Trip to Japan – Round 2 – Day 2 (2024)

20240128_090646 — – Attempting to get out of my hotel to venture around Japan early in the morning in Ueno. Elevators being full keeping me briefly trapped indoors.

This blogpost covers the day of January 28 while in Tokyo, Japan.

Today was a day aclimate to Japan’s standard, as I had done on my first trip at Tenozu Isle. My plan for the day was to venture to Odaiba/Daiba, and to even make use of the AR function I was kindly nudged to use. I also desired to visit the real-world location of ‘Dangers in my Heart’, something I’ve actually visited.

Basically woke up at 7:30 AM. With how jetlagged I was I also woke up at 4 AM, 5 AM, and eventually at 7:30 AM, from 12 AM sleep. Felt highly under the weather from Cold/Flu, catching up on Twitter/X prior to leaving the hotel room. Even suggested to try out the AI mode for the area I was planning to visit later in the day (Dangers in my heart Anime AR collab). I left my hotel room at 9 AM. I slow-walked my way around Ueno as to not prematurely overly fatigue and destroy myself further, Flu & jetlag already hindering me.

Japan Trip 2024:

[Day 1]

My first proper day in Japan was fairly calm, if still suffering from the after-effects from my Cold/Flu from the time. I was still sniffling, huffing & puffing, and struggling to make my way around. Because of how I felt I tried to take it easy. No rushing.

Screenshot_20240128_085729_Chrome — – Testing out the AR mode in my hotel room.

Screenshot_20240128_090211_Weather — – The weather for the day being reasonable.

20240128_091043 — – Ueno’s various ups and downs; Bridges & tunnels. Ueno Station is scarily massive. Trying to take things easy.

download (1) — – Attempting to properly use the AR function mode outdoors out of pure curiousity.

20240128_091145 — – Admiring the various back-roads, the attempt at beautifying the area with flower pots, and the casual vibe of it. Granted, it gets far more hectic in the evenings and nights.

20240128_091226 — – Reunited with Ueno Station (first trip and second trip thoughts). Admiring the station and the red art installation.

download (2) — – Happily messing around with the AR mode.

Trying to walk around the upper bridge area made me highly winded from both my flu and jetlag. I was suffering, yet pushed on with the exploration. I needed to enjoy every bit of Japan in my limited window of opportunity.

“No pain, no gain”.

– Video – Attempting to focus purely on JR Trains, panning to Ueno Station, and red art display. Can also be noted various locals being curious about what I was capturing on my camera. Just trains.

20240128_091553 — – HA! Minecraft pop-up store in Ueno.

download (4) — – Happy AR time. Genuinely happy. 🙂

20240128_092258 — – Slight right *laughs*

20240128_092301 — – FamilyMart – Konbini!~

Ueno Station – (JK > U):

I didn’t eat anything when leaving the hotel room. And if I did, was only an onigiri, if at all. I simply wandered around to eventually make my way into Ueno Station, and with plans to head over to Daiba.

JK Line -> U –
Odaiba-Kahinoen

Making my way onto a JR Train to push on my adventure.

20240128_094155 — – Intentionally taking images of the Ueno Station arches and the train lines associated with them.

– Video – Watching a Yamanote Line JR Train going past.

20240128_094344 — – Just a general station capture.

20240128_095940 — – Ueno to Shimbashi Station, switching over to the U Monorail line.

20240128_100403 — – Random Anime-esque advertisement.

Daiba/Odaiba Area:

Impatiently hopped off at the ‘Odaiba-Kaihinkoen’ station to get my plans into motion. I simply happened to come across the ’25 Porticos’ sculpture to mess around with. I admire these area. Just roaming around trying to see things I both missed and recapture for blogging purposes. Also desired to check out ‘Dangers in my Heart’ AR mode in Daiba. Just more AR fun.

download (5) — – (With person in background)

download (6) — – (Without person in background).

download (7) — – Trying to pose the two lovebirds as realistically as possible, even with Tokyo tower in the background.

– Azur Lane – USS Constellation – Tokyo Tower in background.

20240128_103044 — – Roaming down a street, at random.

20240128_103138 — – Happened to come across an Idolmaster store, or at least themed to one at the time. Asked roommate if he desired anything from here. He said “no”. Only Bang Dream.

20240128_103722 — – Admiring the scenic view. Seeking out a place to briefly relax to eat my Konbini food (I may have purchased at Ueno without remembering).

20240128_103928 — – POI!~ Japanese pudding is awesome! 🙂

20240128_104013 — – What a beautiful view to admire, especially while eating. Tokyo’s Rainbow Bridge.

20240128_104021 — – Rainbow Bridge & Tokyo Tower.

20240128_105801 — – Your journey is that way! POI!~

20240128_105937 — – Panorama – Odaiba Beach.

20240128_110215 — – Slightly blooming Cherry Blossom.

20240128_110236 — – Early-blooming Cherry Blossom.

20240128_110518 — – Odaiba Moyai Statue.

20240128_111020 — – Panorama – I had this lovely place all to myself up until I decided to walk back to land.

I chose Azur Lane’s Unicorn because of Gundam Unicorn nearby. Simple as that.

– Rainbow Bridge & Azur Lane’s Rainbow Bridge.

20240128_111524 — – Hard to tell what these are. Are they jelly fish?

20240128_112107 — – Poi!~ (Statue of Liberty).

20240128_112312 — – Over-tourism. A big “nope!” on my end. I already have my moment.

Constantly reminded of how much Japan suffers from “over-tourism”. I simply desired to get to the other side. I, instead, desired to venture to the nearby ‘Anchor and Chain’ art display. That seems far more interesting than the “over-tourism” nonsense.

– Azur Lane – Unicorn (AR Mode). Anchor and Chain art sculpture.

In the below images my camera decided to troll me for awhile before finally doing what I desired of it. A few people may have been noting what I was taking pictures, and how I was taking pictures in an curious manner.

20240128_112837 — – Poi!~ (Third time a charm).

A few locals (a lovely Japanese women) thanked me and praised me for the pictures. Fatigued, and still under the weather I made simple lethargic gestures. Confused, they slowly wandered off. I’m thankful for the praise, also as sorry for being unresponsive. I attempted to be my happy & cheerful self, I was sadly however under the weather. My reactions were hazy and bogged down.

I love it when the locals are cheerful and happy about me taking images, as they had in Kamakura’s Cherry Tree pathway to a shrine, and other areas. I genuinely appreciate the sentiment. Japan is awesome, and I would much rather figure photography there.

20240128_113423 — – The interesting stairway and Rainbow bridge observation deck. Admiring the beauty of this area.

20240128_113430 — – Attempted to time it without people. Had to choose a few over nothing.

Nature called forcing me to do a toilet detour, and sadly without soap. Always bring soap with you, or konbini sanitizers. Lesson learned.

– Azur Lane’s Unicorn on the western promenade. Making my way towards Gundam Unicorn.

20240128_114620 — – The beauty of Japanese railway is awesome. Admiring the monorail line.

20240128_114800 — – Museum of Maritime Science. (The weather also being horrible).

Made a secondary detour to another toilet, also cursing about no soap. I sadly gave a local kid a bad impression of me letting out the f-word. “Fuck”. I feel bad, yet was highly agitated about having no soap, nor hand sanitizer.

Gundam Unicorn:

Gundam Seed FREEDOM movie advertisement, something I took advantage of. Nice!

20240128_115826 — – Gundam Seed FREEDOM – Winter 2023-2024.

20240128_115846 — – A stupid foreigner placed a plastic bottle in the bush, something I noticed in hindsight. Over-tourism nonsense. CLEAN UP YOUR TRASH!

20240128_120203 — – Welcome to Diver City Tokyo.

Made it to proper washroom to finally soap my hands, and whatever germs were on my smartphone. Both happily sanitized. I’m now in happy mode! 🙂

20240128_122727 — – Best image I could capture of the now closed ‘Museum of maritime science’. I was sadly a few days late. Shame.

– Azur Lane failed me in not allowing the furthest zoom option.

20240128_123206 — – Japan has some of the best walkways, and I admire them. Highly awesome walkways.

20240128_123410 — – Daiba Monorail love <3.

download (9) — – Dangers in My Art (AR Attempt).

20240128_123739 — – Japan has some of the best walkways, something my city of Ottawa could learn from. Lovely view of the now-closed maritime museum.

I slowly walked my way around to various areas, and even to this Maritime museum, and down to the very peak of the promenade. I briefly ventured into the nearby park and back again, this time heading to Soya. I was curious about Soya.

20240128_124343 — – Soya model. The hilarity Soya has a Beaver aircraft, an Canadian aircraft.

20240128_124408 — – Various vessels of the Japanese WW2 fleet.

20240128_124430 — – Various vessels of the Japanese fleet.

After having visited the mini-museum next-door, and maybe some stamps, I ventured then into the now-closed maritime museum, especially after having seen others venture inside to take images of the interior. We would occasionally glance at once another, if doing our own thing. I took images my way, others took images their way. We had our own plans focusing purely on those. No conversations were had.

20240128_124643 — – “The air conditioner is on, please keep door closed” – “If you’re using the washroom please come in.”

20240128_124711 — – Admiring the artistic beauty.

20240128_124717 — – Lobby of the maritime museum.

20240128_124755 — – Panorama – Inside the lobby, and when people weren’t roaming around.

20240128_124957 — – You’re only allowed to use the washroom, and only that.

20240128_125126 — – Various wirings remaining.

20240128_125304 — – Currently, at the ship science museum, you can take a tour of the outdoor exhibition materials centering on “Soya” and the Science Museum Annex Exhibition.

There may have been other parts, as noted on the map, I could have visited. The interior area of the park, something I probably could have wondered into. The yellow bigger rectangle in the diagram on the right side of the faux-vessel.

20240128_125322 — – “Slippery when wet, please watch your step.”

20240128_125439 — – A canon once was displayed here, now removed thanks to the museum having been closed. Shame.

20240128_125607 — – Water Six Precepts Monument (The Museum of Maritime Science) & Statue of Takako (The Museum of Maritime Science).

Soya – PL107:

Onwards to Soya, a vessel I both saw, and was suggested to visit. She has strong Kantai Collection ties, something I had to visit either way. She was calling out to me. A fellow Blue Archive Twitter/X friend may have also attempted to visit me here, something which wasn’t really on time’s side. His wording noted he (or she) desired to visit me, yet feel bad for being unable to do so. Maybe next time?

20240128_130000 — – Waterbottle to ward off cats. A naval-themed anchor astray for cigarettes’.

I realized after the fact what these were used for. They’re to dump the remains of your smoke. They’re neat and tidy being highly photogenic in their own manner.

Sadly, Yuudachi fell off this railing corner falling onto the bricks below. She became dented and scratched up right here, at this place, and on Day 1 proper from this. I was saddened, even cursing at how she fell. My heart dropped at how she gained battle scars from attempting to pose Yuudachi at Soya.

20240128_130518 — – The first Antarctic research vessel “Soya” is now open to the public.

20240128_130646 — – A lovely view onto the deck. I also had to make sure not to capture people. A few volunteers and folks were working in the area, and touring.

20240128_130733 — – Reminding me of HMCS Haida, and even Mikasa in Yokosuka.

20240128_131027 — – Watch over your head (Please watch your head).

20240128_131034 — – A lot of gadgets & accessories were placed in the stern area. Lovely propellers and pully machines.

20240128_131045 — – Admiring the propellers.

20240128_131146 — – General storage area.

At this point (and a bit before) I had to slow my pace of touring because of other people. It’s not a problem, and I was genuinely enjoying myself. I however had other things to tend to, especially with waning daylight, even at this time of day. Sunsets at 4 PM, or around there giving me a few hours of wiggle room.

Again, roaming through Soya reminded me of HMCS Haida and Mikasa Museum. A beautiful sight to behold.

20240128_131334 — – Lovely engines from an alternate angle.

20240128_131433 — – The cupboard having lovely Japanese maple patterns on it.

20240128_131537 — – This story makes me sad. Only 2 of the 15 Huskies survived. How cruel.

20240128_131540 — – A view behind the puppies.

20240128_131547 — – Alternate perspective. (I also recall hitting my head in one of these cramped areas).

20240128_131641 — – Engine exhaust & maintenance room.

20240128_131913 — – Alternate perspective of the stern.

20240128_132312 — – C2 seems highly familiar. Tied to Kantai Collection. Not the one of the left, the one on the right is what I’m referring to.

20240128_132758 — – Parallel view of the maritime museum next door.

20240128_132854 — – A wide open deck for two helicopters.

20240128_133120 — – A whole deck to play with.

20240128_133147 — – Maritime Museum & Fuji TV building.

20240128_133235 — – Maritime Museum building.

20240128_133250 — – A vintage vehicle hidden right in the middle of the image behind every fencing & railing. A vintage brown vehicle.

Made my way to the exit to slowly wander off to my next location.

20240128_133443 — – Japan has some of the best stairways. I mean, look at it. Stairway, pathways, analog clocks. This puts Canada to shame.

20240128_133814 — – Soya and Maritime Museum.

From here I made note of my exploration on Twitter/X. I then calculated how much time I have left, where to go, and even figuring out how to get to where I was going for the ‘Dangers in my Heart’ location exploration.

20240128_134442 — – Museum of Maritime Science.

20240128_134851 — – A fitting view. Almost Anime-esque, if done properly. One could copy and paste this area into an Anime game (J-RPG, etc) turning this area into a lovely colourful area.

With the exploration done here, and my wired external battery pack giving me issues, I ventured to the nearest monorail. Yes, I could have gone to the one I’m looking at, I however chose something more familiar.

20240128_140538 — – Daiba – Shimbashi – JY – MG (Meguro -> Senzoku).

The journey to Senzoku starts here! WOOO!~

– Video – One monorail leaves, another arrives.

Once I hopped onto the monorail all I could focus on was the whole ‘Gundam Seed FREEDOM’ poster posted on the nearby wall. I wanted to 100% capture an image, just not with the people around. I should have, regardless of what people thought. I just wanted, and wanted to take the picture. All I could imagine was how the Japanese locals perceived the Gundam SEED FREEDOM advertisement plastered everywhere.

20240128_141109 — – Admiring the view. Making note of the boats nearby.

20240128_141150 — – Tokyo’s Monorail fun on the Rainbow Bridge.

– Video – Monorail cruising through Rainbow Bridge.

– Video – Daiba Monorail going around the curve.

20240128_141835 — – Monorail had a nasty crack in the middle. Partially open at the top. Also attempting to capture the nearby scenic urban garden-park area.

20240128_142244 — – View of the nearby clock display.

20240128_142247 — – View of the nearby clock display.

20240128_142451 — – Shimbashi Station’s open area. Neat.

20240128_143853 — – So long Adele – Yostar’s Arknight’s advertisement.

Screenshot_20240128_144428_Maps — – Taking Yamanote Line to MG Meguro Line.

Screenshot_20240128_144440_Maps — – Gradually making my way to the destination.

Screenshot_20240128_144448_Maps — – Little did I know how confused I would become at Meguro area.

Once I arrived at Meguro station I became highly lost. I went out one exit, went up and around to a different place. A Japanese women looked at me in confusion (I may have accidentally stared back at her) to then make my way back into the station. I was lost. I eventually stumbled across the below toilet, something which may have happened before or after I was lost.

I was lost making my memory very hazy.

I strongly recall heading out of the east exit heading south crossing a crosswalk to the south. From there, I headed North towards the ‘Newsday’ entrance/exit area, as Google Maps suggested I should do (the part where the Japanese women stared at me on confusion). I was lost!

20240128_145348 — – Roaming around Meguro station taking pictures of where the character’s of ‘The Dangers in my Heart’ took a washroom break. An announcement from the Anime played occasionally at set intervals.

After some long confusion, I eventually made my way towards the lower platform heading towards Senzoku Station.

Senzoku Station – ‘”‘The Dangers in my Heart’ (Anime Location):

I probably could have stumbled across areas in Meguro, I was however too lost and confused to do so. Instead, I aimed straight for Senzoku, as I had initially desired to do so. I happily visited the area from the anime; The Two love-birds visited on their numerous trips.

20240128_150900 — – Senzoku Station. I attempted to time this without the people, still getting people in my image.

20240128_151806 — – One of the various locations, as seen in the anime.

20240128_152644 — – Ventured into the nearby Konbini for some snacks hoping I could eat in the nearby park. I was expecting to be scolded, I however wasn’t. I was allowed to eat peacefully. POI!~

20240128_153900 — – POI!~ (DARS, one of my favourite chocolate).

Satisfied, I packed everything up and ventured towards the station. It was amazing feeling every bit of rumble from the passing trains through the bricked pavement. You could tell when a train was passing by with how the pavement shuttered from the movement. Sure, it could be concerning, it however was interesting to note.

Ventured into Senzoku Station to feel every blast of air (a strong gust of wind) nearly blowing my hat off, as I descended the stairway. I casually walked from the stairs to the other end of the platform, even hopefully capturing some sort of train imagery.

20240128_154951 — – Senzoku Station (underground).

– Video – Senzoku MG Train incoming.

Screenshot_20240128_162212_Maps — – Making note of Shimbashi again. (MG > JY)

Screenshot_20240128_162228_Maps — – I belatedly noted a train sitting at Shimbashi, something I desired to visit for another time.

20240128_163022 — – Venturing to Akihabara (Meguro to Akihabara).

20240128_163301 — – Attempting to capture the display; Blurry. Too many people walking by.

20240128_163436 — – Gundam SEED FREEDOM (Inner display).

20240128_163450 — – Attempt #3 (getting agitated).

20240128_163636 — – Walking around Akihabara after having purchased various things.

I basically ventured into almost every store and outlet, ones I even was made aware of from my previous 2023 trip. I visited Kotobukiya, Book-Off, various other stores, and +18 kinds. All sorts.

20240128_163640 — – Walking around Akihabara was nice, especially on the streets.

20240128_163648 — – Police blocking off areas for people to walk around.

20240128_163655 — – Double train capture.

20240128_163823 — – Various Anime stores in the back streets.

20240128_170203 — – Of course…. I desired Strarf, I however had to wait to return to Canada to do so. Even the Alter Arnval is something I desired, and still do.

20240128_170551 — – Coming across a ‘GateBox’ hologram being sold of your favourite waifu, or certain default ones. I’ve actually considered purchasing one.

20240128_170811 — – Innocentia + accessories.

20240128_172356 — – I also came across some Bang Dream merchandise, ones I could share with my roommate. I showed him what they had, even telling him I would purchase him a few stuff. I asked him if anything here looked familiar to him.

20240128_181016 — – Unaware it became both night-time and the streets were re-opened. Shocking.

20240128_184301 — – Gundam SEED FREEDOM special.

20240128_184310 — – AT LAST! At last I captured the advertised Gundam SEED FREEDOM movie poster, as advertised on Daiba’s monorail line.

20240128_190930 — – Attempt #5. YATTA!~ YATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTAAAAAAAAAAAA!~ WOOOOOOOOOO!~

20240128_191931 — – Arknights – So Long Adele.

20240128_192052 — – Gundam Seed FREEDOM movie special display.

20240128_192149 — – Gundam SEED FREEDOM advertisement.

20240128_192236 — – Blue Archive advertisements at Akihabara Station.

20240128_192314 — – Genshin Impact Tokyo Skytree advertisement.

20240128_192902 — – What a lovely combination! Synduality Noir & Gundam SEED FREEDOM movie. (Making way from Akihabara to Ueno).

The trains were packed at this hour, and they always would be from 5-9~ PM. Maybe even longer.

20240128_194448 — – Taking an overly leisurely walk from Ueno Station to my hotel. A very round-about way of going back to my hotel. Some locals may or may not have made fun of me, hard to tell.

20240128_194522 — – Admiring the lovely lanterns lining Ueno’s promenade walkway area.

20240128_194537 — – Very leisurely walk taking my time, admiring the beauty. Even if Ueno is filled with hipsters of the Japanese & gaijin variety it was still highly scenic area.

20240128_194559 — – I was genuinely admiring the Japanese mood and vibes, especially not having to deal with Ottawa morons.

20240128_195019 — – Walking in Japan is something I’m not really allowed to do in Ottawa, Canada thanks to Liberal Canadians destroying Canada. All the robberies, getting jumped, stolen from, etc. Japan is awesome.

20240128_195140 — – A gorgeous temple, one I would unknowingly revisit on my way back to Tokyo-Ueno nearing the tail-end of my trip. Other people would take images in a similar manner to my own.

20240128_195151 — – Glow from the nearby street lights giving a glare in my image.

20240128_195720 — – Moon and Tokyo Skytree.

20240128_195843 — – Moon and Tokyo Skytree.

20240128_195852 — – Traditional Japanese art displays.

20240128_195924 — – My favourite part of Japan are these illuminations on and around trees. (Also similar to ‘Chiba New Town Chuo’.)

Once satisfied, I ventured back the way I came to head down the stairway I came up on. I was startled by the patrolling police officers on their bikes to which I stood in place allowing them to pass by. I was slightly startled, yes, though without incident. Thankfully it was without incident. Just something startling me as they patrolled with light wands.

Made my way to the nearby konbini to buy food for the night. Something to eat. Went to the nearby FamilyMart.

20240128_200456 — – Lovely Ueno train roaming by in Ueno.

20240128_201012 — – Ame Yayokocho 2010. Ueno back-street containing many stores. Packed. I simply desired to head back to my hotel at this point. Coca-Cola vending machine.

Made my way to my hotel (the back the way I came in the morning) to unwind in my hotel. I posted the remaining pictures onto Twitter/X, went to play Azur Lane, to tend to my loot (examine it and have fun), as well as eat my Konbini food. A nice day! A nice Day 1, even if I noted it as Day 2. This day would be the cause of my hospital visit on March 4th, 2024; A gradual process requiring a March 4th-7th hospital visit in Ottawa.

Allegedly a 4.0 magnitude quake hit the area when I was in Daiba. I never felt a thing. Nothing. It was even noted via JR Train notice screens, something I assumed was further away.

(Scathach card? Unsure what this means, it’s something I however have to come back to and edit. I probably obtained a Scathach card, or seen it, or something. I’m confused.)

20240128_215952 — – Gradually going to sleep with a visually peaceful ‘TrainsJapan’ admiration. Trains going from one area to the next. I genuinely 100% admire trains, especially of the Japan variety. Japan knows how to train. CHOO CHOO!~

I’m honestly thankful for the guidance and aid from various Japanese otaku/Weeb/hobby folks. They helped me out making my Japanese experience all that much better, more wholesome. I had a great time in Ueno, Daiba, Meguro, Senzoku, and even Akihabara. It was a fun train-filled photography session with AR of Azur Lane, Anime, and other fun stuff. Japan is awesome! Even if the magic has been lessened, I still admire Japan so much. As I’ve noted previously, I’ve also noted to my friend how Japan feels so much better than Ottawa (in Canada) with how vile and idiotic people in Ottawa tend to be. Japan felt like a second home, something I wish I could have actually made my home. Being able to travel around Tokyo was a blast. New experiences, and all the lovely beauty of it.

Thank you again for having me, and I’m glad I have tons of memories. And yes, I’m aware, I should have ate more serious Japanese food. Then again, Konbini food is luxurious to a Canadian who doesn’t have a proper Konbini food supply in Ottawa thanks to political corruption. Japan is awesome!

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Trip to Japan – Round 2 – Day 2 (2024)