Two kinds of magic: Disney Sea and Team Lab

What’s the one place you want to go to celebrate turning a quarter of a century? Tokyo Disney Sea, no less. Not me, but Olivia, and I was happy to join her at the happiest place on earth. Tokyo Disney Sea is a little different in the sense its more adult orientated, filled with more people our age, and the best part… you can buy beer.

Matching outfits in tow, we were there bright and early and I was getting my Toy Story Mania fast pass, no matter who got in my way. We hadn’t initially intended to do so, but being the most popular ride in the park, I’d read stories of the crazy rush that ensues in the morning.

Since we had gotten there so early at around 7:20am, I figured I’d give it a go; ignoring all signs not to run, I rushed ahead when the gates opened and had our fast passes by 8:07am. Dedication or childishness, you decide.

Once that was out of the way, we headed back to the stores selling a plethora of Mickey ears, and settled on some simple ones that really cemented our cute matching outfits. Wanting to give Olivia the most embarrassing experience I could, I told staff it was her birthday (albeit the next day) and they gave her a sticker, prompting gleeful greetings from almost every cast member.

That’s the main reason I’d recommend Tokyo Disney over any other park; everyone gets SO into it. With costumes from Zootopia, ridiculous Toy Story Hamm hats favoured by high school girls, and an extortionate array of Duffy goods (a.k.a. the teddy bear designed specifically for Japan that Olivia has a raging hatred towards).

You really do feel the magic more. I even got Snow White nails for the occasion, so I was feeling the Disney magic all day, coming to a climax at the Minnie meet and greet. I swear I’m not sponsored by Disney for saying that, but if you’re reading this Walt, hit me up.

Food as always is something else in Tokyo Disney, and for the longest time I’ve wanted to try the Little Green Men mochi balls, filled with vanilla, strawberry and chocolate cream. We also ate the sickliest strawberry popcorn, a steamed bun in the shape of Sinbad’s tail, and Olivia got the Halloween special burger designed to look like Snow White’s apple.
I wanted both the Ursula and Cruella De Ville steamed buns too, but alas there’s only so much you can scoff in a day. I’ll admit though, while beer seemed like a great idea, getting out of the mid-afternoon lull in energy is even harder having drank one.

Another reason for going that weekend was it was officially Halloween season, so not only did themed foods take on a new life, but the parades and shows were themed too.
The Villians boat show was super cool, and the Fantasmic show in the evening was hands down the best I’ve ever seen at any Disney Park. We were lucky all day, with both the weather and shows.

We didn’t plan to see certain parades, but stumbled across them at the best vantage points. Due to an incoming typhoon the park was relatively quiet, meaning we’d hit all the main rides before lunch. A rarity in Disney, allowing for a relaxed afternoon of boat rides, theatrical jazz shows, and ending the evening camping out lakeside for the final firework display.

Day 2 was Olivia’s birthday, and we’d booked tickets to attend Team Lab’s Planets, an immersive space of digital artwork. We waded through water and sat in rooms with projections of koi fish and falling flowers, and walked through mirrored rooms of light and inflated spheres.

Not the most aesthetically pleasing, but my favourite had to be the black hole installation, where my ass happily sank into the room full of bean bags and I never wanted to leave.

The pictures really don’t do this place justice, and the best thing is you’re not rushed through it at all. We lay on floors and took it all it, and left fully refreshed, perfect since we were exhausted from the day before.

Sadly we only had a long weekend in Tokyo, but we managed to squeeze in so much. Dinner at the most beautiful yakitori restaurant with Zack (a former Kumamoto ALT positively thriving in Tokyo now), an evening roaming Shin Okubo eating Korean BBQ, drinking soju and thinking we’d been transported to Seoul, and a quick early morning visit to Asakusa for brunch and a few selfies sweating our tits off at Kaminarimon. I managed to catch my second ever glimpse of Mt. Fuji too, from the plane window thanks to the most adorable cabin attendants.

I always say how much I hate Tokyo, and I honestly don’t, I’ve just got to be in the right mood to deal with the hustle and bustle. Having the best travel partner in Olivia helped, and that trip reignited my love for the city again.
Until next time Tokyo, never change.

Sanrio taking over the shinkansen!

One of the things I love most about Japan is hands down the bullet train. I’ve used it that much I really should invest some shares in JR, and I think when I eventually go back to the UK I’ll have some withdrawal issues.

Anyone who knows me knows my love for Hello Kitty too, so naturally when JR announced a limited edition Hello Kitty train, I died and went to cutesy heaven.
Thankfully I already had a trip to Osaka planned, so it worked out perfectly. Even if it hadn’t, you know I’d have made some excuse to get on it.

Pulling into the station all I could see was a wave of passengers swamping the platform to take pictures. While some were definitely surprised, most, like me, already knew what to expect and had planned our spot on the platform accordingly. Since the train only makes one round-trip per day, the cleaning time allowed for some ample photo taking before boarding. The exterior of the train is adorned with a large ribbon, pretty iconic for Hello Kitty, and is as pink as you’d expect. 

Although it’s the slowest of the shinkansens, there’s a reason for this, as it stops at every station between Shin Osaka and Hakata. This is because this specific train was designed to pay homage to all of the prefectures along JR’s western Japan route. 

Each car had a motif outside for each prefecture the train passes: Fukuoka, Yamaguchi, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, Hiroshima, Hyogo, and Osaka. All of which showed Hello Kitty holding a local delicacy.

The first car, Hello! Plaza, isn’t a passenger car, but rather a gift shop. Exhibitions are also held here focusing on two prefectures at a time, showcasing local foods and souvenirs from the regions.
When I rode the train, this space was dedicated to Shimane and Tottori, famous for their black shells and green apples. 

Being the two of the least populated prefectures in Japan, I can only hope that this train helps raise some awareness to some of these lesser known but just as beautiful areas that many travellers overlook.

The second car, Kawaii! Room, was a passenger car with unreserved seating, decked out to the max with Hello Kitty as far as the eye could see. I rode the train on a long weekend, so this area was a nightmare to navigate, and rather than fight my way to a seat, I’d booked a seat in advance further back.

Cars 2 to 8 aren’t as decorated, but attention to detail wasn’t overlooked, even in the more subtle spaces. From window screens and doors to toilet signs, everything had a special touch.

As is always the case in Japan, the little things really add to making the experience even more immersive. This shinkansen wasn’t an exception, with a special Hello Kitty melody playing upon arrival at the stations.

At Hakata station there is a themed café, which I’m yet to visit, and also a shop to buy themed ekiben (train lunchboxes) if you want to eat Hello Kitty as well as ride on her train. I resisted the urge, but that didn’t stop me from losing my restraint and buying some socks.

The shinkansen started began on June 30^th of this year, and while it was only scheduled until early November, the service has already been extended due to its popularity.
That’s right, expect pictures of my dad on a pink bullet train in the imminent future.

Summer Sonic 2018

Despite never having been to a festival in my life, I decided to jump right into the deep end this summer, and went to Summer Sonic in Osaka. 

It's similar to festivals back home, and like Leeds and Reading in the sense its line up alternates locations over the two days. However, since they take place in stadiums and outdoor sporting areas both in Tokyo and Osaka, people don't camp overnight.

Haruka and I decided to only go for one day, and we wouldn't have gone if it wasn't for our favourite band, One Ok Rock, announcing their performance. It's been almost 3 years since we saw them together in Manchester, and although I saw them in March too, it was a totally different experience seeing them at a festival in Japan compared to an arena. During their tour, fans were completely reserved with coordinated fist pumping and quietly listened to their singing. This was anything but that. I was bruised and filthy afterwards, but it was definitely the best atmosphere I've ever experienced at a concert.

 

There were five different stages, and luckily all of the artists we wanted to watch were at different times. Such a variety of artists attended so there really was something for everyone; we saw Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, One Ok Rock, Paramore, Jess Glynne and overheard many others. 

There was also a magical little oasis area in amongst all of the stages, filled with a variety of food stalls and spaces to just chill out. Easily the best place to people watch and eat lemon ramen at sunset, surrounded by palm trees and booming music.

Frankly I dont think I could have handled another day in the blazing heat, but all things considered I did well. My white ass remained wonderfully snow white and sunburn free (thanks to a custom made kaftan courtesy of Simona for that exact purpose) and I didnt get heat stroke, something which I was super stressed about since I got it last year. Needless to say I had no shame and spent the best part of the afternoon wearing the cooling gel strips you put on kids who have a fever. 

 

I do have some standards though. When we were stuck in the midst of a mosh pit, Taka being less than a metre away and my hat flying off, my first instinct was to rip it off my forehead and fling it into the crowd. God knows where it ended up, but I'll be damned if I ever let Taka see me as the girl with a blue sticky strip on her forehead.  

Take a peek at our sweaty as hell after mosh pit picture, it sums the day up pretty well.

Summer, the time to refresh.

Summer is now over and classes are in full swing, so now I have time to reflect on my long vacation. As it is every year, summer in Kumamoto was positively soul destroying, but I think I am slowly (major emphasis on how slowly) getting used to living somewhere that makes me a sticky, nauseous mess for three months of the year. 

It’s been an unintentionally crafty summer break, starting with a visit to Mifune to make some pottery. Hidden down some of the quietest roads is the tiniest pottery studio, very rustic and family run.  Simona, Ruth and Sheridan decided to make bowls, Olivia a mug and I decided to make a vase. A risky choice that wouldn’t have gone as well without the guy coming to “fix” any issues, but I’m hoping it turns out all right. All I can hope for is that mine isn’t the one that explodes in the kiln and shatters everyone else’s. I nicknamed my vase Aso-kun for its resemblance to Mt. Aso, but I don’t need it to really embody its namesake. 

More recently I attended a glass art workshop, where I made a nice little holder decorated in coloured film. It looks exactly like stained glass, and it was the most therapeutic thing I’ve done in a while. I’ll be attending another next week where we can advance to slightly more intricate designs now that we have the basics down, and I’m hoping to make a Charles Rennie Mackintosh inspired rose design.

Despite still working every day, I’ve enjoyed rekindling friendships in summer that somewhat lost their way in the madness of the semester. Numerous nights were spent enjoying each other’s company, whether it be at BBQ’s, riverside picnics or even trips to the onsen. 

I’ve had a few dips in rivers and the sea throughout my gallivanting, even checking a new prefecture, Yamaguchi, off the list. Ironically, most Japanese visitors come to Tsunoshima to see the famous bridge and seldom spend time exploring the island. It was a fleeting road trip there and back in one day, but eating shaved ice on the beach and swimming in the bright blue water made me appreciate living in a country that is so diversely beautiful, no matter the season.

A huge amount of new faces came to Kumamoto this summer, something new for us all. The scariest thing is how much of a senpai I am now to the newbies, and that anything I tell them is taken so seriously with wide eyes and thanks. It’s made me realise how I’ve grown so much in the past two years here. It’s not been without struggles, mainly coming to terms with myself that I can’t change some aspects of Japanese culture as much as I’d like, but I know I wouldn’t change this experience for the world. The conflicts will only help me grow as a person.