Public Transit in Japan

Hello all,

So it occurred to me the other day that as one embarks on the adventure that is traveling Japan, often the questions of what's cheap, what's fast, and what's worth it come up. So here I wanted to go over all of them and weight the pros and cons so that everyone can get a good idea of how they can best travel Japan.

Taxis:

(Photo Courtesy of SFGate)

Cost: Majorly expensive. From Narita Airport (成田空港) to Tokyo (東京) (about a 1 hour drive with no traffic), a taxi can run over $300 USD (compare to a similarly timed trip in Washington, DC which runs about $50).

Speed: Depends on location. In heavily populated areas, the speed is decent depending on the time of day (aka, not rush hour). Similarly,

Convenience: Very good. If you don't know how to get somewhere, most cab drivers can get you there with pictures, written addresses, or maps in the case that you don't speak Japanese.

Comfort: Cabs have automatic doors which open on command and are very clean.

Worth it?: If you're going a short distance and are traveling with 4 people or more (and if you have the budget for it).

Tips:

• Do your research before hand on where to go. It will normally eliminate your need and reliance on taxis significantly.

Bicycles:

(Photo Courtesy of Japan Times)

Cost: Cheap. Can be rented by the hour or by the day.

Speed: Decent if you're staying in local areas.

Convenience: Not bad if you're going through local areas or if you're in areas where trains do not stop in many places. It's faster than a bus and if you're going less than 5 stations away, it's still a pretty decent method of travel. Anymore than that and a local train may be a better option. For example, Kyoto (京都) is a great area for renting out a bicycle. Also, if you have small children, you can get bicycles with children's seats on the back. The downside to bicycles is that you can't carry much on them and you should know the rules of the road, which can be tricky.

Comfort: Depends on you and your inclination towards physical activity and where exactly it is you are planing on going. Consider the terrain - is it flat or hilly; will there be a lot of people, what's the weather like, etc.

Worth it?: Unless you're staying in one small area, not really.

Tips: 

• Ideally, one should peddle on the roads, not the sidewalks. Some places make this easy, others make it difficult. Additionally, knowing where to park your bicycle is also important to avoid it being confiscated by local authorities. A good way to park properly is to look for areas that are of little hindrance to others or are specifically designated for bicyclists.
• Some lodging places have bicycles that can be rented for free or at little charge. So if you're interested, be sure to ask at the front desk.
• Most rental shops will want to see some form of id when renting out a bicycle, so be sure to bring one!
• Not all rental shops allow bicycles to be rented overnight, so be sure to check how long you can have the bicycle rented out for.
• You can register a bicycle in the case of theft, though this is a rare occurrence.
• Make sure you know where the bicycle locks are and how to use them.
• Helmets are optional and not always provided at rental shops. If you want a helmet, you might want to bring your own!

Local Trains:

(The Yamanote Line. Photo Courtesy of TheDailyParker)

Cost: Very affordable. More expensive than trains in other Asian countries, BUT still much cheaper than trains in America.

Speed: Local trains arrive relatively quickly. Rapid trains are great if you can catch them, just be aware of what stations they do and do not stop at.

Convenience: Always on time. The only times I've ever experienced a train being late was due to something being on the tracks (which is quickly resolved). All information is normally displayed in both Japanese and English and trains generally stop at all major areas of the cities and prefectures they run in. Buses can be found close to train stations as well. The trains themselves often run within 5 to 10 minutes of one another, so even if you miss your train, another one is likely right on the way. Phone apps also give great direction for the fastest ways to get to and from various stations at the present time with a variety of routes and price options. Tokyo has one of the best local train systems in the world. With so many lines and stops, it's easy to get from one place to another via the local train.

Comfort: Decent. If you get a seat, you're fine. Some areas are reserved for those with disabilities, the elderly, those with children, and pregnant/nursing women. During rush hour though, expect to stand and be a little squished (ladies, bring flats if you can). They also have women only cars during certain hours of the day on certain train lines. If you're in Tokyo, the trains are generally extremely clean. Other cities' trains are also kept in good shape.

Worth it?: Most definitely.

Tips: 

• Grab a JR Pass card to reduce the cost of your fares and to get to the platforms quickly
• Don't eat on the trains. Drinking water is okay, but anything that could spill and be sticky isn't a great idea.
• If you need to talk, speak in hushed tones, particularly in Tokyo.
• Politely line up on the platforms and wait your turn to board. The trains will not leave without you. :)
• Some cities, like Tokyo, will have several train companies running various lines through out the city. Thus, if you get a rail pass, make sure it will apply to all of the local train lines.
• Google Maps often utilize the train schedules for great accuracy. Other apps like Hyperdia are also worth looking at and downloading for directions.
• While not common, some groping exists on trains. This is why women only cars exist. Still, you may not be able to avoid a general car if the women only cars are full. In order to minimize risk of harassment, stand against a wall or door, back to the wall/door, with your hands in front of you.  In the case that you do face harassment, yell the words "Hanashite!" (放して) meaning "Let go!" or "Hentai!" (変態) meaning "Pervert!". As being linked to that kind of image is obviously not desirable, yelling either of the above should succeed in warding off any predator. At the next stop, get off and find a station attendant ("Eki-in" / 駅員) for assistance. Standing near middle-school aged boys is also recommended as they are more likely to intervene on your behalf than others as they are not as prone to worry about public appearance as some might be. Again, this is not common. I went two years there without experiencing any of the sort even once. Still, always good to be prepared!

Buses:

(Photo Courtesy of Japan Times)

Cost: Cheap

Speed: Rather slow. Probably a little slower than a local train, yet will likely have more stops in areas not accessible by train.

Convenience: Decent. Really depends on where you're going and where your starting location is.

Comfort: Depends. Each bus is different. Local buses are made for short rides, so comfort isn't high and they can get packed near bustling city centers. Charter buses are much more comfortable, some including wi-fi, power outlets, and reclining seats.

Worth it?: If you have the time and don't mind long drives, yes. If you're traveling somewhere not close to a train station, need to get there relatively quickly, and it's on route, yes.

Tips: 

• You can use your JR train pass for many local buses. 
• Reservations in advance are recommended for charter buses.
• Overnight charter buses are cheaper than day charter buses. If you can sleep in the car, you might consider this an option for a long trip.

Bullet Trains (Shinkansen / 新幹線):

(Japan's Bullet Train pulling out of the station)

Cost: On the pricier side. Still better than a taxi and faster.

Speed: Superman level. Seriously. While some Shinkansen trains (新幹線 meaning "new main line")  like the Kodamo (こだも meaning "Echo") are made for speeds of 175 mph, most trains, like the Hikari (ひかり meaning "Light"), Sakura (さくら meaning "Cherry Blossom") , Nozomi (のぞみ meaning "Dream", "Wish", "Hope", or "Desire"), and Mizuho (みずほ), operate at 185 mph. Their top trains, the Maglevs, have breached speeds of 375 mph, however, these trains are still in preliminary stages with as of now, only one line in production, the Chuo Shinkansen line (中央新幹線 meaning "Center new main line"), running between Tokyo and Nagoya (名古屋). Still, at 185 mph, who can beat that?

Convenience: Excellent in the case of longer trips. All announcements are made in Japanese and English and the trains are always on time. There are places to store larger luggage pieces.

Comfort: You'll feel like royalty. Okay, maybe not really, but you'll certainly be comfortable. Seats are great to sit on, cars are always clean (you may be lucky and witness the cars being cleaned in under 7 minutes prior to boarding), and you can barely feel trains departing and arriving. Perhaps the only downside is that some cars have 'smoking rooms' which supposedly block out the smell of smoke. They don't. Try to avoid these cars for the best comfort.

Worth it?: Really depends on...

1. How much time you have and 

2. How far you're traveling. 

If you don't have a lot of time and are traveling a decent way, it's worth it. If you're traveling a shorter distance (one that can be reached via local trains), I would only take it if you're short on time. If you're traveling a longer distance, but the train would take longer than a plane to travel to your final destination, then no, it's probably not worth it.

Tips:

• Purchase a reserved seat, especially during rush hour.
• Trains don't have places to buy food. Buy a Bento (弁当 meaning "lunch box") to bring with you. Unlike local trains, eating on bullet trains is okay! Just don't leave a mess.
• If you're going to be traveling a lot through out Japan and via local trains, it is worth purchasing a JR Rail Pass which is only available for tourists. It's a little pricey at first, but it applies to most JR trains, both local and bullet. Check out this website for details: JR Pass

Airplanes:

(Photo Courtesy of Pinterest)

Cost: About the same as a Bullet Train, though likely a little cheaper.

Speed: The planes are fast. Getting to, getting on, and getting off them, not so much. Airports are run well, but like all airports, getting through them takes time.

Convenience: Not super. Most airports are out of the way and not near city centers. Big cities like Sapporo (札幌), Tokyo, and Osaka (大崎) will have trains departing out of the airports, however other cities may require bus rides to and from the airport. In short, do your research before hand. Also, like mentioned earlier, it takes forever to get in and out of the airports themselves. The planes are fast. The airports are not.

Comfort: Depends on what airline and what class ticket you purchase. Most of the time, flights within the country are short (under 2 hours), so even if you can't grab an aisle seat, you won't be stuck in a small space for too long if you're flying economy. Cheaper airlines typically use older planes, but they still fly decently, you just may see some age on the interiors of the planes' decor.

Worth it?: If you're traveling to and from cities, have the time, and are looking to save some money, then yes. If you want to reduce travel time, this likely isn't your best option.

Tips: 

• Check out airlines like Peach and JetStar Japan for more local flights at cheaper prices. Airlines like All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines bump up the price in comparison as their planes are generally newer and more comfortable (all links in English). However, this makes the Bullet Train the cheaper option.

In conclusion, the best methods of transit are the ones that will suit your needs at the right price. Make plans in advance for how to get to and from various places. Consider time, money, comfort, and speed when making your plans. In regards to time, err on the side of caution. Particularly if you have a lot to do or a lot that you want to see, time is valuable. You may also consider 'the experience factor' as well. Bullet Trains are some of the world's greatest modern wonders, while riding the Yamanote (山手線) is just part of the brilliance that is Tokyo (and it's just about in every J-drama/anime that takes place in said Metropolis).

Hopefully, with the information above, you will have a much easier time making travel decisions.

Good luck!

Meiji Shinto Shrine with the Sisters

Hello everyone,

I hope this week has been treating you well. Today I wanted to tell you all about an experience I had about three years ago, just because it is such a good memory. I was very fortunate in this memory to be able to spend the day with two lovely Sister Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on their free day in early spring of 2014.

While living in Japan, I often went to church at a Japanese-speaking ward or group. The sister missionaries however, were both from the States so we spoke together often in English. Sister Missionaries get one free day to get whatever they need to do done as well as take in sites if they are accompanied by a member. As we were super close to Tokyo, the two Sisters asked if I would join them on their day off to visit the Meiji Shinto Shrine in Harajuku (原宿) so that they could experience more of the Japanese Culture and surrounding areas.

While I'll explain more fully about Harajuku in another post, the Meiji Shinto Shrine or "Meiji Jingu" (明治神宮) is the largest Shinto Shrine in Tokyo and was formally dedicated in 1920. Unfortunately, the original building was lost to air raids during World War II, but the Japanese have since reconstructed the Shrine, which has become one of the primary attractions of Tokyo due to its size and Emperor Meiji's significance in history.

The Shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife, the Empress Shoken, both of whom are buried near Kyoto and the former of which was responsible for the end of the Edo Period. With the end of the Edo Period, the Meiji Restoration took place and Japan's doors were once again opened to outsiders. The building was built for the purpose of enshrining their souls and is still in use today. Many ceremonies and events such as weddings, baby blessings, funerals, Hatsumode (First Year's Prayers and Shrine Visits)(初詣), and the Dezuiri (when the Grand Sumo Champion enters the ceremony ring of the shrine occurs) (手数入り).  And despite all of this, the place remains a calm in a sea of hustle and bustle. Needless to say, it's worth checking out.

I met the Sisters outside of the entrance to the Meiji Shrine. After taking some pictures at the impressively tall torii gates (鳥居), we began our walk down the path to the main building of the shrine. One of the cool things to see was the Imperial Family's crest on the torii gates, which is unique only to Imperial Shrines. On the walk, we passed by loads of Sake (酒) barrels (Sake is rice wine). I took a picture for the two sisters in front of the barrels, who were then stopped by a foreign tourist passing by, who asked if they should be taking pictures in front of alcohol. Surprised that the man recognized who they were, it led to an interesting conversation about what the Sisters were doing at the Shrine (it turned out that the gentleman knew who they were and was pulling their leg). It was a delightfully fun experience.

So that begs the question, why were there so many Sake barrels? At the beginning of the year, sake companies each donate a barrel of sake to notable shrines in the hopes of receiving good luck, prosperity, and fortune in the coming years. If you were to look closely, brands like Kirin beer even had given barrels. Quiet a site!

We then proceeded to the main area, where before going in we stopped at the purification trough where we washed our left hand, then our right, then drank (and/or spit) from the right, and then washed our right hands again out of respect (we would want the same respect to be shown at our holy places too!). We took a photo outside the main building before going in and passed by a small shop where amulets and charms could be purchased on our way. These have always been interesting to me as you could buy any from protection against evil and luck in romance to good luck in passing an exam or traffic safety. There are a whole bunch!

Inside, the center of the Shrine was mostly bare, with the exception of Ema (a place where wishes could be written on wooden blocks) (絵馬), Omikuji (fortune telling slips) (御神籤), and two trees supporting a large Shimenawa (標縄) meant to mark a sacred place.  Up at the main structure where the offering hall was, people went up and tossed coins in, after which they would pray.

After walking around a bit inside the main area, the three of us departed, ending our journey into the shrine. It had been a relatively short visit, but it meant a lot to me being able to appreciate a peaceful place in the heart of Japan's capital with the Sisters. It made me feel that much more connected to Japan than I had before for some reason and thus it remains a very good memory to me.

More than once I've visited this Shrine and it is always a nice experience. It is enjoyable because it is one of the best places to have a chance to gain exposure to Japanese Heritage and Culture as well as gain a higher respect and understanding of the Japanese and part of their Identity. I highly recommend taking time out of your schedule to visit this Shrine if you get to visit Tokyo in the future. It's a good break from the noise of the city to enjoy the peace and serenity of Japan.

Till I write you again,

My First Onsen Trip

Hello everyone!

So this happened wayyyyy back when I first got to Japan, but I wanted to share my first experience at an Onsen with you all! Onsen (温泉) literally means Warm Spring or Fountain. At Onsen, people bathe in hot water that comes from underground springs heated by the earth. It is a part of Japanese culture that continues to be enjoyed even today in the big cities. It can be done in both private and in public, though to bath in public is more common. So today I wanted to share what it's like, what you do/don't do, and how to make the most out of your own Onsen experience.

(Myself outside of the Odedo Onsen Monogatari)

My first experience was when my friend Ikumi took me to the Oedo Onsen Monogatari (大江戸温泉物語). Oedo was the respectful name of Tokyo during the Edo period of Japan when Tokyo became the capital. Monogatari literally means 'Story'. So at this particular Onsen, hosts attempt to let guests experience a piece of old Tokyo (with messages, omiyage/souvenirs, and yummy sweets of course).

(Puppets told a story above the entry way inside similar to how they were created in the Edo Period)

We got up early in the morning to take the train to the onsen which was located on the man-made island of Odaiba (お台場). Odaiba is full of fun and entertaining things to do with a shopping mall, several museums, the Fuji TV building, and a theme park to boot (Oh, and a giant robot that moves, no big deal). But today our sites were set on the onsen. Getting off at ---, we proceeded down the elevator and walked over to the Onsen. Yeah!!

 (The Entrance Outside)

This onsen is a bit like a get away resort, for both young and old and everywhere in between. I was surprised as I learned that they regularly have themed events/seasons and this time their theme was "Tiger & Bunny: The Rising" an anime movie out in theaters at the time. As a series I recognized, it just got me more pumped (and slightly embarrassed in front of Ikumi) to go into the hot springs!

(The line to get inside the onsen)

When you go into any onsen, you take off your shoes at the door and often you will find little lockers off to the side. Put your shoes inside, grab the key and take it with you when you check in (just don't forget your locker number!) We did this and lined up to check in. At this onsen, they gave us bracelets with locks inside them as well as a barcode. We would use these to access the lockers in the first locker room and the barcode was there so that we wouldn't have to carry cash around. If you wanted to buy something, you had them scan the barcode and like that, it was added to your final bill (reasons to be watchful of how much you spend: it could add up quick without you even realizing it!).

After receiving these bracelets, we went to the side where we were able to select Yukata (浴衣), cotton robes similar to the style of a Kimono (着物) as well as an Obi (帯), a sash or belt for the Yukata. We went inside and left most of our belongs in the women's locker room, save for our phones. We then changed into the Yukata.

(One of the clever Promos showing two male characters in Yukata)

Inside there they had signs in several languages showing us how to put on a Yukata. Most important of all was which side of the Yukata went under the other. In Japan, if you do it the wrong way, it is reminiscent of how the Dead are prepared! The correct way is to place the left side (your left) over the right side (your right). Women and men can wear undergarments with Yukata too if that makes them more comfortable. While there are other things that one can do to create a nicer finish for a Yukata because this was a resort, no one particularly took a lot of time to make them look super nice aside from that. Once we took care of that and tied our Obi into bows, it was time to go off and explore!

 (Part of the main area; they really got into the T&B theme!)

Upon exiting the locker room, we found ourselves inside a large hall filled with food shops, games, and snack shops. We looked around, taking in everything that there was to see and do before deciding to go to the Onsen itself. Onsen in Japan are separated by gender, with no possibility of seeing the other. This Onsen was a public onsen and thus once you got into the onsen locker room, everyone takes off everything, puts it in their lockers (you put your keys and phone if you have one inside and take the new locker key into the onsen on your wrist), and goes into the onsen.

(Sorry, but once you entered the onsen area itself, no photos are allowed for obvious reasons, so just text for a bit!) 

Having never done this before, I found it reallyyyyyyyyyyy awkward at first. I remember holding one of two towels that I received in front of me hiding myself from others as we walked from the lockers into the actual onsen area. Before going in, at this onsen there was a small little house like structure with buckets and water used for washing one's self off before entering the pool. It was at this point that I sucked it up, removed the towel and washed my body quickly before grabbing the towel again. While if you wish, you can go around, sit down at one of the sinks and wash yourself with soap, you can also go into the onsen straight after this. You are asked to wear a hair tie if you have long hair, but aside from that and your key bracelet, nothing else is to go in the water, including your towel.

So finally it came down to getting in the water with nothing on in front of everyone. Removing the towel, I quickly entered the water, which did a good job at hiding most of my body. Many onsen have minerals in the water, making it less clear to see through. But my sheer embarrassment was soon replaced by a thrilling relaxation that came from entering the onsen. Pure bliss.

As we jumped from various onsen to onsen, I became less self-conscious about myself and started to appreciate the nature of the onsen. At the onsen, no one really pays any heed to what others look like and if I did see someone, I just thought 'huh, I guess I'm not the only one who doesn't look like a supermodel' and it felt good to realize that. Everyone has this part or that part and everyone is there to bathe and relax. The only thing that surprised me was when I saw a little boy in the women's area with his mother, but I was informed that when children are that little, it is very common for them to bathe with their parents in Japan and not to worry at all.

The Oedo Onsen Monogatari had several onsen, both inside and out. Outside, walls went up high to hide the bathers, so we could calmly relax in one of the busiest cities in the world. Talk about irony, right? I learned to keep the small towel on my head so that heat wouldn't escape my body, which in turn kept me from getting light headed. I also found sometimes raising my feet out of the water to be helpful in preventing myself from feeling overheated (some of these pools were over 42 degrees Celsius!) After going to the majority of the onsen, we went into a sauna room to blow off some steam (literally) and rest. It was a good end to the onsen.

At this point, our stomachs started to growl, so we left the onsen and returned to the onsen lockers to redress and enter the common area again. We went through a bunch of stands till we found one that looked (and smelled) delicious! I ordered Melon Soda and Takoyaki / たこ焼き (Octopus Dumplings). It was absolutely wonderful!!! The only draw back to some of the eating locations was that smoking was allowed inside, but this is very common in Japan. My mind was taken off of it by the fun Tiger and Bunny decorations and themed items that were surrounding the area.

(Another dish they were serving inside)

Most games were rather expensive to play, but we did find a scavenger hunt for Tiger and Bunny and proceeded to do that after finishing our meal. We ended up finding all of the locations, gathering all the stamps needed, and turned in our passbooks to earn ourselves Tiger and Bunny bags and fans, which we placed in our (normal locker room) lockers. The last thing we indulged in was walking through the wading area (across rocks that hurt my feet and weren't so nice) and then sat in a pool where little fish ate away the dead skin cells off of our feet! It tickled, but it was so fun! And my feet felt wonderful afterwards! Highly recommend this if you get the chance to go.

As the day was coming to a close, we soon got ready to leave by going to the normal locker rooms and changing into our street clothes. We did our hair and make up again (we had taken it off before) and exited to the lobby where we handed them our key bracelets, which they scanned and rang up for us. We paid and then returned home from a very relaxing day. It was a wonderfully light hearted pleasure and I was so glad that Ikumi was willing to take me for my first onsen trip (you're awesome Ikumi!!). :)

(On the way out near the entrance)

I have been to this onsen several times now and one other. In particular, I feel like if you are visiting Tokyo, this one is convenient, fun, and very family friendly. The onsen itself is pumped out of the earth (it doesn't naturally flow out), but it is enjoyable none the less. The other thing this onsen has going for it is that it is affordable considering everything that you get to do and see. Other onsen can be pretty cheap, but might not pull out a lot of stops. Ones that do go all out tend to be a little overpriced I sometimes feel.

(Me in a Yukata while there)

This onsen was also wonderfully helpful to those who's native language isn't Japanese and it is pretty easy to get by and understand what to do and what is going on with helpful signs showing the way. Sometimes I felt like it was a little too much like a theme park, but it was cute and fun to experience and didn't detract too much from the onsen itself. So if you're looking to experience a piece of old Tokyo and go to an onsen while on vacation, check it out! You can find more information about it here.

Thanks for reading and till next time,

Tactile Consideration

Hello once again,

This time a very short, basic post, but it's about the Tactile Paving system here in Japan. The Tactile Paving system is a series of slightly raised strips or bumps in the road meant to help the blind or visually impaired as the walk around cities and in town. And they are EVERYWHERE. In Tokyo, Kyoto, Saitama, Kumagaya, Okayama in train stations, in buildings, on almost every sidewalk. About the only place that I haven't seen them is on roads primarily for cars (not pedestrians). I mostly wanted to share this because it just blew my mind that they existed. What a considerate and smart thing to do!

(For when you possibly need to change direction)

(Along the sidewalk)

(Near the street)

(On the station platform)

I hope you can find a reason to smile today! :)

キリエ・トロイメンの調べ Translation

Hi guys!

I realize this isn't my normal kind of post, but I figured I'd share it here since it was a challenge and an interesting translation for me to work on in my spare time. Anyway, I finally had the time to sit down and work on this, a basic translation of AKIRA's "Kirei Toroimen no Shirabe", the theme song of the "Vampire Knight Musical".

The Vampire Knight Musical, based off of Matsuri Hino's hit manga, tells the story of Yuki Cross who attends Cross Academy, where she works to guard the secret of the Night Class, who are all vampires. While I hope to write about the musical itself next, for now, I figured I'd post the translation of the theme song. :)

You can buy the song and CD here on CDJapan I believe (I have never used CDJapan before though, so I can't say for sure.) You can also purchase the CD however at the "Animate" stores in Japan, where you can buy AKIRA's "Aoki Tsuki Michite" single (The ending theme song of the new "Black Butler Book of Circus" anime) as well. They do have an online shop, though it is all in Japanese, so it might be difficult for those without yen or with no knowledge of Japanese.

Disclaimer: 

I don't at all claim this to be a completely correct translation. Parts of the song use old language that I am unfamiliar with as well as Katakana words based off of other foreign languages. Also, since this is a song, I was working with incomplete sentences at times, so I had to make my best guess and rework parts of the sentences to have it make sense in English. Finally, to keep the song's original language style, I changed some direct translations of words to ones that would have the same intention in English (ex. the word "hidden" became "secret").

Finally, I do not own this song or make any profit off of this translation.

That being said, I do think this is still pretty close to the correct translation/intention of the song. So I hope you enjoy it!

English Title: "Examination of the Lord’s Trojan Man"

(Cover Art by Matsuri Hino)

Singer: AKIRA

Translation: L. Brooks

Within the black dyed consciousness,

There are eyes harboring madness.

Fangs are laid bare to a smiling figure,

Crime and Punishment blend in Eternalness...

"Oh ... My God, My God,

why have you forsaken Me ... "

Fate of Holy Scriptures.

(Oh,) Lord’s Trojan Man

The divided love screams and suffers the pain.

The Lord’s Trojan Man

The secret imminent prayer melts in the darkness.

I turn to the frozen like look,

The invisible choir’s grieving chant

I am entangled due to this

The intensity increases,

Night approaches from the rear

There is a fearless smile

"Oh ... My God, My God,

why have you forsaken Me ... "

Fate of Holy Scriptures.

(Oh,) Lord’s Trojan Man

The divided love screams and suffers the pain.

The Lord’s Trojan Man

The secret imminent prayer melts in the darkness.

"Oh ... My God, My God, ..."

In light and darkness,

"Oh ... My God, My God, ...

why have you forsaken Me ... "

Just a little goodness, peace….

“I risked the light of destiny,

To know that outcome even if it is short lived,

Even if I fell to the brink of despair,

My hands together in prayer.”

“Love thy enemy,

Pray ye for the responsibility of a matchless person. "

(Oh,) Lord’s Trojan Man

The divided love screams and suffers the pain.

The Lord’s Trojan Man

The secret imminent prayer melts in the darkness.

Before long, the adjacent rose blooms…

A Crimson… a crimson ......

Note: I am pretty sure due to context that AKIRA sings this as though she is several parties.

The majority of the time, I think she sings as a third party or observer, while at other points, she is likely singing as characters from the musical. In the English lines such as "why have you forsaken me", I think she is singing as though she is Zero Kiryu. In the paragraph "I risked the light of destiny...", we get the impression that she is singing as Yuki Cross. And finally, in the "Love thy enemy" section, I believe she is singing from Kaname Kuran's perspective.

I hope that helps in understanding the song a bit more!

Till next time guys!

Okonomiyaki Shop

Hey everyone!

So this time I'm writing about a little event in which I joined my lovely friend Katie at Gottsui (ごっつい) in Roppongi, a Okonomiyaki shop near Roppongi Station (六本木駅). To give you an idea of location, it's actually just around the block from Blue Theater. (Now here's a question for you, why would Katie want to introduce me to this restaurant in particular, given its relative location? I shall leave that to your imagination.)

Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き) is a Japanese Pancake (often associated with the Kansai area of Japan) meaning "What you like" and "Grilled" with various ingredients including flour, eggs, mayonnaise, cabbage, dashi, cheese, octopus, squid, shrimp, and sometimes noddles along with other ingredients. It is literally a pancake of what you like.

Gottsui is a small shop with an Osaka-like flair to it. In comparison to other places I've been to in Tokyo, it's much louder and closer together, but it is nice because it's non-smoking and if you go in a small party, you can sit at the counter and watch the chef cook your food. I wouldn't go there alone and at night, particularly because it is in Roppongi, which is not my favorite of places and not always very safe (in other words, if you're going at night, go with a friend like I did). However, I wouldn't mind going in the afternoon for a late lunch.

My experience eating at Gottsui was good. I enjoyed the attitude of the waiters and the food was delectable. Absolutely delicious and so big! When I went, I was starving, so I figured it would be possible to finish a whole Okonomiyaki by myself. No such luck. But it really was delicious and for dessert, actual pancakes with syrup stuffed inside them. Yum! The only downside to my experience was that on the other side the restaurant, I found myself unable to escape the gaze of a quiet drunk salaryman around the end of the evening (yes, uncomfortable). However, I can't say it really deterred me from having a good experience overall. The food was to die for and the waiters gave the place a great, fun atmosphere. It honestly made me want to try making my own Okonomiyaki!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy your day and eat something yummy!

The Alucard Show

Wow! Just wow! That was fantastic. Where to begin?

Alright, I'll begin with this. What on earth am I talking about? I'm talking about my experience last night seeing "The Alucard Show".

(Promo poster for the show; credit: Tumblr)

What is that you ask? "The Alucard Show" is a musical directed by Masahiko Kawahara with choreography by MIKIKO and music by Atsushi that has gained much popularity and a bit of cult following here in Japan, known as "Alucadnia". The demand to see it was so great after its first run back in 2013, that they brought it back for a re-run in 2014! Fans prior to the second showing all posted photos of themselves doing Alucard's pose (perhaps made even more popular due to Mangaka Yana Toboso's drawing rendition of Alucard back in 2013) to cheer on the cast and crew and thank them for coming back to give everyone another chance to see the show. So of course, when I heard that it was coming back for another run, I quickly bought my tickets as soon as I could! There was no way I was missing out on this.

(Vlad as depicted by Yana Toboso, "Black Butler" Mangaka, from her blog back in 2013) 

Starring names like Silvia Grab (シルビアグラブ), Takeshi Kongochi (金剛地武志), Yasuko Mitsuura (光浦靖子), Takuya Uehara (植原卓也), and Yuya Matsushita (松下優也) (and yes, the latter of which is why I wanted to go), Alucard tells the story of Maria, a pop idol attempting to make a comeback by hiring 6 new backup dancers, when all of a sudden her show is stolen from her by the mysterious "Vlad". Now with 7 members, the group "Alucard" is created.

(Alucard Pass with the seven members of "Alucard")

(2014 Commercial for The Alucard Show's second run)

At its core, "The Alucard Show" is a vampire story. But it's clear that the reasons for its popularity stem from far more than just that. I had a vague idea of what I was getting into when I went to see the Alucard Show (I was also once again the only foreigner in the audience and while I could go on about why that is a crime because the show is so good, I won't). I had pre-ordered the CD (available here) and had been listening to it since it arrived in early November, but that was nothing compared to seeing this musical live.

(CD Cover)

(Pre-Order Poster Gift; Envelope Reads "Dear Alucadnia)

Alucard is impressive for numerous reasons. The first of which that stands out to me though, is the dancing and choreography. With a moving stage, the dancers moved with such vigor and in such sync, it was hard to decide where to focus your attention at times. You wanted to see it all! Dancers back-flipped, rolled across the floor, and demonstrated various styles of dance through out the musical (I could pick out pop, hip-hop, and classic, to name a few). It was captivating with every turn.

(Check out the 2013 Commercial for some of the choreography work!)

The second reason that Alucard probably stands out is that its style, it's roots as a vampire story, something that classically speaking, derives to mind old decrepit buildings, the drinking of blood, monsters, and death, is woven so well into a "modern" world, where fans gather to meet their idols, posters of Alucard spread across the land, and the two music styles (classic and new) are combined so tastefully.

(Second depiction of "The Alucard Show" by Yana Toboso)

(Shot from the show; Credit to sumabo.jp)

Being a costume person, I also loved their costuming department for numerous reasons. The costume changes were quick and effective. While the character of Maria had some pretty fantastic costumes, in particular, the 6 members and Vlad perhaps had the best. The most stylish, the most in sync with the ampire feel, and incorporating the modern street flair that made their outfits so appealing and interesting to look at. They were something that any girl would love her boyfriend to wear. Vlad's were stunning as he goes from a random man on the street, to a pop idol and the leader of a Vampire legion, always maintaining that feeling of classic 'Dracula' in some form.

(Even their Premium Seat gift, a special rendition of Hello Kitty was decked out in Vampire gear! I'm not much of one for Hello Kitty but this thing is super cute!)

All of the characters had interesting personalities too. The first character that I greatly enjoyed was that of Maria. Maria makes a compelling character as she seems to be the only one unswayed by Alucard's beauty and appeal. While normally Maria's character might have annoyed me due to her sense of entitlement at the beginning of the story, watching her fall and feeling helpless and betrayed made her a much more intriguing character. You wanted to root for her, but at the same time, watching Vlad, you sat there wondering if she was fighting a loosing battle, if he was insurmountable, or even if he had somehow gotten you under his spell (or rather charmed you over to his side) as well.

(With a curtain like this prior to the show, how can you already not be charmed by it? And yes, those were candlesticks off to the sides.)

And speaking of Vlad, I must talk about his character for a moment. Vlad was a brilliant creation of a character (and definitely my favorite). Vlad maintains silence the majority of the time, save for when he sings. The only times he does talk, you can tell that he is holding all the cards, knowing and understanding everything going on. He holds a power unlike any of the other characters present. Matsushita's performance as him was also phenomenal, as he kept a refined, sophisticated air about him, while also maintaining an air of danger and mystery. Watching Vlad, you could tell he was amused by watching people follow him for reasons they could not understand. And while he was often aloof and mysterious, he had a personality that felt very real, like a young man holding the world in his hands and knowing it too.

(Mid-performance shot of Vlad; Credit to sumabo.jp)

I often felt that Matsushita's voice literally breathed life into the whole show as well, as in some ways, it felt like a medium for connecting the whole show, even the audience, together (probably intentionally so too). It took the show from a great show to a spectacular one. Take all of that and add in the stellar performances by Silvia, Takeshi, and Yasuko, and you really have a compelling story with music and dancing that takes the whole show to another level of entertainment. I won't spoil the ending, but needless to say, it's good. Really good.

(Check out the 2014 New Song here which features Matsushita's voice prominently)

The Alucard Show is currently showing at the AiiA Theater Tokyo until the 24th of November. As it stands, the show is now completely sold out (rightly so, might I add).  However, the DVD is available for pre-order on ASmart (here) and will be released in March of 2015.

(Sign Announcing the DVD Release at AiiA Theater)

The theatre itself was a good location between Harajuku (原宿) and Shibuya (渋谷) stations on the Yamanote line (山手線). It is well run and has a style that matches that of Alucard's. My only complaint was that the seats were not the most comfortable. They were okay, but not great like that of Bunkamura's Cocoon's or Blue Theater's. The pro of the seats? No matter where you were, you were sure to get a great view of the show. Literally.

(The entrance to the AiiA Theater Tokyo)

(Side view of the Theatre)

Goods were sold on location and it was honestly hard to show self control for most of the things available (I thanked my lucky stars that I only had cash on me).

(Goods Stand)

(Some of the Alucard Goods)

(Bromides of Uehara and Matsushita)

Anyway, if you have the chance to go to "The Alucard Show" you will not be disappointed and if you have the chance to view it on DVD, don't debate. Do it. Watch it. It literally is a work of art, appealing to both the classic lovers and new generation of Musical goers alike. Till next time!

(My shot for Alucard)

Tokyo Skytree

Hello everyone!

I finally, FINALLY, went to Tokyo Skytree (東京スカイツリー) (after a good year and 10 months of a delay). So I wanted to compare it to other places I've been and talk about the experience.

(Skytree from below, clear view)

Tokyo Skytree (English Page Here) is the tallest tower in the world, reaching 634 meters tall, and the second tallest structure in the world. It was opened to the public in early 2012. Skytree is in the North East section of Tokyo and frankly, in what I consider the outskirts. It's past Sensou-ji (浅草寺) and the Edo Tokyo Museum (江戸東京博物館) and essentially once you reach Skytree, there is not much to do beyond that if you are coming from the center of Tokyo. For that reason, I had decided against going to Skytree for the past year (it was expensive and out of the way).

(Closer to the center of the tower)

BUT I finally went and I have to say I think I went at a pretty good time. It was not too crowded (I went mid-day, on a weekday), and the area itself was perfect for a relaxing afternoon. In addition to Skytree itself, a mall (essentially) was built surrounding it. While some parts of the mall are very touristy, other parts are interesting to go through and the food court is a perfect place for lunch (Takoyaki or たこ焼き for me, yum!).

(Asakusa; 浅草)

Another side thing I want to note, the official shops for Skytree are all within the structure itself. The surrounding mall has shops that sell Omiyage (おみやげ) or souvenirs, but none of it is 'official'. But what that essentially means, is that the shops within Skytree are the only ones that sell all the options of ("good") souvenirs available.

(Ueno; 上野 and Ikebukuro; 池袋)

While I went during a typhoon (the weather channels/websites said it was a typhoon, but it was more like a small rain shower), there was still a good amount visible from Skytree. I'd imagine that even more would have been visible if not for the rain. During the summer seasons, visibility from tall places in Tokyo are often restricted due to the humidity in the air creating a dense fog-like cover the higher up you go. However, in the winter and cooler seasons when less humidity is in the air, you can see things much further away (such as Mt. Fuji; 富士山).

(Northern Tokyo, Saitama, and Chiba)

From what I could see though, Skytree was incredible. You literally could see all of Tokyo as well as parts of Chiba (千葉県) and Saitama Prefectures (埼玉県). It was very cool to be able to see famous places that I had been to, but from way up above them. It also allowed me to have a better idea or vision as to what Tokyo's skyline and layout actually looked like. (Going through Tokyo, I often wonder where the Skyscrapers end and begin, so seeing it from above was very cool and insightful).

(Saitama)

There are two options for going up Skytree (a bit like Tokyo Tower). The first takes you up 350 meters to the Tembo Deck and is 2060 Yen. From there you can buy a ticket for 1030 Yen to go up to the 450 meter deck (the Tembo Galleria). I only went up to the Tembo Deck, so I can't speak for the Galleria, but the Tembo was impressive enough as it was for me. It was already taller than Tokyo Tower and the Tocho from that point, so you could easily see all of Tokyo from that level.

(The inside of one of the 4 Elevators, each with a different seasonal theme; this was the Fall themed one)

Within Skytree there is also a glass floor, where you can look down below. I did stand on this, but let me also note, there is a double layer here, one you stand on and one even farther below. I would assume that this is a safety feature too.

(The Glass Floor)

I was also impressed with a beautiful folding screen that depicted old Edo (江戸) from what would have been Skytree's perspective, had it existed back then. (Edo is the original name for Tokyo before the Meiji Restoration;明治維新 which took place in 1868. It is often associated with the Edo period, a time in Japan's history where it was cut off from the rest of the world and was allowed to flourish in the arts and culture). I was so impressed by it, that I choose a postcard replica of it as my souvenir. It was just so beautiful!

(Painting by Kuwagata Keisai in 1809)

(Description of above Painting in English)

Overall, I'd have to say that if you are visiting Tokyo and you have the time to go, it's worth the visit (if the weather is good, ie. very low humidity and not raining), especially if you're going to the near by Edo Tokyo Museum. Take a good camera too on good weather days as you're sure to get some beautiful shots. However, if you're on a limited time schedule, you can skip it, only because it is kind of out of the way and other tall structures like Tokyo Tower (東京タワー) and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office / Tocho (都庁) are probably more accessible (and at night give you an equally beautiful view).

(Roppongi; 六本木, Shibuya; 渋谷, Shinjuku; 新宿, and Asakusa)

I do hope you get the chance to go see the Tokyo Skytree if you come to Japan though. It's a really cool sight to go to and provides such a clear perspective on just exactly what is Tokyo. Till next time guys!