tokyo: day 8

rose early to catch the 2 hour bus to the airport. because i realized early that i didn't bring enough money, i had to put my $35 for the ticket aside on the second day just so i could get back. it was grey, as much of it had been.

i was tired and strangely ready to leave.

when i get to the airport the automatic check-in machine i was instructed to use spit out a piece of paper that said there was something wrong and i needed to speak to someone at the counter. as i walk over a shift change is taking place but they are both kind of helping then they start talking to each other in japanese and i have no idea what's going on. one leaves and the other tells me that unfortunately there are no available seats in economy. she then pauses and i think "i hope i don't have to sit here for a long time for another flight. this is gonna suck". she then says "would you mind moving up to first class?" ppffttt, that's a given. "no, i don't mind at all." i say. that's a first for me.

after this security has a hard time dealing with the pencils in my backpack. taking everything out, looking, saying there's nothing there, x-raying again, over and over. the same thing happened leaving korea. they finally realized there was nothing there and i was allowed to go on my way.

first class was awesome. had some really good sushi. all the coffee i wanted. the guy next to me had three of those little bottles of wine and i don't think he paid for them. i should have followed his lead. i was able to put on some house slippers that they provided and prop my feet up and recline. i didn't realize til near the end of the flight that had a private tv and i could watched movies/tv shows of my liking from a huge list of things. you know i don't really care for those much, but there were a few things i would have watched. next time i get bumped up i'll know what to do.

in the airport they had these displays of illegal items. the designer name brand crap next to the replicas was funny and quite accurate.

i understand why they're in there, but i thought the musical instruments were pretty rad.

i wouldn't want to kill a turtle to make a banjo or whatever that is, but i liked it.

note to self: next time, don't forget to bring enough cash.

tokyo: day 7

on the train to meiji jingu, yep jacko is everywhere, blah blah blah. you want to know what's better?

noborito is better.

so were in tokyo, right. we walk through the first gate to meiji jingu (shrine) and all of a sudden we are in the jungle.

jeremy was telling me about these things. sake is sent by companies to be blessed at the shrine.

and wine is sent as well. supposedly these things are at every entrance. looks like an advertising ploy to me.

the second gate we walked through.

don't forget to wash your hands and mouth.


you couldn't take photos in the area where the security guard was, so the next two photos are from outside the boundary. as we were walking away that guy in the white started beating that drum. it was quite loud.


some good typos in this message.

as we were about to leave we see the aftermath of a wedding.

then we see one beginning.

once we get back to the metropolitan area, we walk a few blocks to harajuku. let's just say there is a lot of cosplay going on around here and from what i was told the next day was the worst. here we met up with one of jeremy's fellow students, martin.

fake crepes.

topless mannequins.

costume shop.

we were going to eat at this mexican restaurant that we stumbled upon, but they were closed. that white heart and out of place 'n' were cut out of construction paper and taped on with box tape. good job.

happened upon this design place/gallery/restaurant.




don't forget your prozac.



we are walking to shibuya and go past this. martin said it was something from the '64 olympics.

it's funny when you see things that just seem so out of place.

we are coming into shibuya and jeremy goes "look there's neck face. he's everywhere". we were talking about this guy the day before i believe.

you know...that crazy huge 5 way intersection. you have to cross it to get some sushi.

here you go. sushi.

the essence of the trek from another side this time. i give it to you in 3 parts.



remember the green and white pandas in that claw machine?

we finally make it to hiratsuka-tanabata (star festival). it's insanely crowded before we even get out of the train station. too many kimonos to count.

kids these days.

old guys these days.

i don't know what these are called, but that looks like david bowie there on the left.




i'm not really sure what to think about this one with all the bestiality going on.

these guys on the left helped us find beer that wasn't outrageously priced. i'm not really sure all that was going on, but that girl served us then came over and had 'phone sex' with the guys. now by 'phone sex' i mean they put the phones together and the passing of genetic mat...i mean digital information occurs.

here's a close up.

you have nothing on the fish head.


more kimonos.
i believe we had decided to wait for an express train and the quote of the trip was delivered: "oh yes i can wait. i got the towel." martin the slovak.

almost every night this guy was standing in one of the stations that we had to always transfer at. this was the only time i was able to get a photo and thinking now about his other locations, i think this one is best by far.

the moon and what not.