A Walk Thru’ The Golden Pavilion

Living in Japan for 6 months reminds me of my walk at the Golden Pavilion Temple - also known as the Kinkaku-ji.  So how do one get to the Golden Pavilion Temple?  The temple is located in Kyoto - and I was there for a few months at least - so i became very familiar with the place.  Open from 9am to 5pm - I take my afternoon walks here with my apple nano and to rest my eyes after a few hours of looking on the computer or talking with engineers.   At that time - I had to get my Apple Nano from Canada - because I couldn’t understand the ones in Japan - so before going to Japan - I saw them in Canada - and had bought them immediately.  Little did I know that my apple nano was going to be my constant companion during my stay in Japan.

The admission fee for the KinKau-ji was 400 yen then - I don’t know if it had change now.  But as you can see - it was a great place to spend the afternoon to relax before heading back to work.

The Golden Pavilion - said to be covered with gold leaf on two storey - this was used as a retirement villa for a shogun.  The surrounding is quite extravagant as you can see here - almost breathtaking the first time I came here for my walk.  I avoid talking to anyone - when I’m out for a walk - so by using my apple nano - it was perfect.  If you are visiting Kyoto - take a walk at my favorite place.

Pink Pepsi

Strawberry and milk flavor - and I would loved to try it - but only in Japan can you find seasonal flavors for everything it seems - from Kit Kat chocolate and now pepsi drink.  Should be a really interesting drink don’t you think?  Launching out today I heard - wonder how it went.  I haven’t tried it - so I won’t be able to tell you the taste - so those heading to Japan right at this moment or soon - make sure you try this pink stuff.

Gadget Shopping

So the girlfriend from her migrated to Japan in the name of love - and had emailed me to get her a list  laptop computers because hers has broken down and was getting too old and needs to retire.  Being in Japan - you would think she could get one there - with  no trouble right?  but apparently, everything was in Japanese - as you can see above and it’s really expensive to get someone to put in the English version of anything in Japan.  So yes I’m out hunting for a  laptop computers list to compile for her - and let her make some comparison - when it comes to what is inside the laptop.  We are definitely more fortunate here when it comes to shopping for a new laptop or computer - everything is written out and they tell you what the operating system is - and how much hard drive and what kind of video card  - and for someone in Japan who don’t know too much Japanese - to shop for a computer - I can understand why she prefers to shop from here in Canada.  Mailing might be a bit costly - but she said it was worth it.

Sumo Show

I found pictures that was taken many years ago - when I was still living in Japan for 6 months while working for a hotel chain in Asia.  i remembered vividly - how excited i was when my co-workers told me that got me tickets to see a real sumo wrestling show in the sumo stadium called the Kokugikan.  I had never seen a sumo wrestling show before - so I wanted to take lots of pictures and experienced it for myself.

It was a full house night that night and the banners on top of the stage - was the Japanese sumo wrestling association thanking the patrons for filling up the seats.  I saw many tourists and foreigners like myself - and my co-workers were very kind to explain what was going on during the whole event.

I wished we had better seats but for $50 - you can’t really asked for a lot.  The capacity for the stadium was said to be 10,000 - and it sure looked like there were that many people there.  Taking the subway to the stadium is not difficult at all - check with your concierge - and I was told not to book a tour - it’s a waste of money.  Don’t forget to visit the Sumo Museum while you are there - entry is free - but so small - not really worth going - but only my personal opinion.  But I did have fun - even though I didn’t really understand all those huge men trying to throw each other down.

Toy Store - Blister

Massive figurine toy store - in Shibuya - check it out.  So if you want to carry Yoda or Darth Varder home - this is the place to be.   Anime fanatics will be right at home at this place.

Broadcasting Tower

This observation and broadcasting tower is new to me - when the girlfriend who was recently at the airport in Tokyo sent this to me.  Apparently - this was in construction since 2008 and due to be completed at the end of this year.   This tower is supposed to be serving a television and radio station for broadcasting purposes of course.   This tower is known ad the Tokyo Sky Tree and is supposed to be the tallest building in Japan - I look forward to seeing it in 2012 when it officially opens.

Apple In Shibuya

if you are wondering if there are any Mac Stores in Japan - well, there is - it is in Shibuya.  you can’t miss it actually.  And like every Mac stores around the world - they have a genius bar ! what a surprise!  hahhaha!

So if you need to check your emails while on vacation - go right ahead - they do have a few Macs that you can use - but it’s always crowded.

Japanese Friends Crazy About Golf

My Japanese friends are crazy about golf - so when they came for a visit - they had asked for a few days in a nice resort to play golf since it is so cheap to play golf here as compared to being in Japan.  They were thoroughly please with my recommendation at Sluice Point and it was interesting how one of them even had a special gps for golf course when he was playing.  I learned a lot from them that week - and can see how serious and how much they enjoy the amount of land we have here in Canada and United States.   So from then on whenever my Japanese friends come to visit me - I just book them into a golf resort here and we are all set.  They seems happy enough and don’t really want to leave the resort at all.

A Cool Place To Hang Out In Shinjuku

If you want food, books, ice cream, drinks, music and a cool place to hang out - the Brooklyn Parlor @ Shinjuku is the place to hang out and to be at.   Food is super yummy and expensive of course - this is where the “in” crowd is currently at.

We had some very yummy parfaits as you can see.

Magazines In Japan

Do you know what I really missed of Japan - the gifts that comes with the magazines !  yes!  and they are not some cheap pouch that comes with the magazines but nice ones that one can use.  In all my years in Canada and the amount of magazines that I buy - I haven’t found one that gave out a tote or a pouch !  now that really suxs right!  look !  right now - they have this free PAUL & JOE SISTER when you buy a Steady magazine as per a local japan blog I follow - maybe I should suggest this to the magazines in this part of the world eh.