This blogpost covers the day of February 16th while in Tokyo, Japan.
Woke up at 9:45 AM, happily tending to Twitter/X, Kure’s after-effects of having visited Kure, and even the dailies for the day. Tending to Azur Lane & Blue Archive dailies. People were overly happy I had visited Kure.
It was also a very windy day, one in which I was genuinely unsure as to where to travel. I considered a nearby aviation museum, even if I had to travel via 2-3 trains. I settled on taking it initially slow around Ueno by familiarizing myself with Ueno Koen, a place attached to both a shrine and a zoo.
A musical truck also circled the hotel. Not a voting one, but a musical truck of some sort.
I also spent a lengthy while eating my breakfast, one I had to pay for, pay again, and pay for each and every time. I would revert back to Twitter with my Twitter/X feed notification blowing up. My timeline was chaotic, one which I struggled to keep up with. It blew up in my face. 12 PM washup, and a cleaner Japanese female asking if my room needed a cleanup. I declined it.
Japan Trip 2024:
[Day 1] – [Day 2] – [Day 3] – [Day 4] – [Day 5] – [Day 6] – [Day 7] – [Day 8] – [Day 9] – [Day 10] – [Day 11] – [Day 12] – [Day 13] – [Day 14] – [Day 15] – [Day 16] – [Day 17] – [Day 18] – [Day 19] – [Day 20]
Finally! Left around 12 PM to slowly explore Ueno area. Yes, I should have departed earlier from my hotel, stuff however happened, and now I’m here after 12 PM.
Ueno Station to Akihabara:
Was overly interesting seeing the Gundam SEED FREEDOM movie advertisements switch from that, to Ume Musume. I had a nice curious chuckle over that.
I was highly amused by how a pair of Japanese male teens happily made note of me also obtaining this Blue Archive collection to his friend at a standing table area.
“Look! He also purchased the Blue Archive card set.” – Japanese male teen.
Gave me a nice smile on my face having overheard that observation. This is why I admire Japan, for the simple small things. The human things. Observation, acknowledgement, common sense, and the general humanity of it all. Bliss.
I also happily obtained one or two booster packs while there. Satisfied, I packed up and went exploring.
I also stumbled across a nice KanColle Arcade section, something I never interacted with. I saw a Kongo card set out to be provided to people who desire her, I however reluctantly reached out for it. I desired to grab the Kongo card for my roommate-friend, however not doing so. I have partial regrets. My friend has a friendly attachment to Kongo. I may have to seek out a Kongo for him at a later period of time…
Nothing of interest in the R18 section, so I moved on.
Before heading down to the main floor, I had visited a music CD section, something I was actually seeking. I sought out various Anime related music CDS, such as Gundam SEED FREEDOM OST, Suisei (Hololive) CDs, some Naruto gifts for my friend, and other stuff. Had to obtain them there.
Once obtained, I happily took the elevator down.
I had one of the biggest smiles while listening to this, and other Hololive related music playing.
Blue Archive advertisement stands out the most to me because of Amau Ako and her party outfit, a version I had luckily obtained in the English/Global version.
Yes, another Hololive musical track was overheard, and I’m glad I had overheard it. Bliss.
I was genuinely trying to figure this one out. Where, what, how? How do I connect with this, or am I too late? I ventured into the nearby pachinko area attempting to figure this one out. I was confused.
There was tons of soliciting going on with girls lining the sidewalks calling out to people. One Japanese girl was brave, assertive enough to attempt to shove an advertisement in front of me, even speaking in English noting to “please take one”. Maybe I should have, especially for how unique that was.
Speaking in Japanese is one thing, but using English? Being that open about it? Yes, it may have been a trap, and I could have easily sprung a nasty trap, yet curious what could have happened. There is a small part of me, naïve enough, wondering if something positive would have came out from it. Probably not.
I have to give credit where it’s due, and I need to praise this Japanese girl for advertising in English, as taboo as that should be in Japan.
Hungry, I decided it was time to venture back to Carl’s Jr for some burger. I needed to eat, and I might as well eat in memory of my 2023 trip.
Ate my food, venturing to another area. I packed up my stuff, obviously, prior to continuing to venture around.
I failed to capture this, I however both observed and witnessed a massive firetruck and emergency raid on the hidden parts of Akihabara. Everything appeared to be all down the ‘1-chome-4 Sotokanda’ area, or next to the below image (Mulan Shop). By the time I was able to capture images, or even had my phone out, it was too late. There was an insane amount of emergency vehicles, more than I would see locally in Ottawa, but by the time I could document it everything was too late.
I came here for the gacha machines, unable to find what I was seeking. Instead, I browsed every bit of the store. I browsed the Anime side, the movie side, the R18 side, and the sex toy side. For the record: I bought nothing. Simply window shopping.
I would even reach a ramen shop restaurant on my initial visit to find other people heading in. Frustrated, I noted to the Japanese guys I wasn’t going in and they can go in, all in gestures. It’s fine, go ahead. I left the area, went down the street, and came back to where I was moments ago, this time ordering the ramen in the same place.
I ordered, was sat down, and even asked if I could take pictures of my Ramen. Confusion at first, then noted I could, to which I pulled out Yuudachi and Suisei. Let’s eat! 😉
Once satisfied, I left the area to explore again, if lightly. Made my way towards Akihabara station, this time going through the tunnel to make my way on the other side, still seeking out gacha machines. I also should have snacked on Anime collaboration foods. That’s my loss. I missed out.
Happily obtained my stamp on the other side of the station. Was even guided towards it. Nice! Thanks. Happily have an Akihabara stamp for my collection. Proud! 🙂
Going in and out of Ueno Station is a massive chore. There are insane amounts of people coming and going, especially going one way. I’m always trying to cut through the crowd, even to the potential dismay of people wondering what I’m even doing. I’m trying to get through…
Ueno Station is insane when it comes to nightly commutes in the area.
Slow walk back towards my Hipster Hotel, especially on a scenic, peaceful pathway back following the Ueno zoo route.
For a slow day, it was actually very neat. I happily obtained what I desired, especially on the Blue Archive and soundtrack side of things. A nice ramen meal, one which had filled me up for the rest of the evening. I was finally full, for once. I mean, one of the many times whenever I do eat properly in Japan. Ramen is a nice way to round up the night.
Japanese transit is the best, and I admire it heavily. It’s heavenly, it’s bliss, and I love taking Japanese transit. From Ueno to Akihabara, and vice-versa, and to other areas. All around Japan. It’s great!
I’m still also still highly amused by how a soliciting Japanese street girl assertively displayed her tissue (or other sample item) for me, and others to have. I rudely/sternly rejected that, in “mission mode” mindset probably frustrating her, denying her attempts. You’re not supposed to be a nuisance, but I do admire the effort. I really do, especially the English attempt. “Please take one”, or something to that effect, while I was walking. She really meant it, with her heart in her English message. I do feel a bit bad about that, but it’s also how obnoxious they tend to be. Taboo behaviours, even in that area. There are signs in Akihabara to prevent such actions, or in certain major touristy areas. The very core of Akihabara, at least.
The whole swarm of fire trucks and emergency vehicles in Akihabara genuinely startled me. A whole fleet of emergency vehicles swarmed the area around the ‘Sumitomo Fudosan Akihabara First Building’ structure. Surprising events.
The various shops in Akihabara really surprised me. Everything for everyone, especially on the SFW & NSFW side of things. Both normal and lewd stuff, done properly and respectfully. Mostly SFW stuff, obviously. Japan is more honest with what they admire, and it shows. More respectful, and I admire that. I genuinely have to laugh at how lewd the Japanese can be, especially when they themselves can’t be honest with their own private affairs. Open lewdness everywhere in retail settings, in Akihabara, Sapporo, and others. Everything is an open secret. It’s “cute”.
And yes, I initially had planned on hopping a ride on a few trains towards an aviation museum, it however wasn’t meant to be. I instead resorted to a slow day, one which would allow me to proudly obtain a Blue Archive deck kit, one which had the locals noting my purchase. It made me smile, and I admire how human everything felt. They had one, I had one, and we were happy about it. Connectivity, acknowledgement, and human social behaviour. Felt great.
Lastly, Kure genuinely surprised me with how chaotic my Twitter/X feed was. It was genuinely difficult keeping up with everything, especially with how other notifications were lost in the flood. Other notifications were pushed out for other people’s… Certain notifications were forever lost in the void, and I do apologize to those people. Thank you for having me, and I can’t wait for when I can return to both Japan and Kure. I had to slowly make my way back to Canada, as revolting as that idea was. I refused the idea of returning to an intentional dictatorship, one created by Liberals and Western political activists. I desired the tranquility of Japan, the peaceful, common-sensed nature of Japan. Yes, Japan may not be perfect, it however does many things properly to the point it’s like heaven on earth. Japan is like heaven, and there’s a reason why myself and others idolize Japan, even if other people’s praises comes from tribal mentality. Social acceptance, etc. I admire Japan for it’s genuine merits, something other people tend to only do for social clout acceptance. Shame. Granted, there are those who genuinely admire Japan, they however are harder to find.
A fun and rewarding day in Japan. I had my fun, and I’m happy about what I had accomplished.
Thanks for viewing, hope you enjoyed. Hope to see you in the following Japanese blog postings!