An Essay on the first day in Japan
As I'm typing this, the morning news is showing some clips from yesterday's Rock in Japan Fest. I've wanted to attend it since maybe around 7 years ago. It's actually the driving force behind the decision to finally visit Japan.
A week before departure I was in a bind. For some reason the request for leaves I made back in May still haven't been approved. But I've worked hard for this (or at least I think I did) for EIGHT freaking months so I was determined to make this happen without snags. Full disclosure: I submitted my resignation from work so my request would be granted. I'm technically rendering my last 30 days while on this trip and I'm currently deciding if I'd retract or not. See how being decisive and determined works.
But I digress, this post is about Japan, not work. Anyway, I only had a rough idea about where to go and what to see. I wanted to get lost. Wanted to discover things and maybe find myself too.
Crunchtime and I was on full panic mode. Up to the last minute I was still stuck with whether I should get a JR Pass or not, and if I'd go on the Skyliner or on the N'Ex. Bahala na muna. I haven't had decent sleep three days leading to departure and I guess that was a moment of mental breakdown or something. The important thing was I got to be on the flight.
Flight highlights:
1. I checked in early! I was determined to not have a repeat of last year's buzzer beater booboo, so I was there two hours before. Bwahaha.
2. Tangina, NAIA Terminal 3 pa lang, Japanese cutie spotted na! And he was carrying a guitar, so plus points! Haha /babaw.
3. Sat next to yet another Japanese cutie on the plane. Anak ng tokwa, gusto ko kausapin/tanungin but he was real quiet and slept all throughout. He slept on my shouder too, haha! Kaso mo, when I took a secret peek at his customs declaration form, aaaay, 1991 ang birthdate. Ayoko makulong sa Japan, noh! Kung mabasa mo man 'to, Harada Mitsuki, gusto ko sabihing ang cute mo matulog!
4. Just when I thought it's gonna be an uneventful flight, DUN AKO NAGKAMALI. I was at the customs counter in Japan when the officer asked to open my bag. Then he let me pass. Luckily I decided to have a toilet break first because that was when I found out that I left my passport at customs! DIYOS KO. Of all the things that could happen. I was looking for the information desk when all of a sudden, I heard my name on Narita PA system! Lol puta sikat. Then while walking, the customs officer who examined my bag found me and led me to the info desk. He was out of breath, it looked like he ran around to look for me. Diyos ko, nakakahiya! Pero ang bait ni kuya customs officer huhu so helpful! Pucha, this story is gonna be one for the books again!
5. I was so emotionally messed up, I took the Skyliner to Ueno. Travel budget be damned! IT WAS SO COOL. And it was on time and it took me to Tokyo in 40-something minutes.
Once at the Keisei Ueno station, I immediately looked for a machine that sells the PASMO. Super babaw, I chose it because the card looks neater than the Suica. Syempre I'm gonna take it home with me! It was only around 1PM and I'm supposed to check in at the hostel at 4PM. I killed time by going around Ueno Park. I first left my 10kg backpack at the station lockers. Paid ￥500 using my PASMO. It was so easy and convenient!
Two comments about Ueno Park: not enough signs in English (at least where I looked) and it's not really a place for quiet solitude especially on Sundays. XD
I went inside Ueno Zoo masabi lang. It was a clear, very hot day. Feeling ko nasunog mukha ko sa taas ng araw! I saw two pandas, a lion, three elephants, the flattest/thinnest reticulated python I've ever seen in my life, a red panda, pink flamingos, a Japanese black bear, missed out on seeing a polar bear because he was people shy, emoterang monkeys, echoserang frogs, prairie dogs na parang nagp-PS3 lang, kangaroos, an okapi, an aardvark, and countless lovers on a date. Seryoso, Sundays are zoo-date days pala, now I know. Hahaha!
Went out of Ueno Zoo around 3PM. Originally planned on going to the National Science Museum but I wanted to see the Kaneiji and the Jomyoin Temples. I didn't find Kaneiji because of lack of google maps and misjudged distances, but I found Jomyoin! I was the only one there. It was so quiet and peaceful, it brought me to tears, LOL! Went back to Ueno Park and to the Keisei Ueno station to pick up my bag.
I planned on going to Asakusa on foot. But it easily gets confusing unless you've got a built-in gps / navi in you. I guess a lack of preparation also contributes highly to the phenomenon of going around in circles. I ended up in the JR Ueno station only to find out I should be looking for the Metro subway station. Got out, found the Metro subway, only to find out that the Ginza line I've been seeing over at the JR Ueno station was THE SAME subway line I should be taking. Major facepalm moment. This derp has become complacent and stopped planning things down to the train station ~exits~ since 2 years ago in Hong Kong. Tsk tsk.
Finally got to the Asakusa station, but where is the Sensoji Temple? I could only see the Skytree and the Asahi building. Eeeeengk! Wrong exit. I got to the Azumabashi (which looked great coupled with the Skytree and the Asahi building in the background) crossed the street four times, before finally finding what I was looking for. Remember that was me with my 10-kg backpack. Uh-huh. And here I thought I could carry something heavier comfortably...
Sensoji is amazing. I can only imagine the skill of the people who made it and the people who maintains it. Parang walang alikabok yung buong ka-laking temple! I didn't stay for long, I think it's already closed.
After going through the temple grounds, I found the Lawson branch that was my landmark for the hostel. The only thing is, I didn't know if I should go left or right. I always go for the right when confronted with situations like these, only to find out if I'd taken a left, my hostel was only about 100 meters away. LOL. Lesson learned: do not always choose right. Because there's a 50% chance it's left. XD
My room is GLORIOUS. Cozy, neat, and got all that I needed (I almost hugged the electric kettle on sight) I was kicking myself why did I change my mind to cancel 3 nights here to move to a backpackers' place where I'll share a room with 3 other people and will share a bathroom with I don't know how many more. I almost lost the battle within myself to stay inside and just watch TV.
I went out again at 8PM and woah boy! 8PM in Asakusa is like 2AM in Manila. Everything's already closed and I think there were only 3 others walking the streets, too. And there's literally a vending machine every few meters! There are allso common parking spaces so there's really few residences who have their own garage. I think there are more bicycles than cars here!
I walked along Kototoidori to the Skytree/Solamachi. Goodness! Another misjudged distance, what the hell is wrong with you, Google maps! LOL. I originally intended to only stay at the park in the same side of the Sumida River as I was (to see the Skytree at a distance because it's prettier that way) but the park didn't have lights on, so I thought it was closed. I didn't really feel like going up the Skytree because I'll be on the Metropolitan building on Thursday and I'll have my obligatory cityscape shot there, so I just went around the mall. I'd imagine this is how the Powerplant Mall looks like (I haven't been to Powerplant) it's like SM Fashion Hall-ish, Rustan's-ish, and Greenbelt-ish. Nothing special for me, really.
Walked back to the hostel and made yet another wrong turn (wrong right, badum tss) and I ended up in ARAKAWA, holy smokes! So tired and hungry (I haven't eaten anything decent yet) I bought a box of green tea custard cakes, a box of Lipton milk tea, a bottle of Pocari Sweat (from Lawson) and a can of Dr. Pepper's (from a vendo) thinking I'd devour it all once back in the arms of my room. Eeeeenk! So tired I fell asleep almost instantly. In my street clothes. Thank goodness for the mini refrigerator.
So that, folks, was the first day in Tokyo.
P.S. The guy at the Lawson store spoke to me in Japanese. I don't think he knows that I couldn't understand him. Do I look like I can understand nihonggo, or talagang sa sobrang polite / to each his own ng mga tao dito, parang belong na belong ako? Haha charot.
A week before departure I was in a bind. For some reason the request for leaves I made back in May still haven't been approved. But I've worked hard for this (or at least I think I did) for EIGHT freaking months so I was determined to make this happen without snags. Full disclosure: I submitted my resignation from work so my request would be granted. I'm technically rendering my last 30 days while on this trip and I'm currently deciding if I'd retract or not. See how being decisive and determined works.
But I digress, this post is about Japan, not work. Anyway, I only had a rough idea about where to go and what to see. I wanted to get lost. Wanted to discover things and maybe find myself too.
Crunchtime and I was on full panic mode. Up to the last minute I was still stuck with whether I should get a JR Pass or not, and if I'd go on the Skyliner or on the N'Ex. Bahala na muna. I haven't had decent sleep three days leading to departure and I guess that was a moment of mental breakdown or something. The important thing was I got to be on the flight.
Flight highlights:
1. I checked in early! I was determined to not have a repeat of last year's buzzer beater booboo, so I was there two hours before. Bwahaha.
2. Tangina, NAIA Terminal 3 pa lang, Japanese cutie spotted na! And he was carrying a guitar, so plus points! Haha /babaw.
3. Sat next to yet another Japanese cutie on the plane. Anak ng tokwa, gusto ko kausapin/tanungin but he was real quiet and slept all throughout. He slept on my shouder too, haha! Kaso mo, when I took a secret peek at his customs declaration form, aaaay, 1991 ang birthdate. Ayoko makulong sa Japan, noh! Kung mabasa mo man 'to, Harada Mitsuki, gusto ko sabihing ang cute mo matulog!
4. Just when I thought it's gonna be an uneventful flight, DUN AKO NAGKAMALI. I was at the customs counter in Japan when the officer asked to open my bag. Then he let me pass. Luckily I decided to have a toilet break first because that was when I found out that I left my passport at customs! DIYOS KO. Of all the things that could happen. I was looking for the information desk when all of a sudden, I heard my name on Narita PA system! Lol puta sikat. Then while walking, the customs officer who examined my bag found me and led me to the info desk. He was out of breath, it looked like he ran around to look for me. Diyos ko, nakakahiya! Pero ang bait ni kuya customs officer huhu so helpful! Pucha, this story is gonna be one for the books again!
5. I was so emotionally messed up, I took the Skyliner to Ueno. Travel budget be damned! IT WAS SO COOL. And it was on time and it took me to Tokyo in 40-something minutes.
Once at the Keisei Ueno station, I immediately looked for a machine that sells the PASMO. Super babaw, I chose it because the card looks neater than the Suica. Syempre I'm gonna take it home with me! It was only around 1PM and I'm supposed to check in at the hostel at 4PM. I killed time by going around Ueno Park. I first left my 10kg backpack at the station lockers. Paid ￥500 using my PASMO. It was so easy and convenient!
Two comments about Ueno Park: not enough signs in English (at least where I looked) and it's not really a place for quiet solitude especially on Sundays. XD
I went inside Ueno Zoo masabi lang. It was a clear, very hot day. Feeling ko nasunog mukha ko sa taas ng araw! I saw two pandas, a lion, three elephants, the flattest/thinnest reticulated python I've ever seen in my life, a red panda, pink flamingos, a Japanese black bear, missed out on seeing a polar bear because he was people shy, emoterang monkeys, echoserang frogs, prairie dogs na parang nagp-PS3 lang, kangaroos, an okapi, an aardvark, and countless lovers on a date. Seryoso, Sundays are zoo-date days pala, now I know. Hahaha!
Went out of Ueno Zoo around 3PM. Originally planned on going to the National Science Museum but I wanted to see the Kaneiji and the Jomyoin Temples. I didn't find Kaneiji because of lack of google maps and misjudged distances, but I found Jomyoin! I was the only one there. It was so quiet and peaceful, it brought me to tears, LOL! Went back to Ueno Park and to the Keisei Ueno station to pick up my bag.
I planned on going to Asakusa on foot. But it easily gets confusing unless you've got a built-in gps / navi in you. I guess a lack of preparation also contributes highly to the phenomenon of going around in circles. I ended up in the JR Ueno station only to find out I should be looking for the Metro subway station. Got out, found the Metro subway, only to find out that the Ginza line I've been seeing over at the JR Ueno station was THE SAME subway line I should be taking. Major facepalm moment. This derp has become complacent and stopped planning things down to the train station ~exits~ since 2 years ago in Hong Kong. Tsk tsk.
Finally got to the Asakusa station, but where is the Sensoji Temple? I could only see the Skytree and the Asahi building. Eeeeengk! Wrong exit. I got to the Azumabashi (which looked great coupled with the Skytree and the Asahi building in the background) crossed the street four times, before finally finding what I was looking for. Remember that was me with my 10-kg backpack. Uh-huh. And here I thought I could carry something heavier comfortably...
Sensoji is amazing. I can only imagine the skill of the people who made it and the people who maintains it. Parang walang alikabok yung buong ka-laking temple! I didn't stay for long, I think it's already closed.
After going through the temple grounds, I found the Lawson branch that was my landmark for the hostel. The only thing is, I didn't know if I should go left or right. I always go for the right when confronted with situations like these, only to find out if I'd taken a left, my hostel was only about 100 meters away. LOL. Lesson learned: do not always choose right. Because there's a 50% chance it's left. XD
My room is GLORIOUS. Cozy, neat, and got all that I needed (I almost hugged the electric kettle on sight) I was kicking myself why did I change my mind to cancel 3 nights here to move to a backpackers' place where I'll share a room with 3 other people and will share a bathroom with I don't know how many more. I almost lost the battle within myself to stay inside and just watch TV.
I went out again at 8PM and woah boy! 8PM in Asakusa is like 2AM in Manila. Everything's already closed and I think there were only 3 others walking the streets, too. And there's literally a vending machine every few meters! There are allso common parking spaces so there's really few residences who have their own garage. I think there are more bicycles than cars here!
I walked along Kototoidori to the Skytree/Solamachi. Goodness! Another misjudged distance, what the hell is wrong with you, Google maps! LOL. I originally intended to only stay at the park in the same side of the Sumida River as I was (to see the Skytree at a distance because it's prettier that way) but the park didn't have lights on, so I thought it was closed. I didn't really feel like going up the Skytree because I'll be on the Metropolitan building on Thursday and I'll have my obligatory cityscape shot there, so I just went around the mall. I'd imagine this is how the Powerplant Mall looks like (I haven't been to Powerplant) it's like SM Fashion Hall-ish, Rustan's-ish, and Greenbelt-ish. Nothing special for me, really.
Walked back to the hostel and made yet another wrong turn (wrong right, badum tss) and I ended up in ARAKAWA, holy smokes! So tired and hungry (I haven't eaten anything decent yet) I bought a box of green tea custard cakes, a box of Lipton milk tea, a bottle of Pocari Sweat (from Lawson) and a can of Dr. Pepper's (from a vendo) thinking I'd devour it all once back in the arms of my room. Eeeeenk! So tired I fell asleep almost instantly. In my street clothes. Thank goodness for the mini refrigerator.
So that, folks, was the first day in Tokyo.
P.S. The guy at the Lawson store spoke to me in Japanese. I don't think he knows that I couldn't understand him. Do I look like I can understand nihonggo, or talagang sa sobrang polite / to each his own ng mga tao dito, parang belong na belong ako? Haha charot.