Gift

My Christmas present from Sebby! =D

*Loves*

Tokyo Raiders Part 2/3 - Nikko

*Yawn*... we were up before daybreak and stumbling to the train station unaware of what the day is going to bring us. Yes, we are going NIKKO! But none of us have ever been there, and to get here, it takes 2 hrs by train 1 hr by bus. It doesnt help that my jap is super half past six too. =P Nevertheless, we pick our adventurous asses and to the Tobu line (Asakusa Station) we go! Yow!

7am



Tobu Line train station, our train leaves at 7.30am, hurry!

Calvin & May couldnt wait to start our very own Japan Hour documentry, eating oiishi bento breakfast on trains! ^_^

















We snooze after a hearty breakfast. Long day ahead...



What we have been looking at during our 2 hour ride.

We arrived at Nikko! =DDD

Made a mad dash to the bus station and to our first destination, Lake Chuzenji!

First glimpse of snow when we drove higher up

Lake Chuzenji

I heard some noises when i was walking around Chuzenji area, like a stream gushing. I began searching and following the sound....

Water gushing even louder.... (must find it!)...

A waterfall! aaaaaaaaaaah......

I have always been fascinated with waterfalls and this is by far the one with the biggest drop that i have ever seen. With the frozen icicles by the side and the beauty of the nature that surrounds it, Kegon Falls has a different charm to it in winter and is definitely not a sight to be missed when in Nikko.

We are starving as it approaches noon, been walking around for 2 hours in search of food. But no find anything! =( Apparently, its low season and alot of the restaurants there are close, even the hotels there dont serve you anything as everything is by reservations only. WTF man really!

I was so angry... continue take pictures lah!

Forget lunch! We do what we are here for! FIND THE ONSEN!

For 1300yen, soak all you want with towels provided by the inn! But of course 15mins is ideal lah.. if not, u get fainty when you get out of it.

Aaaah snow covered rocks, green bamboo leafy trees, cold crisp air, warm therapeutic hot springs. I am so easily satisfied.. what more can i ask for in life...

(ok i dont mind a postal code from nassim road.)

Too bad we cant stay over for a night. Blah!

Looking at the japanesey lamps positioned all over the springs area, i bet this place looks fantastic at night.

I cant get over this. =(



Just when you thought the japanese have lost their sense of humour. ^_^ Found this at the bath area.

Refreshed and warm after.

Lonely driveway

Another 3 hours back to Tokyo..

Nikko would have been great if we have spend a night there instead of having to rush back. But we enjoyed ourselves heaps and know we will definitely be back to this beautiful place soon.

Tokyo Raiders

Can i just emphasized how one can never get sick of this fucking place? Can i?

I mean, as a tourist, its really great awesome fun to be hanging around there, catching all the hype and lights across Shibuya, Harajuku etc. Good food beautiful people pretty but useless things surrounds superficial 'ol me everywhere i go. But for many others that are actually living in Tokyo itself, i know thats like a whole different ballgame altogether.

I met up with Akiko too, a friend of more then a decade now (how time flies..), she still looks great. I was telling her about how the trains in Tokyo are always delaying due to some "accident" that i saw on the time schedule boards at stations. Surprisely, those "accidents" are usually people commiting suicide by jumping off the tracks. Akiko said that it happens about 3 times a week and that delays last usually an hour, they actually have "experts" in clearing up the splattered bloody bodies at the JR line.

What a gruesome interesting fact.

I was there for 6 days this time doing the usual grab-shopping at major districts with the exception of going to the countryside Nikko - one of the world heritage site. We did a day trip which is really rush, considering that the journey to and fro takes 5.5hrs. Super sei man. But look at the pictures that i will be uploading soon by parts and you'll know why its a must-visit.

Brace yourself for Japan my friends, enjoy. ^_^



Arriving at the Tokyo-Narita Airport

With Calvin

Back to Shinagawa Prince hotel and to Shibuya for dinner we go! Ikemasusho!

With May @ the cross junction of Shibuya

We're starving after a long flight. And found this awesome restaurant that serves really good japanese shabu shabu for a good price. Our first dinner at the land of the rising sun! Itadakimasu!

We didnt wana have too full a dinner as when you're in Tokyo, how can you miss out on the sweets? We proceed to some dessert hunting! =D

After dessert, we were super drowsy and decided to head back to our hotel after such a long day. *yawn*.. we were up since 330am. Sei man.

The next day, for my usual practice whenever im in Tokyo, i'll go over to the Asakusa Kannon Temple for some blessings. Its always so crowded and pretty over here!

To the subway we go!

This picture looks like 2 blind person holding out for each other.

Looking for a yukata for sebby.. ^_^

After walking around the temple shortly, we decided to head for lunch for some tempura! On our way in search of the restaurant, we bumped into famous japanese actress RINKO KIKUCHI! I couldnt believe my fucking eyes! She was filming around Asakusa area and dumb me was sooo star struck, i forgot to take pictures of her... i feel so stupid. =( I have liked her since Babel, she is so amazing in it. Blaah!

We eat!

We head back to put our purchases and away to Harajuku we go! I went for a haircut at Peek-a-boo at Harajuku, i thought my cut would have been awesome cos its a japanese stylist, turns out that it wasnt anything to shout about. It looks ok at first, but after 2 days, my hair was sooo un-manageable. I am so disappointed. =(

After my 6300yen haircut, i stood outside Gap waiting to go for dinner with Akiko at Gonpachi ^_^

The food here is pretty good though lots of gaijins (foreigners) frequent this place, Bush was previously brought here for dinner too when he last visited Tokyo. As usual im the kind that starts gobbling down the food the moment it is being served thus, paiseh lor.. no pics leh! =P

After dinner, we took a walk over to Roppongi Hills. One of the more atas area in Tokyo, my recommendation is that, if you wana catch the Tokyo Tower.. go over to Mori Building. The view there is really nice. Below is only a teaser.

The streets of Roppongi Hills during Xmas season.

A glimpse of the Tokyo Tower

*Merry Christmas people, may all our wishes come true *