Last 24 Hours in Tokyo

December 23 was my last day in Japan. It was also a national holiday because of the Emperor's Birthday. Gui and I went to the Imperial Palace to watch the Royal Family appear before an audience. This only happens once a year so after sleeping uncomfortably at McDonald's the night before, we really dragged our lazy selves to attend this rare event. We took the train to Maronouchi District and walked to the palace. 

When we got to the entrance of the Imperial Palace, security was very tight. Our bags had to be checked and we had to line up with the rest of the crowd. 

There are two gates leading to the Imperial Palace. When we got to the second gate, I saw the throng of people still outside the first gate. Thank God we arrived early!

There was a special elevated area set up for the media who would be covering the event. Gui and I cheered with the crowd when the Royal Family appeared before us.

The Japanese Royal Family appeared in a glass-enclosed bullet proof terrace. The cutest royal couple that day was Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. They were enthroned at the Imperial Palace 18 years ago. 

I took one last look at the Imperial Palace before we left. I could now finally say that I have met a Royal Family once my life!

During the afternoon, Gui and I strolled in Harajuku and Shibuya for old times' sake. After sunset, we then went to Yebisu Garden Place, the former site of a beer brewery, where the still existing Yebisu Beer brand had been brewed since 1890. When we got to Yebisu, the entire place was all lit up. The theme of their illumination display was "Baccarat Eternal Lights".

We took a quick bite at McDonald's and then continued taking photos with the numerous Christmas trees. Ahhhhh, everything looks pretty during Christmas!

Around 11pm, I took a local train in Asakusa Station going to Narita Airport. Most people prefer the Airport Express Train because it is faster and more comfortable, but I was not in a hurry to go to the airport because my flight was not until the next morning, so I opted for the cheaper train. I slept soundly on one of the benches in the airport along with other people. 

The next morning, I was awaken by the sound of the vacuum cleaners used by the janitors who were already starting to clean the airport. It was still so early but I couldn't sleep anymore so I decided to check-in my luggage early. Around 9:00am, my Philippine Airlines flight to Manila was called for boarding. I was luckily seated in Business Class once again due to my mileage points.

Tokyo Nights: Shiodome and Tokyo Dome

After my alone time the whole day, I finally had company in the evening. I met up with Gui at Shiodome's Caretta Mall. We went to see the Christmas illumination display with the theme "Caretta Ocean Christmas".

Then we went to Tokyo Dome City which also had its own Christmas illumination display.

 

Gui and I were supposed to go to a karaoke place that night, but we ended up sleeping at McDonald's with some homeless people. Poor us! Haha!

My Tokyo Jaunt

Since Jam had already gone home, I spent the day by myself wandering around Tokyo. I have been to most of the touristic sights in the city so I decided to go to the not-so-famous places. Before I started my adventure, I had a quick brunch at Yoshinoya in Akihabara.

My first stop was Tokyo University. I was curious to find out what their campus looks like.

     

I loved the big trees in their campus. It kinda reminds me of Ateneo.

After, I went to Ikebukuro, a shopping and entertainment district. Tssk, I was tempted to shop once again.

For a touch of culture, I visited the Edo-Tokyo Museum and Sumo Stadium.

During the afternoon, I went to Ueno's Amyokocho Black Market. It is like the Divisoria of Manila. Some stalls were selling ukay-ukay stuff.

Internet Cafe Experience

One of the most exciting experience I had in Japan was sleeping in an Internet Cafe. At first, it was a matter of wanting to save money, but later on, I got used to the whole thing and realized that it is not so bad after all. Jam and I have tried staying in three different internet cafes, but our favorite is N Internet Cafe in Akihabara, which offers temporary accommodation for ¥980 (good for 8 hours). 

What I liked best about Japan's internet cafes are the spacious aisles and cubicles. Unlike in the Philippines where the internet cafes are so tiny and without any privacy. Beverages ranging from tea, coffee, juice to water were offered for free. Plus the best part? Ice-cream was unlimited too! Many young Japanese boys and girls frequent the internet cafes to read manga books apart from using the internet. But in my case, I was just there to sleep.

Tokyo Nights: Maronouchi and Akihabara

After Jam and I went to visit the town of Nikko, she had to leave for the airport while I was left to roam the streets of Tokyo. I went to Maronouchi District near Tokyo's Main Train Station. They were having a Christmas illumination display in Naka Dori with the theme "Bright Christmas".

Then I went to the electric town of Akihabara. There was also a Christmas illumination display in Akihabara's Crossfield Mall.

Nikko: Tobu World Square

Last December 21, Jam and I went to Nikko City to purposely visit Tobu World Square, a theme park where over 100 local and international historic relics are exhibited. These exhibits are 1/25 the original size of men. There are five themed zones inside the park.

These are some of my favorite exhibits in the Modern Japan Zone: Akasaka Palace, Fujimaru, Tokyo Main Train Station, National Diet Building, Narita Airport, Yoyogi National Stadium.

These are some of my favorite exhibits in the America Zone: World Trade Center, New York Skyscrapers, White House, Flat Iron Building.

These are some of my favorite exhibits in the Europe Zone (France): Castle of Chambord, Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coeur Basilica, Pantheon, Versailles Palace, Eiffel Tower. 

These are some of my favorite exhibits in the Europe Zone (Spain): Alhambra, Sagrada Familia, Guell Park, Vicens House.

These are some of my favorite exhibits in the Europe Zone (Italy): St. Peter's Basilica, Duomo, Colosseum, Leaning Tower, Basilica San Marco.

These are some of my favorite exhibits in the Europe Zone (United Kingdom): Big Ben House of Parliament, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Dover Palace.

These are some of my favorite exhibits in the Europe Zone: Neuschwanstein Castle, Belvedere Palace, The Parthenon, Borgund Church.

These are some of my favorite exhibits in the Russia Zone: St. Vasilie Church, Fountain Palace of Peter the Great.

This was my favorite exhibit in the Egypt Zone: Sphinx 

Wax and Guinness World Records Museum

When Jam and I arrived at the Tokyo Tower, the line to go up the observation deck was very long. So instead of going up the tower, we decided to check out the other attractions below the tower like the Wax Museum and the Guinness World Records Museum. I learned so many interesting facts from the Guinness World Records Museum.

Tokyo Nights: Tokyo Tower and Roponggi

After Ikebukuro, we went to Tokyo Tower. It has been towering the Tokyo skyline for decades. This year is special because Tokyo Tower is celebrating its 50th anniversary so the decorations are flashier than usual.

Our night didn't end there. We still headed to Roponggi Hills, the business district in Tokyo. The theme in Roponggi's illumination spectale was "Midtown Christmas". There was also another illumination display set in Roponggi called "Starlight Garden".

Tokyo Tales With Jam

Last December 20, Jam and I started our day early in Tsukiji Fish Market, the wholesale market in Tokyo known for selling the freshest sushi. Small restaurants surrounded the central market. The place was packed with locals and tourists.

We then went to Tokyo Dome City, the home stadium of the Yomiuri Giants and Nippon Ham, two professional baseball teams in Japan. The huge dome can accommodate as much as 55,000 people. There is also an outdoor theme park near the dome. 

During the afternoon, we met up with Gui at Sunshine City in Ikebukuro. I love how Ikebukuro resembles the hip and fun vibe of Harajuku. We went inside Namja Town, an indoor theme park in Sunshine City. It features themed dining, carnival-style games, a haunted house and a line of character mascots.

One of my favorite areas in the theme park is the Ice Cream Town. It was entertaining to watch the Turkish guys serve the unique Turkish ice cream.

Tokyo Nights: Ginza

After our Mt. Fuji and Hakone day tour, Jam and I went to Ginza, a very sophisticated and expensive shopping district in Tokyo. One square meter of land in Ginza's center is worth over ten million yen, making it one of the most expensive real estate in Japan. We went to see the Mikimoto Jumbo Christmas Tree. 

Most of the big brands are available in Ginza's Chuo Dori Shopping District. Name it and they have it.

Mt. Fuji and Hakone

Last December 19, Jam and I joined a group tour to Mt. Fuji and Hakone. The meeting place was at Dai-ichi Hotel in Shimbashi. Our bus passed along the Tomei Expressway allowing us to enjoy the scenery of rural Japan. 

We first stopped at the 2nd station of Mt. Fuji. Too bad our bus couldn't go all the way to the 5th station because of the heavy snow. 

We had lunch at Hakone Lake Hotel together with other tourists. After, we went to Hakone National Park by riding the latest double-wired gondola with a 360-degree panorama for a breath-taking view of the volcanic Hakone mountains. 

After the cable car ride, we strolled along the Owakudani Boiling Valley. 

Lastly, we cruised across Lake Ashi with this pirate ship. We returned to Tokyo around 7:00pm.