Tokyo DisneySea!!!

I guess you can't go to Japan without visiting one of the Disneyland's.......bit like going to the Northern Territory and not visiting Uluru. It was a little reluctantly that I headed off with the Thompson Clan to DisneySea. Leaving from Shinagawa, with the weather hot as usual, we changed trains at Tokyo, an enormous station with five travellators in a row through one section. At Tokyo we caught a JR train to Maihama Station, which is adjacent to Disneyland. Once at Maihama we then caught the special Mickey Mouse monorail to DisneySea, not necessary if you are off to Disneyland.

We chose to visit DisneySea on a Thursday which turned out to be a great idea. It was busy but queueing was kept to a minimum. On the weekends the waiting times can be two hours or more. Why would you bother??  The amusement park consists of seven theme ports: Mediterranean Harbor (a reproduction of Venice), American Waterfront (a reproduction of the Eastern Seaboard of the United States), Port Discovery (a science-themed area), Lost River Delta (a reproduction of a tropical rain forest), Arabian Coast (based on Disney's Aladdin), Mermaid Lagoon (based on Disney's The Little Mermaid) and Mysterious Island (based on the books of Jules Verne). It is arranged in a circle around a central landmark,  Mount Prometheus, an artificial volcano that "erupts" intermittently. There are fun rides, entertainment shows, restaurants, and shops in each area. Since Tokyo DisneySea is targeting adults as well as children, alcohol drinks are available at Tokyo DisneySea unlike Tokyo Disneyland. 

There is no general admission ticket available for Tokyo Disneyland. You need to purchase a Passport, which includes all attractions. A one-day passport costs 5,800 yen (adult). A two-day passport costs 10,000 yen (adult). Children under age three are free of charge. In AUD that's about $75.00 or $125.00. We decided that two days in a row would definitely be stretching the limit with the two littlies.

We chose to make a beeline for 'Mermaid Lagoon' as Ariel was a huge attraction for one little Thommo. On the way we did stop to have a chat with Daisy, Pluto and Mickey who were doing a meet and greet.

 All I can say about the whole experience is WOW!!! It was really quite exceptional. The different ports were amazing and the attention to detail was great. 'Mermaid Lagoon' was beautiful and so colourful. I could have spent half a day in this area alone. The approach to
Mermaid Lagoon' was impressive and the detail of the exterior structure speaks for itself. Inside was gorgeous!

The 'Little Mermaid' performance was exceptional and the costumes were gorgeous. The lyrics in the songs were in English and the narratives were in Japanese but this did not affect our enjoyment. No photos were allowed here.

I loved the streets of the 'Arabian Coast'. The buildings and decorations were very authentic and, fortunately, everything was well attached because, naturally, Soph tested everything. 'Sinbad's Storybook Adventure' was a lovely boat trip through Aladdin's caves.

The rides in each port were great and the three adults had enormous fun going on most of them. Sophie's first rides were a little loud and fast so she wouldn't go on any others! Apart from some of the rides, the highlights of my day were the live performances, 'Little Mermaid' and 'Mystic Rhythms'. The energy of the music, instrumentals and dancers in the latter were brilliant. It was a special FX spectacular!! Sophie preferred the peace of the 'Caravan Carousel' and Harriet was grateful to just 'have a go' of Soph's Minnie ears.

 Although, initially, a reluctant participant the whole experience was terrific. DisneySea in Japan, I had never imagined it.
Harriet sums up how we felt by the end of the day.....exhausted!! (again)....the heat and humidity, two toddlers, lots of excitement and fun, crowds and trains...what's wrong with us??

Sayōnara tomodachi!!!

Another Day in Kamakura

On their first weekend in Japan we decided to take our alien visitors to Kamakura. Kamakura was one of the first places we visited when we arrived and is the location of the Great Buddha. On this occasion we did not get around to seeing any temples or shrines, instead it was a day spent roaming along the beach observing the preparations being made for the opening of the Summer season and having a swim. We then continued along past the main beach and came across another little bay with a very large high rise tourist resort close by. We had lunch in this area which, even though it was raining at this stage, had a bit of a Florida feel about it.

Further on around the bay we found a little beachside area which, in a Japanese way, had a bit of a Greek Isles feel to it. The pebbly little beach was crowded with fishing boats.


We continued to meander around the back streets and enjoy the different sights which this area offered. Like many places in Japan, depending on which gate you exit the station from, you see quite different things. This trip back to Kamakura gave us quite a different perspective. The addition of a few rain showers also altered the visual impact. One thing that continues to intrigue us is the simplicity of the housing and the quite inferior materials which are used. Housing and living conditions are still very 'Asian' for want of a better word with minimal exterior sophistication.
Without a doubt, a highlight of the visit was a swim in the sea, finally!! Sophie loved splashing in the waves and joined Steve for a nice swim.

Each Summer season is heralded by the sudden construction of masses of temporary eating places along the entire length of every swimming beach. A beach is suddenly transformed into a place teeming with human traffic. It's quite an amazing transformation. At the end of the season every building is once again removed.

Power poles such as this one provide an interesting insight into the electrical standards....very similar to our insights into Balinese electrical standards...what standards???

I'd like to see this happen on an Australian beach. Smoking booths are placed at regular intervals along the beaches. Smoking is restricted to these booths...a rule which appears to be adhered to by all!!

Our day was finished off with a walk through the streets near the station, a different set of streets to those we walked along on our first visit. It was very busy and the boys were not interested in window shopping...so what's new? They found a different variety of beer to sample...obviously Bek and I weren't thirsty because we didn't get a drink...then we headed off home.

This posting is out of order but is one I started a while back and failed to complete. Life in the household is not quite as orderly since the arrival of the aliens. Other postings may also be out of order but I like to have a diary for my records.

A Crazy Day at the Beach!

With the thermometer rising steadily each day and coming from a place where we are accustomed to swimming at every opportunity, it has been strange not to have easy access to a pool or a beach. Yesterday we decided to have a day at the beach. Sophie has been hanging out for a swim and so far has only had two other water experiences, apart from the bath. One swim had been at Kamakura and another at a park with water fountains. We decided to head for Enoshima Island, which is south of Yokohama and Kamakura and required catching three different trains. Sounds easy really but I think half of Japan had the same idea, say no more!!

 Now that we are living in Yamashita, Yokohama our local station is Ishikawacho. This station is much, much, much smaller than Shinagawa. We caught the first train to Ofuna and then caught another train to Kamakura. At Kamakura we then caught a street car/train to Enoshima, still with half of Japan heading the same way. Once at Enoshima we walked through an underground tunnel and then across a bridge. There were no bicycles allowed in the tunnel but there was a motorbike doing a burnout and a man on a horse leading another horse. What a funny place we are now living in!

 We headed straight to the beach for our much anticipated swim. Pleasingly we still had plenty of company! We quickly found a handkerchief sized piece of beach and commenced our long awaited relaxing day at the beach. I believe at this stage the pictures say it all.

 After our swim we decided to meander around the island. We found a really large marina and enjoyed a quick look at the yachts.

 We were intrigued with this yacht and questioned its sea worthiness. As I was poking around taking photos I was invited aboard. The owner,Yoshida, was keen to introduce himself and show me below!! Once below he produced this beautiful catalogued book all about vampires and promptly offered me a glass of grape juice (or was it blood??). He and his friend were very hospitable but at this stage I was glad to be able to acknowledge Steve, who was standing on the overhead walkway!! It turns out Yoshida had taken 42 years to build the boat. It was a work of art but I wouldn't attempt a Bass Strait crossing in it, give me Makira anytime. I, certainly, was not keen to become their next meal either.

 We wandered around the streets and bought some food from the various outlets. It was so crowded and so hot and the only place we could find to sit and eat was on the foot path next to a rubbish bin. A walk to the top of the street to overlook the area was quickly negated when we saw the jammed crowds we would have to join.

We decided to catch the street car back to a beach we had seen on the way in. It was far less crowded and we enjoyed a long swim here.  The sand was still black and the water a little littered with rubbish, but the water temperature was fantastic and a long soak was so refreshing. Sophie loved running in the water, getting dumped and playing in the sand. Harriet continued her taste testing!

 When the time came to return home we suspected the trains would be crowded, but how crowded was even comical to the Japanese as well. It was unbelievable how many people were squeezed on, it seemed like half of Japan again! The jammed bodies and resultant body pressure was hysterical. Steve had his rear pressed hard up against another guy and under each armpit were young Japanese girls. Very funny. I was so hard pressed against the stroller that one ankle was twisted right around and the stroller handles were bruising my hips. Remember all this is happening on a 35 degree summer day. The photos below show Soph in her stroller below everyone. In one photo Sophie looks as though she may be 'turning Japanese'!

 Once back on the main JR line we, fortunately, had a seat all the way back home to Yamashita. On the train Harriet was able to enjoy a long and relaxed feed. Even though the photos below show she enjoys eating sand, seaweed and ice cream, mum's milk is still best!!

 We returned home sunburned (again), tired and fractious but satisfied we had experienced a little bit more of Japan and had our long awaited swim. Swimming 'Japanese style' is certainly very different to our normal beach experiences.

Hash Runs in Tokyo!!

A Virgin Hare!  

Date: 7th July, 2010
Venue: Shinbashi
Hares: Tunnel of Love / Pink Lips
The Star Festival on 7th July Run
(Two independent crossing trails for hashers and harriettes)
Dress Code: White
Pink Lips' Virgin Hare
Bring 200 yen!

Wow!! In a hundred years I couldn't have imagined I would be doing a Tokyo Ladies Hash House Harriette's Run with the theme Pink Lips' Virgin Hare Run. 

As it was a special Harriette's Run the men and women ran slightly different courses with different checkpoints. The trails crossed along the way and cleverly brought us together at similar times for some checkpoints, in particular the Beer Stop. The trails are designed so that everyone stays together. A checkpoint requires the pack to split and find the next part of the course. Once found whistles are blown and to the call of 'On On' the run continues. I was proud that I sprinted the last kilometre and a bit. I had to otherwise I may have lost one of the hares who were ahead. Near the end we even had to catch a subway train. 

 What a brilliant night. Fifty people, 9 km's in the heat and humidity through the streets of Tokyo, shouting 'On...On', with a wild party in a traditional Japanese restaurant to follow. Beer, beer, beer, white wine, hot sake, the drinks flowed liked water!! 

 

 

I am no longer a Virgin Hare!!

It was really, really good fun. After a few hashes (if I survive) I should be well prepared to tackle Mt Fuji in early August. That's a project team building event though, not a hash!! Moses, who is on the project team, is also preparing with us!! 

Steve's boss KC has also been doing the runs. 

 

 Lost!!  14th July

 Finally I'VE DONE IT!! Yeh!!! 'Lost in Japan!' 

Hot.....sweaty and running but still......laughing!! I even managed to catch eight trains in under three hours.

Went on my second Tokyo Hash Run in Hiroo and lost the course at the second last checkpoint! I had been running with Steve and Paul, but sent them on to wait for Alex, my partner, who had dropped behind. I waited and waited and then when she appeared I yelled out and ran on. Everything was going well, I was passing arrows and making turns left, right and centre when.... uh oh!....I realized I hadn't seen any arrows for a while. 

Unfortunately I didn't realize this until I'd done another kilometre. Ended up who knows where and had to catch two subway trains and a JR train to get back to Hiroo, then took wrong exit and came out on wrong side of station. Retraced my steps and used a different exit and amazingly met Steve and Paul on their way home! After waiting for 45 minutes at the finish they had given me up as lost! Just as well they found me though because they proceeded to catch the Hiroo subway (going the wrong way!!) and we ended in Roppongi. This meant getting off, finding the correct platform and going back to start again. Good one!

It was a very warm evening and as I ran my face and ears were literally burning. In the heat energy reserves are quickly depleted and your body feels weighed down. With a sweat saturated shirt and bright red face, I received many stares as I travelled solo on the various trains. Requests for assistance were met with blank stares except for one European man, with minimal English, who tried to Google my location and another American who confirmed where I was. Every time I saw a person running I followed or asked "Hash??" at which they looked at me as if I was mad (not far off the mark). Oh, to speak the language! 

I had a choice; catch a taxi for 700yen (I only had 500 on me), retrace my steps for 25 minutes (bad joke) or catch a series of trains to get back to Hiroo. The last choice was the one I opted for because my Suica card was safely stowed in my bra (just in case I needed it for such a situation!).

As it was Bastille Day that was the theme of the run and the French Embassy had been chosen as the last checkpoint. I was disappointed to miss the French wine at this checkpoint. Damn while others were reaping the rewards I was catching subway trains and the JR Yamanote Line!

Had this happened to me when I first arrived in Tokyo I would have been mortified but all I could do was laugh at my stupidity. Fortunately I had plenty of credit on my Suica card. Had it been low I might not have felt so confident. 

Future strategies: As a result of this incident Steve and I have decided that if either of us gets lost/loses the trail again we will just go home!! If the lost person doesn't turn up by midnight, or certainly 1am, then get worried because that's when the trains stop for the night! 

I have an interesting run coming up next weekend on an island south of Kamakura. Hopefully I will not get lost as I may not have easy access to a train. As it's a day run, the temperature will  be a challenge. With the thermometer steadily rising each week and August supposedly the hottest month I will need more stamina than I possibly have!! Will keep you posted.