After looking at what flights were available, we chose Tokyo (especially since they have a nonstop flight available). Now, this was my first trip to Asia--and thankfully before the perfect storm of natural disasters this year. Before we left, my brother said, "why Japan? There is nothing I really want to do there..."
Really? Sumo wrestling! Japanese baseball! Sushi! Shinto and Buddhist temples! Disneyland Tokyo! What's not to be excited about??? So, I was about to fly to Asia with 36-hours notice. Keep in mind, I don't need to have everything about a trip planned, but I do like to know where I am going, what there is to see, and how to get around. This was definitely going to be a new experience for me!
Lindy and I left for Tokyo the following day, with one of her co-workers. Trying to figure out how to get from the airport into downtown was a bit of a task. However, people were very friendly and helpful! We managed just fine!
We first started with exploring near our hostel...
I don't know what this says, but I can read "hot dog" :)
A beautiful 3-storied pagoda...I love the intricate detail!
The next day, we ventured out into downtown and let me tell you, it was H-O-T!!! Now, I've heard that Tokyo was hot, but when I read that the average high temp in July is 86 degrees (and the forecasted temp was 88, I thought that these "people" must be a bunch of pansies)...holy cow! I honestly felt that there was no point in taking a shower, because you were basically bathing in your own sweat...seriously, it was that muggy and hot! Keep in mind that as a redhead, the sun and heat are my mortal enemies...
However, there were plenty of things to keep my thoughts away from the blasted heat. For example...
The Imperial Palace! We weren't allowed to go in, but it was still beautiful!
Asian-style squat toilets...yeah, I stuck with using Western-style ones :)
Me outside of the Imperial Palace!
Japanese food...I'm not sure what we ate, but it was good!
These stone dolls were everywhere! I don't know why, but there were hundreds!
What I lovingly call the Japanese Eiffel Tower :)...it's really called the Tokyo Tower
Disneyland Tokyo is very similar to Disneyland in California. In fact, if I could do it again, I would probably go to DisneySea, which sounds like it's a little different than what is available in the States. However, it was so much fun! What I loved: 1) they had SO many characters out to get pictures with (I wish Disneyland still did that); 2) they LOVE Stitch! I'm not that big of a fan, but I love how they commit to him as a major character at Disneyland Tokyo (might be the Anime appeal); 3) there were rides different enough that I wasn't constantly comparing it to Disneyland.
What I didn't love: they charge to extra for some shows...like the Golden Horseshoe Saloon, which was a whopping $40 extra for lunch! Ouch, no thank you! Overall, so much fun!
Entering the park...I'm so ready!
Entering Main Street, which they called the World Market Bazaar
The Haunted Mansion...looks more like a medieval castle to me...
So, I was riding Splash Mountain (as a single rider to get through the line faster of course)...now, at Disneyland Tokyo, you ride side by side, not single line. I was seated next to the girl in the red shirt. Her two friends were in front of us. They were "pretending" to take their own picture, but it was obvious they were trying to take my picture (I can only imagine it has to do with my red hair :) ). So, I pulled the classic Japanese tourist pose...the peace sign! They looked at their picture, turned to me and laughed, then took my picture again. Since they got my picture, it was only fair that I got their picture :)
Squirrel!
Sleeping Beauty's castle...fun fact, of the 5 Disney Theme Parks, only Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty have castles. Odd, because you would think that the Disney Park in Paris would belong to Belle, but you would be wrong!
I had no idea that Mickey was so multi-cultural!
I just LOVE this picture!
I Minnie and me! She came right up to me...even with all the kids around :)
I love how there were random Disney characters walking around...I really wish Disneyland still did this, but I swear, you really see smaller characters like this anymore...
The parade...I love the costumes!
The Main Street Electrical Parade! Sully and Mike...
...with Boo!
The LDS Temple in Tokyo...very small property grounds, but still beautiful!
LDS Tokyo Temple grounds...yes, the wall and the fence are that close!
The outdoor market in Asakusa...where you can get all your touristy gift needs :)
The Senso-ji in Asakusa! I believe this is a Shinto temple...
The Two Buddhas in Asakusa...I believe the represent knowledge and enlightenment...but I could be wrong :)
The red lantern outside of Senso-ji in Asakusa...
So, we decided to go to a Japanese baseball game...what an experience. First, I had learned (and we had experienced) that for as technologically advanced as Japan is, they are still a cash drive society (NOT credit or debit cards!). We went to purchase our tickets and found out that it was CASH ONLY. Therefore, we had a mad dash to find an ATM machine that accepted international cards before the game began. Luckily, we made it in time! As you can see, the Tokyo Dome stadium was packed! We saw the Tokyo Giants and Nakamura Swallows play. The Giants are like the NY Yankees of Japan, so I was inclined to dislike them, but as we were only there for one game, I went ahead and cheered for them...
Baseball fans in Japan are like soccer fans...totally engaged and a little crazy! They had chants they sang, flags waved in the stands, dancing cheerleaders in between innings, the works!
We saw an amazing game that ended with an extra innings homerun... Awesome!
Our last day ended with souvenir buying and a trip back to the airport. However, remember that I was flying standby...and I missed the flight back to Salt Lake by ONE SEAT! Lindy said to me, "I can't leave you here by yourself!" I told her not to worry about it, I would find my own way home. As long as I was home by August 24 to start work again I was good (and that was more than a month away!). So, the two of them hopped the flight back to Salt Lake. I watched the flight take off, wondering, "what on earth am I going to do?"
I went up to the front desk and asked what flights were available for me to get home. I was informed that they next flight to Salt Lake left the following evening...OR...
I could try for a flight that left in a couple hours to Honolulu, Hawaii.
Ummm...was there EVER a choice?
On to O'ahu...
