The Gavin departure
On Wednesday I woke up and decided to use the early hours productively by visiting the Sengakuji temple. I had breakfast at a Japanese restaurant near there first, it was my first time using one of those vending machines. At first I didn't know how to use it, repeatedly pressing buttons with no apparent result. I think the guy eating near me got a bit annoyed as he started watching me lol. I finally thought "hmm what if I put the cash in first?" Of course that worked, and I got a ticket and gave it to the waiter and got my food shortly after.
After that I went looking for the temple. I thought I found it at first, but a lot of school students were walking in so I assumed it was a school. I then wandered around for a bit and then asked for directions, and turns out that I was right in the first place. I headed back and saw that the school is next to the temple, so I checked out the temple and because I was so early, I seemed to be the only one.
I had read a bit of the history about it, about the 47 ronins, and saw the tombstones and put two and two together. It was quite nice, but rather small.
After that I went to Akihabara, which seemed to be the 'weird' part of Tokyo. It had all the anime and manga shops, electronics, and video games. I checked them all out, including some adult stores (which aren't as covert as the ones back at home), and then went to a maid cafe at the suggestion of Gavin.
I felt a bit sheepish asking the girl on the street who was trying to lure customers in how to get inside, and walking into the building. But I wonder why? It's not a brothel or anything.
Anyway, I was greeted by a girl, dressed in a maid's uniform, and there were about four or five in total, including the one on the street, and one was my maid who served me my desserts and stuff. As expected, they try to sell you everything but aren't too pushy about it. I ordered a dessert and the maid would do some "cute" things before letting you eat it, like getting you to say stuff after her. It was all a bit childish, but something I guess of an experience. Would've been less awkward if Gavin was there haha.
I didn't think much of any of the girls at first, thought the act was a bit over the top and they weren't too attractive. But then one got onto the stage and started dancing to a song, and I think from some angles she looked like Luna. That brought back some memories.
I really wanted one thing though, which was a photo, secretly hoping it was with the Luna lookalike. When I indicated I was finished, they suggested photo, and indeed I got the Luna lookalike for a photo! She made a half heart with her hand and I completed the other half with mine as we posed for the photo. I was soooo happy I got the photo, because it was just so "wtf" lol.
After that I met up with Gavin at Shinbuya and we walked all the way up to Harajuku. We checked out a lot of the shops, including basketball stuff. Sometimes I forget that he's also a basketball player and was surprised to see him interested in the same stuff as I am.
After a lot of walking we decided to find somewhere to eat. I said I wanted sushi so we started looking for a sushi place, but we couldn't find any! Lol. I was like, don't tell people we couldn't find sushi in Japan haha.
We ended up going to Yoshinoya and had some good ramen there. Turns out that was the same franchise I went to with Anh on my first night here. Afterwards he wanted a crepe, and he bought me one, then we sat down on some steps and talked about basketball and the competition we used to play in. It was kinda like a reminiscing session, even though we were never too close back then.
We walked to his station and parted ways, saying we'd see each other back in Australia, and then I headed back to my hotel.
After that I went looking for the temple. I thought I found it at first, but a lot of school students were walking in so I assumed it was a school. I then wandered around for a bit and then asked for directions, and turns out that I was right in the first place. I headed back and saw that the school is next to the temple, so I checked out the temple and because I was so early, I seemed to be the only one.
I had read a bit of the history about it, about the 47 ronins, and saw the tombstones and put two and two together. It was quite nice, but rather small.
After that I went to Akihabara, which seemed to be the 'weird' part of Tokyo. It had all the anime and manga shops, electronics, and video games. I checked them all out, including some adult stores (which aren't as covert as the ones back at home), and then went to a maid cafe at the suggestion of Gavin.
I felt a bit sheepish asking the girl on the street who was trying to lure customers in how to get inside, and walking into the building. But I wonder why? It's not a brothel or anything.
Anyway, I was greeted by a girl, dressed in a maid's uniform, and there were about four or five in total, including the one on the street, and one was my maid who served me my desserts and stuff. As expected, they try to sell you everything but aren't too pushy about it. I ordered a dessert and the maid would do some "cute" things before letting you eat it, like getting you to say stuff after her. It was all a bit childish, but something I guess of an experience. Would've been less awkward if Gavin was there haha.
I didn't think much of any of the girls at first, thought the act was a bit over the top and they weren't too attractive. But then one got onto the stage and started dancing to a song, and I think from some angles she looked like Luna. That brought back some memories.
I really wanted one thing though, which was a photo, secretly hoping it was with the Luna lookalike. When I indicated I was finished, they suggested photo, and indeed I got the Luna lookalike for a photo! She made a half heart with her hand and I completed the other half with mine as we posed for the photo. I was soooo happy I got the photo, because it was just so "wtf" lol.
After that I met up with Gavin at Shinbuya and we walked all the way up to Harajuku. We checked out a lot of the shops, including basketball stuff. Sometimes I forget that he's also a basketball player and was surprised to see him interested in the same stuff as I am.
After a lot of walking we decided to find somewhere to eat. I said I wanted sushi so we started looking for a sushi place, but we couldn't find any! Lol. I was like, don't tell people we couldn't find sushi in Japan haha.
We ended up going to Yoshinoya and had some good ramen there. Turns out that was the same franchise I went to with Anh on my first night here. Afterwards he wanted a crepe, and he bought me one, then we sat down on some steps and talked about basketball and the competition we used to play in. It was kinda like a reminiscing session, even though we were never too close back then.
We walked to his station and parted ways, saying we'd see each other back in Australia, and then I headed back to my hotel.
posted by toey | 02:06
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home