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JENESYS Trip

November 2019
Japan 🗾🇯🇵 Read more
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  • TravelerJENESYS Trip
    Day 1

    Initial Thoughts of Tokyo

    November 12, 2019 in Japan ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    Landed in Japan...

    The staff are nice and very polite :)
    This wasn't a surprising fact, but experiencing it in person and comparing it to New Zealand's hospitality was interesting.

    I thought I wouldn't be a big fan of Tokyo, considering the size, the busyness and amount of buildings but I was actually really amazed by it. I found it to be really cool. They have these little spots of water canals and bridges, trees are spotted throughout with small city garden/parks, I found it really beautiful and cool.

    I enjoyed seeing that the architecture I've seen in anime is accurate. It's just one of those small things that make you happy and the trip feel special.    Read more

  • TravelerJENESYS Trip
    Day 2

    Lunch

    November 13, 2019 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    I really love the set ups for Japanese Dining. You can kneel on the floor or because the floor beneath the table drops down you can swing your legs under there and sit normally on the floor :D

    The miso soup was the best I've had yet! And that salmon 🤤 sooo gooooood!
    I wasn't a big fan of tofu but I ate it anyway, I also attempted to eat the other piece of fish but it had bones all throughout and I had chopsticks... So I probably only got through half of it 😅

    It was nice eating with everyone though :) I don't always speak but even just listening has been enjoyable for me.    Read more

  • TravelerJENESYS Trip
    Day 2

    Senso-ji Temple

    November 13, 2019 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Wow.

    I had no idea it was so huge!! Senso-ji is so amazing. I just can't stop fan girling about it haha :)
    It is such a special place, one that made me constantly stop in awe.

    Normally I get easily bothered, irritated, etc. by other people when exploring sites, especially when trying to take photos but I don't recall feeling that once. It was such an amazing place and I was so happy to be exploring it!

    I noticed not a lot of people were following the customs for when visiting a shrine. People followed the purifying all fine and dandy but unless it was a 日本人, then people completely disregarded things like bowing before entering the gates of the shrine, keeping to the side of the pavement as you approcach the shrine, etc.
    That made me a little a sad and confused but I did my best to follow the customs and show my respect and appreciation. I hope it becomes more common for others to do so too.

    The buildings were so tall, せが高い!!
    It was impressive and had me in a constant state of wonder. I love Senso-ji temple so much and I feel like I could spend a whole day there! Madeleine said that it's really amazing to visit at night - there's less people, the place is lit up and the shops close their doors, revealing numerous traditional Japanese art. It all sounds amazing and I can't wait to visit there again and see that 😻

    The grounds were so big and because they linked up to souvenir shops and a shopping alley, it was easy to get confused with where you were. But I loved every bit of it and scored myself some lovely items. They had one of those ball machines that you put money in and then turn to get a toy in a ball out. I saw that you could get an otter and I got it on the first go! I was so happy and blessed and I can't wait to give it to Lachlan :D

    I'm so happy I got to visit Senso-ji and the memories of it are so special to me too.    Read more

  • TravelerJENESYS Trip
    Day 2

    Shopping ️at Venus Fort

    November 13, 2019 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    ⚜️ Odaiba Venus Fort ⚜️

    I didn't recognise it until I had returned back home and was watching ReLife, but Venus Fort is a very well known shopping centre - one that I had seen many times before, as it is often referenced in anime.

    There were many things to explore and I wish I had longer to do so. I really enjoyed viewing the Toyota History Garage. Though when walking through I couldn't help but think of my late Grandpop. I can imagine how much he would've loved and appreciated this museum. I wished I could've shared it in some way, other than my thoughts.
    On a lighter note, seeing the DeLorean was a particular highlight, I stopped to fangirl over it several times...

    The architecture and decorations of Venus Fort overall gave me plenty of sights to marvel at. It was hard to move on from each view, as all I wanted to do was sit and admire the decor.

    The sheer volume of manga that lined the walls of stores was astounding. Of course, I knew I was in Japan and there wer eplaces like this.. But seeing it in person is another thing. The fact I couldn't capture the height of the bookcase was amusing to me, and I felt reflected how my eyes felt when taking the sight in, in person.

    Lastly, the Ghibli store had me very excited and giddy. The entrance way itself had me stopping in my tracks to admire it. There were so many things to choose from and to be indecisive over haha :)
    I managed to have some self restraint and only purchase two items though. A Totoro picture frame and a 3D theatre art from Spirited Away. I'm so happy with my purchases, and I can't wait to display them in my room. 🎊    Read more

  • TravelerJENESYS Trip
    Day 3

    Hiroshima

    November 14, 2019 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Coming into Hiroshima the first thing I noticed was the vast amount of trees. They were spread upon hills for miles, all displaying their autumn colours.

    As the plane approached landing I looked outside the window to see the trees grow closer and closer in sight. That's when I realised this airport was unique to all others I had visited. It was not by the seaside and we were not landing at sea level. We were landing a top a hill.

    The bus trip is revealing just how different Hiroshima is to Tokyo. The array of trees, quiet shrines that look to keep to themselves mostly are spotted throughout the autumn hills. Buildings when spotted have a more traditional feel and are much more rooted to the ground than the crowning sky rises that compete so boldy in Tokyo.

    Some facts with Fern:

    🌸 Hiroshima is the name of the prefecture (one of forty seven). Its population of about 2.8 million. Hiroshima City is the capital with about 1.2 million.
    🌸 It has two world heritage sites - Atomic Bomb Dome and Itsukushima shrine.
    🌸 Famous for oysters and sea eels.
    🌸 Head quarters of daiso is here.    Read more

  • TravelerJENESYS Trip
    Day 3

    ⛩️ Miyajima Island I ⛩️

    November 14, 2019 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    I didn't realise until on Miyajima Island itself, but there were a lot of deer or 'しか' (shika) 🦌 that populate the island. I was so excited when I realised how close you're able to get to them. Majority let you pat them :)
    Though you must be careful because they will eat anything, especially paper! 📄
    People have had their money eaten from their back pockets in the past...

    I think I'm getting better at taking photos which is exciting because there were many cool things to see and explore in the island. However despite having a couple hours to explore, I was not able to see the whole island and all it had to offer.
    On a map I picked up it detailed suggested tours, the shortest of which took 3 hours and the longest 6 hours, yet that still did not cover everything! No wonder I couldn't explore everything I wanted to :/

    The famous Otorii Gate was something I missed out on seeing. I freaked out because I thought it was my fault for not managing my time well and making it my priority to see. However, it had actually been under repair since June 2019, so it was no fault of my own that I missed seeing the sight.

    I was able to visit the main Itsukushima Shrine which was really cool to see. I love a lot of the architectural features. Something else that was noticeably a cool inclusion, was the artwork painted and hung to the walls of the temple by junior high school students. They were very talented and beautiful scenes.    Read more

  • TravelerJENESYS Trip
    Day 3

    ⛩️ Miyajima Island II ⛩️

    November 14, 2019 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    I explored with my friends after visiting Itsukushima Shrine to see smaller shrines, explore the scenery, try some food, look through the shops and take the ferry back.

    We didn't go inside the smaller shrines but I found enjoyment in just looking at the architecture from the outside. The surrounding scenery was an added to delight to visiting the shrines too.
    We found some interesting spots on the way, including some signage Madeleine got a photo in hehe :)

    I decided to try some grilled squid. I was excited to try it because I have seen it in a quite a few anime (when the characters visit a festival generally). I enjoyed watching the vendor prepare it and cook it over a metal grill with coals beneath.
    It tasted pretty nice, however the price wasn't exactly cheap so I don't think I would purchase it in the future. Though I am glad I tried it in the first place :)

    There were MANY shops with various things for sale. I managed to find the perfect shot glass to represent Japan for my collection :D
    I also came across a store that sold 'fruit honey' - something I have wanted to try and buy since I saw Felix and Marzia try it on their trip to Japan. However, the price was about $15 for only 120grams and I felt despite its allure, I should spend my money more wisely.
    Another interesting find was the small samurai swords that could be used as earpicks...

    The ferry ride back was fun, especially when accompanied by friends that like to have fun and be a little silly :)    Read more

  • TravelerJENESYS Trip
    Day 3

    Dinner and 7/11

    November 14, 2019 in Japan ⋅ 🌙 6 °C

    Dinner had some tasty elements, though I did not enjoy everything in the dish.
    I found out I am not a fan of eggplants. But beside that, all of the tempura was very delicious. The sashimi was tasty too, however not the best I've had yet in Japan, or Wellington for that matter. Lastly, I found the side salad dish really yummy too.

    I got to visit a 7/11 which I was really happy about. I know that may seem weird but we don't have them in New Zealand and it's such an accessible franchise in Japan that it would be wrong not to see one haha :)
    I bought a melon pan, a cafe latte, a kit kat, some mints and some more of the meji chocolate (the same kind that mum bought me as a gift on her trip to Japan).
    I quite liked the cafe latte but that was mostly because I was in the mood for it. The melon pan was nice but not as amazing as the bit I tried of Madeleine's at Senso-ji Temple. The kit kat was meh but I'm glad I bought and tried everything that I did.    Read more

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