Meiji Jingu, Imperial Palace East Gardens

Yesterday after class was the yet another required field trip to Meiji Jingu/Meiji Shrine.

Here is the link to the photo album, but you can see the pics here as well

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38112586@N08/sets/72157621816353143/



A nice place. We went in and walked around to a lecture building where a Shinto Priest talked to us about religion in Japan... stuff I mostly already heard. He did quote Dan Brown "Angels and Demons" though so I totally give him some kudos for that :D They played some weird musical instruments. I couldn't quite see well from the back though. One had to be warmed up before being played and sounded like a harmonica (but I'm sure it didn't look like one) Another one was a flute like. There was a third I believe. After the lecture we went inside the Shrine.



Me and the Shinto Priest who talked to us.



Friends and I at the Shrine



I'm not sure if this is Sanpai... but we did see Sanpai, which is a Shinto ritual. This is the last of the pics I basically took because when we went inside we couldn't take pics. I wish we could have though because we saw En-bu performed which is a dance and it was sooooo pretty. So precise, all the movements.

After the Meiji Shrine trip, me and my friends went to eat and walked around Harajuku (Harujuku?). We did some cuuute Purikuras (which reminds me, Kojin never sent it to my phone). I was tired afterward I came back, showered and crashed for the night.

I was pretty much in and out of it all night because I slept with the TV on but too lazy to turn it off. But it was the first time my wake up call actually woke me up ^.^ We had a test in Japanese which includes a written and oral test. Oral tests are sooo scary, I've never had one before. He even records us. Of course Mr. Loud Mouth finished first, but then again I like to make sure my work is complete and use as must kanji as possible (which includes writing hiragana over it). Basically I'm trying not to make stupid mistakes. Sensei said as long as I have the write hiragana written, if my kanji is wrong, then he'll count it write and correct my kanji.

Today in History we went to the Imperial Palace but this time to the East Gardens.



This is a sign found in the train stations and on the trains. Basically at the bottom is says not to cross the white lines because it's dangerous. I understand that. What I DO NOT understand is the top that says "Do it at the beach"..... Do what???? It's strange and makes me laugh.... Best sign ever so far I've seen.



Here's pic of the entrance to the East Gardens. Nothing much to talk about there.

After the trip I went back to the school and printed powerpoints from History then came back to the hotel and rested. I couldn't find any good food on the way so I decided to head back to Roppongi to McDs. I was craving a Shaka Shaka anyways! So I walked there, stopping at the Tokyo Midtown again... I love that place. The walk didn't seem to take so long. But on the way back I decided to take the subway. Oedo line, 1 stop. I'm really curious to find out what takes longer... walking or taking the subway. The subway is fast and convenient, but not when you have to walk down 5 flights of stairs (to 5 floor basement) to get on the train then of course up so many numbers and walk 5 minutes and OH I had to wait 5 minutes for a train.......

But I did manage to use an unfamiliar station and train line and get back!! :) So that's good I guess.

One more thing... either my pants are getting bigger... or my butt is getting smaller. I'm not sure which one... but I felt like I needed a belt all day. And I coulda swore these black shorts were a bit snug...........

Pictures

OK... I guess with my online photo album, I'll have to be somewhat picky about the photos. But if you have facebook, add me because I'll get all the pics up there. See my previous blog of info on my trip!

Here is the link to the photo album of the Tokyo Tour

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38112586@N08/sets/72157621919579376/




Outside the Imperial Palace. People are only allowed in twice/year like I stated in the previous entry.




It says on a sign that the reflection of the tea house behind me on the water is the most beautiful thing in this garden. I guess 300 year old trees aren't beautiful LOL




I think the 300 year old tree is looking pretty good for it's age ^.^




This is the lady that does tricks at the end of the walk. I saw the crowd and was thinking it was another dancing monkey.




Kekoa, me, and Vanessa at the Statue of Liberty, given by France. This is in Odaiba.




The group and I at the big Gundam robor statue thing.

Field Trip: Tokyo Tour

I guess nothing much to talk about before the field trip... woke up, ate breakfast, freshened up, go to school...

Kekoa and I met Vanessa, Kojin, and (ENG) Shota downstairs after classes. We found that we had to meet at the North Gate for the Tour at 1:10... currently it was 12:45. So we were like "Lunch?" We have to go to the 7-11 on campus and buy food to eat on the bus. OK, awesome, 7-11 is right at the North gate... that is close... so we have to walk back to the main gate (east gate) and walk all the way around to the north gate. Walk fast. I walk fast with my chicken ka-bob thing ^.^ That was yummy. And we ride the Friendly Airport Limousine buses :D We are bus #3, blue bus, with tour guide Yuki-san! We had the best tour guide.

First stop: Imperial Palace

You can only go past the gate twice a year... this day happened to not be one of those days so we couldn't go very far. Yuki said the emperor called her that morning requesting we have lunch with him... but she kindly asked him for a raincheck because we were busy that day. (that's a joke you guys). Pretty view... but not really much to see there.

Second stop: Hama-Rikyu Gardens

Very pretty place. I love Japanese gardens... at least for the fist 10 minutes on hot humid days like this. I took lots of pics here. This place is home to the oldest pine tree in Tokyo which is 300 years old. There was also this lady performing tricks at the end. Nothing much to say about this place, just a place you have to see. I took lots of pics there.

Third stop: Odaiba

I've been here a couple times. This is where Jun and Manami was meeting me. I went with my big group of friends and new friends to Aqua City (mall) and we walk around until my phone rang... it was Jun then someone tapped me and IT WAS JUN :D So I was starting to part ways with the group and head off with Jun and Manami when they wanted to find the big Gundam robot statue thing. So Jun kindly showed them... not listening to me... I remember the tour guide pointing to where it was. We walked this huge circle and coulda got there 15 minutes sooner -_- Men... So I said goodbye to group there.

Jun, Manami, and I were going to Yokohama... I didn't know Jun was inviting me to stay his house with his family and Manami. I was soooo tired though. So either way, going or not, I had to return to the hotel, we came back here and decided to hang out and I'd just go another night. We hung out til about 9 pm then they left. I showered and fell asleep. Lights and TV still on. I think I got the most sleep last night then I have since I got here.

Today is a free day. More like laundry and homework day.