Enoshima Aquarium

If you wanna see some really cool stuff in Japan that your tour guide wouldn’t include in your tour while you are in Japan - it’s the Enoshima Aquarium that you shouldn’t missed. I recommend it everytime - someone come to visit me when i was in Japan.  Enoshima Aquarium is located at the Enoshima island of course and it’s got some of the most wonderful and colorful marine creatures there.

Actually the aquarium is not on the island but just before the bridge into the island.  The entrance fee is like 2000 yen for an adult - so about $20 USD - pretty ex eh..?? but for kids - they are like only 600 yen.  They have some dolphin shows there but they are all in Japanese and it’s always crowded but if you have been to the one in Hong Kong - then you didn’t miss anything.

You can also get to touch some small sharks and some really huge turtles - and it’s really an amazing sight.  Love the huge tank !

The funny thing is - i always go to the aquarium whenever i go to the island - i never seems to get enough of the exhibits.

Summer Resort In Tokyo

Japan is a shopping paradise for just about anything and everything including Blancpain but when you lived in Japan for more than a month - you want to look for other things to do - like go out to the beach or a resort and the nearest one in Enoshima about an hour or two by train.

Swimming and surfing are what most people do - but there are shopping to be done there and of course there are beach houses that you an use as well.  There is a shrine that one can visit while you are at the resort and of course try the local speciality there - Shirasu Don in a small cafe.  I don’t know if it is still there - but i’m sure - you can find some there.

Love the view from the top of Enoshima Island

Harujuku Fancy

Check out this ninja looking fella in Harujuku and lots of summer festivities coming up.

Dolphin Watching In Japan

Someone asked me the other day if one can go dolphin watching in Japan while we were out shopping for rustic furniture for the summer.   And that reminded me of a trip i had gone in Mikurajima Island - a very small island in Tokyo but on the south side of Tokyo if I remember correctly.   There are a few island surround the Mikurajima island and if you ask your concierge - I’m sure - he or she would be able to book you a tour for Dolphin watching.

You won’t be disappointed because I remember I’ve seen as many has 20 swimming around us.  Getting to the island is by ferry but if you like and is adventurous - you can use fishing boats to get to the island from its neighbouring islands.  I would write more about our dolphin trip if i had more pictures or if i can still find them - but the island has lots to offer but the only think i hated was the ferry right and having to sleep in the ferry.  If you have the money - or a choice then - i would have taken the day trip.

Seasons In Japan

Japan does enjoy the 4 seasons - like we do here in the West but when it comes to the weather - I’ll have to say that mother nature is a lot kinder with Japan than they are with us here.  My girlfriend who wanted  prenatal vitamins asked me when was the best time for her to visit Japan - and I told her that I’m biased when it comes to Autumn in Japan while the spouse loves spring time in Japan.

Look at how awesome Japan looked during Autumn.

The changing colors of the trees

The houses, the scenery, the temples - everything looks really peaceful during autumn.

Square Enix, Japan

For the geeks going to Japan and thinking of visiting Square Enixin Hatsudai - don’t be too disappointed because i found that it was way too expensive for my liking - even though the engineers that was with me did buy some very expensive t-shirt.   But it was a good trip as far as I can remember - and if anything - the life size statue of Sephiroth was pretty impressive. And then we went on a eating spree of course and I was like thinking to myself - i need to find some  diets that work because even though you can get the healthiest food in Japan - one tends to overeat while you are there… and I was there for 6 months.  Next - food in Japan - I promise.

Tokyo By Evening

If you’ve ever been to Tokyo - you would agree with me that Tokyo by night has gotta be the most interesting place you can be in.  It’s vibrant and one of the most colorful cities I’ve been too.  The first nite i was in Tokyo - i was kinda in awe - not that Singapore wasn’t bright and colorful but it’s very crowded and conjested.  There are eateries and shopping centers everywhere - one can spend the nite in Tokyo without sleeping for nites - no wonder we all go back from vacation with dark circles because there are just way too much things to see, do and eat.

Fastest Train @ Expo

I was reading a carinsurancelist blog when i came across this picture that reminded me of the Aichi Expo that I had attended in 2005.  There were many pavilion at the Aichi Expo and the one I remembered best was the Australian Pavilion.  They had a mascot that was a platipus and there were many souvenirs to be bought at up to 75% discount.   Anyhow,  the above picture was on display and it was Japan’s crowning achievement in transportation.  Why?  because it is in the Guiness book of world records in 2004 for being the fastest train in the world.

And i remembered this guy from Turkey - making Turkey ice cream that was gooey and white in color and looked more like cream cheese to me - interesting eh.

Geeks Alert In Japan

We all know how trendy Japan is - not only it’s people but the businesses as well.  Every store that I’ve been to in town are all brightly lit and also all dressed up.  Theme stores are not uncommon in Japan - and the new geeky cafe - Gundam Bandai was looked forward to - by many for the futuristic feel that it promised. The cafe is operated by a Japanese toy manufacturer called Bandai.  Move aside  MP3 players while Gundam show you the world of robot stories.

Staff will be dressed in the style of a Gundam character and you can find theme products as expected in any theme store - from desserts to candies and even coasters - don’t forget to get some souvenirs for friends like me from abroad.  I hear that you can expect lots of themed campaigns - so if you are into the anime stuff - head out to the Gundam cafe in Tokyo’s Akihabara district - you can’t missed it - it’s in a grey building.

Eating Pizza in Japan

Like all foreigners in another country we craved for the food we are used to - well, of course - the Japanese eats western food like pizzas and Macdonald and subway as well.  But a pizza night can actually break one’s bank in Japan for they are more expensive than my  acne treatment gel at about US$30 for a pizza.   Pizza Hut was one of the most popular pizza joint in Japan because we are so familiar with it - plus you don’t want to order pizza from your regular western grill because you will sure be getting some japanese mayo and hotdogs in them as well.  So yes! if you crave for pizzas in japan - make sure it is a discount night else - you certainly need to go to the bank to get some cash out.