V2's lucky star'd pilgrimage to tokyo!

[Lotur]

V2

thanks pre! it seems the japs have everything all figured out
ive always overlooked the place as a good tourist spot- now im all for it!

[V2]

for more pics, click here.

tokyo sea life park - the best aquarium-type park in my book:



to get to tokyo sea life park, you have to ride some JR line to get to kasarinkoen station (the line is also the same line that goes to disneyland):


the park is pretty clean and very nice:



this is the aquarium dome where there are tuna fish around it. very impressive!:




aquariums inside showcases a lot of fishes and such:








the place also has an aquatic bird area:


some seashore animals in the outside aquariums:


penguin habitat area:



the people:


and finally, the giant ferris wheel thats popularized on some anime and jdrama shows:

i'd love to ride it, but it really looks high and i might piss on my pants when im up there. next time, i guess.

[V2]

tsukiji fish market

for more pics, click here.

as its described on the guide, tsukiji fish market is the "bagsakan" of all aquatic-based lifeform that finally ends up on the kitchens of tokyo. i was really curious on how a fish market in another country (that specializes in freshness) looked (and smelled) like, so i decided to check it out.



at first i was kinda worried that after leaving tsukiji, my clothes would end up fishy but it didnt - the market is quite clean and well maintained compared to our local ones (yes, namamalengke ako!).

the loading area:


an electric-powered mini-truck - compact and very maneuverable. you can race in these things!:


the inside of the market is bright and clean, there's a "fresh fishy" smell but not "fishy-pissy" like the ones back home. the walkways arent slippery nor can you find fish innards and guts.


live ones waiting for judgement in aquariums. reminds me of arangque in binondo:


tuna! fresh tuna!:



"a knife is a chef's best friend" - the "knife" used by fishmongers there. the one cleanedis almost like a nodachi! and it really cuts through the meat like a hot knife through butter!



shelled, processed and ready goods:



dried and processed goods:


crabs - the long-legged ones i think are the famous "hokkaido" crabs i think:


-warning- these little crabs in the plastic container are still alive!:


unagi (eel) ready for the buying:


sea urchins - spiny outside yet orgasmically yummy inside:


salmon roe(my favorite):


frozen tuna for domestic/export transport:


veggie shops near the market:


i'd love to bring home some leeks for pasalubong but i dont think it fits the airline regulations:


there are also a bunch of sushi shops near the market, and they serve the FRESHEST sushi since its near the source. i wanted to try it out but heck the long line turned me off:


a shop that sells plates and cups:


a "tea shop" that serves freshly poured tea like the ones in china/taiwan:


a tamagoyaki shop:

[RainerO]

With so many pics that you posted & share to us from your journey in tokyo, I'm sure that it will be a very remembering to you. And a posssibility perhaps that there will be a second time.

[qb]

wow...i'm falling in love with this country just be seeing your pics V2! (and it's not just because everywhere you turn there are hot chicks in awesome costumes....but that helps. ) beautiful shots! you're really on a shooting spree with that camera of yours.

btw, how's the reception of the people regarding foreigners? are the people friendly?

if there was one thing that you didn't like about Japan, what would it be?

again, thanks for sharing!

[V2]

rainero: heh obvious ba? well, it is the source of my hobby so i guess its really memorable and very "relaxing" since it was my first time travelling alone - kinda like a lonely planet thing.

i'll definitely go back but i'll try to target a gundam convention or something like that next time - either plamo radicon or shizuoka hobby show if the schedule allows.

qb: glad you like them chick pics. you could say i was having a pretty "hard" time but nothing beats the "taste" of home. i was shooting anything like crazy i was afraid a 4gb memory card wasnt enough but it pulled thorugh.

as for reception they're pretty nice , accomodating and very respectful. smile a lot and say the equivalent of "excuse me" when they bump you or come across your path too.

one thing i dont like about japan? hmm... honestly i still havent found it.

[V2]

akihabara part 1

first off, even using the JR/metro station as your base guide, akiba is still quite complex:

as it took me 2 days to memorize the pattens.

from the first few steps from the station, its purely madness - pure, unadulterated madness!:



gamers - the best place to get games from eroge to ps3 and such:


that is one huge sign!:



radio kaikan - a 6-storey building that fits all your otaku needs (plamo, figures, doujin, eroge, revoltechs, etc.):


some gunpla shops in the floors:




there are also "gashapon shops" wherein you can puchase gashas and trading figures by the piece. perfect for hunting that limited or secret figure:


kotobukiya's branch outlet (2 floors):


moe figures and such:






figma haruhi and saber samples in displa (yes, im doing a moeyo!):


busou shinki madness:


kotobukiya plamos galore:




a hatsune miku custom from hasegawa's fei-yen kit:


kaiyodo's outlet is also found in this building showcasing their products:




Asobit Hobby- the best place in my book to get your gundam stuff at such good prices. i got my black serena SOCSpec for 3k flat here - (i really didnt want to get it due to the size of the box but when the 3rd time i passed by and saw only one stock left, my body moved on impulse and dragged the box all the way to the counter):


and thats the jumbo grade zeta - too bad it wont fit my luggage:


and just whats below the basement area?! take a wild guess:



lamaharra something - another game shop or something:



more asobit branches:



animate akihabara branch:


comictoranoana - animate's competitor when it comes to doujin mangas, artbooks and such:



i hate to say it, but im liking tony taka's works!:


a pachinko parlor:


traders series' stores - you "trade" or buy 2nd hand games and dvds here (sanitized, hopefully!):


softmap - another game shop:


supermodelers - the modelers' supply paradise. they have everything you need when it comes to modeling-related materials (provided that its in stock, of course):







yes, it's that bakuc judge, tamagotchi-san!!:


an eroge promo poster:


akiba guild meido cafe:


some bullet-from-hell game like the touhou series (i think):


some educational game:


little busters fighting doujin game:


dark sector (xbox 360) and MGS3 (PS3):


some eroge shop again:


yellow submarine shops and tenplant - a great shop for gashapons and such. i think tenplant is toy's planning outlet:


yes, this is a shop for people who are into underage girls. and NO, i did not enter (the pics from the doors are a dead giveaway):


yodobashi camera akiba branch - all electronic-related stuff can be found here as well as otaku stuff:


just look at all those shelves!:




care for some maid cookies?:


how about an eva-powered coffee drink (zettai ryouki not included) to go with it?:


true tears and shingofumi ad just below the JR railway bridge:


a shop that sells cosplay wear:



this is the best shop (dunno the name) to get the rarest MSiA/GFF/HCMPros - its the next building to the radio kaikan one:



coin lockers - definitely a lifesaver to use if you need a "pit stop storage" from all those bulky hauls when you're not yet finished - just remember which coin locker you used... i had to take pic of where i used mine:

[V2]

akihabara part 2: akiba on a sunday

"this is meido madness!"
"madness?!?......... this is akiba!!!"

it seems that during certain hours sundays, some main streets are closed for pedestrians:


and its a lot more active with meido and promo girls promoting stuff and such:




this meido is promoting her idol album (not sure if its JAV or basic idol):




cute, isnt she?!



when its a meido, its all about the frills:


the evangelion movie (malvin says its the 3rd installment?) showing in a local theater there:


a "street magician" making some tricks - a paper doll thats moving around with no strings attached (like that main guy from the air anime):


finally found the mai-lish meido cafe but due to the long que, i've decided to come back tomorrow:


tokyo maid cafe:


this is the kanda myoujin - a shrine that nearest akihabara (said to be "untainted" by the akiba atmosphere):


note the high steps one has to take ... WHEW!:


i didnt see some mikkos (honorable ones, not the despicable one) but i met some cute chicks who "work" there so i guess its them - i guess they put on their mikko uniforms when there's a special day or something.







nanoha dolls?!:


a couple of rei and asuka cosplayers by the small park near akiba:


a shop that sells 2nd hand stuff - note the DSLR lenses:


comictoranoana's T2 display at night. couldnt help gawk at it:


went back to sega arcade to see how things are - its more packed compared to other days.


finally saw thegundam vs. gundam arcade machine - its like "marvel vs. capcom 2 on a triple coffee shot":


saw some real good tekken 6 moves by "elite" players - im not a tekken player its obvious that they're really d**n good.


whats wierd about this particular crepe truck is that its parked in the middle of the pathway towards the station - it must be that d**n good as people are lining up crazy on it:


a promotional display from sandisk showcasing an ad-stacked ducati bike:



came across this meido cafe before riding the subway - one odd thing about it is that the waitresses were dressed in junior high school uniforms - i believe this is the "imouto" (younger sister) type of cafe:

[V2]

Akihabara Part 3

my final round of akiba...

a mikko (the honorable shrine-maiden type, not the despicable one) selling charms and stuff:


touhou advertising:


an interesting item: these keychains play sounds whenever you press them. varieties are quotes from popular anime characters (asuka langley's "anta baka!") or sound effects from games (the sound played whenever you let mario die).


while i was at one of the arcades i came across some gundam arcade games - this one is the "senjou no kizuna" (bonds of the battlefield) that is like a simulator.


i never got to play it since you need a "pilot card" to play it (like the ones needed to play initial D) from the looks of it, control is pretty easy as you have two foot pedals (for thrust, etc.) and two handheld control sticks (for movement, targeting, fire control). up to four players can play simultaneously.

some scenes i took:



this is the "Spirits of Zeon: Dual Stars of Carnage" (two elite pilots using R-type zakus take on federation) on a arcade game.

unfortunately, i never got past the 1st stage as its somewhat confusing (yes, that "game over" was mine).

kaiyodo shop's new display of the upcoming revoltech YF-19 and YF-21:


im definitely looking forward to getting them!

so many battle pods:


gurren lagann and whatshisname:


isnt this the "you are already dead" guy?!


moyasashimon goodies:


and one of my objectives for my vacation in japan was to experience a maid cafe.

i got to try out the mai:lish maid cafe - recommended by darkmirage:



the food is almost twice the price compared to "ordinary" cafes. i guess you pay extra for the "service".

i tried out a cafe latte and a strawberry "keki" (cake) but it wasnt enough so i ordered their cake of the day - a chiffon cake and it still wasnt enough... still you could say my eyes were very full of satisfaction.

as for the waitress who "served" me, she was visually orgasmic - think of a finebred mix of a tall woman ( around 5"6?!) with a not too white skin tone, very sexy (around 35-24-36? i may be wrong on the specs because of the clothes) and curvy (coca-cola) body frame that has some pretty nice "JAV-ish" facial features.

the whole time i was there, i was thinking "where's the VIP room?!!"

the waitress (forgot her name as im not fond of remembering names especially japanese ones) was pretty nice and accomodating - sweet voice, sweet smile and sweet hips. overall its a pretty nice experience. i was thinking of "cafe-hopping" but i thought it'll cost me a fortune... oh well.

its a pity that taking pictures personally of the waitresses is strictly prohibited (unless you reach a certain amount on your bill OR earn a lot of points through their point card system) but she's the one on the upper left here:



its all about service... ~serbisu!~

[Lotur]

im speechless...
most awesome shots! akihabara is otaku and gaming heaven!
how i wish to relocate and get a job there someday! ;D

[raps]

There's only one word I can say "Paradise"

[V2]

yep. its an absolute paradise...

[V2]

warning: this post is not for the weak of will or people on a diet.


JAPANESE FOOD

if there's one thing i liked about japan, its the food as i am fond of japanese cuisine.

there are some places that are expensive, and there are those places that quite cheap yet worth it. there are "standing" restaurants (you literally stand while eating) and there are kombinis (conveniences stores like 7-11, etc.) that serves its purpose to keep every individual full when the need arises.

rice is an absolute staple in japanese foods, as every dish in tokyo has lots of it. and it makes me wonder - why is it that the japanese eat a lot of it yet they dont grow fat? its probably because they walk around and they use the energy from the carbs the rice give that they dont get fat.

and nope, i didnt gain weight (much to my shock!) since i was walking all the time i was there.

mos burger:


a sweets shop that sells rice cakes:


an oden shop in ueno park:


somewhat complicated vendo machines (some even serve hot soup!):


otaru zushi - a sushi conveyor (forgot the proper term). you pick a plate of sushi from the conveyor that goes around the place. its quite cheap since the lowest can go for 100 yen and the most expensive can go for 300 yen.


the taste is good, but not as good as i've had in manila (kikofuji, furosato)


this is called "chawanmushi" - steamed egg custard with fillings:


mochi cream akiba branch - this is popular as the lines can go VERY long before closing time (% off before closing, probably):


komoro soba - a restaurant that specializes on anything with soba noodles - i had the curry rice + soba combo:


miday - a ramen shop. yes, that big bowl is the "normal" size everywhere.


a chinese-type noodle shop outside tsukiji. for 650yen you get that big bowl. its so good even tourists line up for it:

and lining up is absolutely well worth it!

a shawarma shop in akiba. VERY big serving and its definitely not cheap on the beef to veggie ratio:


another ramen shop in akiba:

to eat at this kind of restaurant, you have to insert money on the machine and press which kind of meal you want and it gives you ticket. you then present the ticket to the waiter and he prepares your food. that way there's no contact between the money and the food, plus its efficient.

gindaco - a takoyaki shop:


a soba shop in nakano sun mall - note the size of one plate of soba:


a cake shop in nakano:


a bar restaurant that serves oden, yakitoris and sausages:


at some "grille" restaurant - you order meat (lamb as the waitress suggested) and cook it yourself via hot grill over coals:



a yakitori restaurant in akiba:



from the kombini - dried squid, yakisoba-pan and porkball-chicken nuggets:


"fire" coffee and some specialty
onigiri from a specialty shop:


from the kombini - chinese pork soup and onion soup:


chili-flavored senbei crackers:


tempuradon:


everybody loves BIG SAUSAGES:


from the kombini - salad and "egg-dog":


sesame rice, clam chowder and borscht from soup stock tokyo:


ramen, gyoza and pork-topped rice:

(i swear i didnt expect to finish everything!)

salad from burger king:


from the kombini - onigiri (some sort of shrimp and tuna, i think):


coffee with mixed sandwich, curry pan and an-pan:


udon with dried tofu (chinese term is called tau-peh):


gyudon from yoshinoya - very different taste from the manila version:


yakisoba:


mame daifuku:

(reference from nasagarete airantou)

taiyaki:

(reference from kanon)

milk tea and "active diet":


fanta orange jelly drink (tastes wierd):


salmon roe onigiri and green tea ice cream stick:


from the local bread store - katsu-pan (pork cutlet on bread):


from yoshinoya - udonyaki-gyudon plus miso soup set:


from mcdonalds - mcwrap breakfast meal:


blue mountain blend coffee:


"pudding shake":


ginger ale:


vitamin guard - best drink i've ever had:


milk tea in can:


curry rice:


sashimi don and clam miso soup:


from the kombini - onigiri (roe-filled) orinari (rice wrapped on egg something):


takoyaki from ueno park restaurant:


oden from ueno park restaurant:


from the kombini - melon pan and onion ring snacks:

(reference from shakugan no shana)

ice cream cone from mcdonalds:


green tea ice cream with cone:


if there's one regret that i have related to food in tokyo, its not having to eat
nabemono - either i just couldnt find a nabe restaurant or its really not that popular in tokyo.

i do hope i didnt incite people to go out for japanese cuisine or drools up an appetite after seeing this... heh.

[qb]

glad to hear that the reception is good and there isn't any trace of that "racism" crap that you hear when you visit other countries.

yummy! and i'm not just talking about the food either. ;D no really...do those maid cafes have VIP rooms? hahaha! absolutely paradise you've gotten yourself into. and the Gunpla shops are really a Gundam-ers dream! If I ever get the chance to go to Japan, Akihabara's the very first place I'll go.

[V2]

well i guess they're quite nice to tourists but i really dont know how it is with foreign residents and such. i guess its not how it is with some european/western states.

akiba is the best place to get the latest stuff thats been released for quite some time. but if you're into exclusives, rare and vintage stuff, nakano is the best place.

thats the problem with maid cafes, if there was a VIP room i dont care how much i'll spend as im THAT willing to!