Tag: Tokyo

Posted in 11 - February 23

Last Day in Japan

Posted on by discrete.elements

February 23rd. Last day in Japan.

Our flight back to Canada was set late in the afternoon, so before we made our way to the airport, we visited the Edo Tokyo Museum and the Asakasa Palace (also known as Japan’s national state guest house).

The museum was very impressive, with reproductions of olden buildings at the true, life-like, scale and reproductions of the town of Edo (old name of Tokyo) on the miniature scale, of course alongside multiple artefacts.

Life-like scale building in the Edo Tokyo Museum

As for the Asakasa Palace, we were lucky to be handed virtual guides! We got to hear about the details that went into the palace constructions which was truly magnificent, bringing both western European and Japanese elements together in one building.

Pictures were not allowed inside the palace, but there is garden at the back where visitors can take pictures and enjoy the sun.

After that, we headed to the airport by bus, some of us in tears, said our goodbyes to our wonderful JICE coordinators and boarded our plane.

Closing remarks coming soon!

Posted in 10 - February 22

Urbanscapes in Shibuya

Posted on by discrete.elements

After our day full of visits on February 22nd, no one could still get enough of Japan and when our evening free time came, we all left our hotel to explore more of Tokyo.

The group I left the hotel with headed to Shibuya, one of Tokyo’s major commercial and business districts. Yes, it’s that place with the famed 5-way intersection; which by the way is right by Shibuya’s subway station!

Of course, it was late so most of the shops were closed, but it did not harm the experience. I have more pictures of Shibuya than I can count, yet none do justice to the feel of the place, the buzzing energy, the play of lights and the amount of people! I had so much fun just walking around. The buildings didn’t seem to end, every corner I turned brought a new set of pretty lights and ads playing on one of Shibuya’s massive screens were always there to surprise me.

Shibuya is a must-revisit next time I go to Japan. I’m curious to see how it looks at different times of the day!

Posted in 10 - February 22

Meiji Jingu Shrine

Posted on by discrete.elements

Aside of the homestay, visiting the Meiji Jingu shrine must have been my favourite part of the trip. Maybe that’s because I’m fascinated by Shinto mythology. Who knows? But it was great.

The spirits enshrined there are the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. There were a lot of people visiting at the time our group went but I am told it is usually even busier.

The shrine grounds are enormous and although the architecture is grandiose and can make you feel very humble at times, it is not imposing in an uncomfortable way. There is something very comforting and refreshing about walking through big torii gates.

By walking around the shrine grounds, I got to do a lot of things like see lots of people in beautiful kimono, draw a prophetic poem written by Empress Shoken, buy talisman… A couple was even getting married so our group saw them as they walked by during their wedding procession. I didn’t pray at the shrine (because I didn’t have much what to pray for), but I did write a wish down.

Overall, the shrine was bustling with activity but the atmosphere was so grandiose and solemn at times… I loved it. My only regret is in not being there longer.

Posted in 10 - February 22

Japan’s Olympic Museum

Posted on by discrete.elements

After visiting Hamarikyu Gardens, we headed towards the Olympic Museum.

We were free to explore the museum at our leisure. The visit was both informative and really fun! Small physical activities, like trying to jump as high as you can, were scattered in the museum. Your score would then be compared to those of olympic athletes!

The museum also has a section on Paralympics and speaks at multiple occasions of women’s efforts to join the Olympics as well. It thus includes all olympic athletes in the picture the museum strives to draw.

Posted in 10 - February 22

Hamarikyu Gardens

Posted on by discrete.elements

Our outing on February 22 began with the Hamarikyu Gardens, where even the skyscrapers around it are part of the garden’s design.

I could write an entire book of poetry on the beauty of those gardens and on flowers in bloom dancing in the wind, but I’ll refrain. Simply put, I could not get enough of it. It was breathtaking.

Posted in 9 - February 21

Reporting Session! (And getting lost in Tokyo)

Posted on by discrete.elements

On Feberuary 21st, travelling back to Tokyo took most of the day, but we still managed to squeeze in a visit at the Canadian embassy before our reporting session in the afternoon that took place at our hotel.

Another person from the University of Ottawa and I presented our action plan which we titled いっしょうに, les amis (Together, friends) to JICE and Ministry of Foreign Affairs representatives. We managed to make some people laugh, so we called it a success!

After dinner, our group had some free time and we scattered in Tokyo to see some sights. The small group I went out with got lost. We walked left and right in the hope of seeing a subway station or anything that might resemble a landmark we remembered, but we didn’t see anything that looked familiar, although this did give us the chance to pay attention to our surroundings and see some impressive things. Thankfully, we stumbled upon a kōban (police box) before panic had time to settle in and the policemen there were kind to point us in the right direction!

While we were walking to the train, we came across multiple streets like this, where clear signs tell you which side of the sidewalk you should use whether you are biking or walking. Talk about organization!

We took the train back to our hotel… only the train had no driver! It was fully automated. This left the seats at the ends of the train with a full 180° view and because the train ran on elevated rails, we had quite the beautiful view of the city to enjoy.

Posted in 4 - February 16

Exploring Akihabara

Posted on by discrete.elements

Even on a rainy day, Akihabara was bustling with energy.

Before heading out, we visited some conbini nearby our hotel and believe me when I say Japan has mastered the art of the convenience store. After stacking up on snacks, we walked to the nearest metro station.

Taking the metro from our hotel to Akihabara was, by far, way easier than I thought it would be. The staff at the station were super helpful and maps are translated in English, making navigation for foreigners a walk in the park. Just remember to keep your ticket to be able to exit the station!

We explored Akihabara in a small group, walking around from store to store, taking in the impressive luminous sights. Book lovers who don’t speak Japanese: I’d suggest you prepare yourself mentally for the sadness that will strike you once you realize you cannot read anything in the 6-storey bookstores you’ll find there.

We headed back to the hotel eventually, our feet hurting from walking, but very satisfied of our day. Needless to say I slept well during night!