Happy 2010!

I love this time around Tokyo!! Because it's empty!! Where everyone gone back to their hometown.

What more meaningful that visiting temple to make wishes in this glamorous brand new year of 2010! The second decade of the 21st century!

So we went Meijijingu 明治神宮 to celebrate the countdown. We were stuck in the line when the clock struck 12 midnight, but with the Smirnoff in hand, we manage to make a little tiny celebrations while lining up, like a tiny fade-off sound. "wuuuhuu...." , then because the monks were chanting and drumming, so we went back to silent. I envied those guys beside us with Atsukan 熱燗, even looking at the steam coming out from the hot sake makes me feel warm. Imagine drinking it in this super chilling weather, warm tummy!

Happy 2010 Everyone!

Tamagawa Fireworks

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You probably get sick of people uploading summer fireworks pictures. I promise this is the last time. For Tamagawa Hanabi 2009, we brought along merely a good-old-picnic style with coke, snacks, sushi, laughter and a faithful tripod.

Have fun clicking the next button in the photos.

Also, if you wanna get a "real feel" of the fireworks, below is the video people screaming "sugoi", "wuuhuu". But I must warn you this recording looks like a pirated cam-version of a blockbuster from the cinema, with people blocking the full view.

What a WEEK!

It didnt feel like summer holiday at all until the last day after I handed up my report. Although still miles and miles of research works needed to be done, but at least it's end of the semester and I survived the spring semester!!

First stop: Tokyo Bay Fireworks Festival. 東京湾花火大会

Same as last year summer, we played dress up in yukata and join in the massive crowds to watch the fireworks display. And same as last year too, I wore the same yukata, same obi, same shoe. (shhh..) well, I dont wanna spend another fortune for a whole new set. However, proud to say, it took me merely half an hour and only one trial to put on yukata this time! compared to multiple fail attempts last year!

Siska, me and Rainbow Bridge. Photo courtesy of See Tatt.

The fireworks was awesome. The gathering with Japanese Intensive course classmates was awesome too. Afterall, it's been awhile since the last gathering in a karaoke session.

Tokyo Bay Fireworks Festival 2009


東京湾花火大会2009

Later that week, discovered a giant watermelon after a big feast in Hanamasa Yakiniku Buffet in Shimbashi. There goes my diet plan ditch down into the gutter.

"You come one more step closer I am gonna smack your head with this giant watermelon"

Also, if you dropped-by Shimbashi, take a short walk to Ginza and stop by the Sony building, every year summer they have an event called Sony Aquarium. Except the real aquarium on the 1st floor, they will be also showing a 3D show giving you a glimpse of the legendary Okinawa aquarium.

The definition of kimochii waruii.


This sting-ray made Ahmet very happy becoz sting-ray has a happy smiley face. Note the diver behind, I accidentally took like hundred of pictures with his butt facing the camera. Nope, it wasnt intentional.


"I'm leaving on the JR train....."

All the different buildings with unique architectures in Yokohama is visually stunning. The interior design also equally breath-taking. Literally. Every time I take the long long escalator from Minatomirai line to Queen's tower in Landmark Tower, it never fail to make me feel nervous. It's like one slip, the fall rolling off the escalator is gonna be absolute killer. Gone case!

I brought this fear along to challenge myself to the observatory deck. Located 69th floor of Yokohama Landmark Tower. The elevator up this 273m tall building takes no longer than a jiffy. 69 floors, 273m tall, with a elevator with max speed of 750m/mins, it took only 40 seconds to be exact.

"Ladies and gentleman, you just reached 69th floor in 40 seconds"

The view up there was......... breathtaking. 1000yen is all worth it.

Met Patrick Star and Mr.Krab up 69th floor.


"Ooishii sou" Looks delicious! >.<


UFO attacking Yokohoma.


Yokohama Stadium


Minatomirai 21 day time


Minatomirai 21 night time

By chance, also saw a muted fireworks display from 69th floor.

Took a walk from Minatomirai to AkaRenga, on the way to Yamashita Koen, there's a newly built park. And they have this whole stretch of wall shining with blue lights. Not sure what is so appealing about this design.

I dunno, it looks like those electronic flies zapper to me.

Difference is this Zzzap human instead of flies.

Real Size Gundam in Odaiba

久しぶりにwent back to my "home" for last year, Odaiba to witness the giant anime character came to life. The 18m tall 1:1 scale of RX-78-2 Gundam model. It will be there from now onwards till end of August, so Gundam will be joining me for the Odaiba fireworks too. I hope he will consider putting on Yukata(浴衣) for the Hanabi festival （花火大会). Here for more details.

18m tall is around 11 me stack together.

Gundam will move and tilt his head, shine light-saber torch, and spray water to the audience as finale.

Awesome Gundam.

At first, I wanted to wait till the night to see the lighting effects, but I allocated longer-than-I-thought-it-would-be-shopping-time for my shopping spree in Odaiba. Mainly coz I ran out of money. So I reached Gundam earlier, snap a few photos, and too tired to wait till the night.

Then I saw this long line people queuing up. It turns out to be you could walk under the gigantic robots and snap picture of him from upclose. Like really really up close, like, down there.............

I am pretty sure Gundam was a bit shy himself letting all this although tiny, infinitesimal, worthless human to walk underneath him and take picture from his down there.

So he decided to disguise with thick mustache and nicely trim eyebrows.

"no one recognize me! no one recognize me!"

I am not sure what his archenemies will think of his new look.

Me, one of the worthless human snapping his picture from down there.

Then I touched Gundam's leg, pray pray and hope I pass my final examinations.

Finally, the soft side of Gundam.

Arh.. so sweet....

S.A.L.E.S

You wont wanna mess with the Jap girls when they are in shopping mode. It's nasty!


Arigatou Michael!
SALES!!!!!!!


The preparation for Fuji Rock Festival'09


I find this cute little shop hiding out of the main street very cute.

It's sales season in Japan. Every year during January and July, it's shopping spree! And its really dirt cheap. A pair of bottoms from H&M only 500yen! 500 yen I cant even get a meal of decent food here! I love summer sales! :)

Yokohama 150th-Year Anniversary

Yokohama is celebrating it's 150th-year anniversary of opening of the port. They are having a series of events to earn your money celebrate this memorial period.


The first time I saw this poster for this event, I thought what was selling for 150yen.

The most anticipated event I would say is this giant Spiddy. Called the ENEOS La Machine. It's a 12m tall giant spider designed by a French company.


Spiddy attack

But it cost like 2400 yen to enter the venue 始まりの森 (Hajimari no mori) to see it up-close, so I could only afford to see it across the road. Funny thing is that this name could be easily related in Malay Language, Haji.Mari (Haji coming) , then turned out the Haji is a big spider!!! **not funny.. cold~~~**



The spiddy is operated by 10-men, weighting more than 37 tons. I was just in time for one of the daily performance. For 20 mins, the spiddy will move theatrically, spraying water to the audience. I would imagine from up-close, the movement would be spectacular.

There's so many sight seeing spots in Yokohama except Minatomirai 21 and China Town. Near the Yamashita Park (山下公園) and port areas, lies The Three Towers. Introducing the King's Tower.....

King's tower is the Kanagawa Prefectural Government Office.

King's tower

I am not sure is it allowed in during normal season, but during this event, this sightseeing spot is open for public. You could get in and chill in the roof top area, from there, you could see the whole port area and also the Yokohama Stadium. I was deaf with cheering that day while some baseball game was on-going.

Next is the Queen's tower. The description on the Yokohama sightseeing spots website goes something like this "The Islamic like green dome of the Yokohama Customhouse is the Queen"


Queen's Tower

Lastly is the clock tower, Jack's tower as Port opening Memorial Hall. Loving the red brick wall.


Jack's Tower

The Yokohama Archives of History building was originally British Embassy back in Showa 6 (昭和6 = 1931)


Yokohama Archives of History

Now all it left was this pink telephone. :D
Nah, I was too late for the visiting hours actually, so couldnt see the rest of this building.



There was a International Costume Parade going on that. Initially I was planning to see the parade, but the time I got there, the parade was over, all what was left is this bus with Mickey on the driver seat.


Mickey Bus


This is so my future car light gonna be pimped!

and dragon and lion dance as the parade's finale.



It's not even CNY but all the shops were inviting lion dance to "ong" their shop up. Maybe since they already dressed up for the finale, why waste the opportunity to earn some business men money.


Check out lion's cool socks.

Hang out in minatomirai 21 area before heading home. This is located near the InterContinental The Grand Yokohama hotel.



I think it's a restaurant. Not sure.

and no Yokohama trip would end without snapping the signature sight - Ferris Wheel.