One thing I've noticed about hanami (cherry blossom viewing) is that it brings everyone together. Coworkers, friends, families, foreigners and locals all gather to witness and appreciate the beauty of the sakura blossoms. These precious flowers attract all walks of life and hanami doesn't stop at "flower viewing" but it really is a social event, where you can bond with those around you. There was a large group of salary men next to us at Yoyogi park and they were eating pizza and drinking beers and they got quite loud. But they seemed to be having a lot of fun. At Shinjuku Gyoen, there were many families with young children running around on the grass. Some of them were blowing bubbles and others were jumping rope. I really enjoyed Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden because although Shinjuku is one of the busiest places in Tokyo, the park itself is like an oasis where time moves a little slower and your surroundings are quieter. Of course, at the ticket gate it was crowded, loud and crazy. But when I walked further into the park (it's huge by the way), I found myself relaxing and really taking in the beauty that surrounded me. I could see that others were doing the same, finding tranquility in the midst of chaos.
Side Note: If you ever hanami, bring your own mat or picnic sheet to sit on! I saw many people using tarps at Yoyogi Park, which helped because the ground was muddy. I didn't have any with me but it would have been really nice to sit under the dancing cherry blossoms that fell from trees each time the wind blew.
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3/10/2016 0 Comments A Checklist of Places to visit:
Shibuya Crossing
This is a huge intersection and a prominent landmark in Shibuya. I want to go back to Shibuya for all of the shopping. I love shopping. Go out through the Hachiko exit of Shibuya station, take a pic with Hachiko's statue, and have fun exploring the hundreds of shops and nightlife! Harajuku 原宿 Location: Harajuku Station, between Shinjuku and Shibuya Station on the Yamanote Line If you're okay with crowded places, another place for shopping that I want to go back to is Harajuku! Even if you're not really a shopper, Harajuku is known around the world for its unique fashion and I think it's worth a visit. Akihabara 秋葉原 Location: Akihabara, Taito, Tokyo 110-0006, take the JR Yamanote Line to Akihabara Station If you like anime, manga, gaming, electronics, or want to try a maid cafe, then Akihabara is the place for you! I went to a couple maid cafes on my last trip to Japan and they are interesting! Some of the girls have to stand outside and try to bring customers into the cafe. I felt bad because it was December and standing outside was so cold. One cafe was smaller and not on the main street. I actually preferred that one because it was not as crowded and the Japanese girl who was waiting our table/entertaining us was super sweet, funny, and really made an effort to speak english to us. I think that since it wasn't as crowded, she was able to spend more time at our table. The other cafe I went to was bigger and really busy. It was also filled with older Japanese businessmen so I felt extremely out of place. I was literally the only girl there other than the maids -__- But Akihabara has soo many cool shops and I recommend visiting the area, no matter if you're otaku or not haha.
More of Japan:
There are sooo many other places to visit in Japan that I haven't mentioned but this is just a list of some places that I really want to see. If I added every single place, I'd be blogging for hours. Hope you find this useful and get a chance to visit these places too! A lot of the information was taken from Japan-Guide, their website is extremely helpful :)
3/9/2016 0 Comments Exchanging your $$$ → ¥¥¥
1. Exchange money before leaving Hawaii: Pacific Money Exchange: Located in Waikiki. You can show your Hawaii ID here and receive a Kama'aina discount. For large exchanges (maybe $500+), you should call in advance to make an appointment. DFS Galleria Money Exchange: Also located in Waikiki. Some reviews say that they have better rates than Pacific Money Exchange, but the Yelp reviews give Pacific Money Exchange a better rating. Travelex Foreign Exchange: Located at Ala Moana Center, mall level 2, Diamond Head Wing. This place may not have the best exchange rates, but if you're looking for convenience, this may be a better option. Parking in Waikiki is expensive and limited. If you go to Ala Moana, parking is free and there's definitely a lot more of it than in Waikiki. 2. Exchange money at the airport: Honolulu International Airport: Link will take you to currency exchange locations within Honolulu International Airport. Narita Airport: Different locations/banks to exchange currency located within the airport. Rates vary by location and your desired amount may not always be available. It is recommended to call ahead (this applies to all airports and banks though). Haneda Airport: This link will send you to an info page about Haneda's banks, ATMs, currency exchange and travel insurance. 3. Exchange money at your hotel: This option is only recommended for emergencies because hotels often have the worst rates and fees. 4. Exchange at Banks: This option requires too much paperwork and can be time consuming. Banks are also closed on weekends so it's not recommended. 5. Exchange counters in Tokyo: This option offers the best rates and fast service. Exchange counters such as World Currency Shop are located in high-traffic locations and near major train stations. Some counters are open 7 days a week. They offer rates that are much better than your home country or via ATM. Info taken from NAVITIME for Japan Travel app. I got this brochure called "Tokyo Metro Guide" and it contains a map of the subway system (click here for some info about commuting by train), it also contains a more simplified map that shows you all of the most popular must-see destinations while in Tokyo along with descriptions of each place. This brochure is pictured below. I'm sure you will be able to pick one up at the airport once you land. Also, if you ever go to Tokyo for a visit, this guide will help you hit a bunch of different places in a single day because you will know exactly which station you need to get to. This guide gave me a better idea of where things are and helped me to plan out where I have to see. If you are unable to get your hands on this brochure/map, or if you'd rather have an electronic version, I was referred to this app called Tokyo Subway Navigation (for tourists), which I also posted on my Helpful Phone Apps page. You can download the app onto your smart phone and easily access it wherever you are! There's free wi-fi at subway stations so you can still access it without a Japanese SIM card or pocket wifi. Below are some screenshots of this app.
Overall, I am happy with the location of my dorm. Although it does seem far at first, looking at its location relative to all of these other places puts things into perspective and I don't think it's bad at all!
The maps and train routes pictured above were taken from the app: City Rail Map. I did mention Tokyo Rail Map Lite on my page of Helpful Phone Apps; however, I guess that app is out of date? So you can get the same results with City Rail Map. it's the same company. |
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