Take me to Tokyo, Japan! (Pt.1)

I'm writing this blog entry nearly half a year later since this trip, and I truly do apologize for taking so long to publish this blog entry. 

Fortunately, I can recall everything and this actually is going to be nice, considering I can't remember all the photos that I took during this trip. 

It was a very long flight from California to Narita Airport, Japan. . 

There was one layover in Taiwan (Taoyuan airport) which was very nice and just a huge change from the usual airports I've been in. 

This was my first time flying solo, and I actually managed to get through it all successfully, though I have to admit it's quite intimidating if you're flying for a total of 15+ hours. 

Eventually, I met up with my friend who was waiting for me right outside my exit from the Taiwan to Narita Airport flight w/ China Airlines. 

I actually didn't even notice my friend for a moment, everything certainly felt so surreal since I noticed Japanese text everywhere, as if Japantown in San Francisco was just a small little corner compared to the airport. 

We took a bus last minute and ended up at a hotel somewhere in Ikebukuro, and then we began our journey. 

At first, I couldn't grasp my Japanese to save my life since it was just quite a dramatic change of scenery, there was big buildings but there wasn't much lights and colors that the photos online show of Tokyo. Mind you, it was around 16:00 at the time of our arrival, and we had no idea where we really were. At this point my friend asked me to speak with the hotel employees, and I couldn't quite grasp any form of proficient speaking since it was just hitting me all at once. The people in Japan naturally speak Japanese as their native language, but it's almost as if I had ventured into another dimension in which the English that I always grew up listening to was nonexistent. 

The employees were very kind and gave us a map and directions on how to get to our Airbnb, and so we began our journey forward. Out of the hotel, we came into the main street and I began to notice just how different everything was from my home in America. The vibe was unbelievably safe and refreshing, I noticed the blue sky and the wind that began to slowly build. It was a subtle breeze, and I noticed a few people on their bike too, most of which had these helpful baskets on the front. 

We arrived at another hotel about 20 minutes walking towards our destination that really didn't make sense, as the map was just very unique and neither of us could grasp where to go. The road itself isn't like my neighborhood back at home, and neither are the streets and all the turns you can make. It's hard to explain, though if you've been to Ikebukuro, it'll make much more sense. 

This hotel we ran into lead us asking question to three ladies at this reception counter, though in America we usually see them on the side, they were located in the center of that 1st floor. I hadn't completely lost my nervousness until the end of that day, so I couldn't quite grasp the words to explain that we were lost. At any rate, I made it clear that we were desperately asking for help to a particular location, and what happened next truly shocked me. 

All three girls decided to help us out, despite the fact that they knew we weren't paying guests at this hotel. The first girl picked up the phone to further inspect the area and directions towards this Airbnb location, as it was not a hotel/apartment/etc, to this day I don't really know what to call it besides a shared residency with many individuals living on multiple floors of the same building. The second girl pulled out our map and opened it up while circling and writing further directions, and finally the third girl was looking up a way to find that location through the internet. 

They helped us out efficiently and quickly, and they were all very kind about it, and so forth we continued. Around 17:50 or so, we ended up in what is considered the big lights and buildings that foreigners are familiar with Tokyo being. We had still been carrying our luggage and since the wind became much weaker and the heat continued to build, amidst so many people we stopped to take a break. 

This male in his mid 20's came up to me with his phone among the giant crowd of people going to all their designated destinations, he held up his phone sideways and it it was a blue screen with white text saying, "Do you need any help?" 

I noticed this was Google Translate, and immediately I looked up and saw this guy with a button up and dress pants who was smiling. It all occurred to me that this guy was just going somewhere (likely getting off of work) and just noticed that we looked like lost foreigners carrying all our luggage. My Japanese still couldn't come out properly, but I just mentioned key words to carry on our conversation, and so forth he waved us to follow him towards our designation. A long story short, I talked to him and followed him for about 20 minutes since he was very familiar with this massive area, I gave him the basic information about myself and the purpose of our visit. He talked to me in some English too, though he said there wasn't much he knew, I still happily acknowledged and thanked him for doing so. He told me of his favorite Ramen shop since we had both discussed our favorite meals, and it was coincidentally next to our destination. At any rate, he kept a nice smile the whole time and was nothing more than extremely helpful and kind. My friend and I both offered to pay for his dinner since it was around 18:45 at that point. He apologized and said that he couldn't accept that offer since he was off somewhere else, and I thanked him in the most humble and gracious manner that I possibly could in Japanese. Of course, he declined the amount of gratitude I showed and said it was nothing at all, wishing us the best there forward. 

To this day, I cannot believe what had transpired and the people that I came across since the moment I landed in Tokyo, by far the nicest people I've met in such a long time. 

I also cannot believe that this guy (oops, I forgot to mention the end, we both exchanged our names), though I realized moments after that I didn't know how to spell or properly pronounce his name.

I heard the following: Kinishi, but then I figured. . Wait, was it Kenichi? Kenishi? At any rate, it was one of those since he made that very clear. 

We didn't end up running back into him, but if by chance he ever somehow reads this or I came across him in Japan again, seriously. . Thank you very much. 

Though I found what happened next to be too unbearable to realize, we checked in and the ladies working didn't see our names in the system. And so forth I asked my friend if she was sure that it was Sakura Hotel, and then she showed me the message the Airbnb host sent us. And well, it was near Sakura Hotel. . But, it was not in fact this location or a hotel for the matter.

From there, I spoke to some strangers as my Japanese came back and we eventually found our temporary residence around 20:00. 

And so forth, I've taken many photos below of the following days that came forth throughout our time in Japan. 

day 2 essentials (the first day we spent all day finding the location, so that didn't really count but yeah .  .)
A'PIEU x Crayon Shin Chan Morning/Night Gel cream, Pikachu socks my friend got me (lol), Yakisoba that I was never able to afford back in the states because the import price makes it so ridiculously pricy, and of course some Peach beer, haha. 

My view for the first week coming out of the Airbnb, seriously. . As I'm typing this, I don't think anyone can imagine how much I miss waking up to this. Additionally, there was over about 15 vending machines in just that corner around our Airbnb, which was always more than helpful. 

Peach water. . my, oh my. .
Honestly, a basic drink though it is just so refreshing, considering it was in mid-August. 

Literally a walk down the street from the Ikebukuro station which is right outside our Airbnb, somebody just made this design on the wall I was passing by. 

The pet shop, mind you, we didn't have a particular destination considering this was day 2. . I just wanted to explore the neighborhood, there was actually cute animals inside too.

what? Did you think that I was going to tell you there was cute animals without showing you?
Just look at them. . seriously, I was missing Han (my cat/son) back home, haha. 

My friend wanted to glam up and wear some nice shoes she bought from South Korea, but then her foot started bleeding from blisters, not even 5 minutes after we left the pet store lol. And so I called a taxi over for her, and yes. . Expensive, though they're really nice and all except 2 of the 250+ taxi drivers we had during this trip were kind, helpful and just overall friendly people.
I looked up a local mall so that my friend could get flip flops, and so we ended up at a Starbucks right after. .

My drink was the Crushed Orange frappe if I recall correctly, and wow. .
I was actually feeling bad for the American Starbucks because that just blew away all the drinks I've had from them. My friend got the Passion Fruit Frappe which I had a sip of before she did, and it was really tasty too. 

Ao no Exorcist promo. . Nice to see, love the anime and actually as of the time this blog entry is published. . I heard there's a new season out? Also it says "Center Elevator" with a map below it. 

Our first actual meal at a Restaurant, though it was on the upper floor of the mall. . I couldn't make up my mind on what to order, everything looked so good on the menu.

This was my meal. .

Yes, it was. . very, delicious.

My friend got this, which she said wasn't bad, though I don't know if she was in love with it. 

Morning essential from the vending machine outside, if you can't read it, no worries. . it says: Strawberry Milk

From what I remember, it was very tasty too and the "aesthetic" design. . just, so nice.

Akihabara, a random shop, haha. 

Durarara!! x2 promotion. . I still haven't watched it, though I'm going to start immediately since I love this anime from the first season. 

Kuroko no Basuke 3. . oh, I should of tried my luck to get an Akashi keychain, though my chances seemed so low.

Animate & D-Gray Man promotion! This was somewhat near to Sunshine City Mall, from what I can recall.

Also, I watched and (shockingly, since I never read manga) read the manga back in High School during my lunch, haha. 

Sunshine City Mall, drinks inside of a convenience mart inside, so nice. . But, i came there for the Pokemon store. 

The unique ice cream flavors, exclusively for Japan. . I mean, that's everything. 

luv chia seed, still surprised that I didn't buy the drink since I was already carrying quite a bit.

Inside the mall, I'm not sure what on earth this is . . who is this?? terrifying, seriously. 

Kirby & variety of items, quite nice but this wasn't what I wanted to spend all my money on. 

Pastel, see through bag. . Well, kind of pastel. . I figured a lot of people would want to see this though.

Le Petit Prince tote bag, honestly. . Should of got it, haha.

I'm a big fan of the story, seriously. 

the hero has come to save us all. .
the child there looked so shocked and happy, ah. . youth, something that I feel is slowly escaping me as I age. 

I was hyperventilating haha, I knew this floor would be the one that I could find the Pokemon Center in.

I'm so close. . seriously, I can't even . . I believe at this point, I ran inside haha. 

oh goodness, since I forgot what photos I had taken. . I completely forgot about this, it was a night that we didn't want to get out of bed. .

Korean food we ordered, oh my. . it was. . so. .

I'm just going to say that I didn't finish it, I don't even understand that it was. . My friend completely threw it away too. That was perhaps the only bad meal of this trip, though there was one more at a Lucky's restaurant near Osaka. 

Ah. . this was the walkway "underground" towards the other city, near our Airbnb. 

neko korilakkuma. . 

Inside the first floor of Tower Record, only a minute or two from our Airbnb. If you're near by, check it out, lots of floors with a variety of shops.
Address: Japan, 〒170-0013 Tokyo, Toshima, Higashiikebukuro, 1 Chome−50−35, 池袋p'パルコ 5f / 6f パルコP' 池袋店 別館

Into the night life. . This actually looked quite terrifying, but I figured it was worth sharing. 

Ah, surprisingly one of my favorite meals during my entire trip to Japan. .
Located inside of the Ikebukuro station, inside of the small food court, this is not a part of all the restaurants on the upper floors. 

Just a fraction of the lights you'll see at night, it really is quite a sight. 

Ridicule Hair Salon, quite an extraordinary visit and my first time at a salon in Japan.
For my full 5-star review experience, click here to access their Yelp page where my review is open to the public. It'll be open to the public until the day that I delete my Yelp account, so that should give everyone some time. 

ridicule hair salon

ridicule

ridicule hair salon

ridicule

ridicule hair salon

ridicule

ridicule hair salon

ridicule

ridicule hair salon featuring their products used in the salon, John Masters Organic hair care.

ridicule

ridicule hair salon

ridicule

ridicule hair salon

ridicule

ridicule hair salon

ridicule

ridicule hair salon

ridicule

ridicule hair salon

ridicule

ridicule hair salon

ridicule

ridicule hair salon

bape kids, love the neon lighting

harajuku, sadly my visit here was only once and so short lived since some things came up, hopefully go back one day soon!

harajuku street art (Graffiti) is quite different, strangely not intimidating 

drinks, anyone?

harajuku lifestyle

where does this graffiti come from? such an unground vibe here, seriously. . so cool. 

inside harajuku and outside the underground, crepes. . anyone?

what is that. . ?

ah, line friends store!
first time ever visiting a line friends store, super surreal and quite a nice look inside.

nice photos taken in here w/ my polaroid, haha.

neck pillows, pillows, plush line characters? 

assortment of items, nice. 

downstairs of line store in Harajuku. .

just an ordinary photo, haha.

life size line characters, ooooh. 

stationary items/mugs

mall in Harajuku, though this is when all the shops were closed. . looks surreal, doesn't it?

up close & personal

my favorite, totoro

do you see @mei? me too

Have you noticed a pattern already?

kiki x totoro

looks like a botanical garden, don't you think?

ghibli store, haha. 

I happened to love all of this in person, seriously. 

it never stops, so many items in such a fairly small space. .

vintage feel, seriously.

cosmetic shopping, to be completely honest that was where I spent the most money next to the Pokemon Center.

Honestly, I didn't really know what this was. . but, the text reminded me of pac-man. 

san-x in the house

little twin stars x maybelline 

I actually used this for a thumbnail photo on one of my YouTube videos, lol.e

did you think that I wouldn't take photos inside?
take a look, haha. 

so packed. . couldn't move, but glad that I'm actually fairly, somewhat tall in Japan.

Pokemon never dies, seriously. 

which one to choose?

I bought the Ditto and started screaming internally when I saw it, but I should of got the Pikachu too.

mini games for the children, looks like the adults really want to play but can't openly express it. . haha. 

on the way to the Pokemon Center. .

mini games for the children, honestly I would of been playing if it wasn't so packed. 

mega tokyo center, I'll see you again. . one day.

shockingly, never watched One Piece, but I figured others would want to see this. 

oh?

Pokemon, everywhere. 

on my way back to the airbnb

night life, missing you, Tokyo. 

That's about it for all my photos in Toshima, Ikebukuro, Japan.

There's also photos from Shibuya and Harajuku, and honestly. . I certainly didn't visit enough during my week there.

I've got to go back eventually, there's definitely too much that I miss about Tokyo.

Since the day that I left Osaka and flew back home, I hadn't stopped thinking about my time here for a single day.

I noticed that when I got back too, I had dreams nearly everyday for a month or two, and then dreams on and off more than ever in my lifetime.

If you haven't read my latest blog entry before this, I talked about this current spring semester and went in detail about my plans for the remainder of this year.

As for my time in Osaka, I will be creating another blog entry that will be separate from this one. Once I publish that blog entry, I will update this blog entry with a direct link to it.

In the meantime, have you visited my 2nd blog?

For those who don't know, this main blog took off originally, though my 2nd blog is quickly building and will surpass the amount of visitors this blog has garnered.

My 2nd blog is korean/japanese cosmetic product reviews, please click here if you would like to visit it.

Hope you all enjoyed this, I felt this trip was an absolute childhood dream come true and that taking photos would be essential so I could share some moments with you all.