Disney Land Tokyo is almost a replica of California Disney Land. I don't know if that's true since I haven't been there before. I've been to Disney in Florida which is much bigger.

I went during Matsuri Season which is both good and bad. Bad because there were so many people there it was hard to breathe (or maybe that was the 36 degree weather and 80% humidity). Rides had very long lines, but what's Disney without waiting?

Almost everything was in English, which is probably because Disney is not Japanese to begin with. Under the English sign it says: "Disney Natsu Matsuri" or, Disney Summer Festival! The majority of people there were Japanese or Korean actually, but there were some rare westerners.

Home of the tiki room which is Lilo and Stich themed since Stich is very popular and the western river railroad which takes you all around the park.

Here is where it actually seems Japanese to me. Their large day parade was the Matsuri "Festival" where all the characters performed on large floats. They all had traditional wear too.

Thank goodness for the super zoom on my camera because I was rather far from the main stage. They did come around in a circle though. It was definitely a different take on Disney than what I've seen.

After that I stood in a few more lines for rides like Big Thunder Mountain and It's a Small World. My favorite ride is the Haunted Mansion, which is the same at Disney Florida. Still very fun.

Park food is ridiculously expensive so I didn't eat a big lunch. I had a tiny turkey leg. Nothing like the massive ones in Florida though. I think I ended up drinking five bottles of water. While eating I watched yet another parade featuring all the Disney characters.

Finally rested, a little bit. It was starting to get dark and was still hot, so I went on an indoor ride. Star Tours. The motion movie itself was the same as Disney Florida but the movie played while in the line was different and interesting.

After this, it was getting late and about time for the electrical parade! So, I took my seat on the sidewalk and enjoyed! The music is still stuck in my head.

Shortly after that was the Disney Illuminations. I wasn't as close as I would have liked, but the inside was reserved for VIP's and there were a lot of people. Feeling pretty magical by now.

Honeycombs for Pooh Bear was my favorite one. All in all this was a good day. I really wished my family could have come because we have so much fun whenever we go to the one in Florida. It wasn't as big and I didn't go on as many rides as I wanted, but there were three parades, then the Illuminations. I hope one day I can take them to Tokyo Disney and Tokyo Disney Sea.

I got back rather late and instantly fell asleep. For tomorrow...

DISNEY SEA.

Today was the day of getting lost. I got so lost, so often that I started thinking: "Well, it could be worse. At least I am in the right country."

I went to Shinjuku, Harauku and Shibuya today.

Shinjuku and Shibuya has the famed, terribly busy crossing that we think of when we see Tokyo. It's used in movies, almost as a symbol of Tokyo. In my whole time in Japan, the most homeless people I ever saw was here, and there were two. (Or maybe they were just passed out drunk, I don't know.)

Yes I walked in it, but no, I didn't stay for long. I took this from the window (you can see the X shadows from the window) from the station.
Shinjuku station is also famous for Hachiko (the dog who waited at the station every day for his owner even after he passed away). It's the number 1 meet up spot in Japan. (And of course it took me forever to find the damn exit)

After getting lost, and more lost, and so very lost. I ended up taking a train to Harajuku to see Takeshitadori which is a street known for shopping, crazy clothes, music and youth. Many people cosplay here, dressing as their favorite anime character. The latest trends are said to come out of this street, but sometimes the fashion seems a little too wild. (Or maybe I am being old.)

Takeshita Street

Half of them are foreigners

A typical storefront

You crazy kids (and the foreigner taking a photo with you)

The fun didn't stop there. After I was done with the crazy crowded youth, I went to Meiji shrine. It was hot. I mean, really hot. The sky was blue, but it was so bright that it looks bright white. My sunglasses were not enough. The walk is beautiful and rather long. It was high noon so not much shade.

THAT IS ALL SAKE

BEAUTIFUL SAKE

Less crowded and so beautiful

I did a loop around the shrine, out the back, went back through Takeshita street the back way, then went across the street to Yayogi Park. I didn't stay long because there were many mosquitoes and it was getting late afternoon. It's a beautiful active park, filled with joggers, kids playing catch, or the occasional students doing homework.

Oh. And these rockabilly groups who, despite the painful heat and humidity, still danced for us foreigners.

I had maps, I had train tickets, I prepared everything, but still got lost. I constantly got turned around and spent a lot of time wandering. I was able to do all of these in a day, but it was definitely tiring. I came back a little early to shower, get dinner at a small restaurant and went to bed early.

Why early?

Because tomorrow...

DISNEY LAND!

Today I decided to go to Akihabara. It's known for it's electronics stores (some which are rather sketchy), games for cheap or the top of the line games, and anime/manga. Out of the station I got a little turned around and had difficulty finding the main shopping street.

Akiba, for short, was probably my least favorite place on this trip. If you are really into games, anime and pop culture, you'll love it! Oh, and you should probably be a guy. If you are on a family trip to Japan with little kids, also do not go here. It's not a place for kids, nor girls by themselves.

There were many foreigners here, including myself. But the male to female ratio was astounding. Sometimes I had to search for females who weren't working in a cafe. Japan is very safe and I was never hassled. It was still very unsettling and not my idea of fun.

If you are looking for that retro game you've been dying to get your hands on, or the latest Final Fantasy 45 (or whatever number they are on) then you will find it here. Need a figure of your favorite character? Also here. Want your favorite anime character made into an adorable cake served by cat girl maids? Also here.

**My word of advice. Please, keep this in mind:**

The bottom floors of shops are open and mostly rated G. (Japan's G rating for anime is sometimes astounding to me) but as you go up, it gets older, older, older, and they don't stop you, or your kids. (There sometimes won't be warning, gotta look around.)

It is completely possible to bring kids, just keep an eye on them, don't be alarmed at the trash on the street and stop when you get to the third floor.

For girls, especially foreigners, do not wear skirts or dresses or shorts. If you do, be aware of escalators and 'up skirting' with phones. Walk in groups or bring a guy friend with you.

From Osaka, I took a bus to Tokyo. It was an experience, but also very cheap! It's an overnight bus that left around eleven at night and arrived at six. The arrival time was perfect because it was before rush hour and therefore I could sit on the metro which was a little confusing at first, but if you follow the crowd off the bus, chances are they are going to the train station too. Then the subway maps are color coded.

I took Willerbus, which has really cheap bus rides. There are many buses to choose from. The big thing I like is that only women sit next to women! (If you are alone.) Married couples of course sit next to each other, but only women will sit with women. This bus was about 25USD and put me right at Shinjuku station.

From there I went straight to Asakusa. I couldn't check into my hostel at first so I put everything in a station locker (which are very convenient and safe) then I went around Asakusa. I was a little tired and in need of a shower sort of. It was early, about eight am when I got there.

Many would call Asakusa "Old Tokyo" because the look and feel of Asakusa is old. I felt comfortable there, as it was easy enough to figure out and small enough to walk around pleasantly.

Sensoji Temple

 Right off the station I walked past a quiet Sensoji Temple. Last time I came to Japan five years ago, this temple was under construction so I couldn't see the front of the main building. There were many people there last time. But this time it was quiet (as it was very early) so the shops leading from this gate to the main building were all closed.

Second gate

So that's what the main building looks like!

Main building close up

 There was also a small park to the left of the temple which was a short cut to my hostel (I figured that out after walking the long way and realizing it was a giant square).

After some breakfast and more wandering around, I found my hostel and checked in. I went back to get my luggage from the station and was finally able to take a shower and comfortably walk around.

Some magical reflective building

Never too far from home

 I decided to check out KappaBashi, which was only a few streets back from my hostel. KappaBashi is a street that is known for it's many kitchen stores! Aside from funky kitchen things, takoyaki machines, cookie cutters of every shape and kitty cat spatulas, it is known for plastic food! Every Japanese restaurant has plastic food on display that looks good enough to eat! (I was unable to take pictures inside the small stores, as the cashiers were staring at me the whole time.)

This is a Kappa

 A Kappa is a turtle like thing in Japanese legends. It's favorite food is cucumbers! The street wasn't named after a Kappa on purpose, but later adopted the Kappa as it's mascot because why not. This is Japan.

Because Japan

 After some browsing, didn't buy much because this was day one. I came back to my hostel to find there was a somen party! Free food! Somen is a very thin noodle. (Udon being the thickest, then soba, ramen, then somen is the thinest). Typically eaten cold therefore a popular summer food. To have more fun and difficulty they put it down a slide made of bamboo. A hose was set up at the top and a trashcan held the water. You catch it with chop sticks and dip it in soyu (sorta like soy sauce, more watered down). Sometimes they put down mini tomatoes, tiny fish and cheese!

There was a filming here during this party and I made Japanese Tv. It cannot be put on youtube nor can I download it. I'll try to find a way to get a hold of it, but those not in Japan cannot view it right now.

After a long day in Himeji, we went to Osaka. We never stayed in a hotel in Himeji, as it was only about an hour and a half between there and Osaka on the local JR Sanyo. (So on one ticket we went from Okayama to Osaka at less than 20US.)

I stayed with my friend who lives in Osaka! She was very kind to let me stay!

The first day we were prevented from much because the typhoon hit. It was basically a bad hurricane, as typhoons are pretty much hurricanes. Lots of rain, lots of wind, trains were shut down. We stayed in, slept in, relaxed and enjoyed ourselves. My American friend, Jenny, who traveled with me up until Osaka, had to leave just two nights later.

Naruho and I visited Fushimi Inari Shrine in Southern Kyoto. (Kyoto is near Osaka.) It's a brilliant red shrine with several thousands of red gates. Each year there is a new one. You can walk up the mountain under them, then back down. There are two sets of gates (an up one and a down one, although some foreigners made their own rules). 

Fushimi Inari Shrine

And it goes on and on and on and on

Inari is the Shinto God of Rice and a fox is said to be the messenger for this god, therefore there are many fox statues. There are thousands of shrines for Inari, but this is the most important. This shrine has also been labeled as one of the top shrines for foreigners to visit. (Kyoto is the most popular city, not Tokyo!)

Fox!

**A Shrine is Shinto, a Temple is Buddhist.

Our last day trip was to Himeji.

If you take a look back on the map I posted a few posts back, you'll see that we've been following the JR Sanyo line mostly, as it goes to Osaka. It's perfect for poor college students. I'll make a final post about it at the end of this long set of blog posts.

Himeji Castle

Himeji is known for the large white castle featured in James Bond 007. It's used in many foreign movies as the typical 'Japanese place' as the Eifle Tower is used to depict Paris. It is known as the building that looks like a white crane, as it has the appearance of a bird taking flight.

One of the main gates

The castle was under construction so we were not allowed in the main keep (which is main feature usually) but this castle was huge. Not to mention the rained stopped just as we got there and the day turned out beautiful.
Those dots on the top are crows, which made this castle even more creepy like. As to preserve it's beauty, it constantly undergoes reconstruction. If you have noticed, the castles I post are either white, or black. Kumamoto Castle, one of the first castles I posted about, is jet black.

Inside Hallway

 As this castle is a fortress, there were many look out holes (not just windows) that arrows could be fired from, or guns, when they were introduced. Also, as like every other castle, you have to take your shoes off open entering! No shoes!

**Admission for the castles I have been to are usually 600yen or less. They rip off a tiny piece of the larger ticket which has a beautiful picture of the place you are going and therefore is a lovely keep sake! Larger shrines do this as well. Many historical places in Japan are close to free!**

This is not a castle. This is death. This thing is about the size of my palm and is on every tree. More like five per tree. They are terrifying and annoying. Their stupid 'ween ween' noise alerts me that it is bloody hot out. Just look at how gross this nasty thing is.

You can see how intense the rain was...

 Okayama was... wet. It rained. We lucked out in Hiroshima, but Okayama was wet. Typhoon was upon us.

We had an amazing little hotel, Hotel Maira. The room felt more western, as it was bigger than I expected, with wifi, a comfortable bed and a nice clean bathroom. They had free vanilla ice cream, coffee/drinks and free breads for breakfast. It was about twenty-five per night. I would have liked to stay longer just because the hotel was nice and in a central location

We arrived early, left our stuff there and went out exploring, despite the rain.

We went to Korakuen, one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. Even soaked and hot it was beautiful. We had a beautiful view of Okayama castle (which is much smaller than other castles we have seen.).

Beautiful koi filled lake in the center.

 We crossed a bridge to get to the castle which was setting up for an event later that night. If it had been nice out we would have gone. It was a relaxed day for the most part, as we weren't far from our hostel. A short walk and bus ride.

Golden fish from the top observatory

Okayama Castle. Raining, and bloody hot, yet still beautiful.

Okayama was a nice city, very green. We didn't get to see too much since we were there for a day. Despite having one of the top three gardens and a creepy black castle, this city is famous for PEACHES. Peaches the size of your FACE that taste so wonderful. They cannot be compared to any sort of peach in America. Completely different and so wonderful.

A famous childrens tail takes place in Okayama, and it has to do with peaches! A boy born from a peach! Here is the tail Momotaro (The Peach Boy!).

First stop is Hiroshima. We arrived later than planned on the 6th, therefore we ended up missing the Peace Ceremony at the Hiroshima Peace Park. So we went to the hostel, which ended up being close to the station. I definitely recommend it! Hiroshima Peace Hotel. We stayed in the hostel style, cheap lodging, but it was air conditioned, has laundry and clean shower/toilet facilities. The staff is nice and there is a small kitchen we took advantage of. Unfortunately they were only available for one night and we had to switch to a different hostel that morning.

First off, we went to Miyajima, which is an island not too far from Hiroshima. It has a famous red gate sticking out of the water. Being low tide, we could walk out to it. The whole temple is on stilts, as the tide comes far up to make it look like it is floating! Oh, and just like every other random place in Japan there are wild deer that don't care.

That is the boat we took. Maybe 20 minutes.

Baby deer, Mom deer is close by...

Chocolate Chip... maybe

Inside Itsukushima Shrine