mbreally: December 2012

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Japan 2012 - Reflecting on our second trip

Wow, three full weeks in Japan. The longest vacation we have ever taken, the most time off work I have had since I was 18, and the farthest place I have ever been from home, both geographically and culturally. This trip to Japan was whole-heartedly inspired by our trip to Japan in 2010. One time is simply not enough, and if you don't understand that, then that is too bad. Japan is a place of ideals. And a place where those ideals are consciously thought about, planned on, and executed. Granted, this is my view, as an American foreigner who has spent thirty-seven years watching the U.S.A. slowly deteriorate into what I believe will ultimately be only a shred of what it once was, and what it was meant to be. There is no point in getting into the politics and principles of it. So let's just say that going to Japan is sensory overload. It's an utterly inspiring yet ultimately depressing, look into a future that could never be for America. Japan is really a very quick breathe of fresh air, to an American who looks at it the right way.

Eyes some women would kill for.

Japan 2012 - Bonus 14: B&W Film (Part 1 of 2)

Now, I don't care what anyone says, you simply cannot achieve this kind of richness and magic with digital, not even with heavy processing and programs that are supposed to make your digital look like film. It is not possible, period. I am glad I am once again shooting film, and all I can say is that Ilford 3200 is incredible. You'll know it when you see it.

Japan 2012 - Bonus 13: Color Film

I only put one roll of color through my FE2, and I thought I would regret not shooting these in B&W. I am happy to say that is not the case.

In my opinion, the coolest photo I took on the entire trip.

This shot was Linda's idea, and I think it is probably my favorite of all the night shots. Its just amazing how it turned out, with her sweatshirt matching the colors of the ferris wheel. Awesome.

Japan 2012 - Bonus 10: Hakone Open Air Museum

On your way to the main attractions of the Hakone Round Course, you can make a stop at the Hakone Open Air Museum, which is a really good idea that you won't forget.

Japan 2012 - Bonus 9: Giant Gundam

In Diver City, Odaiba, Tokyo Bay, lives the 1:1 scale Gundam. I spent some time with him.

Japan 2012 - Bonus 8: Motorcycles (Part 1 of 3)

I had a lot of fun this time around taking photos of motorcycles. Again, I have so many I am going to break this bonus post up into several parts. Iko yo!

Japan 2012 - Bonus 7: Cars (Part 2 of 2)

More cars...

Japan 2012 - Bonus 7: Cars (Part 1 of 2)

I like cars, and in Japan, you see a lot of stuff you don't see over here, which makes car spotting and photographing all that much better.

Awesome mini truck sittin' on dubs. LOL.

Japan 2012 - Bonus 6: Bicycles

Bicycles in Japan are a serious mode of transportation, and as such, a serious part of the scenery in Japan, particularly in Osaka. Bikes and people on bikes and piles of bikes are everywhere, literally, and most of the time, you are dodging them and/or they are dodging you. I took a few photos of some that I thought were interesting/funny/cool/etc. Here they are.

Japan 2012 - Bonus 5: Tokyo Signs

Signs Signs Signs Signs Signs Signs Signs Signs Signs

Japan 2012 - Bonus 4: I hate rain girl

These stickers were my favorite, and they were all over Tokyo. Thus, I have given them their own dedicated post. I love the natural deterioration of the sticker graffiti. I sometimes think it adds to the beauty of it all.

For more info, look here: http://www.281antinuke.com

I love this one. I saw it in 2010 but didn't get a good photo, glad I got one this time.

Japan 2012 - Bonus 3: Tokyo Stickers & Graffiti (Part 1 of 4)

Japan 2012 Bonus 3 is pretty epic. It's going to get divided into 4 parts, since I have sooooo much to post. Sit back and enjoy.

Day 19 - Make up day, and our last full day in Japan.

This is it. Our last day in Japan. What to do, what to do. We purposefully left this day open so we had the option to go back to stuff we missed, just relax, pack our bags, etc. Also, this particular Friday fell on a Japanese holiday, so we didn't make any hard plans for this day anyway. So, we got up late, worked on packing a little, and then headed out to a few spots and ultimately, we ended up going to Tokyo Tower at night, which was pretty cool. I couldn't bear to haul my big camera bag for another day, and in hindsight I wish I did. Oh well.

Day 18 - Nakano Broadway and Juke 80s

On Thursday, we headed for old school nerd city, Nakano Broadway. This is the one place I was really looking forward to. Nakano Broadway is another shopping bizaar (imagine that!?!?) dedicated to vintage toys and other nerd stuff. I spent a fair chunk of change and thinking back, I probably should have bought a few more things, especially posters from the vintage poster shop that has stuff you pay a mint for here in the States or on eBay. I picked up a really nice original Japanese Mad Max 2 poster for like $50. Awesome.

This is what it looks like.

Day 17 - Hakone Round Course

Now into our 3rd week in Japan, I was feeling it. It's weird waking up in hotel rooms and realizing, "wow, I'm still here". It is a strange and cool feeling, to be detached and far away. Anyway, for Wednesday, we had a non-shopping day planned, which was good. There is only so much burning money you can do before you start to worry yourself. Despite this, it was still an expensive day!

Hakone is a really nice tourist destination where you can catch glimpses of Mt. Fuji, enjoy a sky high ride through the mountains in a cable car, and even enjoy a boat ride.

Fuji-san, is not unlike Mt. Rainer. It is magical and fake looking, and it looms above the clouds waiting to blow.

Day 16 - Akihabara

Akihabara. What else can I say. This area just needs to be experienced to be understood. Yodobashi is mind boggling, and the whole area in general is something to behold.

Linda on her way to dolly heaven again.

Day 15 - Odaiba

On Monday, we switched the schedule around so we could take advantage of rain free conditions and hit Tokyo Bay. The area we visited is called Odaiba, which is a man made island full of shopping malls (of course), huge buildings and other interesting sights.

This building is very interesting.

Day 14 - Studio Ghibli & Sunshine City Aquarium

So on Sunday we had tickets to Studio Ghibli in Mitaka. If you are a fan of animation, this is a great place to spend an afternoon, if you can handle large crowds of Japanese children pushing you around.

To get there, you take a nice sampo through a park (or alongside it). It was a gorgeous day with lots of pretty scenery.

Day 13 - An Isuzu Geek's Dream Come True

Yes, I know it is weird, off the wall, etc, but I like Isuzus. Just outside of Tokyo, there is a place called Isuzu-Sports Eagle. It is a car shop specializing in vintage Isuzu cars, and it is probably without a doubt the only place in the world like it.


Red and black Bellett. Just one of many gorgeous cars sitting on the Isuzu-Sports lot.

Day 12 - Ginza & Ikebukuru

Friday came, and the syllabus called for Ginza and Ikebukuru. Off to the train station we went with sore muscles and odd pains in odd places.

Weird.

Day 11 - I turn 37 seventeen hours early...

So it was technically my birthday on Thursday, Japan wise, and some more motorcycle shops were on the agenda. This time Naps and Easy Rider. My goal of finding a certain helmet did not happen, but it was a fun day anyhow.

The bike in the middle with the coffin shaped gas tank was awesome.

Day 10 - Harajuku Hangover

So Wednesday we got up and saw Tom & Kris off, and then we headed out to Harajuku for some more strolling and shopping. Not so many pictures from this day, since I spent most of the time photographing sticker graffiti.

The always crowded Takeshita-dori.

Day 9 - Shibuya and Drunkeness

On Tuesday, we went to Shibuya to shop around. Shibuya is actually cooler than Harajuku.

Cream Soda, really cool punkish store.

Day 8 - Camping Stores and Rough & Road

So on Monday, Tom and I had the day to ourselves while the girls hit some big shopping area. So we set out to find some Japanese sporting goods shops that carry camping stuff. Camping stuff in Japan is pretty cool, lots of different things than what we get and a lot of nice high-end stuff that you normally do not see.

Cool map of the multi-dimentional train station.

Day 7 - Shimokitazawa & Kichijoji

On Sunday the four of us split the day between Shimokitazawa and Kichijoji. For lunch, we ate at a really awesome, apparently famous, okonomiyaki joint. Needless to say, I was very happy to indulge in yet another meal of one of my favorite Japanese dishes.

Fried chicken knuckles that Tom ordered. I ate one and that was enough for me. The affinity for cartilage that the Asians have is one of those things I cannot get used to. I can handle fishy stuff, raw stuff, weird stuff, but cartilage gets a big, "no thanks" from me.

Day 6 - Toyota Auto Museum, Travel to Tokyo

So on Saturday morning, we got up early, checked out of Hotel Monterey and jumped on a Shinkensen bound for Nagoya. The Toyota Auto Museum was interesting, and for the first time I got to see an Isuzu Bellett and an Isuzu 117 Coupe with my own eyes.

Isuzu Bellett 1600GT on display in the special section of the Toyota Auto Museum.