Sakura in Kyoto - Chasing Sakura!!!

After the Kawaguchiko visit - watching the Fuji mountain - we immediately went to Kyoto.

Definitely would not recommend the midnight bus especially the standard bus. Lets just say that it is a standard "Japanese' bus. It is small and does not cater for the bigger sizes : )

Nevertheless, it was a good experience. I am suprise a lot of the people - young people - dress up to board the bus. Make ups, high heels and for the guys only loosening the tie. If its me - the ties would definitely tuck away in a bag or somewhere similar. In Kyoto - the sakura has just begun blossoming but managed to get some good pictures especially the really pink colour ones.

One the first day - we went to Kiyomizu Dera for half a day. The reason for this is due to the numerous arrays of shops lining up the street to Kiyomizu Dera. We only spent half an hour at the temple with the remaining time set for shopping!!!

The result - the parting of some serious money by my sister : ) and yours truly. As we were too tired to continue the exploration - we went back to the hotel to check in and rest a bit before walking to nearby shops for more shopping and dinner.

I am unable to download the pics at the moment - Will do so asap : )

April 13th - Trip to Kanazawa

On April 13th, 2008, 70 students and UMEX members (Local Association) went to Kanazawa to enjoy the sakuras as well as the panoramic view of the kenrokuen.

We stayed there only for a bit more than 2 hours. However the trip there took 4 hours by bus - ONE WAY!!! Nevertheless, with the entertaining antics by fellow 'graduate' students as well providing yours truly to practise my broken and limited japanese - the trip of 8 hours to and fro was worth it. Especially when you consider the awesome pictures we took. The picture of the sea was taken on our way back to Urasa - so it is no longer in Kanazawa

If anyone visiting Tokyo for a short time, thus limiting the chances to go to Kyoto - do give Kanazawa a try as it is being promoted as the 2nd Kyoto. In my opinion, Kyoto is still the best - however, Kanazawa certainly provide a good alternative if you are short on time.

The Yearbook 2008 Pictures

Sorry for the long absence. My laptop broke down and at the moment i have to resorted to using the university's computer lab. Kinda sad though and feel a bit depressed especially when i consider the age of my laptop. It has only been 9 months!!!

Back to the title above, Today we had a photo shoot for IPSP students. That means the International Peace Studies Program Students!! Really had a wonderful time. After the photo shoot, some of us went to the sakura lane in IUJ to take some more awesome pics. Will be posting the pictures from my last holiday pretty soon. At the moment - please enjoy some wacky and half bloom sakuras in Yukiguni (Snow country).

Fuji san!!! Marvelous trip to Kawaguchiko.

In my Spring holiday trip with my sister, we spent 2 days one night to Kawaguchiko - the base of Fuji Mountain. Usually its a one day affair but we decided that it is cheaper to stay in Kawaguchiko rather than Tokyo as well as the fickle weather that might make the mountain invisible to us.

We stayed at a female dormitory in K's House Mount Fuji. As it is newly opened (just a bit more than a year), the facilities are good even though we have to share bathroom and toilets with others. It is also comfortable. The best part would be that the guests receive special price for the onsen behind the hostel. With the exception of the first picture of K's House, all of the pictures supposed to have Fujisan as the background. Nevertheless, some of the pictures could not capture Fuji in its magnificence. My sister blame it on my camera even though i just bought it for 4 - 5 months ago. Anyway - thats all for the day. Have a safe trip!!!

A day in Yoyogi Park - Harajuku Rocks!!!

Totally in love with Yoyogi Koen (Park) in Harajuku. Went there on Sunday noon and was amazed with the crowd in the area. The performances were awesome. Ranging from band performances to drum beatings as well as comedic shows, the Yoyogi Park certainly brought to live by all its denizens. The pictures above is the one that i liked most when i went to Yoyogi koen. They were really good. I enjoyed the performances very much. Unfortunately i could not understand very much their songs or even the flyers that they gave out to the crowds.

Check out their website if you could understand Japanese!! The one wearing the 'moo' outfit is so totally cute : )

http://scapegoat.vv.cx/
Band name is scapegoat.

Asakusa and Kabuki!!!!

My sister and I started our holiday by visiting the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Friday. There was a big crowd on the day we choose to have our tour. Thankfully i have booked it early online.
Definitely a place to go especially when you consider that it is free and the place is so beautiful and serene!! Unfortunately the sakura has not blossom at this stage and we only saw the buds of sakura.

The second picture above was taken at Asakusa near the temple and the row of stalls. Thank goodness this is the second day and my sister was thinking of logistic problem of lugging around shopping bags to Kyoto and Osaka. We managed some restraint and only bought some Daifukus as well as cute key chains!!

The first picture is taken in Kabuki - za, a kabuki theatre near the Higashi Ginza subway exit.
We actually came here on Saturday night only to find out the timetable i copied a several weeks ago have changed and we missed the last act. So we make our way again on Sunday morning to watch kabuki for an hour as it would take us half a day if we choose to sit for the whole show!!
It is pretty slow for me but my sister seems to enjoy it very much. Nevertheless it was interesting and the costumes alone made it worth watching!!

More postings to come on my holiday!! Please do not get too tired of it : )

Sakura in Ueno - promoting starbucks

My spring holiday finally comes to an end. It was a very exhausting holiday as i went to Tokyo, Kawaguchiko, Kyoto and Osaka all within 1 and a half week. It was the great Kanto Kansai Marathon!!! From Osaka, i stopped at Tokyo before getting on the train to come back to Niigata.
It turned out to be a very good decision as the sakura was blooming beautifully in Tokyo.
Went to Ueno park to enjoy the sakura scenery. Would be posting more updates on my recent spring holidays!!!