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月別アーカイブ: 2010年10月

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…

Kamakura Bouddha MEDIUM

Paysage Kamakura Beach LOW

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.

takeyourtrash

DSCF6823

DSCF6837

Mt. Fuji, Part 2

In fact we went the wrong way…

According to the plan we should need less than 3 hours to travel the 8 kilometers necessary to reach the 5th station located at an altitude of 1520m. (Red line)

plan finale

After more than 4 hours of walking we encounter two grandpas in their car. They confirm we are not on the footpath. We walked 20km along the wrong road. Yeargh! (Yellow line)

We continued our suffering somehow. Going back is out of the question! The road was difficult because of the heat, humidity and sweating.

1:30am:

Neo was too tired so we set up our camp to try to “sleep”. We could admire a beautiful starry sky with the Milky Way.

Martynka became paranoid because of noise from the forest. Her fear was to be attacked by a fox … Hahaha! The poor should be more scared than us.

The night was very short. I did’nt sleep well.

Around 3:40: Impossible for me to sleep! Too much humidity and freshness because of the morning. I decide to get up to stretch my legs and get warm somewhat.

I even took the opportunity to watch the sunrise!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010 7:00 am

(2 days):

We continue our trip after this short freezing night…

At one point Neo and Martynka and propose to take a path. But I didn’t agree with them…

So we parted by giving appointment at the next station or on the summit. Beginning of my journey alone!

8:52am:

I finally joined the normal road! I take this opportunity to make a long pause, hoping to find Neo and Martynka. But they don’t come so I continue alone.

Sometimes sunny, sometimes cloudy and rainy. I

ride very slowly because very exhausted from last night. There are many people. Sometimes you have to queue to climb obstacles.

Approximately 3:50pm.:

I’m on top of Mount Fuji!

From the top the sky is revealed a little more. But there is cons

iderable wind.

You can see the crater, huge and disturbing. I feel if I come over the edge it may kill me! And I worry cause of the strong wind.

As promised I decided to wait for Neo and Martynka. 1 hour and 2 hours pass… So long… It’s getting colder and colder… I’m very exhausted.

6:20pm:

Neo and Martynka are still not there.

What can I do? Knowing that the night begins to fall from 6:30pm, I realize I will sleep a second night under the stars.

I am worried for them. Maybe they went back to Tokyo? Arghh!

I’m all alone!

Maybe they are waiting for me at the 5th station, knowing that it took 7 hours almost to the top?

To go down should take less time, maybe about 4 hours.

I’m worried for them and for me too. I may sleep h

ere to see the sunset. But the cold and the wind are unbearable…

I finally decide to go down to the fifth station hoping

to find them.

Finally I am alone down the mountain … It’s already dark!

Look at me!

In America, we drive on the right side of the street which results in us walking on the right side of the sidewalk as well. In Japan, it’s the opposite. They drive on the left side of the street and walk on the left side of the sidewalk…

… generally.

I threw that little side note on the end because in many places you will find yourself, there are going to be a million other people and bicycles there too. Therefore, to enforce the walking on the left side of the sidewalk would be next to impossible. More often than not, people are swerving in and out of this human maze with no visible order yet it all seems to run so smoothly.

Or does it?

I’d say that 80% of the time it does, but the other 20%, when it doesn’t run so smoothly, it involves me. On a near daily basis, I have that awkward interaction with Japanese people where you are coming towards each other and neither person can decide which direction to go, which almost inevitably results in a spontaneous do-si-do. In America, sure this happens but I find that it happens much more in Japan. I blame this on the lack of eye contact. No one “speaks” with their eyes. If they would only look up, they would see me screaming with mine saying, “Go left! Go left!”

Wedding Bliss

For just a short time, I was able to escape the dreadful heat of this year’s Tokyo summer by returning to America for my twin sister’s wedding. It was a charming wedding in true DIY fashion complete with homemade bridesmaid blouses, darling fabric leaf centrepieces and bride/groom replica cake toppers (see picture). The polaroid guest book was a huge hit as well! However, seeing as though my sister has been dating her boyfriend for over 10 years, it was more of a celebration of how successful their relationship has been and how successful I hope it continues to be. It was a beautiful thing. I just wish I had been saving money as long as their courtship in order to pay for the exorbitant August airline prices. But alas, money can’t buy happiness. Congratulations, sis!

46925_150326791652166_100000245385175_369575_2427684_n

Mt. Fuji, Part 1

Tuesday 10th august 1:30pm:

Me and my two companions (who I’ll call Neo & Martynka) are 3

fanatics (we will use nicknames because I have not yet obtained their

authorization, image rights…).

In my backpack: 2 L of water + 2 L of iced tea, 9 homemade onigiri (rice balls stuffed mayo tuna-cucumber, salted plum, cucumber salt…) A packet of marshmallow, 2 jars of peanut cream, bag of 8 slices of bread crumbs, 2 pair of socks, sunglasses, three plastic bags, toothbrush, Nivea …

My bag for digital camera with the charger (just in case)

A plastic bag with a jean, tech-fit jersey t-shirt, sweater, Adidas jacket, waterproof jacket Homecore … The fatal mistake was to take jeans …!!!

3:10pm:

Departure for Mount Fuji from Shinjuku Station. We booked our seats in a bus with Highwaybus company at https://highwaybus.com/rs-web01-prd-rel/gp/index

Caution: it’s all in Japanese!

From Shinjuku station take the west exit, to the bus station. Or ask the host of the Metro for the bus to Mount Fuji. It is well known.

The bus stop is right in front of Yodobashi Camera.

We could have chosen to go to Shinjuku-5th Station Mount Fuji. The majority of common mortals began their ascent from the fifth station.

Price: 2600 yen each way.

Well, not us! We chose to start from the bottom of Mount Fuji, because we are crazy! And especially because we wanted to save money… (tightwad!)

Price: Shinjuku – Kawaguchiko = 1700 yen each way.

4:40pm:

Arrival at Kawaguchiko, located 800 meters altitude. It is famous for its lakes.

The beginning of the ascent is made by a passage to the Sengen temple. I purified myself with holy water from the fountain…

On the way we met another French, Benjamin coming from Mimizan. He was dressed in a traditional French beret with his tent, his sleeping bag and all the survival kit of the camper.

Before to start climbing we went to a konbini (store open 24 hours). My friends wanted to equip with vital essentials: a cigarette lighter and 10 + beers …!! -______-

6:40pm:

Official start of the climb! We had to go through the Sengen temple to follow the footpath. It’s muggy and humid. Lots of clouds and light rain are ruining the ascent.

6:45pm: We are already lost … ^ _ ^

Ahead of us a road, an inn and a bizarre way seems to lead to hotels in the forest. Then we ask our way to the lady owner of the inn. She advises us about the road. Only climbing. It’s almost dark!

We thought we were on the good road to reach the first station but actually not! We took the wrong path … Start a horribly long climb …

To be continued!

Mont Fuji trip 02

Transit, Tokyo, Paris

Hey hey! Here is Babouin, your reporter from Tokyo!

Life in Japan is very different from France!

For example, taking the subway is more enjoyable because it’s so clean. First I was a little surprised and I needed some time to understand the system. But now that I understand I found it even more convenient than in France.

From Minowa Station to Shinjuku it costs about 300 yen for a one way ticket. It depends which trajectory you choose. Ticket prices vary by destination and distance. A friend gave me his PASMO card before coming to Japan. It’s a magnetic pass like NAVIGO in Paris. You just have to put it in the ticket distributor and choose the amount you wish to load. The minimum is 1000 yen. If ever your ticket or your pass are not sufficiently charged at the arrival station, you must pay the difference. There are special machines called “Fare Adjustment” machines located before the automatic door exit.

In Japan there are many private companies: Tokyo Metro Line, Toei Line, JR Line … etc. Whenever possible I try to take only the Metro Line because if you change lines it will become more expensive. To identify the subway is quite easy and well marked. Even if you can’t read Japanese, the names of stations and lines are written in romaji (Latin script). Announcements are made on the train at each station: you are told the current station, the direction and then the next station and which side the doors will open. Everything is finely organized! Once you understand the system, taking the metro is really pleasant.

But beware! Avoid peak periods in the morning between 7 and 9 am and evenings from 5 pm. Most people go to work! It’s like a tidal wave in which you can be swept away violently by the current. You end up literally packed like a sardine in the train. It is very unpleasant. But fortunately there is air conditioning in all trains. Besides the morning, some compartments of the train are reserved exclusively for women! Because sometimes perverts touch women!

In the corridors of the subway and trains there is no tagging or graffiti! In France the trains are continually degraded. It’s a shame. Here people do not throw their garbage everywhere. The Japanese know how to show respect and good manners.

Hello Babouin

Babouin: introduction

Starting from October, we have new Super Supporter bloggers to introduce, with lots of interesting things to say and things to show us. First, we’d like to introduce Babouin from France!

Hello!

I’m Monkey D. Babouin but you can just call me Babouin. ^ ^

I come from France, specifically from the Paris region. I arrived in Japan about two months ago. This is the first time I’ve come here!

The purpose of my visit is to discover this beautiful country. I like Japan as much for its eccentricity as for its traditional appearance.

I am currently in the guest-house at Minowa. It is 2 stops from Ueno station with its big park. And it’s also 4 stations from Akihabara.

What I love in my guest-house is that there are people from many different countries: France, Germany, Italy, Australia, United States, Russia, Spain, Hong Kong, Czech and also Japanese. Wow, so many people!

Our guest house is very clean. I am a little maniac and I really appreciate it! Thanks to Giovanni who cleans the house, we maintain a respect for life in the community. By following the rules, we can live in a healthy and pleasant way. That is really important to me.

Here the atmosphere is excellent! We make friends, we help each other and we trust each other. We go into the living room to talk about many things: about our own countries, our personal experiences, anecdotes about our trip to Japan … Here there are some really crazy people! Also we can we go out together.

Our favorite spot is the Sensoji shrine! 15 minutes walk or 20 minutes for the idle. The day is filled with people but at night it is very quiet and there are very few people.

We can sit on a bench and enjoy a beer while watching the sanctuary. It’s quiet and peaceful. There is this indescribable Zen ambience… Me, I can stay there for hours! ^ ^

Near the guest house there are many shops. This is really convenient! For example, downstairs there is an arcade with merchants of fresh vegetables, a butcher and even a bakery! Also there is the store Shimadaya, a 4 minute walk away.

Going to Minowa station in 8 minutes, there are still plenty of other stores.

You can also walk to Asakusa and find 100 yen stores, Sanpei Store or Seiyu which is open 24hrs! Very practical with very interesting price!

My adventure has just begun!

Devon: Introduction, “Cooking Secrets”

Starting from October, we have new Super Supporter bloggers to introduce, with lots of interesting things to say and things to show us. Here’s Devon from America, and her first entry for us! There’s a biography at the end to get to know her more.

I have to admit, my biggest pet peeve about sharing a kitchen with many people is NOT that I can’t control the level of cleanliness or the fact that people may not put dishes back where I believe they should go. I’m okay with that. I’m pretty adaptable in that respect. But when it comes to the day after day question of “What are you cooking tonight?”, my skin just crawls. I find it sort of intrusive. Can’t they just look? Must they know? Maybe it’s because I’m ashamed by the fact that yakisoba has become a frequent addition in my cooking rotation? Maybe it’s because when on a budget, there are days when I may be dining on a hot, steamy… cup of noodles. Maybe it’s a language barrier thing like we have nothing else to talk about? Umm… Let’s just chat about the weather, okay?

But I digress. After all, “Devon’s yakisoba” has become quite renowned.

Devon Bartlett grew up in beautiful Denver, Colorado, spending her whole childhood in the same neighborhood, on the same street, and in the same house and for this, she is thankful. However, her curiosity about other places and other people has inspired her to live in a number of cities (including Portland, Oregon; Boston; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; and Osaka, Japan), studying everything from music therapy, piano, and jazz promotion to Japanese. She loves and misses the natural beauty of her hometown but can’t shake the excitement and sense of adventure she feels in big cities. She now calls Tokyo home and spends her days as a preschool teacher.