Monday, June 27th:
There was a clash of interest for today's agenda. Farah and Zirah wanted to go to Kamakura to see old Japan sites and shrines-a sight-seeing plan- just as how Kakak planned for us. The all day pass costs 1470 Yen (1000 Yen=~RM 36). Ummi on the other hand was more interested to go around Tokyo and find places to shop- including going to Odaiba and see lush exclusive shopping place for the upper class- Ginza.
I was thorn, because I wanted so much to see old Japan- that's what attracted me to Japan- the culture and remains; but at the same time, I wanted to see the city itself, especially after Linda said she could show where to buy omyagek or souvenirs of Naruto (an anime for those of you who don’t know). That's another reason to step onto Tokyo I guess.
After calculating our budget and time, we all agreed to stay in the city. In the end, Linda took us to Akihabara when we met her in Shinjuku Station. Akihabara is known as the 'Electronic City' for it's a heaven for those who love technologies. From mp3 to iPod to laptops to cameras and electrical gadgets- ALL are cheap compared to other places! The only downside is Japan's voltage is different from Malaysia's so you’ll have to change the adapter.
So put Akihabara in your list of recommended places to go in Tokyo.
This is also the place of anime lovers. Zirah and I unconsciously spent almost 2 hours in Animate to hunt for what Naruto souvenirs to bring back for our brothers (and ourselves of course :p)!! And those 2 hours was only for Naruto. Luckily I made my mind up that we're only hunting for Naruto stuff- not others as well. Zirah got to snap a keychain of Sanzo from Saiyuki at the last minute though :D
Also bought a beautiful 3D picture of Kinkakujimaiko Castle- a castle made of gold in Kyoto for dad. Ummi and Farah bought samurai sword miniature for their dad as well. And I found myself a cheap yukata.
During late lunch in Kaiten Sushi (sounds familiar Perth-ian??) where Linda conversed fluently with the 'chef' (if you could call the person who made the shushi and other food a chef), Zie joined us after she finished her class. From then on, we separated: Farah and Zirah went straight back home and dropped by Coop (a mini shopping mart) to buy some food, Zie and Ummi to Shin Okubo to buy halal chicken for dinner and I followed Linda to Ikebukuro to where she works part time as a Malay language teacher to locals here who want to learn.
I was amused by the interest and hard work the Japanese put in learning other languages. It was such a joy to see other people show interest to learn about MY mother tongue!
<-Akihabara 
<- IkebukuroDinner was filled with Zie, Linda and Kakak's experiences in Japan. We agreed upon a couple of things- Japanese are so polite and helpful that they'll go to great length to help you, even if you don't understand what they're saying. Our experience with a few occasions confirmed that. One bus driver even asked the other passengers if they know where Jufukuji-Mae (our stop near Kakak's house) is. Another even make sure Farah bought the right ticket to Shinjuku from Shibuya Station.
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Tuesday, June 28th:
No matter how late we slept, we had to get up early today to maximize our time in Disneyland. From Naka-Meguro Station, we took the Hibiya Sen to Hatchobori, passing Ebisu, Hiro-o, Roponggi and others including Ginza. From there, we change to JR Keiyo Sen to Maihama- a stop right at Disneyland.
If you prefer more adventurous, adult and nerve wrecking rides, go to Disney Sea, next to Disneyland. It's mostly water-based theme parks but most certainly for those who love more challenging rides. The ticket is the same I think- 5500 Yen. (1000 Yen=~RM 36)
The first thing Kakak brought us to do was to pick a lucky draw for the Disney's 'Rock around the Mouse' show that'll be put on at different times. We picked the 11 a.m. show and got the place in the Central Viewing Area. Even so, it was actually a bit farther at the back. Want an advice? Lesson #3: Try to pick a show that won't make you baked under the intense noon sun.
Tokyo Disneyland has 7 main theme parks. We started with Space Mountain in Tomorrowland. When we're done, we're like 'that's it?' I guess we anticipated too much. 'Disney Sea- next time we come, we’ll go to Disney Sea!' Ummi and I agreed. Done with Tomorrowland, we ventured into Adventureland for rides such as the Pirates of Carribean, Jungle Cruise, Western River Railroad and Swiss Family Treehouse. By this time, it was 3 o’clock and I missed my Disney’s Dream on Parade!
We agreed that Westernland’s Big Thunder Mountain and Fantasyland’s Haunted Mansion would be our last rides before heading out for lunch. On our way our, crossing pass the Castle Forecourt Stage and Parade Route in World Bazaar, we stopped to watch the 5 p.m. 'Rock around the Mouse' show- this time from the side- so that we could catch Mickey and friends upclose.
After lunch, we went straight to Fantasyland and try to finish whatever rides we could before the start of Electrical Parade Dreamlights at 7.30 p.m. It was so beautiful and the music made you in the mood. After what we thought the past parade car- Antz, we made a dash to Pooh's Hunny House because before the parade started, the waiting period for that ride was 60 minutes when it was only around 10-20 minutes for other rides. Kakak said this was a new ride. She didn't recall it from her last visit. While we were lining up, suddenly the music started again and there were another row of cheerful parade cars! And hence we missed Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and a few others…
Our last ride was the House of Mickey, which we went in after the hanabi or firework- Disney Magic in the Sky. Kakak said summer's hanabi in Tokyo's night sky are more spectacular. That's the main event for Japanese summer. Unfortunately for us, the hanabi starts on July 1st- the day after we went back home!
When the clock showed 9.15 p.m., Kakak said we really need to leave or we'll be stuck in the traffic of the trains. My last shot was Cinderella's castle at night.
Don't scream at me, but we missed the Splash Mountain in Critter Country theme park and ToonTown… My advice again? Lesson #4: Mark what rides you really want in each theme park, and allocate strict length of period on each theme park so you won't waste time. Leave all the souvenirs shopping for the last if you can help it- after all, you go into Disneyland to enjoy the rides, not to shop for Disney merchandises right?
Oh, and Fantasyland IS a must, and so do Big Thunder Mountain, Star Tour, Space Mountain, MicroAdvanture and Splash Mountain (I reckon).
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Wednesday, June 29th:
Second last day. Woke up late, started late. The last day to do last minute shopping. The day we agreed to come back to Musashi Koyama. We also planned to see the Meiji Jingu Shrine in Harajuku.
Dropped by Takeshita Dori, a street with loads of shops, include those that sell weird gothic clothings. This is the place to see people with different and weird style of clothing as well as a lot of foreigners, especially the Westerners. However, the things sold are quite expensive- so we decided to go back to Musashi Koyama as soon as possible. While Ummi and I went into 3 storey building 100 yen shop, Farah and Zirah walked towards the end of Takeshita Dori to see what else were there.
And guess what 'else' were there? They bumped into Howie D and AJ of BSB and took a snap with them! Oh yeah, the BackStreetBoys were in Tokyo at the time we were there, if I forgot to mention it to you.
Back in Musashi Koyama, we split up where I spent another 1000 yen for souvenirs to bring back, and bought a real obi (the sash you see on Japanese's yukata). Due to time constrain and lethargy, I couldn't meet Linda as planned- looks like I missed to see her university.
On the way home, we dropped by Coop to buy the yummy custard pudding to be brought back. Farah brought her banana milk and 'kocha kaden' that she's so attached to.
That night we packed our stuff- after watching Naruto 'live' on TVTokyo.
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Thursday, June 30th:
The taxi came at 6.15 a.m. And we woke up at 5.45 a.m.! Imagine that. But we did make it for the shuttle to Narita airport that depart Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel at 6.50 a.m. We even took picture with the hotel workers!
Farah and I agreed that we missed Tokyo already and wished that we should be there longer.
At the airport, again we asked for window seats, front and back. This time, I sat next to Farah. Surprise, surprise… We came with 64 kg; we went back with ALSO 64 kg! One bag that was specially filled with the food Kakak asked from Malaysia was filled with souvenirs from Kakak to her family and ours to our families.
After quick coffee in Starbucks- Kakak's treat again- we went in and shop for what I call 'kuih Jepun' to be brought back, and also one box for our grandmamma. Being a Malaysian Embassy officer and holding the diplomat pass, Kakak sent us till we boarded our plane. She passed me 4 small omyagek, "Pass these to Mak Ngah" I nodded as I realized these were her last minute presents to her family.
One week passed by so fast. I know I fell in love with Tokyo and would surely one day come back here again. Maybe next time I'd be able to go to Hakone where you can see Mount Fuji from very near, Kamakura the old Japan site, Odaiba, Tokyo Dome City and Tamachi (where Linda wanted me to stop to bring me to the uni she’s studying at).
While getting comfortable in my seat, a stewardess suddenly came and passed me a note.
It was from Kakak:
There and then, I felt like crying ~touched~. The 4 souvenirs she passed to me were for us 4!!
Somehow, in the plane, I was more inclined to watch International movies- Asian- rather than Hollywood's product. Among 'A Moment to Remember' (Korean), 'Tony Takitani' (Japanese) and 'Daddy Long Legs' (Korean), A Moment to Remember was my favourite- even Farah watched it and we couldn’t stop talking about how sad the story was whenever we mentioned it.
In the Limo from KLIA to Ampang, we opened the giveaway presents Kakak gave- small compact mirrors with Japanese pattern on the covering.
As I recalled on the one week trip to Tokyo, I come to learn the refreshing different culture and attitudes of Japanese. They are the people who never got tired of talking I presumed, seeing on how when we were on the bus, everytime the bus stop or start moving, the driver advised the passengers on what was going on and asked them to be careful.
Interestingly, in shopping mart, the cashier will announced every item we bought, how much we pay and how much the balance is. Much like Islamic muammalat if you ask me.
Even the polite way of speaking, with soft tone and not shouting is what Islam encourages us to do, ne?
Learn. When you travel, look around you, observe and learn. Take what's best, leave what's not.
It was a week I wouldn’t forget in my life.
THE END
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