nurture, or understand. It fascinates me like fire, will, and the purpose of being. There is more to Tokyo than I’ll ever understand.
That is why I will miss it so much when I go. I am a philomath, an autodidact, and a collector of knowledge. I am obsessed with what I do not yet know. I don’t think I came here for the manga or the pretty girls or wearing rose coloured glasses. I did not come to appropriate any culture or fill the void of my own lack of it. I will miss it because I came here not knowing why I wanted to come and I am leaving with an answer.
I just love the last few days. They are full of contemplation. And an eagerness to never forget.
For my trip to Tokyo, I booked my stay at Azabu Court Residential Hotel. It’s mainly for extended stays and can be booked for discounted rates in weekly and monthly blocks (which is actually very rare in Japan — volume discounts are almost unheard of here). They provide well-kept rooms of a great size with all the amenities at some killer rates for the part of Tokyo it is located in. I’ve been very happy with my stay here.
The Room
Their smallest single room is bigger than the rooms in somewhere like nearby Nishi-Azabu APA Hotel (and costs nearly a third less). It is well furnished, has high-speed LAN based Internet, basic cable (that includes a few English channels such as Discovery and CNN), a DVD/VHS player, and even a small modestly equipped kitchen. Remote controlled air-conditioning is nice (and practically necessary in the summer). It’s a good room.
The Service
The service is minimal. Unlike proper hotels like Nishi-Azabu APA Hotel, Azabu Court does not provide complimentary sundries, daily maid service, concierge services, and so forth. They do provide a coin-operated laundry room, cleaning services (for a fee), and weekly towel changes and maid cleanings. The do provide a few sundries for a small price at the front-desk and the will post your mail for you. You also get a personal direct-line phone number in your room so friends and family can get a hold of you.
This means you have to take care of yourself. It’s more like renting a short-term apartment rather than staying in a hotel. It helps with the budget as well since you can do a little grocery shopping and save on eating out so much (which I found very handy for meals like breakfast). It’s quite minimal and I happen to like it that way.
The Location
Azabu Court is a little tricky to find (if you remember, I got lost my first night in Tokyo looking for it). It’s tucked away off the side in a residential area which is where it gets its namesake from. The location is perfect and really gives you that “at home” vibe. You get to feel like you’re living in Tokyo while you stay here. It’s based at Hiro-o Station on the Hibiya line on the same side as Hiro-o Gardens (opposite Hiro-o Plaza). You’ll hit a Segafredo on the left — take the right and keep walking. Eventually you’ll see signs on the right that will point you in the right direction (my problem was I didn’t go far enough down the street before deciding it wasn’t in that direction). It will probably help a lot of you print out their map (which I thought of AFTER getting lost) before hand as well as writing down the address.
It’s location at Hiro-o station is very convenient. The area around the station is known as the very affluent Azabu district: upscale boutique stores and restaurants line the main streets. However, it’s a pretty chilled out area and has a small expat community nestled somewhere within. The station is also only 2 stops away from Shibuya, 3 from Harajuku, and 4 from Shinjuku; which are all very popular areas of Tokyo (certainly my favorites). The Hibiya line intersects the downtown Tokyo and connects all the major lines within a few stops of Hiro-o, making Azabu Court an ideal home base for your own Tokyo adventure.
The Conclusion
If I come for another visit to Tokyo, I’m staying at Azabu Court Residential Hotel for sure. It’s the best bang for the buck. It’s conveniently located. It’s well equipped for foreigners.
I highly recommend it to anyone looking to vacation in Tokyo.
Modern sushi pretty much originated here in Japan. The sushi we know and love was invented in Edo (Tokyo before it became Tokyo) as a form of fast-food. The fish were caught right out of the bay, skipped the fermentation process, and were sold road-side and in theaters.
If you ever get a chance to come to Tokyo or Japan, be prepared to have the best sushi of your life. The freshest you can get is right at Tsukigi market early in the morning when all the fishermen have returned with their catch. Tokyo is also packed with sushi restaurants across the city which serve their courses with fresh new fish every day. It is a very delightful experience.
However, be careful when eating sushi here. You may have tried it at home and had a good experience, but there are so many types of sushi here that will probably outnumber what you’ve experienced so far. Some of them may be so outlandish that your body isn’t ready to accept them as, “food.” Also, be wary not to eat sushi that is “too fresh.” Most countries require fish to at least be frozen before it is served in order to protect humans against a condition called Anisakis caused by small parasites in the fish. If you’re at a restaurant, just stick with what you know. If you’re at Tsukigi early one morning, make sure you know the fish was frozen first.
For those who are a little more daring, such as myself, if you are not careful you may find yourself hunched over a porcelain bowl. For most people that will be the end of it; the unlucky few may require further treatment. However, just being realistic and safe will likely net you a positive experience. Enjoy!
Sorry for the short video! A lot of the places inside Akihabara don’t allow cameras. However, I hope you get the idea of what it’s about. If you know about Akihabara, then you don’t need me to show you anyway I’m sure.
Also, my free flickr allotment ran out for this month in just a few days. This means I may be changing providers or something so that I can keep bringing you fresh photos from Tokyo. Stay tuned!
Also, keep the comments coming! They make me happy.
Today I head out to Harajuku for some shopping and more photos! Hopefully I’ll meet that elusive friend that’s waiting to meet me. I know you’re out there!
I didn’t plan on it, but four days in and I’m homesick. It’s my first time traveling so it shouldn’t be any surprise. If it’s your first time traveling internationally and you’re staying somewhere for more than a few days, plan for a day or two of homesickness. Also do not underestimate its effects: nausea, depression, anxiety, etc. It’s hitting me pretty hard — sleeplessness, nausea, and a little anxiety.
Everybody reacts differently to homesickness, so the treatments will vary from person to person. For some it may help to bring a special personal belonging while others may need to keep in touch with people they are familiar with at home. My idea was to try eating some familiar North American food and spend some time in my hotel room watching some English television and catching up with English websites. I don’t know if it works, but hopefully it will go away soon and I can get back to my vacation.
