The controversial shrine

In Sino-Japanese politics, the Yasukuni shrine has always been in the limelight, with the previous Japanese PM Junichiro Koizumi bringing Sino-Japanese relations to its lowest point by just paying a visit to this shrine. PM Shinzo Abe promised that he was not going to visit the shrine during this year's anniversary to the end of World War II to appease angry Chinese. Why is it so important? Resting peacefully here are Japanese war heroes dating all the way back to the warring periods and Meiji Revolution, which of course includes their World War II heroes. However, if you carefully go through the rows of military men, you might come by certain all-to-familiar names. Yes, they're the Class A War Criminals. 15 of them in all amongst the other war-deads. Understand a little bit more now?

Whatever it is, many Japanese have not set foot in this temple, only vaguely knowing its existence. As a foreigner, it was kind of an eye-opener, no special aura or oppressive feelings, just a nice walk into the past.

The metro exit


The entrance



Long stretch to walk in.


Even sacred shrines have little food stalls and baskers around



Main entrance to the shrine


Buy and plant trees for remembrance


The shrine set in the backdrop of skyscraper Tokyo


Inner Shrine


Family gathering to pray. The inner shrine is always closed to public.


Nationalistic man thinks he's still living in the 40s, waving the imperial flag and singing patriotic songs.


No camera? Buy one from the vending machines!


The museum where you can find out more about this shrine.


Slack.

Climbing to the top of Japan

Well, during this 2 week of absence from this blog,申し訳ありません, I've done a couple of things I can't believe myself, one of which is mountain climbing. Although I must say its bad choice to do a 3776m mountain when its my first time mountain climbing, it was generally enjoyable.

I started at around out from Shinjuku station around 4.50pm on a Keio highway bus. It costs 5200yen (S$70) for a return trip ticket to Kawaguchi 5th station on Mount Fuji where I would start my climb. I bought a bento to eat on the bus, and some other high-carbo food to eat on the trip like chocolates which I would not get sick off even if I'm tired and energy-drained.



Along the way up I caught nice pictures of the sunset but, these are the only nice scenery pictures I managed to take.



If you've noticed by now, my plan was to hike up Mount Fuji at night... yes, in the dark, and then reach the peak by 3am to catch a spectacular sunrise. However... Anyway, the rest station at 5th station where you can grab basic necessities for the climb like water and a walking stick. See the snow on the peak? I should've known better...


Sign telling you the way up Mount Fuji.


We were quick coz by 10pm, just 2 hours after we started I was already at the 7th station.


Toilets with 100yen boxes where you donate to them for cleaning the toilets. Although I didn't have a chance to take a photo of the insides, its actually very clean.


Nice little sign along the way reminding you not to throw stones down the slope.


More helpful signs


Nice and cosy rest station. Wish I was inside.


On the 8th station at 12midnight.



As shown on the thermometer, though it was a sweltering 28 degrees in Tokyo, its a shivering 6 degrees up here. List of TOP 10 things I appreciated bringing!
1 - Climbing stick (Bought from shop)
2 - Warm hat (Courtesy of Espen)
3 - Warm windbreaker (Again Espen thanks)
4 - Warm jacket
5 - Gloves
6 - Bottles of water
7 - Head torch
8 - Handphone (Call and chat)
9 - Nintendo DS (Self-entertainment when starting to feel sleepy at rest station)
10 - Good boots (Tough terrain, don't want to bust your sports shoes!)

Couple cuddled up in a sleeping bag, not wanting to spend 7000yen each on 3-hours rest stations


Our final stop before the peak, we were cold and shivering requiring of some shelter from the blizzard outside. We stopped over at this over-priced rest place. They let you stay for 15 mins max for each order, then they start chasing you out. Since we were really early to reach the top for sunrise, we decided to take up his "bargain" to stay for an hour for 1000yen ($13).





Finally at 4am, I reached the peak. Sadly though, what welcomed me was not the spectacular sunrise I was expecting, but thick misty, bone-chilling fog and blistering cold wind. Yes, I picked the wrong day to climb. My friend climbed 2 days later and caught spectacular pictures of sunrise from the peak.


Torii at the peak too?



After deciding that the fog was not going to clear, I headed back down.




Low visibility and chilly winds like this on Mount Fuji are to be expected from Fuji's temperamental weather conditions.



Morning climbers are already setting off to the peak at 6am.




Nice and serene


Exorbitant priced rest stations


Mystical forest?



Finally back to 5th station for my bus ride home, here's a map of Mt Fuji.


Overall, this was an eye-opening experience. I won't say I was prepared enough for the trip. Though, thanks to Espen, I had good quality clothes to keep me relatively warm until the peak... I need to climb again some time, but not anytime soon. Terror of Mt Fuji experience still lives deep in my memories.

Slack.

Forgetting things on the train

When we were kids we learnt this phrase in one of the chapters in our Chinese text. 路不拾遗. Always thought it was just an utopian concept, but recently I realise that Japanese are somehow or rather like that.

Last Saturday on the train, I carelessly left a plastic bag with a laptop and many other stuff in it on the train when I got off (it happens very often in Tokyo). I immediately informed the station master once I found out, and the bag with its belongings intact was recovered 5 stops down. 30 minutes later, we got a call telling us that we could collect it from the lost and found section of that station.

When my friends went to a party and got themselves knocked out, my friend kinda misplaced his wallet. He got a call the next day from the party organiser that they were holding on to his wallet. My friend wondered aloud, "How did you know it was mine?" The organiser simply replied that so many people had came up to him telling him that if someone should return his wallet, to call this number.

Slack.

A-ya-ka... a-ya-ka...

Yesterday I went for my first big live event in Tokyo. It was my first big live for some time too. Ayaka was holding her 2nd last live for her Peace loving tour held at NHK hall, Shibuya. It was a helluva experience being so close to Ayaka man... This close ->|............................|<- You could feel her energy and power coursing thru you man. Her powerful voice hitting high notes sounded so pleasant to the ears. She even sang her new song, Jewellery days that's going to be out 7/4. During the concert, she stopped her repertiore a couple of times to chat with the audience. During the many instances of her talking with the audience, you could tell how 元気 or lively she was. Always prancing around the stage, and joking with us. Okie, before you think I'm another fanboy or Otaku, I'm not. Interestingly though, there were many around me. =(

Well, can't wait to hear her new release for Final Fantasy coming out in September. Too bad I can't take pictures in the hall.

Slack.

Romantic getaways

Today's topic is specially themed for couples interested in visiting nice places in Tokyo. I mean, seriously, don't bring the girl you're intrested in to Shibuya or Shinjuku, or for that matter Akihabara. Here are some of my favourite getaways. By the way, they sell nice magazines in convenience stores where you can get more information on good restaurants and places to go.

1 - Disneyland

Need I say more? This place is totally meant for couples or families. If you're a bunch of kinds and you find yourself in Disney... hmmm, getalife. Kidding. Anyway, its my favourite in the list, but I suggest getting the night pass which is much cheaper and just go in for the feel, atmostphere and well... magic-ness.

2 - Odaiba （お台場）

Its somewhere near Chiba, away from bustling Tokyo. You can find nice planetariums, an artificial but pretty beach, great skyline, big movie theatre, lots of shopping and restaurants, and theme parks. There's a sony gallery for technology somewhere there. For 500 yen you cn have some good fun. Otherwise, its nice to just chill out.



3 - Yokohama Minato Mirai （横浜ーみなと　みらい）

This place is more like Odaiba but it has a more city feel. Its by the sea, has a nice big ferris wheel, a small theme park, nice restaurants and good attractions. Head over to the harbour where there's a nice piece of artificial grass patch where you can lie down and gaze at the clouds, see the yokohama skyline, etc. Its also where you can take a cruise to nowhere for about 2000yen and about 2+ hours. A bit more if you want to have dinner on-board. Then you can always take a lift up landmark tower for a 360 degrees view of Yokohama city from Japan's tallest building for 1000 yen. In good weather, you may be able to see Mt. Fuji.






4 - Korakuen （後楽園）

This place is better known as Tokyo dome. Its where you can find one of the better roller coasters in Tokyo other than at Fujikyu. Other than that, there're also many interesting rides, many of which are skewed towards being for couples. It is a great place to hang out too. Shopping is similar to those you can find at Odaiba, food too. The selection is less, but there's a nice atmosphere. Oh, and there's a Bubba Gump shop here too! Okie, out of point there. At night, there's also a nice musical fountain performance which makes Sentosa's one pale in comparison.





5 - Yoyogi Park (代々木公園）

This place is a Sunday place. Come here for a nice picnic. You can also enjoy the music of wannabe-bands strutting their stuff hoping to be noticed by music producers. Nearby, there's also a stage where occassionally there're performances. Sometimes you get interesting fairs around the NHK hall area too. At the park itself, there're many trees and benches where you can just relax and waster the day away. Nearby, there is the Meiji Jingu and Harajuku for shopping.





Slack.