Day 3 - The rain has come

It's Saturday the 14th. Today it's raining. I don't have an umbrella. I'm glad that we got to stop at 7-Eleven to buy an umbrella. Today our journey takes us to Akihabara (秋葉原). Every time my friends go to Japan, they always say that Akihabara is one of the places you must go and visit. All that I knew about Akihabara was that there is a lot of electronics. But that was the past. It's still known as the "Electric Town," but now more has been added. Akihabara is now the mecca of otaku, and the place to find all the maid and butler cafes.

It's still early. None of the shops are open yet. Jayson takes us on a tour of one part of Akihabara. It's more to show us where the maid cafe is; the cafe where they let you take pictures. Again, some people had to spoil it for the others. Rules are so strict in Japan. It's amazing that people follow them. In a way, you could take a picture of the maids when they are not looking, but you don't see that happen. That's something that wouldn't happen in America. There are rules posted around and yet people still break them, why? It's true what is stated in Confucius Lives Next Door. Americans just don't understand the concept of shame or fear of shame.

After being shown the location of the maid cafe, we are given free time. Bev, Aja and I end up in Yodobashi Camera. There are 9 floors of stuff. So many electronics, all of it on sale. You have to love Japan in July. Everywhere has sales. I was drooling over all the electronics in the store. All these items may be in the U.S. next year, but I could have it now. I had to restrain myself. Once I got onto the CD section, it was over. So many CD's. All I thought in my head was, "if I get it now, I'm saving on the shipping costs." In the end, I bought $250 worth of CD's. For a slight second, I had the feeling of remorse, but it passed rather quickly.

We left Yodobashi Camera and tried to head toward Don Quijote. Well, we tried. I felt so bad. I'm pretty sure, it was my fault that we got lost. So for the rest of our free time, we headed back for the station. Japan, is very much like Maui. Nothing is marked. No street signs. Many tourists get lost on Maui. I know how they feel now after Akihabara. On the way, we found some interesting stores. Japanese people are not embarrassed about sex. There are shops that are devoted to sex. It's just a shock to me, because Japanese people seem so reserved. Maybe it's because in America, sex is a very delicate subject. Many are embarrassed or uncomfortable talking about it.

It's time to head to Ueno. It's like a big swap meet. So many people are there shopping for deals. As we go down the street, we notice that many places seem rather pricey. It was after I read some of the signs, I noticed that if you buy one it's pricey, but if you buy in quantities, the price will go down. Not all places are like that though.

I don't know where I saw it but I remembered a show that helped a struggling single father have the job that he desired. That job was selling candy in Ueno. I found that shop while walking around. I didn't want to stand around and take a picture. I was afraid they would haggle me into buying candy. But I was glad I got to see it, and hear how they pull in the customer. These people have to put their all into it or else the customer can go to someone a couple of doors away.


~Didn't find Akihabara-themed or Ueno-themed Hello Kitty. Found this in a candy store in Ueno. She's everywhere!








No time to waste. We're headed to Roppongi for a tour. Roppongi is a redevelopment project that started in the early 2000's. I wonder how it was before. The tour guide said that it was all single family homes. Seeing all the buildings around the area, it's hard to imagine just houses around the area.

There are so many trees in Roppongi. It gives people a warmer feeling than just being a city with skyscrapers. Everything around us was either trees or water. It is a place where I think I could relax. I really wanted to see the street with all the trees that is in most Japanese dramas. I also wanted to see Tokyo Tower. I heard that it's really beautiful at night.



~The fountain in the stage arena








~Mori Pond (きれいな!)









~I know this isn't Hello Kitty. But it's Doraemon, one of the main cartoons for TV Asahi. Of course I wouldn't find Hello Kitty here.









We're tying one more time. Bev, Aja, Travis and I head back to Akihabara. This time we won't get lost. Jayson shows us parts of the area that we didn't get to see early that day. There are so many lights here. Akihabara is better viewed during the night. It's just sad that they close around 10 p.m. As we headed back to the station over half the buildings' lights were turned off. No maid pictures, but we came up with an idea to make up for it. I bought a maid costume and plan to take pictures. Others won't know the difference. I look Japanese enough, and I have been mistaken for a national already. The Japanese people have a look of confusion whenever I have to ask them to repeat something slowly.

After we get back from Akihabara, I was supposed to meet up with Bev, Aja, Travis and Charlie. Once I got into the room, I felt so homesick. I haven't been away from my boyfriend or my parents for this long. Is that a bad thing? I missed so many things at home. I'm just too attached to the people in my life. I had a feeling I was going to be homesick. I didn't except it to be this bad.