Japan Adventures Wrap-Up

This is my final Japan post, and I didn't realize how sad it would be to end my stroll through memory lane. You see, it has now been almost 3 months since I came back from Japan, and the realization that I am done posting about my adventures in Japan is heating me pretty hard. Every time I posted something new I got to relive that day for a bit and I loved that. But one cannot hold onto the past, so I look forward to my next adventures and sharing them with you (meaning I will now start posting about my Seattle trip which happened almost two months ago now, life of a blogger is always on delay).

For my final days in Japan my friends hit up several spots that we had missed in our earlier travels. The first set of pictures are from the Miyajima Tori Gates. And the special thing about these gates are that at high tide the gates are almost completely submerged in water but at low tide you can walk right up to the base of the gates! When my friends and I arrived we caught the last boat of the day to see the gates up close, but then an hour or so later the water had receded and we were able to walk right up to the gates! I highly recommend visiting Miyajima Island and seeing the gates, it's a great half a day excursion.

We then went to Hiroshima, and the truth is I didn't really want to take any pictures. I only took a few at the Peace Park, and felt even weird about that. Hiroshima, and the museum, is not for the light-hearted. But, if you want to go then go, just prepare yourself.

The next set of pictures was taken in Yoyogi Park. My friends and I were on a mission to find the Rockabilly group (an awesome group of people who meet up every Sunday wearing Rockabilly clothes and dance in the park, they have become a big deal in recent years) and walked around the park for an hour looking for them. We asked other foreigners we passed if they had seen them, but no luck. We were about to give up, when we stumbled upon them right at the entrance of the park! Their performance was fun to watch and I even got to take a picture with one of the members (wish I had remembered to put on my leather jacket). After the dance performance, we went to the other side of the park and saw the shrine and thousands of trees. We even got to catch a peak of a traditional wedding that was taking place at the shrine, so bonus!

That same night (which was our last full night in Japan), we went to an Alice in Wonderland themed restaurant in Tokyo. Booking a reservation was difficult, and I'm not sure if we even did it correctly but the servers were kind and sat us a table anyways. Everything, from the server outfits ,to the door (which was the book Alice in Wonderland), to the chairs, to the menus was themed and I loved it! I wish I had had the foresight to bring an Alice in Wonderland themed outfit to wear, but ce la vie! Next time I go to Japan (hopefully not too far off) I will be prepared!

And our final day was spent wandering around Tokyo and trying to get the last bit of everything we could in. We revisited Harajuku, bought last-minute souvenirs, and gorged ourselves with food (I got tempura udon with so much tempura stuff that the people at the counter stared at me). But oh! I did love our last moments in Japan. And I loved my time in Japan so much! I think I will try and do a post about "Do's and Don'ts" for first time visit to Japan. I learned and did so much while in Japan and have been so happy to share it with you (over a long ass time!). Until next time, TTFN ta ta for now.

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Japan Adventures- Himeji Castle and Hello Kitty

Sweater: ChicWish, Jeans: GAP, Shoes: Converse II, Backpack: Amazon

I apologize for the delay in posting, but sometimes you gotta deal with other stuff before you can blog. Anywhose, this will be my final individual Japan post. My next one will be a wrap up post that combines my last few days in Japan. So enjoy the shots of Himeji and the surronding area!

When my friends and I were in Japan (which now has been several months ago, geez I'm way behind in blogging!) we knew we wanted to go see a castle, but there are many different options and with everything we wanted to do, we knew we could only see one. Luckily, another friend was also traveling in Japan at the same time and he suggested Himeji Castle. And you know what, he was totally right. Before his suggestion I actually did not really know about Himeji Castle, but I'm so glad we decided to go.

But, before we before we actually got to Himeji Castle, my friends and I were on a hunt to find somewhere to grab breakfast, and oh boy, do I feel like we hit the jackpot. A Hello Kitty themed cafe! Everything was so adorable and pink, and it was a totally unexpected find. It was even better because we were the only patrons there because it was so early so we got to take in the whole restaurant without disturbing anyone. So, it was a pretty great start to the day already.

Himeji Castle was absolutely stunning as it was surronded by hundreds of cherry blossom trees that were in full bloom and creating a carpet of cherry blossom petals, that I just so happened to match with my sweater! Plus, since we went on a weekday early in the morning, there were not that many people and we were able to get through the castle rather quickly. The castle has a set course of where you can walk as they do not want people ruining the castle by walking everywhere and touching everything. So, to get to the top of the castle there is somewhat of a line you go through since you are all on an organized path. Oh! But that sight at the top is totally worth it. It is absolutely stunning to see the surronding area especially with all the cherry blossom trees in full bloom.

After wandering the castle grounds, my friends and I found a garden area with a small shrine that was overflowing with greenery. The garden not only had beautiful plant life but amazing waterfalls and ponds with Koi fish. If you are visiting Himeji Castle make sure to walk down the path a bit until you find the garden area.  I'm just so glad we went in the spring and were able to see all the plant life in full bloom.

And then after this wonderful day of taking in ancient castles and exquisite scenery, we somehow ended up at a club in Dottonbori, Osaka. Ce la vie! Well, I hope to have my wrap up post of Japan sometime this week, so keep an eye out! TTFN, ta ta for now.

Japan Adventures- Studio Ghibli Spirited Me Away

Top: Thrifted, Skirt: Made myself, Jacket: Vintage, Shoes: Converse Taylor II, Bow headband: Made myself

I have lied again, I am creating a post that is dedicated to a single day...but it was such a magical day! I mean, I got to go to Studio Ghibli and Shinjuku Park all in one day, and even the rain could not bring me down.

My friends and I actually started the day in Shinjuku park where we were surronded my cherry blossoms. The whole area was drowning in them. There even was a beautiful carpeting of cherry blossoms on the ground. The only sad part was that because we came while it was raining a certain pathway was somewhat flooded so we couldn't walk that way. But even without seeing that portion of the park I was blown away by how beautiful everything was. And a bonus was that because it was raining there were barely any people wandering the park so we had it all to ourselves (almost).

Then it was a ride on the train to the Studio Ghibli Museum! And Oh! The Studio Ghibli Museum was just as magical as I always thought it would be. Everything, I mean everything, was based on a Studio Ghibli movie or art piece. Every small detail had something related to a film on it. The door handles, the lights, the windows, everything! And I loved it all! I wish I could have taken pictures of everything inside, but photography is not allowed and I totally understand why. I know I would have wanted a million pictures, so I can imagine everyone else also would have wanted a million pictures ruining the peaceful and magical effect of the museum. But I did get to take a picture with the robot from Laputa: Castle in the Sky! I completely and whole-heartedly recommend going to the Studio Ghibli Museum if you are in Japan! (HOWEVER, make sure to get your tickets ahead of time. My friends and I didn't realize you have to get tickets from a travel agent in the States and they only give out 100 a month. So, we missed our chance getting like that but luckily one of my friends had a friend living in Japan who got us tickets from Lawsons. I was so utterly grateful!)

After wandering the museum, my friends and I knew we had to stop and get a quick bite at the Straw Hat Cafe. The whole inside was decorated with little straw hats, and even the light shades were themed with little flying Kiki's! As I said they thought of every detail!

And quick side about my outfit. Since I knew I was going to the Studio Ghibli Museum, I knew I had to make a Kiki inspired outfit. Kiki was actually the first anime I ever saw growing up and I loved her and the movie. When I was younger, Princess Mononoke was actually my favorite Studio Ghibli movie, but as I have grown older I realize I identify with Kiki more. She starts off so sure of herself and then gets a little lost along the way, but at the end of the movie she find herself. I love that, and feel like I totally identify with Kiki. Sorry for the segway, back to the outfit...I was originally planning on making a purple dress, like Kiki, but decided on a skirt with a Kiki silhouette. And of course, I was going to make her giant bow, and looking back I actually wish I made it bigger! II hope my little spiel about Studio Ghibli was a tinge magical. Until next time, TTFN ta ta for now.

Japan Adventures- Nara Park and Deer

Top: Forever 21, Skirt: Chicwish, Shoes: Vince Camuto

I'm in Japan, so of course I went to Nara! I had to see and feed the deer. Because of all the people visiting the deer are friendly...and aggressive. They see you with food and they want it. But I couldn't help it and bought them food...getting surronded by deer is not the worst way to go, right??

Anywhose, Nara is not just for the deer. There are a lot of shrines and beautiful buildings surronding the park that you have to go see. Plus, while I was there they were starting to build a boat for a big festival for the end of the summer. The board nearby said that they would be moving the boat to a nearby lake (or river) to celebrate the festival. I wish I could have seen that, probably would have been amazing.  If you continue to walk past the boat and around you will see some amazing cherry blossom trees. Then there is a trail to hike up to a building to get a better view of the park and the surronding area. The view from above is breathtaking, and so work the journey.

And any journey is not complete without food, there are also some food stops along the main trail, but if you walk in a little you will find an amazing udon shop that makes you serves some of the best udon I have ever had. Plus, everyone there was super sweet. If you are planning on visiting Japan, then you definitely need to go to Nara. It's an experience you won't forget!

Until next time, TTFN ta ta for now.

Japan Adventures- Continued

Dress: Forever 21, Sweater: Gifted, Socks: American Apparel, Shoes: Dolce Vita (Thrifted)

Still working through all my Japan posts! I have dropped putting the day, because after this posts I think I will start combining my posts (plus, I skipped a day because it was a day of traveling between places, and a traveling outfit aka T-shirt and jeans)...But onto the blog posts!

This was a busy day! My friends and I hit up Arashiyama and Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine as well as wandering Kyoto..all in one day! However, looking through my pictures, I realize that I was so enthralled with everything (especially Arashiyama) I did not get a lot of pictures of some of the more stereotypical things (ex. bamboos). I ended up taking pics of myself at places pretty places that were not necessarily unique, but still very pretty. Just FYI, a lot of these pictures were taken in the surronding area of Arashiyama. There are a lot of cute cafes and small shops leading up to the bamboo forests and it's surronding gardens (we even found a cafe with the cutest old man serving percolator coffee in a waistcoat and bowtie). So, don't forget to explore the surronding area!

So, here'ss a quick breakdown of Arashiyama and Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine. Arashiyama may be known for the bamboo forest, but few people seem to acknowledge all the amazing gardens and views that surrond it. If you decide to wander the surronding gardens, you can find a small tea room that serves "free" (included with the price of admission to gardens) green tea and mochi. Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine is much larger than I thought! There are a lot of small shrines within the park, as well as a short and long hike you can take to get a better view of the Park (my friends and I  took the short hike because we were not prepared for a long haul). If you walk around the park you can also find a small grave site with a water purification site. My advice, don't just visit the central tourist spot and rush through the sites, go explore!

Also, if you plan to go to Arashiyama or Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine then you should go during the work week and try and go early! My friends and I did both of these things and the spots were gratefully not that crowded! At Arashiyama, if you are lucky you will also get to see wedding photo shoots; prime photo shoot spot yo.

Slowly working through all my photos (and now I have my pictures from Seattle  to go through as well *sigh*). Expect more from me soon (if my Anime Expo cosplay doesn't kill me). TTFN, ta ta for now.

Japan Adventures- Day 3

Dress: Asos, Socks: American Apparel, Boots: Asos, Headband: DIY, Jacket: Vintage, Backpack: Amazon

Harajuku! My favorite place in Japan! I felt like I was right at home in Harajuku, I was surronded by my fellow fashionistas, and they enjoyed my funkier take on fashion as well! If you are fashion blogger, or someone who just enjoys odd and quirky things, you definitely have to visit Harajuku!

But before heading to the wonderful world of Harajuku, my friends and I went to the Shibuya crossing and watched as a horde of people crossed the street (not gonna lie, we were total tourists and crossed the street several times trying to get that perfect picture). Once we got our tourist pictures in, it was time to eat! While wandering Shibuya we happened upon a ramen shop with vending machine ordering. It was super cool and convenient (as there was English on the menu). I decided to get the weirdest ramen on the menu, butter and garlic ramen. Man, was it good but so unhealthy! I could feel my arteries clogging as I ate it. Once our bellies were nice and full, it was time to grab a quick cup of coffee in an adorable coffee shop.

After being decently caffeinated, it was onto Laforet in Harajuku. And oh, was it wonderful! I made sure to explore every floor, and walk by every little store and vendor. My favorite shop was Paris House. They had the sweetest workers, and even though we did not speak the same language we bonded immediately and were exchanging "Kawaiis". I got a super cute purse and matching friendship necklaces for my friend and myself, but looking back I  wish I had actually bought more! I wish I had bought more from Paris House, and Laforet in general. While some of the stores were pretty pricey, looking back I now realize a lot of the items were exclusive for the store and totally worth it, as I don't think I will find anything similar in the States. Oh well, hindsight is 20/20.

After exploring the Laforet department store, it was time to wander Harajuku itself and discover all the little shops. And oh boy, were there a lot of little shops! I would have loved to spend the whole day wandering Harajuku, but my friends were hungry and my feet were tired (wearing heeled boots may have super cute, but maybe not the best idea) so it was time to head back to our place and prepare for our early start the next day.

I seriously loved Harajuku, and next time I go to Japan (hopefully soon!), I plan to spend a whole day shopping and finding all the quirky areas. Prepare for another Japan post this week. TTFN, ta ta for now.