A Canadian Gaijin in Japan

I'm Back in Victoria Canada!

2007-12-11T02:15:00.000-08:00

I'm Back safe and sound back in Canada, and Victoria. I am staying in a hotel room for a night. I was really tired so that is why I am posting now instead of earlier. 16+ Hours of traveling will do that to someone.

I'll post my Kyoto Photos soon and my videos and sounds.

I'm back from Kyoto!

2007-12-09T05:11:00.000-08:00

Wow Kyoto was nice! So many mountains it reminded me of back home.
I took the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto, it took about a little over 2 hours. But it was nice I have tons of photos and a little bit of Video as well.
The main reason I went was for a Doll meet up 4(including myself)of us went Most where JETs, First we took the Romantic train and it was short but lots of fun then we went to Tenshi no Sato, and it was so much fun!
Then we had some all you can eat pizza and then had a blast with karaoke! It had been a while since I last had done it, I had so much fun!
I also stayed the night a ones house, She lives in Kamioka.
So Today 3 of us went to a Second hand store in Kamioka, Wow! such great stuff, my best find was was a Volks Resin Figure, like the one that you put togeather and paint.
The character is Sakurai Asahi from Comic Party(I was like YES! Get!) Which was not painted or put together and all the bits are there, guess how much it was?
Also what was more expensive...
A one way Shink ticket(from Tokyo to Kyoto) or Sending 4 boxes home?

This is it my last night in Japan, tomorrow I fly out.
I am going to get up early and get some stuff done. So the next time I check in I might be in Canada.
Good Night!

the cleaning is done...

2007-12-07T02:19:00.000-08:00

and I am ready to head to Kyoto...
I also sent out the packages today, vis surface mail. Do I have a story to tell,
It cost me about 2500 yen per box with 4 boxes sent. Which wasn't bad considering that I thought that was going to be twice that.

So about my story, I had packed all 4 boxes with me and looked at the customs slips I had gotten some help, of course I couldn't understand a lot so there where 3 people around the area trying to figure out what was I was saying, mostly that I had forgot what the Japanese Address was... So they had told me that if there was no Japanese Address that I woulds have to check "treat as abandoned", Who knows what would happen to my packages if I did that, so I had told them that it would take 15mins to get the address, so I ran back to the guest house grabbed the information I needed. I also copied the contents of the packages on my ipod. I ran back and wrote the info. I had brought the one bit of info that they didn't need(my passport) but forgot the critical stuff like contents and an address.

Well everything was sorted out and the packages should arrive in 40days they said.
I have spent most of today and yesterday packing and cleaning and now everything is done except for a little bit of packing. So I think I will be caching the Shink back on Sunday Night for my inspection Monday Morning(10am) after which I will be heading to the Airport and catch my flight @ 5pm (arriving back in Canada @ about 9am the same day)I was planning on going to Tokyo Big Site and checking it out but not much time now. It will have to wait for next trip.

I am going to bed soon I need to wake up early for tomorrow.

Less than a week left...

2007-12-03T19:36:00.000-08:00

It's crunch time.

I've been doing some thinking.

2007-11-30T05:52:00.001-08:00

I thought that I would share my thoughts, hey what is a blog for but sharing thoughts and ideas and stuff, well anyway...
I have done some research into how much stuff I can bring back before I pay duty on it.
From what I learned is that for a 7 or more day trip I can bring back $750CAD.(http://www.law-faqs.org/nat/tr-can-02.htm)
So I have done a rough tally and so far on on everything I have bought, minus a few things, this includes Figures, Dolls, Manga, Music and Games. So far my grand total is
143375yen or $1,291.30CAD
Roughly adding everything else(stuff that has no price tag) it's going to be about $1400CAD
Now with the help of Xe.com it looks like I can take 83,394.90yen worth of stuff with me and send the rest back.

Sofie buy herself was 75000yen so that is another about 8355yen.
I had also found a duty rates site but was for some other area, thus not applicable.
But I did also find out that if I bring more than $750CAD of stuff back that I do have to pay duty on it and I can't take the Items with me until I pay.
So if I do bring more, I need to bring a little bit more. Air Canada also offers currency exchange on the plane so I can get some CAD, which I hope it will be enough.
It is not like I am bringing tobacco or Alcohol back.

Another quandary I have been having is that The carrying case I bought for Sofie is to big as a carry on and I can't check her since she is way to valuable to me to do that.
So I have been thinking how to get her back home, I need to gather everything up that I am going to bring on the plane and see how much it weighs and stuff.

Also everyday that I take the train and pass Nishi-nippori I see an interesting vending machine so when I was in Akiba today I decided to take the Yamanote to Nishi-Nippori and see what was up with that Vending machine, and it sold books.
So I bought one(630yen), I was wishing that it was a Manga(which would be cheaper), but it was a book, I wanted to do this for a long time, I wanted to just walk around and take pictures of all the vending machine I pass and also the interesting ones I know about.

Well that is all for my thought for today. Also the internet is starting to really be dicey as of late, where it would the wireless would get really low service, or none...I think that with the others around(and myself) the server is getting a lot of abuse and can't handle the workload. Sometimes I won't connect until I restart my computer.

Well thats all.

Well I am starting to pack and see about sending stuff.

2007-11-28T05:43:00.000-08:00

I know that it has been a long tie since I have posted anything,(There are some past post I need to do so I am kind of back logged with post right now) Well the crunch is on! I am starting to pack and get ready to leave back for home. I also need to find out about sending stuff back home I have a big bag which holds most of the figures. So instead of sending a huge box you need to forklift to carry with, I will be sending a smaller box.

Now the bag I have with most of my figures is under the Max overall WxHxL, but just by a few centermetes. Now as for my Doll she will be carried on the plane with me so I don't have to worry about her.
I was going to keep this a secret but on my last trip to Akiba, funny enough I had found something that I had been looking for a long but not during this trip, I didn't go there to get this item, but I spotted it. I bought a case of it for 1260yen, can anyone guess what it is? Here is a clue someone with the user name starting with an "S" is really going to have a good Christmas. Ok I gave two huge clues so it should be easy as to who it is.

Also another fun fact, Nippori is Tactile Town, I did not know this until a few days ago, I another thing is that it's only 10mins walk from where I live so if I had explored more of the area I would of found it and then I could buy some great material to make stuff.

So what do I have planned?
Mostly cleaning the place and going to my Second Dollfie meet on the 8th of Dec.

Well I have run out of things to say other than I am doing well and I am still alive, Sofie hasn't killed me in my sleep yet!

Ok later, Oh! and I am going to try to spend a few days in Kyoto,(I am going to take the Shinkansen and I still have a ton of pictures to take.

Later

When to Harajuku again today(Sun)

2007-11-18T06:42:00.000-08:00

Ya nothing really intressting this time around, still a sea of people and still didn;t see much cosplay kids. Althught when I was leaving out in to Harajuku an elderly lady butted infround of me, she said sorry, I just smiled and bowed.
Since there wasn't much happening I went to Yoyogi Park again and took more pictures and checked out the Volks showroom there and spotted a few people doing photo shoots there and I thought that was interesting.

While I was in Yoyogi I had ventured around more and found some cool stuff, at this huge center(I guess that is what I can call it) there where people all over selling used clothing and other stuff, but the most interesting thing that I saw was the live performance on one of the side streets, there where tons of people singing, one was singing the Koda Kumi, Cutie Honey song, (from the live action movie) I am going to have to go another Sunday and get some video recording of the performance.

Well no thing really new cept that alright later.

The Countdown is on! 3 weeks!

2007-11-16T23:57:00.000-08:00

Yes my trip is drawing on a close and soon I will be heading back to Canada.
On Saturday, I had submitted my 3 week notice so now I need to finish what I want to do. So on Dec 9th @ 1pm is when my inspection is after that I need to vacate and will be given my deposit back in cash, I was told.

I needed to get out for some fresh air.

2007-11-15T17:36:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning was a little strange...in the way that I was awoken by the chilling scream of a small child(about 9:30) the child was crying and screaming for a while maybe 5mins I looked out the window and saw the child all by him/her self with a bike in front of him/her. I wanted to go out and see what was wrong, but I may just scare the child more.
I few moments later I woman gets on the bike and proceeded to ride off and her and the child went down the street with the child still screaming.

After that affair I proceed to surf the internet and the grabbed some food and then clean my room a bit. About 1pm I decided the go and get fresh air and some exercise, so I was going to walk to Akiba to see what was new. My "next door neighbor" wanted to show me this really cool video they took, the technology the was displayed in the video was astounding...it was pretty cool. He also told me about this store that has retro games.

Well any way I had left to goto Akiba the first store I hit was the Kotobukiya on the second floor of the Rajikan building saw some interesting stuff, but nothing that was "Oh I have to buy this!"
my shopping is pretty much over. So I thought hey lets see if they still have the Nightmare before Christmas display, and yep they did, and they even expanded it. I saw what FF figures they where going to have next(the small "coin" figures) and it was FFIV, on Dec the 8th. So I think all try to buy a case of them before I go.

I then headed up to the 6th floor and to the "Vally of the Souless resin" or the Volks showroom.
To my supprize I has saw the guy from the Shinjuku Studio Alta store there and he and I bowed everytime we saw each other. There wasn't anything I wanted to buy but I like looking around.

I then headed to the 7th floor and there a Volks store there that sells figures for cheap...most of them. I saw some figures that I would pick up, I kept on saying to myself I need to ship some of this stuff back, so I didn't buy anything.

Then I headed to the 4th floor which has a store that sells cheap figures as well, most of the time, they are mostly on sale for 10 to 20% off. I saw a figure that is on my wish list that is "buy now" but it was like 13,500 yen(or like $120) It was big, detailed, and expensive...I thought, maybe I can find this cheaper somewhere else.

I then headed across the street to Gamers. There are some DS games I am looking for, but not really sure that I want to buy...like ASH: Final fantasy tactics A2, Final Fantasy Crystal cronicals: Ring of fate, Final fnatasy 12: Reventat Wings and Final Fantasy: You will buy this game even though it has nothing to do with FF and is a just a quick cash grab. That last one I think will win gamespot's longest title/subtitle award.

I was able to find those games but the last one has not be within my grasp for a while...I really wanted that one too....

Well any way in Gamers I had saw a few soundtracks I wanted to pick up. Also I saw the AIR series, AIR, Densha Otoko and maybe, Akihabara@Deep are the only TV series that I would even Consider paying 5000yen a DVD for. I thought about it and thought about it, in the end I didn't buy them, maybe I need to visit the sun mall again ,so I can see if I can find deals on Anime.

On a side note, with a lot of anime DVD's they are about 5000yen or more for 2 eps. I think that they use a different recording media that the us, I saw the first season of Dark Angel at the HMV in Takashimaya Time Square, was 11 Disks! That is nearly twice as many as the same series back home.

So anyway I headed out and then headed to Aso Bits City, and to the 4th or 5th floor filled with "Moe" figures. Looked around, last time I was there I saw a really cool figure of from GITS. I should of picked it up last time I was there because she wasn't there this time...
oh well...

Then I had found the Super Potatoe that my naighbor was talking about. Man oh man, if you love retro gaming, you owe it to yourself to check this store out. I should of bought a Super Famicom and some games to play, I also need to research to find out if the Game gear from the US can handle games from Japan, like the DS can. Yes I still have my Sega Gamegear.
Well anyway I was a treat for me to see old Super Famicom or SNES games there, most of them are around 500yen! You can even buy and Super Famicom! Or a Dreamcast! And bunch of retro machines. I am going back there again.

After all that I walked home. Planning what I was going to do the next day.

I went to Shibuya to meet with Hachiko.

2007-11-12T02:49:00.000-08:00

I thought that I would would try out an experiment, where I start from Shibuya and walk to Harakuju/Shinjuku to Ikebukuro to Ueno.

How did that go? I'll tell you in a moment.

First I got off the train and I didn't know what exit that the famous Hachiko stachue was at so I thought to go out the nearest exit and find it by going around the station.
I had never been to the station before so finding the stachue wasn't all that easy, but I didn't care how fast I found Hachiko, so I just walked around and eventually I had found him. He was in the middle of the smoking area...

For those who don't know the story behind the statue, here it is:
In the 1920's a professor had a Akita dog, would come to wait at the Shibuya station for him to return. His maser died in 1925, but in loving devotion he continued to wait for his master for 11 years until his own death.(for the sake of not plagiarizing I have not written word for word what is in my lonely planet guide book)
So there is the statue in memory of him.

Also while I was there I found a Tokyo Hobit store, but I was confused as how to reach it, there was a sign saying that it is on the 5th floor, but on the first floor of the building that the sign is attached to is a restaurant. I didn't see a way to get to the 5th floor inside the restaurant.
So that is a place I will have to visit on another trip.

So anyway my experiment, I did walk from Shibuya to Shinjuku, I had followed the Meji-dori most of the way, but became adventurous and took a side street and past a huge stadium, and the Meji park...I think...at least there was a sign point in the direction I was heading saying "Meji Park" but I knew I was going the right way because of my many walks from Harajuku to Shinjuku I have seen the huge tower building, which I think is Shinjuku tower..Next time I think of it I will have to take pictures of it so you know that I am talking about.

Using that building as a base point I knew I where Shinjuku was, (also the signs in English helped) It was maybe an hour or so and I made it to Shinjuku, I was going to head to Ikebukuro, but I was tired of walking and so I thought I would go pick up a few items at the Can Do(which is the 100yen shop on the 8th floor of the Shinjuku Prince Hotel, I picked up some material , kitchen towels for a friend(which the total is now 17) and some food stuff(candy and junk food). I then headed home, I wanted to visit Tokyo Hands again, but was to tired.

I havn't been having a good sleep lately...more like...I have been staying up to about 2 / 1am and waking up about 12 / 1 pm. Someone keeps make a heck of a noise around 12 - 1 am and I want to wake up early so I can get my but moving and get stuff done...lately that has not been happing...also the other guys around me come back later (12am or later) and make a little bit of noise..not to mention that the noise of the traffic is really loud, even with my window closed.

I have also saw that I am on garbage duty again from Nov 22 to the 28th, so I need to take care of that between 7 and 8am, so sleeping until 12 or 1pm is not going to fly.

Well anyway that is enough ranting for now.
And I am still working on sending stuff back, so soon I hope to get all that stuff sorted out.

Also I should mention that there was a storm last night, thunder and lightning type storm, I was inside and the time, but when the thunder roared(and I mean roared) it was so loud that the building shaked a bit and set off a few car alarms. What did I do? Cower, hid under my covers? nope, tried to get it on "Tape" I got thunder but as for lightning I don't know I haven't looked through all the recording yet so there maybe some thing on film.

Well talk to you later

Hey I was going to try something diffrent....

2007-11-08T19:28:00.000-08:00

but I just remembered that as part of he internet agreement I signed I am not allowed to upload content, when I first was at Sakura House, I wanted a definition of "content" because content can be anything(never got a clear definition)...well what was I going to do a video blog.

Well I had done a video blog, made into a flv (from a 337mb AVI to a 56mb FLV), tried uploading it to a website called swfup.com but every time i tried to upload it's say "connection timed out"..I wonder if send it via email or messenger...
Well the video is about 18mims long, I was just talking about different stuff.

like finding Jar of kitkat bars inside a vending machine while walking from Akiba.
and how I thought that Tokyo Hands was on the 2nd and the 8th floors, but it was floor 2 through 8 and on the 7th floor is there craft supplies, so I bought some craft stuff for Sofie(my Dollfie), I also checked out the 3rd floor since they had personal stuff there, which I needed. Like pit stick, toothpaste, shampoo, soap and such.

I then took a train to Akiba and bought a carrying bag for Sofie so now I cam carry here around with me, or maybe take her on the plane with me.

Also that is something else talked about was that I am still figuring out the mail system here so I haven't sent anything back yet, I need to do that soon thought. So I am sorry to everyone that it waiting for there stuff.

Another thing was, why I haven't been posting all that much, well that is because I haven't really been doing that much and I didn't really have anything interesting to say or post about. I do want to do more, like visit the Ghibli Museum, go to Ginza and Sibuya, go early in the morning to Harajuku on a Sunday. Visit the main showroom for the Volks, in Koyto, which I need to make a reservation.
I have yet to explore maybe 95% of Japan.

Also I had found a place that sells 250yen bento boxes, so I have been eating there for the past few days.

Well that is pretty much it, i hope to get out there and do more exploring and take more pictures. I should walk through Yoyogi and Ueno park again and try not being such a home body.

Alright later

ughh...being sick sucks....

2007-11-04T03:45:00.000-08:00

I think I am paying the price of going to Akiba last Saturday with out an umbrella and getting my feet soaked...I have a cold...and it sucks..it started about Thursday/Friday and I wanted to goto Harajuku today (Sunday) but I just didn't really feel up to it. But yesterday I wanted to get some exercise so I headed to Shinjuku, walked to Harajuku and walked around Yoyogi park. The park was big, at the front gates where where Bikers and skateboarders doing there thing. I was relived that there where so many bathrooms around(pun intended) I also spotted some water fountains( the kind the shoot high in the air, not the ons you drink from, although I also saw lots of those), So of course I need to take photos of them, I manly waked around the main walk way of the park, next time I 'll have to explore the park a bit more. There was a lot of the park I had yet to check out. I didn't check out the park more because I was sick. It just leaves me with ore exploring to do next time.

To counter the cold I have been OD on vitamin C and drinking lots of water and eating healthier. I wasn't felling so good this morning, but now I feel fine, cept I kind of over ate and now I now I feel over stuffed.

So what did I do today?
Well other than try to get better, I cleaned my room, organized my figures, and take some photo shots of Sofie and did some of my laundry, I am going to go to bed soon, I need lots of sleep. Monday I am going to try to pay my rent, and if I am up to it I might just check out Shibuya, and Tokyo hands in Shinjuku, in the time square, close to the station.

Also I have learned how to resize muti-photos in Photoshop Elements, so I don't have to use the other program to resize photos, which is good, since the trial has expired on it.

Happy Novemberween!!

2007-11-01T04:12:00.000-07:00

I hope that everyone has had a good Halloween...What did I do on this great day of the all hallows eve goto a costume party? Nope. give treats to little kids...Nope, Sing the soundtrack to the Nightmare before Christmas?...Nope, but I was listening to it, Watch my favorite Halloween movies, like NBX and Bettlejuice? Nope...What I did was remembered that the new Final Fantasy Tactics mini figures came out on, so I had a trip to Akiba. I had picked up a few figures and Manga! I had picked up fair amount of manga, like the first three volumes of Haruhi (for Sakura, if Sakura wants them) the eigth volume of Genshiken and Hellsing. Volume one of the series that Desha liked to watch in the TV Show. The official Book of Genshiken, with profiles and other tidbits in Japaneses so I can't read it Yay!

Also I saw a maid handing out fliers that had red cat eyes, it was really freaky and cool at the same time. An other person dressed as Goku from Dragon Ball Z, I guess that Cosplay is such an weekly event that Dressing up for Halloween is not done, also the face that Japan doesn't celebrate Halloween like we do back home.

Also I was working on some clothes for Sofie. It didn't really turn out how I wanted it to...but I look ok. Also I did my laundry. Woot what an exciting Halloween....

This week had been just my lazy week...But another 9 days it would of been a month since I have arrived in Japan..I am a little disappointed in myself that I have not experienced more of Japan.
One one hand I want to be really active and just walk and explore everywhere, on the other had is that when I get back to Victoria I will not have any time to relax or to work on my personal projects as I will be looking for a job and a place to live so this is my vacation and I do want to relax and enjoy myself while I am here as well.

Hey I'm sorry that I haven't posted in a few days,

2007-10-29T00:28:00.000-07:00

So on Saturday I went to the free Tour of Akihabara. I am glad that I went, the tour was good It, the equipment was a little strange(it was a little radio that I guess had a range of a few feet, it I was not in a few feet of the tour guide I couldn't hear anything), mine kept on cutting in and out. The only thing that sucked was that it was raining and I think it was building up to a typhoon.

One of the participants had kindly let me use his umbrella,since it was big enough for two people. I had found out that he was from Korea, and his name was DougJae,(I had found out that he was going to goto London to study English) I thanked him many times and after the tour and after we got our "presents" I had asked him is he had to been to the Sun Mall before, he said that he hadn't and so I would take him there and show him around. But first he wanted to get an alarm clock, so after he had gotten the clock we had left Akiba and headed to Shinjuku transfered to Nakano and
headed for the mall.
Walked around the floors, I had picked a few figures and two Nightwish CD's. We had gotten something to eat in the mall, and then he asked me if I have ever been to a spa bepfore, I told him that I haven't. So I thought that I would try it out.

Of cource it was still windy and raining for pretty much the entire time. So by the time we got to the spa my feet where soaked and it was a little cold, but I had my coat with me. The spa was all the way out at Hana-K something...Darn I should of worten it down...Well any way I have a map, and I know that I needed to take the Sebu-Shinjuku line to get there, it was about 17 stations away from the staion...

Well like I said that it was thew first time that I had every been to a spa before let alone a Japaneses spa. I was a little uncomfortable at first but I got used to it and it didn't matter that everyone else was naked except for a towel.
Dougjae and I had tried everything, the sauna, the steam room, the out door pools and the personal jet baths, where where my favorite, they had powerful jets that massaged your back and feet, I have a very stiff broad shoulders so if felt soooooo good.

One of the tubs I missed judged the depth the sitting area so kind of fell back and I dissterbed the water a bit, one of the other guys in there said something in Japanese, I didn't understand what he said but I knew it was about me. Oh ya I was the only one that was a visibly an outsider...It didn't really bother me all that much.

So after a few hours of relaxing Dougjae and I went back to Shinjuku, it was about 10:30 or so at night and It was the first time I was out so late, well any while we where walking we had run in to people wanting us to partake in activities with the Japaneses girls they had. But they didn't look like gang members, they looked African in color. One handed me a card, I was used to people handing me stuff on the street, so I thought nothing of it until he told me that he had this great place, Which I replied "I'm good thanks", he persisted it "free to look and see what we have" I turned him down every time. Then not even 2 min's later another one walked up to me and said something I can't really remember what he said first but he said that I could touch for 4000 I said no thinks, then he said 3000, I just walked past and said no thanks. and then about another moment later another one had said "Gentleman, I know a good place for you I said no thanks, "Come on you only live once", Every time I said no.

Well anyway We had walked and found a place to eat and I had Octopus balls, and he had meat on a stick...I can't remember the Japanese for them...But it was soooo good.
After dinner we headed back to the station it was after midnight and I cough the last train home and got home around 12:30am. So for about 12 hours I was out and about. Before we parted Dougjae and I had traded emails and he even gave me his travel book, which was in Korean, and recommended a few places to check out. like Asakusa, Roppongi Hills, Odiba, Ginza and Daikanyama.
I'll update my photo page soon.

So all and all Saturday was a good day...And what have I been doing for the past two days..Well...I had lost all my pictures on my ipod...well more accurately..one time when I plugged in my ipod 1500 pics(my entire collection of Dollfie pics) I had went missing...I tried to to a system restore that didn't work(with Vista if you do a system restore it only restores changes made in programs and stuff and not actual files) I had a back up of all the pictures on my ipod, but they where in a .thmb format(which is the ipod format for pictures), Well with lots of reading forums and downloading several programs I can recover the images...but the only thing is that since I have a Nano, the biggest resolution of the pictures are less than 200x200. (ithmb files contains 4 files, with the ipod, one is the thumbnail, T.V sized and full screen mode in ipod terms anyway and another one.)

But since my Nano can't out put to TV all the pictures I try to make bigger end u looking really fuzzy...the good thing is that I have all the pictures on my External Hard drive back in Victoria. So I have been trying to recover those lost pictures.

I was MIA for a few hours.

2007-10-25T03:35:00.000-07:00

I was going to have a shower in the afternoon and I had locked my door with out my keys. So for overnight I was locked out of my room, with out any money and I haven't had anything to eat since Tuesday night, so for about over 35 hours hadn't had any food. And only a little bit of water. I had asked 202 if he had a phone I could of used, when I told him my situation he had shrugged his shoulders, one of two things happened, one he didn't understand me or he didn't care.
Well I wanted to call Sakura house and tell them that I was locked out, but with no money I couldn't call or even buy food. For sevral hours I had tried to pick the lock but to no avail. Even to the point where I had killed someones fork, and almost the lock.
About 6pm my new neighbors had arrived and I told them my situation and they wanted to help me, they are really cool,(they are from France)
One tried to pick the lock again with no luck. We needed to wait for wait for 203 to arrive to see if they could try to open my window from the outside, but it was to risky and my window was locked.
So for a few hours I had watched some TV while the other two where practicing Japanese. I had watched Ranma 1/2 and Bleach 145 I think it was...well any way The others had gotten back and 203 had a extra bed for me to sleep in, so I spent the night there and in the morning there happen to be some people from Sakura House at the guest house doing some inspections so I had asked them for help and with in a few moments I was back in my room I grabbed my wallet and keys and started to clean my room since there was an inspection. with some measurements being taken of all the units. I was so thankful that I had offered to take the people from France out to dinner or something as thank you, they all declined and I thanked them again. I went out to get some food, so now I am fine and I need to buy a chain for my keys and weld them to my hip so I don't forget them again.

So my day to the Sun Mall was postponed for a few days. I think tomorrow is a good day to go there again, then I have the free tour of Akiba on Sat and then I should go back to Harajuku on Sunday.

The Sun Mall, or how I almost became pennyless....or Yenless I should say.

2007-10-22T03:25:00.000-07:00

Holy freaking Crap!!!
I could blow my whole budget in one day at the Nakano Sun Mall...I was wandering around In awe the entire time I was there, which was about for a few hours...Wow, just wow that place is a true figure Otaku heven,I believe that puts Akiba to shame, figure and Cosplay wise I had to leave before I spent all my money.

My day started by walking to Akiba and decided to try to get the things I need for shipping stuff back...I had found the size of boxes I needed, but the shipping slips..where I different matter...I didn't know what I needed. So I continued to Akiba so I could get more things for Sofie.

Now I took the Yamanote to Takadanobaba and transferied(bought another ticket to Nakano, from Akiba to Takdanobaba cost 190yen, taking the express subway from Takadanobaba to Nakano cost 160yen so 350yen) I got of the subway train and headed for the South exit, not seeing a huge shopping complex I headed towards the North exit and instantly saw the sun sign have seen in other guides to famous anime places I headed into what I thought was the mall but it was just the walkway to the entrance to the mall. The mall is huge! I checked out the B1 floors to the 4th floor and I have never seen so many figure related stores in my life!!

I had seen some really expensive figures one was a Final Fantasy X-2 Rikku playarts figure for 15000, I really wanted it but I couldn't pay that much for it.
But I did find a whole bunch of stores that sold, cels, capsule figures, cosplay costumes, and one that sold Asain ball jointed dolls, manga shops and CD and Anime DVD. I am going to have to go back there. I mostly saw stores that sold figures.

I browsed one of the many cel shops, this one had rows of binders of them all the names where in Japanese so I need to write down my favorite anime in kanji and look for those series...I saw a lot of Black Jack, Metabots, and a few other ones I can't name

I am going to go back there again for sure.

So after I had spent enough money I headed back to the station and headed for the JR Ticket booth I was looking for what I needed for going to home, I saw that it was 290yen but I looked confused someone came to help me by pressing the help button, I told the attendant that I wanted to goto Ueno, he told me that it was 210yen I had bought my ticket and wandered around the station trying to find what train I catch, it was the Chuo line at gate no#8, after I asked around, I hopped the train and I was a really quick ride to Shinjuku, I had found the gate that I needed to take the Yamanote to Ueno, I arrived at the station and put my ticket in and it said "please adjust fair" so I went to the fair adjusting machine and put my ticket in and apparently it got stuck and so the attendant that was there unlogged it and calculated the remaining fair, which was another 80yen. I paid it and headed home.

So the swag I picked up, I huge figure of Mechazawa, which was 980yen.
A few Rovoltech figures one from Robotech and the other from Patlabor.
A few capsule figures two from Shin Megami Tensei, and two from Zelda: twilight princess.
I had found Soundwave for Matt and bought a clover strap for my brother at a 100yen shop that was in the B1 floor.

Harajuku Sunday, Holy crap the people!!

2007-10-22T02:33:00.000-07:00

I either need to go later in the day or earlier, but I got to Harajuku around 2pm and holy crap!! I was shocked buy how much people where there, I had an imposable time trying to find Waldo...I was have flash backs to when I arrived at the airport for immigration, it was a sea of people.

When I left the staion I headed back over to the Volks store to buy Sofie some clothes, You think that dolls cloathes would be cheap becuas they are for a small thing right...wrong most of the closthes cost more than human sized clothes and the shoes!!
Now I know how expensive a girlfriend can be, without having one...But I can also make her some clothes as well. Well any way I had found some neat stuff for her.

I then left back to the satiation and saw a few "crazy kids" there and I headed down a this gravel walk way that headed to a shrine where I saw a lot of people praying, I then headed back to the station and took pictures, was there some other place they meet because I didn't see much fashion kids around the station. Well Next Sunday I will check out Harajuku earlier in the day.

So I didn't spend a lot of time there but It's the kind of event I need to take in strides.

First time in Harajuku.

2007-10-20T18:55:00.000-07:00

The first time I went to Harajuku was...We I wasn't sure what to expect, So I just took it all in as it came, I had loaded my DS broswer with the dirrections to the Volks shop there, it was amazinlg close to the statiion. For those how are creeped out buy souless husks with pericing eyes or Dollfies... I suggest that you don't look at the bottom of this page.(The photo uploading is currently down so you win this round)

For now I have a picture of an interesting, weird, tasty drink I found in a vending machine while walking to Shinjuku it's white grape juice with chunks of aloe in it. I had bought aloe drinks at a Chinese specialty store in Victoria..can't recall the name of it now...but I was so good...once you get past the idea of chunks of a plant you usually rub on you skin for moisture in something that you drink and you sometimes have to chew in order to down it it's a really heathy and dillish drink. But I hate the bubble tea because it has chunks of...darn what is that stuff called...tapioca(I think) in it and when I drank it the little balls would be chewy like rubber and taste disgusting...on the other had I like calamari because it is chewy...Well lets say that I am willing to try anything once...well not fugu...but I am getting off on a tangent here so.

It was a nice combo on a hot day. Next time I walk to/from Harajuku/Shinjuku I will be buying more of this.

The walk to Shinjuku wasn't all that bad t only took about 20min-25mns,considering I was walking around aimlessly, tying to follow the tracks. I was really easy to walk, I thought that I would have to walk through Yoyogi to get to Shinjuku, but on one of the main roads there was a sign that said Yoygi on the left, and Shinjuku straight, one of these times I am feeling adventuress I try to get to Shinjuku through Yoygi and maybe see Yoygi park a long the way.

The first thing I saw out of the Station was the Snoopy town,(A store devoted to everything snoopy, I know an old coworker that would love to see that place so maybe I will buy her something)

The first time there I was focused on going to the Volks store so I didn't really wander around all that much, but today I am going to go "Crazy-kid-seeing" and have what should be an exciting time there.

My Trip to the Harajuku Volks stores:

I had easy found the Harajuku Volks, Showroom and store thanks to a guide I found on a website.
The entire building is devoted to Volks, the left side had the show room, with mostly Dollfie Dream and Super Dollfies. I had slowly looked through out all the store and I am always impressed on the displays all of the Volks Showrooms had that I have seen so far. I still have a few more stores in Tokyo to check out still. But as I thought I did see the Dollfie that I really wanted for "display", this I later found out this buy try how to say "do you have any left" or "is this for sale" in Japanese for at least 20mins, I was looking through both of my phrase books and one was a bit of help.
I asked for help and tried to say "I would like to buy this" I really didn't want to say it like this because of the presumptuous American pointing to anything on display and saying "I am buying this no matter the cost". I was nervous so I ended up showing the clerk the phrase I was trying to say, so then said something in Japanese, which I had no I idea what she was talking about, seeing my confused face she asked another clerk for a pen and paper and wrote down that the doll was a Display doll and was sold out in English. I then bowed and said sorry and then thanked her and continued to wander the store. I had found a free guide which I picked up and then left.

I had decided to walk to Shinjuku, which didn't take that long,(read the post above about it) and I ended up buying the Dollfie that I had saw the previous day at the store. I was nervous taking her home she did get bummed a few times but the bag took most of the damage "Sofie" is now home and safe on my desk around my other figures.

Hey everyone

2007-10-19T02:35:00.000-07:00

Hey I know I haven't checked in for a while, I have been busy doing some vacationing.
I have been looking all around for the Haurhi Coffee but no luck still..I have seen tons and tons of EVA coffee I could buy it by the case full If I wanted to. Every shop that has a Haurhi section has no Coffee, or canned beverage...so I am going to give up on Akiba for that an take a look at the Sun Mall. If I can't buy it there then I give up.

As for the picture of stuff I bought that has been the past 2 days.
Today I really needed some laundry soap, luckily I found some at the 100yen shop on the way to Akihabara. I also bought so packing tape The total came to under 250yen I only hope that the soap I bought is a "good" kind and won't ruin my clothes.

While I was in Akihabara's kotobukiya (which on a website said that they have found the Haruhi coffee there but no such luck) I bought some cool stuff, like the Nightmare Before Christmas, blanket, the little things on the sides of the coffin "wallet" and the coffin "wallet" it's self, and some Phoenix Wright 3 pins( which is the DS game I am currently playing) and a Final Fantasy VII Vincent's crest thingy keyring(which I have attached to my DS, although. (It would be more appropriate that I have some PW dangler thing from my DS) I also sew necklase version of the "Materia" Holy and Meteo...but they are about $126.00 for each. So unless you are a real die hard fan for they are real, I can;t see myself spending that much money on something like that.

Some of you maybe thinking is that a Haruhi DVD? Why did he buy a DVD when they are so expensive in Akiba? Because it's not a DVD, it's a PC game, a cool concept of a game that I just had to pick up. I bough this from a indy game store that sells a bunch of games that Independent people make. This one takes a bit from the Haruhi Anime it's self and runs with it, I am of course referring to the Ep where they had a bit where they had mimicked Phoenix Wright(the one with the murder mystery), yes a Harhui/Phoenix Wright cross over..I would love to play it, but Windows Vista sucks.

Tomorrow there is an event I want to goto over at all the Volks stores, but I don't know what shop to goto...The last shop I was in(which is a showroom) had the dollfie I wanted I took one look at her face an I was in love. So I now have the money to get the one thing I really, really, wanted to get while I was here. This will be the only huge expense while I am here. I think for a change I will check out the Harajuku Volks store and maybe I will find the Dollfie that I wanted even more than the one I was today. Which is why I didn't go and buy her when I was there.

Alright talk to you later.

Akiba trip I think no# 362 now....

2007-10-16T00:45:00.000-07:00

Actually is like no#5 and what was on Monday.
I went hunting again for a few items.
I was close on the DS game but they where sold out of it, but at least I can find it now.
As for the coffee I had almost found it, but I guess that I need to be at the stores when they open to get it. Although I am not sure that it is still for sale, although if ask john from animnation had found it and it wasn't that long ago that he had.

I had just read Ask John's post on his trip again, it looks like he had found the Haruhi coffee at a store across gamers. Which could be...a few places. With this new information I hope to be able to get the Haruhi coffee.

After I get what everyone has asked me for I can ship it all back.

all right now what happened on Monday:
Nothing really much the bite of Akihabara was to strong and I had to itch it. there was a few things I was looking for a Volks customize figure of Suigintou. I had seen it in the Volks store several times, but the last time I had went there she was sold out. So I searched the store and no luck, so I had walked into a shore that I had previously had found really good deals on figures. Sure enough I had found her also for about 2000 yen less than Volks was selling her. So I picker up, also I had found another figure that was cheap as well for under 1000 yen from a series called Canvas2 . When I was wandering around I had found 2 sushi bars in Akihabara.
While I was walking home I spotted a 100 yen shop in Ueno so I browsed it for a while looking for some towels that a friend had wanted, they didn't have the right type so I moved on headed home and went to sleep. There also seem to be a ramen place just around the corner where I live.

Tuesday: I had awoken around 5am, I had my alarm on my DS turned on for 6:30 so that I could wake up in time to deal with the Garbage...but I had gotten up before then. I looked at the garbage it seemed alright (I needed to make sure that everything is sorted or it wouldn't be picked up) When I asked the Sakura staff if I needed to take care of the garbage on all the floors. I was told that I only needed to worry about the 2nd and 3rd floor. I checked later after 8am and the garbage was gone so it was ok. Only a few more days and I am finished with dealing with the Garbage.

I had found out that the 100 yen shop I needed to goto was in the Shinkuju Prince Hotel to the 8th floor. I was huge and it looks like a great place and looked like a better place then the dollar stores back home. I found the towels and other great things. I had left with two bags and 2000 less yen in my wallet. I has walked around the skinjuku station and headed for the Government buildings and the park in Shinjuku and I spotted a landmark from a popular J-drama. Then I wanted to check out the Volks Store in the Studio ALTA Building on the 6th floor. It looked small I didn't enter the store just looked through the windows. I'll visit it again later on.
And the other stores over my time here.

I then headed home since I was I was getting tired, the train only went to Ikebukuro, I guess that the train was broken or something and I hopped the next train to Ueno.

Akiba Sunday: Not what I thought it was.

2007-10-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

So I started off by going to Shinjuku again to talk to the sakura house managemant, to find out what I exactly had to do for the garbage. I got a little lost on the way but that is alright since I found the/a Y.A.G(Yoyogi Anime Genkei, I am not sure about the last part though) building on my way to Yoyogi Park...while I was there I forgot to ask about the electricity. Then I headed for the Citi Bank since I now that it will accept international dept cards. Then headed back home and walked to Akihabara.

On the way there I spotted the Ueno Post office, now that I know where a post office is I can send my stuff back and it's only a short walk there maybe 5mins.

I made it to Akiba around 12:00 where I took a few pictures I didn't catch much shows around the Akiba station there where many cute maids having there photo taken and handing out fliers. I went back to that famous spot and searched for that display of "creepy dolls" I found them and took a few pics, i search every where for a sign that had "no photos"(including a camera with a line through it, didn't find one so I took pictures)

I then walked aimlessly around Akiba found lots of computer shops. was trying to find a place to pick up a few items for people back home. No luck, i guess I will have to try to find out where to get them off the net.

As I was walking down the main road there where a huge group of people gathered, that meant a show or a cosplayer. Before I could see what it was the police had disbanded the group.

I traveled on and other stuff, I was getting tired and hungry so I stopped in Beckers's coffee and ordered a burger with Ice milk. The burger was good and I thought that the ice milk was something special, turns out it is just that, milk with ice in it. Satisfied I left to find more coplayers, but there weren't that many...SO needless to say Akiba on Sundays where not as much fun as I thought they be.

I then I headed home and relaxed.

I am hoping that Harajuku on Sunday is better.

I had just found out that I am on garbage detail.

2007-10-13T05:24:00.000-07:00

I had just received an email today from Sakura House management saying that I am in charge of the garbage of the garbage situation from the 11th to the 17th,of Oct(it means that for two days I have unknownly neglectited my responsibility's) because of the tight schedule of the Sakura house they had not updated the rotation schedule...gee thanks guys...I have just checked and it still hasn't been updated...

Akihabara day 3

2007-10-12T23:15:00.000-07:00

Toyko Time: 5:00pm

My day had started out like the past few days, waking up early in the morning checking for comments in my blog.

I have also signed up for the free English tour of Akihabara for Saturday the 27th of Oct so I am looking forward to that.

Then I headed for Shinjuku for a favor for a friend to look for some items in the Subnade mall at the Shinjuku station. I had found the mall alright took a bit of time but I found it, after three attempts, I am not sure if I found the shop though I did see mostly hip clothing for girls and a shojo managa store,
There was a huge dollar looking store but I was hard to tell what it was, it was just off to the side of Subnade2 but I didn't see any kitchen towels for 100yen I thought to try again another day, maybe on Monday.

A side note the station at takanobaba chimes the Astro boys intro song, next time I get a chance I will recored it.

I had left the station and was stopped but people collecting donations for a tragic something that happened. I had dropped in some money and the invited me to an event Sunday night, with music and dancing and food, the fee to get in is 1500 yen, every time that asked if I was going "ok" they would make the sign for money, It least that is what I took it for. that was the second time was invited to that event and the third time I was asked to make a donation. They where trying to entice me buy saying the singer was cute. I told them that I don't know if I could make it.

After that I then headed for the Radio Kaikan in Akihabara again, this time I went through the Kotobukiya shop,(who make the Playarts figures) on the first floor and wandered around and noticed that they have a lot of NBX(Nightmare before Christmas)stuff out now and a case of Ghibli stuff too, I tried to find a Halloween town Sora,(from Kingdom hearts) since I think that is his best costume but no luck. now spent a few hours there and saw some good deals on figures, I saw some Dominion Tank Police figures for about 12,000yen a piece (they are much like the Hasuki doll I have, plus they are 20% off), I had walked all around of the building on all 7 floors, there was a display that was out side of the shop I wanted to take picture of it but I continued around, then do you thing that I could find it again.

I had found the yellow submarine and looked high and low for the Genshiken capsule figures, not to found as a complete set anyway. Then I headed over to Softmap for some more DS games and then headed over to Azobit city again, picked up one figure.
And then I decided to try walking home, it was easier than I though, I just went up to the to the Ueno Staion, past the Ueno Zoo and then took a detour across th train tracks(it was the only way Could go with out walking all over the road) and I made it to the house in about 15 to 20 mins, so now that I know the way I can save the 130yen for the train to Akihabara and get more exercise.

I am going to cool it a bit with the spending for a few days ad just spend a lot of time in Akihabara tomorrow looking at the sight and sounds of the preforming maids

A picture of my room.

2007-10-12T13:13:00.000-07:00

By popular demand pictures of my place.
I am going to take more of the building outside and inside I was a sweet poster on the 3rd floor, it looks like that person in room 301 is an anime fan.
Also I have taking way more pictures that what I have posted so I need to make like a flicker account and have a link so everyone can see all the pictures.

I have a question: If I have 10,000yen alloted for energy use(out of my deposit), and I only really use the power of lights and my laptop and charging my electronics will I use up the alloted money in 2 months? thanks.

Day 2: Akihabara trip #2

2007-10-11T22:27:00.000-07:00

Toyko time: 2:28pm

Again I didn't spend much time in Akihabara only a few hours, on Sunday I want to spend the whole day there, since that is when the real action happens.

I had left for Shinjuku around 10:30 and went to the Citi Bank, tried my debit card, it seemed to work I took out 40,000, the machine told my that my balance was 0, which was weird I thought, I wanted to check my account balance when I got back, then I headed over to Akihabara, I wanted to visit the Azobit City again, but I found a place that has great deals on the figures, the Revoltech figures I wanted where about 1,800 yen, while I have seen them go for 4,000yen other places. So I am going to go there tomorrow and buy some more figures there...Lets see it I think it was the 4th floor of the "K-book building"
I also visited the Volks show room, I only wish I could take pictures it was so beautiful, not atomkicker's type of place but I was in heaven, I should really be taking notes or something so I don't forget what floor stuff I find is on and also for price comparison.
Well any way on the way to Akiba an elderly man got on the train and I gave him my seat, he deeply bowed and thanked me again once he got off.

For the past few days every foreigner I pass has not said a word to me, few have looked me in the eye, but today I came across a group of Americans who where looking for the SEGA building, I didn't have my map with me so I didn't actually know where it was, but later on I had found it, and being the nice neighbor for the north I went out of my way to find them and tell them where it was. I didn't find them. At first they thought that I was American, but I told them I was Canadian.
It looked like they were relived that someone spoke English and was willing to help them.

As I left for the train station I saw some maids handing out flyer's, I 100% want to check out at least one maid cafe while I am here.

There was this great place that had capsule figures I had bought a few the most expensive one was bout 3,000 yen but it's a big one. I looked for some Genshiken ones that had only two, one of Saki Kasukabe in her bathing suit and another of Makoto Kousaka that was unpainted, I searched high and low for the others but I didn't find any, I found lots of Kujibiki Unbalance figures, I looked around since I thought that it wold make sense to have the two together but no. I will have to look in yellow submarine. So there is a few more things on my wish list that I can tick off.

That is strange..The last few pictures I took are not on my camera...
So All the pictures I took of Ahiba and my haul today are gone...

A novice guide to how the train works...

2007-10-11T13:53:00.001-07:00

Toyko Time: 5:53am

Or at least how I figured out what to do with my ticket.
After buying my ticket I had no idea what to do with it, (it wasn't until yesterday that I learned what to do with it) So I had walked around and asked for help, I had messed up "English Understand" and the guy pointed to a sign in Japanese shrugged his shoulders and said "Understand" I had gotten where my train was going to be but not what to do with my ticket. I saw some people show the gate attendant there ticket so I was dong that for a while, but here is what I figured out

You but a ticket at a "ticket"(I have found that most of the kiosks have some engligh on them) kiosk that is green for the Yamanote, if you are riding that line place the amount of yen in the coin slot, or the note slot if you are using bills) you select the right amount of yen for you ticket (eg it's 190yen from Shinjuku to Ueno so select the number 190) A ticket pops out and also change if it's due.
Next place your ticket(in the slot, it the first thing there) in the gate with an up arrow with the up arrow on your ticket( your ticket will get punched and the gate will open yo pick up your ticket on the other side take you ticket and head for the area your train will be leaving (eg for Shinkjuku station bound for Ueno gate no# 15,it will say in English where it is going with arrows pointing to the area) on the bottom of the ticket under the date where is a set of numbers(eg 605, I thing that this is your seat, like so car no# 6 seat no# 5)

Since the train arrives and leaves on time you need to hurry (I have always found a empty spot to stand or sit) There are announcements in English and Japanese as well and a screen above every door that will show you your destination and the current station as well as how long it will take to the next station(about 2mins until the next stop.) No that I have figured out how the trains work I enjoy taking the train.

Day 2: The start of my Adventure

2007-10-11T08:52:00.000-07:00

Akihabara Day one Spoils

Toyko Time: 6:39AM
Now that I am settled in and had a few good nights sleep, accept for the fact the some one decides to package up there daily stuff @ 1 am in the morning and my first earthquake that I have felt.
I knew that it was time to finally visit Akihabara, I almost couldn't contain my excitement. I had thought to go see the Volks store but I wanted to visit that later.
First thing first, get an plug adapter for my laptop and my electronics that require electricity to work I had entered LOAX and was greeted buy a welcome, "Yokoso" was the only word if Japaneses I understood from the greeting. I was always welcomed in a duty free store, I was going to ask a clerk where to find the adapters, I had pulled out my phrase book and was looking for the saying, then the clerk told me in English that it was alright to ask her in English, so I asked her and she told me that it was on the 6th floor giving me the sign for the number 6, or it was the sign for hang ten.
I have found them the where 450 yen each, so I picked up two. Headed for the cashier and rung everything up and showed me the total price and I thanked her and left.

Next Stop SoftMap for some DS games.
I had looked round the store and found almost every game on my wish list, but I only bought one of them Gyakuten Saiben 3 or Phoenix Wright 3, which will come out to Canada when I am away, it looks like it has an English setting on it or at least it has some English text pictured on the back. I haven't played it yet since I am not finished the 2nd one yet. I am going to buy the forth one today.
I am also tempted to buy a PSP and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, which you play the role of Zack, looks like that way for what I have seen for the commercials any.

Next stop was Animate, I didn't really see anything interesting there so I left

The next stop was AsoBit City, where was lots of neat stuff there, the 6th floor was the "Moe" figures I spent most of the time here and picked up a few figures, I had only spent maybe an hour or so in Akihabara, so I wasn't able to fully enjoy the greatness that is the electric town.
Today I am going to change that I am going to grab more money and head there again today.

Day 1: Getting lost in Shinjuku in only seconds

2007-10-11T08:51:00.000-07:00

Toyko time: 5:32am
Yep I was lost in a matter of seconds even with two maps and several information signs that where in English. I was lost for several hours before I found the Sakura house. I can't remember where I had gone so I looked at my map of Shinjuku that I had received from the information center sand with my Lonly planet guide I wandered every where and pasted the entrance to Kabuki-cho several times. I tried to find Shinjuku station which is easy since it's so huge.
I was lost for about 4 hours dragging a heavy suit case behind me. I waked by a vending machine that sold C.C. Lemon, I had always wanted to try it and man it really hit the spot. The can said that 70 lemons worth of Vitamin C in every can/bottle.
There are a few vending machines that sell C.C. Lemon I am lucky that the one of he many vending machines around the guest house sell it, because I am addicted now.
I most of passed every building in Shinjuku at least 4 times.
And the Shinjuku station at least 8 times.
I had signed to lease agreement paid first months rent and received my keys along with several papers one a map of Uguisudani, how to a hear to the stric rule for garbage, accessing the wireless internet and so fourth.
I had lesft and headed back to the Shinjuku station I had bought a ticket for the Yamanote line to head home and drop off my stuff.
Which brings me to...

Night 1, sleeping in a westernized Japanese hotel

2007-10-11T08:50:00.001-07:00

Toyko time: 4:24am still adjusting to the time difference.
I was able to get a room for a night, I was in room 761, I took off my shoes before I entered and there was only enough room for me to walk around in it was very small it makes my guest house look big in compression.
I had noticed that there was a monitor that I thought that the room came with a computer but it was only the TV. I had taken some pictures and then headed off to sleep
I heard a siren I thought that it was a warning for an earthquake, but it was just an ambulance, it really wasn't all that noisy. One thing I noticed is that you needed to place you room key (card) in to a slot in order to have power. so I placed it in there and bing power! I removed the card and in a few moments the lights went off...so I need to keep the card in there in order to had lasting power.
So when I went to leep I removed the card (it wasn't until the next morning that I figured out that I could control the lights from the bed). I wanted to wake up early so I could get ready to goto the Sakura House main building s i could get into my room.
I had woken up around 7am and watched tv a bit. I didn't see any anime that early, mostly children's programs.
I was had watched a bit of a show that has animal themed cars, planes and stuff like that and a 3d cel shaded Hamtaro. Also many Japaneses commercials that someone that has never visited japan before only see on youtube or google video
(they call frosted flakes frostys).
I had hoped to see an actual show of morning masume..but it didn't happen.
I had my shower and packed and then headed to the check out counter and left around 8:50 and headed out only to...

Hey everyone I made it to Japan, with no problems...kind of...

2007-10-10T22:54:00.000-07:00

*Notice the time that is posted on this blog is Canadian Time*
Toyko time 3:12 as of this writing

It has been only a day or so since I arrived in Japan but it feels like an eternity
whole crap...Talk about a fish out of water..more on that later but now..
So I woke up around 7:00am and had breakfast around 8:30 and left for the shuttle around 9:40. When I got to the Airport I checked it, it was fast since I could check in at the hotel.
I had placed my bag on the scale and the attendant had noticed that my zipper was broken o the top and told me that she wouldn't put a suit case like that on the plane and that ut might open all the way. She had suggested to my that I go buy a new one. They where $200 and above at the store in the Airport so I looked around for shop that sold a sewing kit I could fix it with I found one and fixed my suitcase up then sent it on it's way. Also I had lot of time so I tried to access the wireless internet I found a assess point that was free I tried to get onto it but was stopped I needed to have a Telus account to use it, since I am not fond of Telus I didn't want to create an account. So that is why I didn't update...

The Flight was suppose to be leaving at 1:40pm but didn't leave until 2:30(because some of the seats where broken) and man that was long flight, I don't think that I have recovered from the jet lag yet.
After about 8 hours my leg started to cramp up so I shoved my bag under the seat and stenched a bit. But the nice thing was that a cute Asian girl was siting next to me.
There where three movies playing Oceans 13, Ghost and Spider-man 3, plus some news and other programs, I mostly listened to the my mp3 player and looking out side of my window seat.
Around 5pm the flight attendant asked everyone to close the windows so for several hours I couldn't see where we where.
During the flight there where several times when the plane experienced turbulence, noting really bad though. During the flight I only got maybe about 2-3 hours sleep.

The plane landed at Narita Airport and I had limped part of the way down the terminal to the immigration office, which took about 20mins fast walking to reach it. There was maybe about 100-200 people lined up for non-Japanese passports, with in a few moments the line that was the end was put to the other side. So the 100 people became 10 and I was through with my visa in a matter of moments. I had some trouble locating my suitcase but I soon found it with some help and I was on my way to the next part , baggage search, there was no problem and I was let lose on the land of Japan.

I thought that the easiest way of getting to Shinjuku was buy bus (3000 yen)
What I didn't think of was getting a ticket first...So I bought the ticket and waited about half an hour for the next bus, there was a bus that was stopping every 5mins but the bus I was taking was arriving at 6:10pm at terminal #2. I had hoped on the bus and was headed towards Shinjuku, or rather the Shinjuku Washington Hotel.
It took about an hour and a half to arrive along the way I saw the famous Tokyo Tower, I was wanted to take a picture but I wasn't in a window seat an I didn't want to disrupt the nice lady next to me, also there was a billboard with Tommy Lee Jones for a drink called BOSS(I only know it's a drink because I see it in almost every vending machine)

I had made it to the hotel (I didn't have a reservation, I was trying my luck) and I headed up to the 3rd floor where the non-Japanese registration was. One night was 10,400 yen.

Next post: Night 1, sleeping in a westernized Japanese hotel

I made it to Vancouver- Well Richmond

2007-10-07T18:38:00.000-07:00

Hell everyone, less than 20 hours left (as of this writing) until I fly out.
This still seems like a dream...but this is really happening just one more sleep.

Here what has happened so far...
After I got in to Victoria I left the bus terminal and headed up to the Accent Inns, picked up my last pay stub and separation slip and mentioned that I didn't have a place to stay so a meeting room wasn't cleaned( but the bed and bathroom was ok) so I left my bags at the hotel and headed off to curious comics to meet with a few friends of mine.
One of my friends offered to have a some real sushi., which was really good and we talked about sushi bars and different places in Toyko to eat and sleep.
After that I was dropped off at the hotel and tried the wireless there with no luck.

So I watched some free TV and went to sleep, the next morning I here a light rapping on the door which woke me up. I got dressed and left my room about 8:30 or so and left to go drop off some stuff off at the U-Haul where I have my storage.

When proceeded to head over to wal-mart to return some stuff. As I was walking it stated to rain lightly, which was no big deal since I got my coat from the storage unit...I have forgot it while I was in Comox and I desperately needed it.

Then I headed back to Accent to pick up my suitcase and head off to catch the no. 8 bus. While waiting for the bus it pored and I got soaked, so did my bags( Luck that everything is still in working order), I got on the bus and headed over to curious comics again to see another friend I only stayed there for half an hour and caught the no.4 @ 1pm to downtown and got to the bus depot around 1:25 and waited for the 1:45 bus to the Vancouver Airport...in Richmond...
The bus took off around 1:45 and got to the ferrie terminal around 2:30pm just in time for the 3pm sailing. The ferrie ride from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen, the spirit of Vancouver Island, after getting off the bus I walked up to the 5th deck from the 2nd and around the 5th deck for a while and headed up to the 6th deck where there where flat screen Tvs one had football and kids shows out of the two which do you think I wanted to watch?
Ya the Kids cartoons...it was simpled shape, colourful, and a bit chunky. As I watched this one part I was thinking to myself that I need to visit the Ghibli Museum, I think that is a perfect spot for anime, films fans and appsaring animators.
I was also playing a bit of Phoenix Right: Ace Attorney Justice for all, had some food and watched the islands pass buy.

Around 4:15pm I headed back down to the bus there was two people a head of me. Everyone was loaded on the bus and it was about 15 to 20 mins later we had docked and where loaded off.
The last time I was in Vancouver, buy myself was about 4 years ago, when I was working at a youth center in Courtenay called Connections Youth Center, but they are long gone, had there funding cut and the youth center died, the place that is was last in is a veterinary clinic. The website has died and it's domain name up for sale. The last time I had spend a good deal of time in the Comox valley, it seemed that everything was funded by the government/people was dieing out, But I digress.

The bus arrived at the Airport around 5:20pm, was unloaded and I entered the Airport. I walked around I wandered around to Airport for a bit and found a phone that directly connects to any Hotel in the area. I Called Accent Inns and asked when the next shuttle was running, I was lucky there was one already there. I went out side and I didn't see it there I was on the upper part and it was on the lover part, I saw the shuttle and raced down to the lower part and I had just missed it. So I was back on the phone and sure enough I saw it again and hopped on.

I was a nice relaxing ride, I got to the hotel and I was a sweet looking hotel, I would stay there again, they have a work out room and hot tub and a guest landry.
I got the key to the room (266) and it was really nice, (I have some pictures of it) a King sized bed, just me sleeping in there alone it feels so big. I unpacked my suit case, (only a few clothes where a bit wet) set aside some clothes and plugged in my ipod, laptop, and DS, since all of them where getting low on power.
I searched for wi-fi and there are two access points I can connect to, then I took a shower. Ah that felt good...Watched some tv and wandered around to get something to eat. I don't remember if had ever gone to IHOP (International house of Pancakes) so I tried the IHOP Cheeseburger and the sampler of appetizers, it was good I want to go there for breakfast have what they are famous for...Pancakes.
After I left and headed back to my room I watched more Tv and stated this post(which I am continuing as of 4am the 8th).

Wow that is a a looooooooooooooong post I I'll post later.

Little change in plans.

2007-10-04T12:13:00.001-07:00

So I will be passing Honeymoon bay, things just didn't worked out.
So I will be on the 10am bus heading to Vic on the 6th.

I'll post later.

I'm posting from Bean Time in Courteny.

2007-10-02T14:49:00.000-07:00

Man getting bus tickets is a real challenging in Comox, the only place that sells them is over at the Comox Town Hall and that is tucked away, when you live in Victoria for so long and then you come back to a small town it really makes you think the buses run more times and the bus tickets are easier to get.

Even trying to find a place to get free internet that works is hard.

Well any way I picked up a messenger bag at Zellers for $7.00 so now I have a new backpack for my laptop and for going to Akiba. I was deciding if I wanted to go with the Densha style (book bag) or Robo style (from Sexy Voice & Robo Messenger bag)

I only have 50 Mins left until my battery dies so talk to you later

I'm in Comox!!

2007-10-01T11:34:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone I have arrived safe and sound in Comox yesterday night around 5pm.
Moving was stressful and hectic, but my mom helped me and I owe her big time!!
I have a storage unit in Victoria so I can get to some of my stuff.

I am posting from a coffee shop across where I am staying it's called Exprsso Lane. I am sitting back and relaxing with my chi latae.

If you would like to leave me a voice mail message please call 250-483-7675 I don;t have a phone right now but I still have my VoIP service.

I have also received a Tokyo guide from a fried of mine and a big thanks to him.

Well I will talk to you all later.

Last day of work

2007-09-29T06:22:00.000-07:00

This is my last day of work I am only working from 7am to 12pm and then after that I am moving all my stuff so this maybe in fact the last post for a few days since I won't have internet in Comox. I don't actually leave for Comox until Sunday but everything will be packed and moved today.

I leave you with a beautiful sunset that happened a few days ago.

What I am taking Part 1: Carry on

2007-09-26T08:54:00.000-07:00

1) My laptop
2) Laptop power supply
3) First months Rent (JPY)
4) Passport
5) Travel insurance
6) camera bag (camera not pictured)
7) Bus Ticket to Vancouver airport
8) Lonely planet phrasebook
9) Larousse phrasebook
10) Graphics tablet w/ mouse & pen (not pictured)
11) Battery charger w/ batteries (2 AAA, 2 AA, going to have AA's for my camera, spare and charger)
12) DS Power supply (for charging)
13) Nintendo DS w/ caring case
14) Tape recorder
15) 512mb flash drive
16) Novel: Bloodsucking fiends
17) Wallet
18) MP3 Recorder
19) DS Games
20) Lonely Planet guide to Japan
21) Tape for tape recorder
22) 4gig iPod nano
23) Keys
24) GBA Games
25) Nintendo DS USB Wifi dongle
26) iPod cable

Not Pictured
Japan trip plan
Wish list
Japanese - English dictionary
Spending money
A pillow
External USB HDD drive w/ cable & power supply (debating about it)

Posting with the DS evidence.

2007-09-25T15:41:00.001-07:00

So here are the pictures of my DS as I was posting on my blog.
Why post with my DS?
1) it's fun to see if I could do it.
2) While I am in Comox there is no Internet so that means that I won't be able to post. Except at an Internet Cafe or the best western which has a DS hotspot.
3) If I am near an area where is has a DS compatible hotspot I can make quick posts.

Posting with my Nintendo DS

2007-09-25T15:28:00.000-07:00

Just seeing if I can post using my NDS & the browser software. It looks like I can. Talk to you all later. I am going to post pictures to show that this is real.

Firsts Months Rent In Japanese Yen

2007-09-24T22:26:00.000-07:00

Here is my first months rent for the guesthouse in Japanese Yen (75,000 JPY or CAD $680.00)

More Details about the place I am staying in.
monthly Rent for 1 person: 75,000
9.73 sq Meters or 6 tatami
Located in Ueno, not far from Akihabara
# 204 of Uguisudani "B"

So since i get into Tokyo so late I won't be able get into my room until the 10th of Oct so I have bought some more JPY (55,000) for renting a room for a night and food and a little spending money in Shinjuku and if I have any left over in Akihabara. So my plan is to get my Key early in the morning and drop off my luggage and head right to Akihabara.

I'll post more later on in the week...maybe getting around to record some Japanese and posting it.

Later

Two posts in one day wow!

2007-09-19T20:38:00.000-07:00

So I have found my mp3 player/recorder, only the 128mb one, which is fine for my trip...its not like I am going to do an 8 and a half hour monologue.
Well everything is just about set....let's see....
I went to the bank today to get yen for my first months rent for the guesthouse.
Bought a bus ticket for the bus to Vancouver International Airport.
Rent a storage unit for a few months
Pretty much packed for my trip.
I have my Passport
I am making myself a plan for my trip
Making a wishlist
Have travel insurance
Started to pack
Working on getting MSP
Booked my flight
Printed off my plane ticket twice/ Travel insurance once.
Created a blog about my trip.
Been studying Japanese.

Only a few things left...
Cancel my internet.
Get MSP.
Practice more Japanese.
Finish Packing
Find out what the cost is for changing my flight.
Move stuff to storage unit
Rent a hotel room for a night if I decide to leave on the the morning of Oct 8th.
Pay off my credit card
Sell a few of my Items

So still a few things to do man I am getting so excited and a little bit nervous too.

Well till next time.

A Quick post for today,

2007-09-18T21:13:00.000-07:00

I saw this on Animenewsnetwork.com I thought to post it in my blog so that I can remind myself to pick this up.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-09-18/free-magazine-cosplay

Also I am still looking for my MP3 players.

later

My Japanese lesson for today and posting pics

2007-09-16T09:11:00.000-07:00

A phrase i'll will be using a lot besides Sumimasen (excuse me) is nedan o kaite moraemas ka (can you write down the price?)
I am also learning about how to post audio since I will be taking my tape recorder or my mp3 player that can record so people can hear my pronunciation and correct me.

Also I am testing how the pictures post.

All post more of my bachelor pad later. Also I will be opening commenting to everyone , but they will me moderated and there will be an extra step for posting comments.

Also for those that are wondering about my signature, a long time ago I found a website (http://www.live365.com) for streamed music, well more live internet radio. DDR Freak radio is one of the stations I like. I love the energy of DDR and dance music but I have never played DDR.

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Now playing on Winamp: DDR Freak Radio - DDR Freak Radio: All the Best Dance Dance Revolution Hits and Other Bemani Favorites!
via FoxyTunes

Preparations for Japan.

2007-09-14T20:11:00.000-07:00

I done a lot of preparations for going to Japan, I have gotten my passport, bought a few books.
A lonely planet Japan guide and phrasebook
A Larousse phrasebook and a Random House English - Japanese dictionary.
As well as some new clothes.
I am working on a guide for things I am going to do there, place to see.
As well as learning to read, write and speak Japanese, teaching myself is taking a lot of energy and discipline. I can speak a few words. You think that all these years of watching to fan subs that I would be able to speak more of the language.
I also have a place to stay there in a guesthouse in Ueno...not that far from Akihabara or the main train lines.

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Now playing on Winamp: DDR Freak Radio - DDR Freak Radio: All the Best Dance Dance Revolution Hits and Other Bemani Favorites!
via FoxyTunes

Why I am going to Japan.

2007-09-13T19:56:00.000-07:00

People often ask me why I chose to go to Japan for a trip. I say "Why not!". I have been interested in the Japanese cultural for a long time..aka anime and manga...Although they are just one part of Japan it is the reason why I wanted to go.
The one huge reason I am going is because of one district in Tokyo: Akihabara.
What is Akihabara? Well just wait and see when I get there.