Farewell Jimmy-Bob

ASAKUSA
We kept it pretty quiet this week as we knew James' farewell on Sunday would be quite large.
James had told us of a restaurant in Futako-tamagawa, which is 2 stations from where we live, that had 1500Yen all you can eat buffet, so first thing in the morning James, Dave, Ryo and us headed for some devouring. In Japan an all you can eat session is called “Viking” because, naturally when you are there, you eat like a viking. We stuffed ourselves stupid, and all left in pain.
Cam's students had all been telling him to head out to Asakusa, so with our stomach's full we jumped on the train. It's meant to be the only part of Tokyo that is still like the old days. Asakusa is a tiny city of Tokyo, and basically all there is there is Senso-ji, an old Buddhist temple, and a long shopping market filled with tourist junk, and a really crap amusement park. It also harbours the Asahi so-called-brewery (which we later found out was just the office buildings!). These 2 buildings are very controversial amongst the Japanese, as its set in the oldest town in Tokyo, yet is a ultra modern construction of gigantic proportions. Completely out of wack to the rest of the landscape....still amusing though

Giant beer and a giant ???

Sophi in a Barrel

Aashi Gets Creative

All in all it was kind of interesting to check it out, and we realised that most of the tourists there were actually Japanese, so we guessed maybe if we knew more about their history then it might have been a little more interesting.

Stunning door handles

Big

Fat dudes

Bustling Asakusa market

Friday night we decided to eat something not Japanese, as we were getting a bit sick of Japnanese cuisine. We found a little underground Thai place in Shibuya, as we were about to walk in we received a phone call from Lou, who was in Argentina at the time. It was so nice to talk to her, find out what those guys have been up to over there, sounds like they are having an awesome time. The Thai food didn't disappoint, and brought back memories of home.

GOODBYE JIMMY BOB, GOODBYE.
James' farewell was organised for Sunday afternoon in Yoyogi Park, but unfortunately the rain didn't look like it was going to go away that day. He and Eri walked around all day and finally found an Izakaya for us to eat and drink at. We met some of James' Japanese friends/students that we hadn't met before which was really fun. We spent hours there doing Nomi-hodai (all you can drink) and got stupidly drunk.

Jimmy Bob Offically Turns into a True Dirty Westie

The crew

Sophi can still remember this part of the night

We headed to a coins bar (a cheap gaijin bar) for a few hours and continued on in the same fashion. At what Cam thought was nearly 1am, a too drunk Sophi wanted to go home, so Cam put her in a cab because she had missed the last train (12.40am) but when Sophi arrived home she realised that it was not even midnight yet.... (still haven't found an explanation for this).

Eri, James, Cam



All-you-can-drink is a dangerous game

We crawled back to the same Izakaya after the coins bar for another session of Nomi-hodai, but it was cut short by James stupidly kicking the bathroom cubicle door 'Miami Vice' Style while Cam was on the toilet. A typical disrespectful act we have come to expect from James over the years (something that is not easily forgiven as we grow older). The metal blade on the side of the door sliced Cam's eyebrow open, very nearly getting his eyeball.

You should see the other guy!

That's him there....


Tokyo: It's a warzone


Baka James

Kumiko, Dave, James and Cam said farewells to everybody and jumped a cab for the hospital. Sophi was passed out at home and Cam had her phone, so had no way of contacting her.
The first hospital apparently didn't have a doctor there that knew how to do stitches (what a load of crap!) so we taxi'd to the next hospital. Luckily we didn't have to wait long there for Cam to get his 7 stitches.
Meanwhile, outside James was pushing himself around in a hospital wheelchair, and trying to do wheelies, and collapsed backwards, when a nice Japanese girl came out and thought James really was a cripple and tried to help him up. Dave decided that a good idea was to push the extremely wasted James in the wheelchair toward the road and let go of him. A parked taxi was James' target, and he smashed into the side of the car. The taxi driver got out and, again thought James was a cripple, so proceeded to push James back up toward the hospital and just left him there.
Can we just say a big thankyou to Kumiko for looking after Cam and translating everything to the doctors, without her there it would've been quite a disaster. Because Cam is a tourist the price for his stitches was roughly $500!! Hopefully the insurance company will fix that up for us. As usual Cam and James stayed up all morning and all the next day drinking for one last time together. A few days off work were definately needed for Cam after that distructive weekend.

Sunshine & Geeks

Monday we both worked an early shift so the rest of the day was uninterrupted sightseeing. James had recommended Odaiba, so we caught the train to somewhere and got completely lost trying to find the transfer train. After numerous people giving us the wrong directions, we found the electric monorail thingy to take us there.

The space-age view of Odaiba

Odaiba is a man-made island right next to Tokyo Bay. It was originally built for protection, now it somewhat resembles the Darling Harbour of Sydney, with crazy architecture and other things that make it a playground... like a miniature statue of liberty, the biggest ferris wheel you've ever seen, a shopping mall where it looks live Venice inside and the Toyota playground...and so much more.

Little Miss America

We started the day at the Fuji Television Studio building. The building itself is quite spectacular to look at with it's giant spherical observation deck. The building is filled with studios and offices basically. The are a few things to see but nothing of real significance. We paid the rip-off price off 600 yen to go up to the 25^th floor inside the observation deck..... the view was average and the activities were less than that.

Crazy J Architecture

Entry to Fuji Television Studio

Fuji Mascot....Kiss-ably Cute

We made our way to a shopping centre themed from the Renaissance. It was reminiscent of Venice, with an amazing fountain inside and mood lighting throughout. Cam bought some Japanese style sneakers which are very cute.... which we later found out are samurai shoes...nice.

Indoor Venice

At the end of the shopping centre was the Toyota Megaweb, a huge car showroom, including an indoor test drive track, simulators, a virtual theatre, and a kids area too. There is an enormous ferris wheel there, but unfortunately we ran out of time, so that and many other things we missed will have to wait for next time.

Toyota Entry Restrictions

Toyota Playland.... Why bother going outside?

A Damn Huge Ferris Wheel

OTAKU = Geek/Sleaze

The rest of the week was spent chilling out and not spending too much money. We had planned to go to the Tokyo Game Show 2007, which is massive convention of video games. The convention was at Makuhari Messe which is in Chiba prefecture, about 1 hour from Tokyo on the train.... but we had Kumiko as a guide so it took us about 2.5 hours to get there... Kumiko has lived in Japan for only 26 years, so she doesn't know her way around too well yet.... a pattern which has become common!

James and Dave... Wanna be Otakus

We started drinking as soon as we got there, because in true Japanese style you can buy alcohol anywhere and drink it anywhere.

There were 3 halls, all the same size as the Horden Pavilion. The kind of people that attend these kind of things are called “otaku's” which translates to “geek”/”sleaze”. The video game companies use skinny girls in skimpy outfits to promote the games, and these Otaku's spend hours just walking around with big erections, taking thousands of close-up photos of these girls tits and ass's. They really are damn pathetic.

Sex sells video games

Drooling Otakus..... Everywhere

Along side the Otaku's are the absolute freaks, these people must spend hours and $$$ preparing their costumes. They dress as the newest superhero from their favourite game or as an old-time classic from a game from years and years ago.

Extreme Fans

Again.... Kiss-ably Cute!

Kumiko and Sophi were extremely over it by 5pm so we departed and made the decision to go to Shin-Okubu (Korea-town), which is right next to Shinjuku. The trip back should've been about the same as the trip there roughly....but again Kumiko's skill in orienteering came into play again. This time around it took us almost 4 hours to get to our destination.....throughout the journey, we were, of course never without a drink in hand, hence by the time we arrived at the restaurant we were very well oiled.

No Elephants Allowed... Apparently

#1 Korean feast EVER

This meal was and probably still is the best meal we have had so far in Tokyo, it's a little ironic that it was actually Korean food. We ate an enormous amount and drank an enormous amount, till we could hardly move. This Korean food was unbelievably good, and completely different and better than Australian-Korean in every way, can't wait to see what food in the Real McCoy Korea will be like. Anyone who comes over... please remind us to take you there.

Yet the boys are just too hungry

Chu-hi's beginning to show

To work off our feast we stumbled to Shinjuku just next door. For some shits and giggles James, Cam and Dave tried their luck out on the street with the local girls, none were able to even get a second look. Very entertaining for Kumi and Sophi! A hopeless bunch of gaijins. Next we all wasted so much money at the skill tester games... these are EVERYWHERE in Japan. You see them in Sydney in the game places packed with Asians...now we know why, they're everywhere in Japan and so damn addictive. Talk about a money making market.

From Disney to Air

DISNEYLAND!!!

Recovery time was had and a few days later.....we were off to Disneyland!!!!!!!!! The excitement clear as day as we jumped out of bed at 8am. We had decided to spend 2 days there, one at Disneyland and one at DisneySea. So we booked ourselves into the Sheraton just next to Disneyland. Surprisingly it was the cheapest and best option out of most other places. Two nights for the price of one regular cost of the Sydney one. A bargain!!

Our Disney view

Supposedly this was the best time of year to go as it was just the start of Autumn: so no humidity, and just after school holidays: so no waiting in the queues for 3 hours! With rain threatening we headed there regardless. The amusements of everything was enough to preoccupy us for 9 ½ hours of non stop adventure!

We had arrived for the first day of Halloween at Disney. So the theme was fierce and everyone was dressed head to toe in Disney character outfits. It really endorsed the Disney spirit and took people watching to the next entertainment level. It was great!

In hysterical excitement, Sophi's love for Disney and all things cute (maybe an asian trait coming through!!) supplied endless energy, and Cam's inner boy came out with wanting to head straight to Tomorrowland to Space Mountain.

Cheesy Disney Spirit

Many had advised us to get a 'FAST PASS'. A pass that you get from the ride you want to go on. It gives you a time to come back, so to miss the long queues (average being 1.5 hours which no Japs had a problem with). However....the most popular rides can run out by 2pm! (Such as Winnie the Pooh!) The catch is you can only get one every few hours, so no chance in piling up all the good rides in one go. Taking good use of this system gave us more time to explore.

Timing was on our side and all the rides and parades fitted in perfect timing one after the other by sheer coincidence and no intent on our behalf. After circulating the theme park multiple times riding on everything we could (even a few classic shit rides were thrown in there), the only sad event was the closer of Splash Mountain for maintenance. Anyone could easily be swept up by this novel fantasy world.

From beginning to end of 9 ½ hours all energy was exerted till gates closed and every bit loved. The daily finale of Disney fireworks left all on a happy note. We headed back to the hotel ready and rearing for the day ahead.....DisneySea was beckoning.

DISNEYSEA!!!!!

Up early and excited all over again, our bodies once again re-energised themselves with excitement. A hearty buffet breakfast was had and the journey to another world began.

Disneyland, a childhood favourite. Something new was even more awe inspiring. DisneySea a concept never yet seen by either of of us.

With various reviews of DisneySea being: either better or worse, better for older people, more romantic, more fun cause you can drink, not as many rides..... one was to wonder what to expect.

The Disney monorail pulled up into the surroundings of a man made shipping yard. Attention to every detail wasn't gone unnoticed in either Disney world. Theme details and of Mickey in every which way or form.

The work of DisneySea was amazing. A mini Venice and Mediterranean Harbour gave a beautiful view with a giant steam liner in the adjacent world of the American waterfront. This harboured Cam's favourite ride the Tower of Terror.

Across the water was Port Discovery: a futuristic land.

Further on was Lost River Delta: a land set in Central America with ancient pyramids and jungle surroundings. The Raging Spirits roller coaster was sadly closed and the Indiana Jones ride sped its way throughout the pyramid.

Mysterious Land: the central land which is a giant volcano. A great massive structure that you ventured through to the middle where it was open with sea flowing through it. Quite spectacular.

The last leg of the lands was saved till last for Sophi... her 2 favourite Disney movies.

Little Mermaid was represented by the underground world of Mermaid Lagoon. Cam had never seen Sophi so snap happy. For Sophi this was a childhood dream come true. A childhood of going to Disneyland in America never delivered this world.

The entrance was the underwater castle and when you entered... it took you to an under water world. Many hours was spent searching every corner.

Finally emerging we headed to Aladdin's Arabian Coast. Not a many rides at all but once again the detail to theme was great.

A much more segregated world spread over a vaster space meant tired little legs. Yet still strong and excited with determination to do everything, a full 12 hour day was achieved till gates closed. The daily fireworks display again left everyone on a good note. However the grand fire display took the cake with lit monsters coming from the Mediterranean waters. Flames several metres high singed the faces of mile long crowds. A display we only caught the few last moments of.

Although new and not as many rides, the potential for the future growth and additions to come over years was foreseen and we are ready and waiting to return.

Japan: a consumers world

Every Disney store (and there were millions of them) was jam packed with Disney lovers and stock was flying off the shelves at an amazing rate. To the point frantic little shopkeepers were forever seen consistently restocking the shelves, yet at times not fast enough where some looked quite bare.

A well behaved Sophi restricted herself to all things miniature and flat... although if she had been allowed she would've gone biserk!!

Where else to put a thriving theme park but Japan. The land of obsession of all things cute, and a place where any product will sell within a milli-second to one of the most densely populated countries in the world. A phenomenon never to be forgotten.

After 2 epic days we headed back to our hotel. Few glasses of wine, cheese and sleep was in order. The final day our journey home we took the Disney monorail to the station. At this station is Iksperia. Unknown to us it is actually a massive shopping complex on Disney ground. Last minute shopping and the discovery of Kua' Aina Burgers (Hawaiian burgers) tied it all up.

A note on the burgers – a priceless discovery as they were the best 'real' burgers we had discovered in Japan. Something later that was to become a tradition with the discovery that it had branches all through Tokyo.

ADVENTURE CLUB AIR

On Saturday we made plans to go to Club Air near Shibuya for Sasha's birthday (a friend through Mel). We met a large group from Sophi's work at a standing bar in Shibuya. We started walking to the club......

Matt and Kaori

Mr Know-it-all Pick new a “faster way” if we got a cab and it would only cost us $10 to get there.

So the 3 of us jumped in a cab with our flatmate Ryo.

Home Crew

The taxi dropped us off at Daikanyama station and James assured us it was not far from there. 2 hours and taxis later, we ended up back at Shibuya station! Tiredness and grumpiness started to show but we finally met a random who knew where it was. No one seemed to have any idea. Once inside James told Cam a little secret............that he'd never even been to this club before and had had no idea how to get here! He was thinking of another club Unit. Silly Jimmy Bob.

So finally we arrived very late..... they had a DJ playing there from Pacha in Ibiza (Richard Grey). He was pumping out some solid house tunes, albeit, most of were a little wary from the long walk there. After a few drinks we sparked up and hit the dance floor.

3 = Trouble

We met some cool J people there that night, one in particular a guy who was in the Japanese army. His life-long dream was to dance. James gave some very helpful advice on how to jump up and down in the air to house music.... great work Jimmy.

Army Moves

Dawn was breaking and first train was calling. We ventured into the morning light and to our surprise, guess what was right next to the club???? SHIBUYA STATION!

Urban Sunrise

When we got home, James and Cam once again decided that going to bed was a bad idea.....

They bought some cheap drinks from the Convein-ee and headed into the local sports university. Sitting courtside during basketball training yelling out calls of “Travel” and “You're off the team”.

As we left we felt somewhat embarrased by our actions, but none the less, a good night was had.

Sunday, Cam spent the day at Komazawa Park with Dave and Kumi... Sophi spent the day in bed nursing a sweet hangover. It was nice to be out in the sun again relaxing, unfortunately the pool had been closed because it wasn't summer anymore even though it was 30-something degrees.

Kumi Stylin

James, Sophi and Cam headed out for some local Chinese food and we suddenly realised that it was Ashley's farewell party. James and Cam hurried off and drank a few beers with him and his mates. Got to meet some new J people which was cool. We were not in the best state after the weekend just passed so we got the midnight train home for some well-earned sleep.