New Year at the Temple

Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu! (Happy New Year in Japanese! Thought, before New Year, you can say 'yoi otoshi o').
To ring in the New Year, I decided to head to the main shrine in Ichinomiya, Masumida Shrine.

On the night, I arrived a little earlier, so I visited a nearby restaurant for some food. Most restaurants and bars are closed around New Year in Japan, as it is a very big holiday. But this restaurant was a western-style restaurant so it was open. I had some delicious steak and some cider, then I went to the temple around 11pm to check out the attractions before the bells. Yes, there are still bells here, though not quite the same as the UK- they ring the massive 'prayer bell' on the shrine grounds 108 times to signify the 108 'sins of man'...at least that's the gist of what I've heard! 

There were lots of things to do at the temple; there were stalls with games for kids, like the cork-gun shooting and ring toss. I tried them anyway and got some cheap prizes :) There was a huge bonfire lit, which was much appreciated as it was freezing outside! There were also lots of stalls with food, such as yakisoba (friend noodles) and various meats being grilled. There were bags of candy floss too, and chocolate-dipped bananas with sprinkles! The shrine itself was also offering souvenirs, good-luck charms and fortunes/prayers. I bought a demon-warding arrow and a Year of the Monkey wooden plaque called an 'ema'. 

About 10 minutes before midnight, people started gathering in front of a large tarp set up outside the entrance to the temple. There were some coins in the tarp and I wondered what was going on. At 10 seconds to midnight, everyone started counting down- and as the first bell rang everyone in the crowd started throwing coins into the tarp! It was a little shocking haha! I ducked, then took out some change and threw it over as well! Basically, the tarp is a giant 'offertory box' for people to throw their money in to make their first prayers of the New Year. A fun, if a little dangerous tradition! XD

Happy New Year everyone!

Tokyo Holiday

As I was working on Christmas Day this year (but we had a Christmas Party on Boxing Day, so it still very much felt Christmas-y at work) I knew I wanted to have a good holiday after. So from the 28th to the 30th I visited Tokyo! I knew the district I wanted to see most was Akihabara so I booked a hotel there and booked the Shinkansen too; it gets extremely busy around the end of year, as lots of people visit relatives or return to their family house before/at New Year. For a reserved seat (you can buy unreserved which is cheaper then a reserved ticket but you might have to stand if the train is busy) it was around £100 (20,000 yen) for a return trip. Considering the speed, comfort and good service of the shinkansen I thought it was worth it! The service is miles better than the British Rail system anyday, and you can get a view of Mount Fuji on the way!

I caught a glimpse of Mt Fuji on the shinkansen!

On my first day I explored a bit before checking in to my hotel. I arrived at Tokyo Station around lunchtime, it was definitely the busiest place I have been in Japan so far! People were flowing everywhere like water, and there were lots of foreigners too. I took the train to Akihabara and the first thing I saw when exiting the station was a huge Sega arcade complex!

I played some machines there then visited a Maid Cafe to relax for a bit. The staff were cute in every sense of the word! From their uniforms to the way they spoke and acted, it was adorable. Then I got some very cute food as well! They also put on a little show, and got the customers to join in too, it was very fun! It was a unique experience, I definitely recommend it!

I won the Samurai Cat at the Sega arcade :3

After browsing more I retired to my hotel. I booked a 2 night stay with the APA Hotel in Akihabara. I chose them mainly because it was a great-looking hotel but not too expensive, and also a 10-min walk to Akihabara station. It was an excellent stay with lots of nice amenities, a comfy bed and polite staff.

The next day I went to the Ikebukuro district to visit the Pokemon Centre. There are a few in Tokyo but this one is the new Mega Centre (it was celebrating its 1 year anniversary when I visited) and it had lots of great things! 

The biggest Pikachu I've ever seen! 

In the same building as the Pokemon Centre (the 'Sunshine Prince' building, a massive shopping centre) there was also advertising for the 'Tokyo Sunshine Aquarium'. It wasn't until I got in an elevator after visiting the Pokemon Centre, that I realised the aquarium is on the rooftop of the shopping centre! I got a ticket and it was amazing, there were huge pools and tanks inside and a big open-air bit outside too (though it was very cold!)

On the 3rd day I explored the area around Tokyo Station before heading home. I found the Godzilla statue in the central business district. I only knew of it because it was on a map I got at the station; I expected a huge building-sized statue but sadly, it's just a smallish 'commemorative' type statue. Still worth seeing, though!  

In short, I had a wonderful time in Tokyo and can't wait to go back! It's busy, full of anime/games and nerdy stuff, and great food! It's everything I expected when I came to Japan and more!