cu08's posterous

A photo blog of Japan & other places I've lived or traveled.

1. Shinjuku Gyoen

I was recently inspired by an article about Tokyo and thought to start my own '50 Reasons.' Here's the article: "World's Greatest City: 50 Reasons Why Tokyo No.1" http://www.cnngo.com/tokyo/none/worlds-greatest-city-50-reasons-why-tokyo-no-...

Today's spot was Shinjuku Gyoen. In my 22 years living in Tokyo this was my first time in this park. I am very proud to be part of the present and making history in Tokyo.

Before I walked into the park gates, there was a takoyaki stand that I was only going to buy from if it was ¥300 or less. It was ¥500?!

So I walked in from the Shinjuku Gate and paid ¥200 to go in. I was amused by the sign that said "Do not bring alcohol into the park." Gyoen is known for crazy hanami parties because the park is massive and well...it's hanami. You enjoy nature, drink, eat under the sakura.

I took shots from aresa that made me feel the enormity of the grounds. I also took shots of buildings in the background. It's great that this huge patch of land is dedicated to a park in the busiest part of Tokyo.

There were not many people when I started walking at 10:30am on a Saturday. Maybe because of the cold. Maybe because it was so early. Or maybe it only fills up during hanami.

Next will probably be Meiji-Jingu.

4 Hours

4 hours in a beauty parlor with a goal to look great was worth it.

My regular hair dresser has a weekly holiday every Tuesday. After searching all afternoon for another one, I realized this was common practice for all hair dressers in Japan. I finally found one open all days of the year in my home town, which is near Yoga Station.

I showed up 20 minutes late to my 5 o'clock appointment and started in the shampoo chair immediately. I love this part as a hair stylist washes my hair 3 or 4 times with the shampoo, conditioner, treatment - a process that I would love to pamper myself with everyday!

But it wasn't a hair stylist this time but a machine that squirted out those liquids and warm water through my hair. See the first photo. The sensation of the hair washing gave me goosebumps.

After that my hair was given chemicals, wrapped in saran wrap, heated, washed again, blow dried, ironed, filled with more chemicals, washed again, blow dried again, ironed again. My hair was brushed constantly with various brushes and hands.

About 2 and a half hours later, scissors finally glided through my hair to lessen the amount of my hair and align the ends. I watched most of the time. It was fascinating that the hair stylist cared so much about my hair and took her time to make my 4 hour ordeal worth it.

Details
Location: TIME's (Yoga Station)
URL http://tr.im/Adqw Phone Number: 03 3700 5551 What I got done: Hair straightened ('shuku mou kyosei' in Japanese), shampoo, cut, dried
Total price: ¥8000 for perm (with coupon) + ¥3000 for shampoo/cut/dry

Camp Zama 50th Annual Bon Odori Festival

Last weekend I had the pleasure to be on Camp Zama US Army Base for their annual public summer event the Bon Odori Festival. I ate some chicken & potatoes, chapchae, Filipino cuisine, piroshki, and shaved ice. I saw performances by local Japanese guests and Army personnel. The big music performance was All4One and bon odori. The finale to the community event was the hanabi. About 5,000 shots of fireworks fired in the sky. Got a bit of a burn but I turn dark so quick. Must be the Japanese island blood in me :-)

Tokyo Figure Show was art

Thanks to Danny Choo, Good Smile Company, and Coca Cola for providing a crowd, figures, and vitaminwater. Before going to the event Steve Nagata told me a lot about the show and figures.

What Danny wrote in a summary of this show, sticks with me the most. He wanted people who have never seen figures to appreciate them and to see them as art.

I grew up with Barbies, Licca-chan, and Gundam figures. I'm a minimalist and don't like stuff but I do like the figure Danny gave me and the photos I took tonight :-) Some really great art!

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