At long last! I have visited the land of the rising sun, Japan!
To anyone who knows me enough, they are all aware how much I love anime, and how it has always been my dream to visit Japan. Thankfully, it was made possible after a close friend of mine invited me once she has settled with her new job in the country.
I just experienced many of my first times during this trip. First time flying on a plane, first time going out of the country, first time on a trip without any relatives, first time in Japan, first time riding a train, and first-time walking for hours. And when I say walk, I meant lots of walk.
My knees are suffering at the moment but it was worth it!
Day 1 - Arrival and Akihabara
(Me at the entrance of the International Departure of Mactan-Cebu International Airport)
(Taking off at three in the morning.)
(The view on my seat when we started entering Tokyo Airspace.)
The plane I was on landed in Narita International Airport at nine in the morning (Japanese Standard Time). I was baffled, surprised and amazed, all at the very same time at the view and the process once arriving. Thanks to the thorough preparations back in the Philippines, I was able to enter Japanese lands quite smoothly.
Unlike most of my friends' belief, Japan is very hot in August. Just because the country is found in the Northern Hemisphere, Summer is very real here, and so is the heat. Walking in the streets of Kita-Sakado, Saitama, I could clearly hear the cicadas and the crows deep in the trees. I thought such a thing was only possible in anime.
At Day 1, my friend first brought me around the Tokyo Grand Central Station. Seeing the real thing made my jaw drop to the ground, metaphorically of course. It was quite different from anime and even Japanese dramas, and even more amazing in person.
After having our lunch, we went around Akihabara, the anime hotspot to my knowledge. There, I saw lots of cosplayers going about their days, as well as anime and game merchandise. I was both elated and worried once I dealt with the Japanese cashier with my purchases. I am proud to admit that my Boku no Hero Academia merchandise have grown in numbers.
(Genshin Impact is on the billboards!!!)
(I'm pretty sure this one's quite far from Akihabara, but I came across it while walking and looking for this store called Lemon Gasui.)
Of course, since we had only arrived, and let me tell you, jetlag is real, my friend and I immediately headed to where we were staying. It was a studio apartment an hour away from the heart of Tokyo by train... Kita-Sakado, Saitama Prefecture.
(There were lots of train changing involved at one point.)
I really loved the trip. It was different just seeing pictures than actually seeing and experiencing it. And some of the best thing about the trip? The internet is very fast, and my motion sickness is basically nonexistent in both buses and trains!
Day 2 - Anime Neighborhood and a Surprise Find
During my second day in Japan, my friend decided that we jus visit nearby stores in an area called Wakaba. Still, lots of walking was involved and I feel so sorry for my knees.
The second day's trip was quite short. We left the apartment sometime after three in the afternoon and planned to go to Meiji Chocolate Factory. Unfortunately, the place only catered to reservations so we couldn't go in. Maybe next time?
We spent the next couple of hours looking for any places picture worthy. During our walk, we came across a Taoist Temple that was unfortunately already close since they only opened until four in the afternoon. I had my fun in looking for neighborhoods that reminded me of any anime I've watched. I also came across houses with garages where grapes were growing and bearing fruit. It was awesome!
I also discovered a small shrine-like place during the walk!
We were following a trail back to the train station by google maps and it was quite a find when we came across a shrine in what I believe a secluded area. I was unable to enter and take many pictures since there were ancestral tombs at the back. I do respect stuff and places like that.
The day ended with us eating adobo, and countless Salon Pass on my back and legs.
Day 3 - Little Edo
On my third day, we left the apartment after lunch, at one in the afternoon. We went to Kawagoe, also known as Little Edo. The area's houses, which dated since before World War II, are still standing and in use, which is quite rare even in Tokyo, or so was I told.
Walking down the Old Town Ichibangai Street reminded me of the anime Gintama which I am a big fan of. Other than that, it is quite amazing that the government and the country's citizens preserved the area and made it thrive.
After walking the old town (where the Toki no Kane [Time Bell Tower] is still standing by the way), we stumbled upon a small temple (it was a total find by the way), the Choki-in Temple. We did not enter it though since no one was there and we did not know if it was okay or not to enter it.
And finally! We visited the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.
Once I knew I was going to Japan for sure, I promised myself to visit a shrine, and I've finally fulfilled it! I was unable to do the ritual(?)/practice(?) of tossing a coin in the offering box though, so perhaps when I go to another shrine.
The Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is the home of the biggest wooden torii in Japan. According to the plaque that I found (and translated via google translate), the shrine was dedicated to the spirits of the heroes who gave their lives to protect Japan and their hometown.
Of course, since I was in a shrine, I took the time to purchase some charms from the store manned by the miko (Japanese for shrine maiden). She was really nice, despite our language barrier.
The shrine was our last stop and we decided to return home. My two-week stay in Japan is just getting started!
So stay tuned for part 2, I suppose.
Writer's Note: All pictures are mine and were taken by my phone. This piece was written at the night of the third day of my trip, so the verbs are quite a mess.