Not actually home home. I'm going to my host families home which is home enough.

Now, I tried to be really cheap on this trip. Which mean I decided to go by bus and train everywhere. That being said, I took a bus from Sendai to Tokyo in the morning, a bus from Tokyo to Osaka later that night and took a train to Fukuoka that morning, then a train to Arao that evening. Needless to say I needed a shower, but saved a bundle.

The bus company I used was: WillerBus. The website is in English and the prices are cheap! There are different buses, from plain seats with no features, to capsule hotel style seats. Of course they get more expensive, but I think I paid about 25UDS each way on these buses and they were great. No one talks. Only women sit with women and they visit a rest stop almost every two hours or so.

Omurice and Tonkatsu

Between Tokyo and Osaka I was at the station for a while so I got dinner of my comfort food of omurice and tonkatsu. I finished it all in hopes to store up for the winter ahead. I then went to the book store to read an entire book while standing there for four hours.

Pictures from the Bus

Rice Fields, not perfect grass.

After that long journey, I came home and my host mother picked up me up the station. She fed me sweets, then I showered and went to bed.

Thought my trip was over? I have half a month more of playing around now! Look forward to me struggling while climbing a mountain, painting spiky chestnuts and going to Nagasaki!

The subway wasn't so difficult. On day one, yeah it was confusing, but after riding it a few times, you get used to it.

Here is a great website to use to educate yourself before hand. I didn't think to use it. Tokyo Metro. In Japan, subways are all the same. Same ticket booth, same maps, etc. Sometimes they are not in English nor in Hiragana. Good news is that on all of the metro lines the stations are announced in both English and Japanese. I heard Chinese a few times too.

To start, you can purchase tickets at touch screen computers. Just look at the map above, see where you want to go and it says the price from the current station. The computers can be put in English. **Carry 1000 yen bills and coin, as most do not accept anything greater than that unless you are going far on the JR. (JR is not the same as the metro, but there is a JR Loop Line in Tokyo)

Now you get a small ticket. When you enter, put it in the little slot and TAKE IT on you way out of the ticket gate. You need this to get off. When you arrive at your destination, put it in the slot. You don't get it back. If you get off after what you paid for, there are correctional computers where you put your ticket in and it tells you the amount you need to add, then you can exit! Simple.

SUBWAY ETIQUETTE: Japan has subway etiquette. Such as standing in line. There are marked areas where the doors will be. Stand in line. Some cars are female only for rush hour. If you are female, take those. Rush hour is around 8 am and 5pm. I suggest traveling before that, or after that, unless you want to be squished between awkward businessmen. Don't put luggage on seats, offer seats to elderly. Obviously don't litter and no smoking on the subway trains.

(Click to zoom in)

It looks confusing but it's easier than New York. Everything is color coded and numbered.

By reading up on the different lines you can find what is closest to what. There are also private rail companies, not metro, that run through Tokyo. Like the Tsukuba Express which goes from right next to my hostel to Akihabara. Even if you can't read the name of the station, you can know where to go by the station number. There is also the JR Yamanote line (which is not Tokyo Metro) that loops through Tokyo.

For those traveling just in Tokyo you don't need a JR Pass and it's probably a waste of money to get one. The fare between stations is fairly cheap. Take the subway, even if it seems difficult. Taxi are expensive and often times don't speak English, nor do many accept credit cards! 

MONEY MATTERS: Tokyo has more places that accept credit cards, but if you are simply here on vacation, take cash. Exchange in your home country and come with cash, as Japan is a very cash based society. Coins are very much used and it isn't strange to walk around with fat wallets. NO TIPPING IN JAPAN. 

If you do bring a card, you can take out cash from JP Bank. (Which is also the post office). They have ATM's in English but of course there will be a fee.

Today is my last day is Tokyo.

I decided to make a visit to a cat cafe first thing in the morning! Who doesn't like to play with kitties in the morning? Cat cafes are becoming increasingly more and more popular. The young kitties were in a huge kitty house for now. Cats in Japan seem to be much more docile than in America. They actually let you pet their tummies!

Staring intensely at his food being prepared.

Baby cat baby cat baby cat

After spending an hour there, I decided to visit Tokyo Tower! Sky Tree was a little too expensive, so I decided on Tokyo Tower.

The only point at which I could get the whole thing in one shot. It's only about ten meters shorter than the Eifle Tower.

I climbed up to the first observatory. The one at the way top was very expensive. If Godzilla really destroyed Tokyo, I'd probably be dead. The little lego guy is saying that this tower was built with legos!

View from Observatory Deck

Looking down...

A cool shot I took from the bottom of Tokyo Tower. I will definitely frame this picture when I get home!

Disney Sea!

Now, here is a great place to go. Sometimes Disney land can be too childish and more family oriented, but Disney Sea has more thrilling rides like Tower of Terror and Journey to the Center of the Earth. It was crowded still but with the fast pass tickets, I was able to go on more rides and explore a little more.

Disney Sea is dedicated to the ocean themed Disney movies. I think. I guess there were some, but it just seemed like a more thrilling Disney Land to me. There were not as many performances as Disney Land, but there were many more rides. There is a massive cove when you first enter and in the center of the park is a large volcano. There are rides inside!

 I first went on Tower of terror because of course, that is my favorite in Florida's Disney Hollywood Studio's. I will say it wasn't as good, as the story is different and the drop is not as sudden. You don't really look over the whole park either. It was still a fun ride of course.

Arabian Coast

Little Mermaid themed

I was rushing around a bit more to get on rides, so I didn't take as many pictures. This park was much bigger than Disneyland and my feet hurt, but that's also the fun of Disney right? The lines were very long at times, but I came during peak season. I brought my DS along and ended up playing with some random kids while waiting in line.

At the end of the day was Fantasmic. Of course not nearly the same as in Florida, I had a great location to see, but not for pictures. I sat in front of a gate in front of the cove in front of the volcano where it took place. I could see everything, but pictures were not easy. I just sat and enjoyed!

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 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.

Well I have started my vacation! My computer broke for a little while so I have not been able to post.

So far I have been to Arao to visit my host family, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Okayama, Himeji, Osaka, Kyoto and now I am in Tokyo. I will make blog posts about those when I get home and can put up pictures from my camera!

(Not by car. I am going by slow JR Train and Bus.)