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Click here for our Tokyo Pictures!!^^^^^
We arrived 3 days ago and since then have been to Shinjuku, Kichijoji Park, Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Harajuku. The weather has been utterly glorious, can't really have asked for any better. Because of the brilliant train system we had to bypass Shinjuku to get to Harajuku and Kichijoji but we did manage to see some of Shinjuku. We went round the shops, played SIlent Hill and Time Crisis in an Arcade then went home early due to heavy shopping bags and incredibly aching feet.
Just before that we went to the ghibli museum via the park in Kichijoji. The park was beautiful, filled with people lazing about on blue sheets taking shelter from the glorious sun underneath the ubiqutous Sakura which lined the lake that ran through it and doubled the number of blossoms in its cryastal clear waters.
We then went to the Ghibli museum which was obviously fantastic. The rooms were filled with inspired installations which really fleshed out the whole Ghibli back catalogue, especially Laputa, Spiritied Away and Totoro. Symbolising the interactive nature of the museum with the emphasis on catering for children and complete immersion was a big, furry Catbus covered in young Japanese children with a smile surpassing that worn by the Catbus itself. And standing at the side looking rather left out was a jelous Maria who was almost set to pounce as she really, really wanted a shot(and probably a little nap inside, can't says I blame her). Unfortunately no pictures were allowed so I have no proof but it was incredible. After seeing the massive robot from Laputa, re-creations of Miyazakis studio, interactive cinema reels and the installations we went to the shop for the obligatory Totoro fluffy toy and a Nausicaa Art Book.
Harajuku was great. Its rows and rows and districts of shopping paradise from the cheaper market to Laforet (5 floors of clothes shops ranging in price but catering solely to women and ladyboys, very, very convincing ladyboys) to almost a whole district of trendy urban shops including a whole Carhartt shop. We spent so long we had no time to traverse the main shopping street but we did buy 10 t-shirts in a tube from a fantastic shop with rows and rows of t-shirts in a tube from anime to videogames to artists creations all displayed with red LED numbers underneath. Like fast food shopping.
Right so we are off to Kyoto today and I'm running out of time. I'll upload some pics as well.
Needless to say both Maria and I are in our element and having the best time imaginable.
PBR
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2 comments:
Those pictures are awesome. The mitaka park pics are stunning. I'll be annoying you with comments on all your posts :p.
I'm glad to see Maria following local nuances and standing while enjoying her ice cream :)
So adults aren't allowed in the catbus?! NUUUUU! Right there will be disguises to be had when I visit the Ghibli museum. I've even got my excuse ready.
"What? I play basketball in Osaka and that's why I'm so tall."
Keep the updates and pictures coming. Gives me something nice to look at while these stupid exams are going on.
Unfortunately local nuances, infact any implicit and more importantly respectful nuances are lost on this Glaswegian. Not as bad as the people we met from the Gorbals in a Ryokan in Kitaoji who were more at home in Rappongi probably.
I really loved the Ghibli approach of kids of all ages and leave your coolness at the reception.
And I thought of you when I found these in Tsutaya in Shinjuku, Tenchu: Shinobi Gaisen and the Nausicaa soundtrack for the equivalent of 10 pounds.
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