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「Super Supporters」カテゴリーアーカイブ

Superhero Speak Easy

I went several times to the Speak Easy Bar. It is located north of Tokyo at Otsuka Station on the JR Line. Exiting through the north exit, it takes only 20 seconds to go to the bar. Yes! It’s really close to the station!

Now I know the bar staff and everyone is very nice! It is an international bar where you can meet people from different nationalities: French, Japanese, English, German, Russian … The setting is friendly and festive! Everyone is talking to everyone. It’s interesting to talk with people from different horizons. Most Japanese who come can speak English and even French.

That evening the staff was dressed as Bioman. We left the bar around half past midnight to catch the last train. We headed to Shibuya and found ourselves in the WOMB nightclub.

During the trip people were surprised to see us. They were laughing on seeing the costumes. In Japan sentai series are very famous. When the train stopped the French were a guard of honor for people who came in and out. The atmosphere was festive and fun.

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The Japanese came to take pictures and chat with the super hero.

They made special sentai poses! People were shooting with cameras! So delirious!

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They could enter the Womb with their disguise. Inside the music was mainly electro, house … What’s good about this club is that there several rooms with different atmosphere.

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We ended around 5am. First we went to eat Burger King before going home to sleep.

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Yatsugatake

You may or may not have heard the expression, “The best part of living in a big city is leaving it.” but I can say that there is plenty of truth behind it. Don’t get me wrong, I love the excitement of a big city but Stevie Wonder wasn’t lying when he wrote Livin’ for the City, as sometimes that’s what it feels like us city people are doing.

Therefore, any chance that I can, I try and get out of the city and breath in some fresh air. Last month, I went to Yatsugatake in Yamanashi Prefecture. By car, it takes a little over 2 hrs to get there from Tokyo (although coming back took us 5 hrs because of the traffic!). The trip was mostly just for relaxing but we also managed to fit in a leisurely mountain drive, a visit or two to a couple farms, two trips to the hot springs (yes… naked AND it was the first time I was meeting my boyfriend’s mother!), and a nabe dinner party!

However, the best part of the trip was the big, blue sky. It reminded me of my hometown of Denver, Colorado and also reminded me of what I believe we should consider important in life. You see, in big cities we are surrounded by shops and the media making us believe that we need all those materialistic things. Basically, the more you look, the more you want. But when you’re surrounded by nature, you are reminded that you don’t need those things. Bascially, the more you look, the better you feel. I like that.

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Green Thumb

I’m in love…. with my window garden.

I don’t know if this is due to living in a city of 13 million people or whether it is caused by my age but I’m becoming quite a fan of “gardening” as of late. I parenthesized gardening because well, let`s be honest… it’s not a garden, it`s a window sill. But nonetheless, I’m a proud mom of six potted plants, including my basil plant which I often enjoy in insalata caprese (i.e. on top of slices of mozzarella and tomato with a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar). Yum!

Actually, it all started with the basil plant. I bought one of those newbie sets at Tokyuu Hands a couple months back and ever since then have been nurturing it along with my others. I can`t say that I’ve had luck with gardening before as most plants I tended to before are… *cough* no longer with us. But for some reason, I thought I was too good for those sets. I guess I used to always overlook them thinking to myself, “What am I? An idiot? All I have to do is give it water, right?” but apparently that isn`t the secret to gardening. I now realize it’s like anything else in life… you gotta give it love and understanding to get anything back in return. Gosh, I`m getting old and sappy! HA!

Recently, I’ve been thinking about getting another plant, perhaps another herb? Any ideas?

Hakone, Part 2

After a hearty breakfast, we went to have a shower and to tidy up our stuff. The room must be vacated by 11am!

Bye bye to the ryokan and on to the next step! We continued the ascent via the funicular. Already many people are around in this hour. In fact the weather was really nice.

We stopped at Owakudani, the “great boiling valley”. As we arrive we are stuck in the throat by the strong smell of sulfur. It’s like smelling stink bombs. Not very pleasant.

We can dig into the valley to visit the hot springs surging more than 80 degrees. The clouds of vapors escape from crevices. An unreal atmosphere.

The specialty is black egg “kurotamago” cooked directly in the hot springs. Basically these are quite normal eggs but they turn black while cooking, because of the sulfur in natural waters from the valley. It is said that by eating an egg, we can extend our life of 7 years longer.

Going down the cable car we arrived at Lake Ashi. It is a large lake with a circumference of 21km. We boarded the boat to take a cruise on the lake. No need to pay with our Hakone Free Pass!

On a sunny day you can see Mount Fuji from the lake. Although it was sunny that day, the many clouds completely covered Mount Fuji! Shame! However, the cruise was very enjoyable. The lake water is profound and mesmerizing. The view of other mountains and valleys was splendid.

Once across the lake we went to eat in one of the few restaurants. On the menu a nice big bowl of ramen well trimmed for about 600 yen. Once sated, we decided to go towards Tokyo.

But on the way we stopped to visit Odawara castle. From the station it takes only a 15 minute walk. Then from the castle, you can access the beach within 10 minutes. Ok it’s not really a super beach because not very well equipped and full of pebbles. Nevertheless there are nice little pictures to see with mountains behind.

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Hakone, Part 1

Hakone is a town renowned for its hot springs.

It is approximately 85 kilometers from Tokyo. It takes about 1h30 by JR train .

We left Tokyo station to catch a Kodama bullet train. We stopped at Odawara and made a transfer by Odakyu Line. At Odawara we bought the Hakone Free Pass. It provides access to all Transport of the Hakone area: buses, lift, cable car, boat … Mine cost 3900 yen.

We booked a ryokan the day before. The cost of a night per person was about 9800 yen. Not so expensive but cheap I think.

Around 18h we arrived at the station to the hotel where a driver specially picked us up. The ryokan is only 5 minutes on foot. Arriving in our room we were surprised because it was so huge! A room with 4 futons, a small lounge attached, another double bedroom and another isolated room with space for 2. We were 6 but we could easily accommodate 5 other people!

The ryokan was huge and we got lost in the corridors. The staff were very friendly and attentive. They helped us finding our dining room. Dinner was served in the minutes that followed. Everything is served in a private room. The atmosphere and decor were completely exotic. The food was fine and varied. A very nice time! And once our stomachs full, off to the onsens!

In our building we had access to the onsen, a little small. But in the other building there were other greater onsens. The water is very hot! For those who don’t know in onsen you must get naked! No place for shyness …

After a hot bath there is nothing better than a good cold beer! Then we played cards in our room. Around 1 am everybody went to sleep…

The next day we’ve been woken at 8.30am by telephone from the hotel. We were told that breakfast is ready! Head still in the ass we went painfully towards our lunch room. For a meal of no coffee, no croissants and even no bread and butter and jam …

It was the typical Japanese breakfast: grilled fish, soup, steamed vegetables, rice and tea.

It was a bit difficult but the appetite comes with eating. My friends really had trouble eating. ^ ^

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Ueno and bicycles

Two stations from my guesthouse is the Ueno district.

It includes a huge park with a zoo, several temples, museums and even a baseball field. This park is a very pleasant place to jog. It is a very convenient place to recharge when you get tired of stressful Tokyo.

You will be enchanted by this spacious place full of greenery. Really beautiful!

Last time I went it was very hot. While I was taking pictures of flowers many mosquitoes bit me.

Amateur photographers will marvel at the various temples, density of the green and search every corner of the park. There is a huge square near the fountain. And why not lay down and spend some time on a bench to enjoy the view?

Note that there are also many homeless at Ueno Park.

Ueno is very close to Asakusa. For me it is very convenient. Recently one of my roommates kindly accepted my proposal to me lend his bike.

So to go to Asakusa will take me less than 10 minutes. I plan to go more often Ueno Park by bike.

Having a bike is really more convenient! You feel more free. And mine has a basket. So for shopping it’s ideal!

There are even special police who controls bikes. It limits bike theft … While we all know the problem in France. In Paris if you park your bike you are never sure if you will find it intact.

I think they should strengthen the control of bicycles in France.

Warning! In Japan, bikes have a registration form sticker placed on the bike. When you buy a bike they’ll ask your identity card with an address in Japan. Tourists can not buy a bike in Japan. If the police stop me I’ll say name / first name of my roommate because we are in the same guesthouse. Normally there’s no problem.

Tokyo Dome City

I suggest you go to Tokyo Dome City, a large amusement park. We went there on a Thursday afternoon. There were very few people… nice! The waiting time in queues didn’t exceed 10 minutes. There are many young people who frequent this park. The framework is enjoyable with water fountains, benches and many place to eat: fast food, restaurants, cafes… There are also baseball stores and you can also attend a baseball game in Tokyo Dome.

You should go there starting at 5pm and buy the Night Pass. It costs only 3,000 yen.

The greatest attraction of the Tokyo Dome City is the Thunder Dolphin! It’s a rollercoaster that goes into the mall. In fact it crosses the wall …

Just for this attraction, you must pay 1000 yen. With the Night you have an unlimited access to the various attractions between 5pm and 8pm! I was told that on weekends there are lots of people! The queues are often 30 minutes or even longer. So if you can, really avoid going on the weekend. Weekdays it’s perfect! You’ll love it.

The other cool attraction is “Ashikari no Ie”. A haunted house with the atmosphere of horror movies like The Ring or The grudge. Entrance fee is 800 yen.

Before entering you must take off shoes and the hostess will explain the rules: don’t run, no photos and don’t touch the actors or hit them … The goal is to walk through the house.

Upon entering the first room you’re directly put into the atmosphere: a dark room and close, on the other side there is a mirror looking at you… There’s also very disturbing noises and unnerving background music.

I went with a friend who was more scared than me. We were pushing ourselves to see who would go first. After 5 minutes we came back to the entrance. What a shame! I changed to other friend who was less scared. It was much less stressful. But in this kind of haunted house you tend to be very paranoid.

Finally it took me over 10 minutes to cross the house while most of people cross in less than 2 minutes.

Conclusion: I am a big coward! Yes I assume!

Kamakura and cliffhangers

My friends and I went to Kamakura, a town 50km south- west of Tokyo.

We departed from Tokyo Station and then took the JR Yokosuka Line. It’s about 45 minutes from Tokyo Station.

We arrived at Kamakura and we requested information from the Office of Tourism then we went to eat at McDonald’s near the station.

Then we started our march towards the Daibutsu, or big buddha. Along the road, signs clearly indicate the direction to take. This is not too hard to find and you just have to follow people.

Although Kamakura is a small city, it is big on tourism. On the way we could even see a Starbucks Coffee.

Arriving in front of the sanctuary you must pay an admission of 200 yen. The Daibutsu is a bronze statue of a Buddha. It measures approximately 13.35 meters high.

The statue of Buddha is really beautiful. We stayed a long time to take photos. Also, it was very hot!

At first we planned to visit the various temples in the city. But the heat quickly discouraged us.

So we preferred to go directly to the beach. It is 5 minutes on foot from the Daibutsu. On the road we stopped at a nice small Hawaiian bar that offers all sorts of memories of Hawaii. You can find drinks and Hawaiian beers. I tested a limited edition beer with passion fruit flavor. Not bad!

Once refreshed, we took a little dive into the sea and photos on the beach! It was really hot and the cool sea was more enjoyable! We stayed until 6pm to see the beginning of the sunset. Haaa it’s a big change from Tokyo!

Once on the train back we decided to stop in Yokohama to eat. Yokohama is famous for its Chinatown, the largest in Japan.

Unfortunately we didn’t get off at a good station for entering Chinatown. We ate in a restaurant in the mall near the station.

Once sated, we walked to Cosmo World amusement park. There is a Ferris wheel illuminated by many colors. At night it’s beautiful. Unfortunately we arrived too late and the park attraction was already closed. Bad!

We turned back towards the house and…

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Mt. Fuji, Part 3 (Final)

Wednesday, August 11, 2010. It’s 20.00 :

After about two hours of walking in the dark I reach the 7th station. I ask a lady how long it takes to reach station No. 5 where I can take the bus to Shinjuku.

She responds with horror that I’m not on the right side of the mountain! Clearly I have to go to station No. 8 to go to the other side ….!!!!! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhh!

To reach station No.8 again will take 1 hour. But before I have to buy a bottle of water at 525 yen … Erffff! Expensive but vital!!

9:15 p.m.

Finally I reach station No. 8 (at an altitude of 2300 meters)! I’m exhausted I want to sleep … I decide to rest on a bench near the small hostels. To sleep inside costs 7000 yen and everybody sleeps in the same room.

I prefer to sleep on the bench.

I have the chance to be near 3 French guys. I discuss with them and they tell me they are doing the ascent to see the sunrise.

As I am crazy I decide to accompany them and climb again!

But first I have to sleep! Departure at 2:30 am…

I wear my jeans shorts, three pairs of socks, 3 t-shirts, 1 sweater, 1 waterproof jacket …. and I can not sleep! The wind is freezing! My legs are frosted.

11:30 p.m… I doze …

1:00… The French trio also can’t sleep.

1:45… I still can’t sleep !!!!!!!! Too cold!

2h… My French compatriots decide to move for getting warm … We’re all dying of cold and fatigue.

A few minutes later we decide to take the road because it’s impossible to sleep!

The higher you go the more wind there is. I almost fall several times because the wind is so powerful!

3:40 am

We’re at the top! And it is absolutely apocalyptic! There are lots of clouds, wind and rain! Haaaa! And no place to be safe! We are about fifty percent frozen.

The wind is deafening.

And no sun on the horizon. Bad beginning. We still wait under this crazy storm.

I am totally soaked. Imagine yourself with wet jeans. My body is already exhausted after these two days so I was shaking. And I had difficulty breathing. I was very ill.

Sitting on the ground I try to sleep even with the cold.

Around 7am :

The innkeepers are opening the door of inns and we go inside.

I feel very ill and weak. The storm doesn’t want to leave us quietly.

One member of the hostel staff told us that this morning is just the beginning of the typhoon. The afternoon will be worse. So it will be impossible to go down. He advises us to go down now or we will stranded overnight.

Thursday, August 12, 2010 – 7:20 am (day No.3):

We try the East road. But we are literally stopped by the wind. I even saw a guy dragging himself along to the ground!

We each take gusts of wind mixed with rain and sand. It’s like getting stung by billions of tiny needles!

The mountain doesn’t allow us to go down… We are its prisoners!

After that disastrous attempt we return to the hostel. The guy from the staff insisted that we leave because there is no place to stay there for one night. People are starting to get excited: “you want us to go but it’s impossible! If we die it’s your responsibility!”

Everyone was worried and began to organize a rebellion. Rather stay here than to take the risk of dying!

It was like a disaster movie! Never seen that!

The guy advised us to take the North path near by where we came. Lots of rocks. It is slippery but safer because there are safety chains that prevent you from falling out off the road.

Apart from the slopes, the terrain is very slippery and unstable, with sharp rocks.

Finally, we organize groups of 5-6 people and the try the north path. We are holding hands.

It took skill to play with the slippery rocks and support ourselves against violent gusts of wind. The descent is slow, long, drawn out and painful. We felt like toys for the mountain.

I’m tired, I am tired and as we stop my body starts shaking again because of the cold. My blood pressure is extremely low. I feel weak but I must continue!

11:35 am :

After more than 4 hours walking down under the storm we finally reached the 5th station!!!!!!!!! I am completely soaked from head to toe! Exhausted, tested physically and feeling disgust toward that mountain.

I still have to take the bus to Kawaguchiko, the initial point. I hope to find Neo and Martynka. Originally we had to take the bus at 12:10. Arriving at the station I can’t see them. I’m still worried! I waited several hours but I finally went home.

Around 6 o’clock pm :

I arrived in Tokyo after another journey that I have to censor … I will explain later…

Arriving at the guest house I finally found Neo and Martynka! In fact they arrived a few hours before me and had also experienced the Typhoon!

The path they took was not good. They had to come back and lost a lot of time. They failed to reach the summit while I went twice!!!!!!!!!

They reached station No. 8 and had slept in an annex, station 8.5 while I was at the main station 8!!!!!!!

They were also unable to sleep because of the icy wind. And while I was confronting the storm at the top they were already going down…

CONCLUSION:

I survived Mount Fuji! But it leaves me with a bitter taste … I’d like to take my revenge another day! For sure! And this time without taking the wrong way and with proper equipment!

In the end we stayed three days:

The first day was when we got lost.

The second day we separated and I reached the summit for the first time.

The third day I reached the summit a second time and I survived the typhoon!!!!!!!!!!

Surely, I will take my revenge on Mount Fuji! ^ ^

END OF MOUNT FUJI’S CHAPTER

Wednesday, August 11, 2010. It’s 20.00 :

After about two hours of walking in the dark I reach the 7th station. I ask a lady how long it takes to reach station No. 5 where I can take the bus to Shinjuku.

She responds with horror that I’m not on the right side of the mountain! Clearly I have to go to station No. 8 to go to the other side ….!!!!! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhh!

To reach station No.8 again will take 1 hour. But before I have to buy a bottle of water at 525 yen … Erffff! Expensive but vital!!

9:15 p.m.:

I prefer to sleep on the bench.

I have the chance to be near 3 French guys. I discuss with them and they tell me they are doing the ascent to see the sunrise.

As I am crazy I decide to accompany them and climb again!

But first I have to sleep! Departure at 2:30 am…

I wear my jeans shorts, three pairs of socks, 3 t-shirts, 1 sweater, 1 waterproof jacket …. and I can not sleep! The wind is freezing! My legs are frosted.

11:30 p.m… I doze …

1:00… The French trio also can’t sleep.

1:45… I still can’t sleep !!!!!!!! Too cold!

2h… My French compatriots decide to move for getting warm … We’re all dying of cold and fatigue.

A few minutes later we decide to take the road because it’s impossible to sleep!

The higher you go the more wind there is. I almost fall several times because the wind is so powerful!

3:40 am :

We’re at the top! And it is absolutely apocalyptic! There are lots of clouds, wind and rain! Haaaa! And no place to be safe! We are about fifty percent frozen.

The wind is deafening.

And no sun on the horizon. Bad beginning. We still wait under this crazy storm.

I am totally soaked. Imagine yourself with wet jeans. My body is already exhausted after these two days so I was shaking. And I had difficulty breathing. I was very ill.

Sitting on the ground I try to sleep even with the cold.

Around 7am :

The innkeepers are opening the door of inns and we go inside.

I feel very ill and weak. The storm doesn’t want to leave us quietly.

Thursday, August 12, 2010 – 7:20 am (day No.3):

We try the East road. But we are literally stopped by the wind. I even saw a guy dragging himself along to the ground!

We each take gusts of wind mixed with rain and sand. It’s like getting stung by billions of tiny needles!

The mountain doesn’t allow us to go down… We are its prisoners!

Everyone was worried and began to organize a rebellion. Rather stay here than to take the risk of dying!

It was like a disaster movie! Never seen that!

The guy advised us to take the North path near by where we came. Lots of rocks. It is slippery but safer because there are safety chains that prevent you from falling out off the road.

Apart from the slopes, the terrain is very slippery and unstable, with sharp rocks.

Finally, we organize groups of 5-6 people and the try the north path. We are holding hands.

It took skill to play with the slippery rocks and support ourselves against violent gusts of wind. The descent is slow, long, drawn out and painful. We felt like toys for the mountain.

I’m tired, I am tired and as we stop my body starts shaking again because of the cold. My blood pressure is extremely low. I feel weak but I must continue!

11:35 am :

Around 6 o’clock pm :

I arrived in Tokyo after another journey that I have to censor … I will explain later…

Arriving at the guest house I finally found Neo and Martynka! In fact they arrived a few hours before me and had also experienced the Typhoon!

The path they took was not good. They had to come back and lost a lot of time. They failed to reach the summit while I went twice!!!!!!!!!

They reached station No. 8 and had slept in an annex, station 8.5 while I was at the main station 8!!!!!!!

They were also unable to sleep because of the icy wind. And while I was confronting the storm at the top they were already going down…

CONCLUSION:

I survived Mount Fuji! But it leaves me with a bitter taste … I’d like to take my revenge another day! For sure! And this time without taking the wrong way and with proper equipment!

In the end we stayed three days:

The first day was when we got lost.

The second day we separated and I reached the summit for the first time.

The third day I reached the summit a second time and I survived the typhoon!!!!!!!!!!

Surely, I will take my revenge on Mount Fuji! ^ ^

END OF MOUNT FUJI’S CHAPTER

Take it home!

You may not notice this when you’re walking down the streets of Tokyo but there is one big thing missing…

…or should I say many little things?

What, you ask?

Well, just pop into a convenience store (conbini), grab a rice ball (onigiri) and a canned coffee (cohi) and head on outside.

Still don`t know?

Then sit down, take a rest and enjoy your little snack.

Afterwards, head for your nearest trash receptacle….

What’s that you say?

Oh right! They DON`T HAVE trash cans in public in Tokyo and most likely most of the country as well!

Unbelievable, right?! Especially for Tokyo, a city of 13 million people – burbs included, to not have trash cans brings imagines to mind of complete and utter chaos! Granted in train stations, you probably will be able to find a recycling bin for your PET bottles or aluminium cans or if it happens to be your lucky day, you might run across an “other trash” bin but it’s unlucky. How do they do it, you ask? To be honest, I’m not really sure considering the fact that a typical purchase entails shatter-proof wrapping and at least three bags – but that’s for another post. Perhaps it is achieved with signs like the one below. This sign is located at the base of the Mt. Takao cable car station. The sign reads: “Along with our memories, let`s take our trash home!” Gotta love Japan.

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