Mucking Around Japan

Photos, videos, quotes and things from my trip to Japan. I'm living in Tokyo but I have travelled around a bit, so they'll be bits and bobs from all over. So far, i'm happy to say that all the photos here were taken by me, or occasionally by my parents when they came to visit. I'm no photographer, but I hope they give you a glimpse of Japan :) If anyone has any requests for photos of certain places or famous landmarks then message me and let me know. I'm only here till July and I love any excuse to go travelling within this wonderful country.

[muckingroundjapan]

Oh my god!! How could you eat these?!

[disneychick98]

A better question is where can I buy these?

[muckingroundjapan]

Well I saw these at a festival stall in Tokyo about three years ago so you may be out of luck there.

[muckingroundjapan]

It is rare to see even a small space such as this going unused in Tokyo. I passed this little overgrown corner everyday on my way to University. Partway through the year however, it was suddenly gone, replaced by building-works much, I must day, to my disappointment. 

[muckingroundjapan]

Onigiri  :) 

A common snack in Japan, sold at almost every convenience store and in a huge range of shapes and flavours. It turned out I actually didn't like them much since most Onigiri have a Nori (seaweed) wrap or filling which is incredibly fishy tasting. However I did find a 'Cha Han' Onigiri sold at the university shop which I adored. 

[muckingroundjapan]

My first meal out. It was Lunch with the rest of my course. We were being taken to Nerima City Office to register for insurance, our alien registration card, and some other required bits of paperwork.

This was my first experience of this particular style of eating, very common in Japan, of a meal divided into the essential parts: main part, rice, miso soup and pickled vegetables. Of course it varies, and not all places serve like this, but it becomes a very familiar pattern after a couple of weeks. 

[muckingroundjapan]

My first shop!

My initial arrival in Japan was a bit rocky, I had quite severe jetlag and felt very weak and sick for the first few days. I lost my appetite, but I needed to eat and the accommodation was self catered so I had to go and buy some food. My new friends Sandra and Nicole, who'd been there a few days already, very kindly took me with them to the local supermarket so I could see where it was and how to get there. 

This was the result of that shop. It still makes me laugh a bit, especially since i'm pretty sure I never finished that pack of noodles. The fruit was because it was the only thing I felt I could keep down (the black things are massive grapes btw). The Frosties were because they were familiar and simple, although at this point I didn't have a bowl so I ate them dry from the box like crisps. 

Obviously after I started feeling better, I shopped more widely and experimentally. This strange small little shop was the result of extreme tiredness, jetlag and minor culture shock. 

[muckingroundjapan]

In my first few weeks I took photos of nearly everything. Even street/house signs, just because I thought they looked so cool. This one I liked cause the second set of Kanji spell the common name 'Yamada' which appeared in my textbook over and over again, which meant I recognised it immediately. 

[muckingroundjapan]

Bicycles. There are many in Tokyo. It is a city bustling with them, and a lengthy stay there requires a new awareness of them. If you are not familiar with hiragana, the symbols below spell jidensha - bicycle.  

[muckingroundjapan]

I shall now begin posting again :) it will only be slow, since I am pretty busy, but I shall go through in order of my visit, put up my favourite photos from my year there, and maybe add some stories. 

Enjoy! xx

[muckingroundjapan]

My Photos are Safe!

And have been restored to my computer! :D 

I also have some free time on my hands, which means I can finally start posting again!

So, to start off, what sort of things would you like to see?

[muckingroundjapan]

Update

Just to let everyone know, the reason for the so far complete halt in updates is because i've had computer issues. 

I have temporarily lost all of my photos from Japan, and it's taking much longer to sort than i'd anticipated. 

Hopefully I shall have them back soon, and then I shall start putting photos up again, and maybe telling a few stories or giving some tips to anyone planning to visit Japan in the future :) 

Thanks for your patience, and apologies for the technical issues. 

[muckingroundjapan]

In honour of the Hobbit, which comes out this week in England and which I am really looking forward to! :)

[muckingroundjapan]

Japanese Sweeties! :D

[muckingroundjapan]

Coffee chewing gum!! Does this exist anywhere else? Cause I swear Japan is the only place i've seen this...

[muckingroundjapan]

Oooh I actually have a photo of the table flipping game too! Wasn't sure if I did or not. But I do. So here you go :)

[muckingroundjapan]

Table Flipping Game! This is an awesome arcade game we found in Tokyo and which already has a fair few youtube videos dedicated to it and is quite well known. 

So of course... it was halloween and we were a little squiffy and we had a go and filmed it. I know this might not be the kind of thing you guys follow me for and it falls into the category of personal interest rather than general appeal, but I hope you get a giggle out of it at least. 

I can't remember where this particular arcade is i'm afraid... but there are some good ones that do have the table flipping game opposite sunshine city in Ikebukuro, in the same building as the izakayas i'm always harping on about. 

The commentator by the way is Blake, my favourite Hawaiian who was here last term and who we miss dearly. 

[muckingroundjapan]

What is going on with the sky!! 

Just went to the roof of my dorm and this is what I saw! 

DAMN nature! You're awesome! 

[muckingroundjapan]

Mickey Mouse Tea!