First Time in Japan
Mar 28th, 2012, 08:37 AM
#41
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travel4425 - thanks for the tip on SanRio Land - Hello Kitty. My great niece loves Hello Kitty! It's the perfect place to buy her a little gift.
Also, have to fit in the Hard Rock Cafes in Tokyo and Osaka because the DD collects their shot glasses and I collect their baseball caps.
Also, have to fit in the Hard Rock Cafes in Tokyo and Osaka because the DD collects their shot glasses and I collect their baseball caps.
Mar 28th, 2012, 08:45 AM
#42
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There is a HRC in the JR Ueno station and also in Yokohama in the Landmark Mall under the tower. In Osaka I've been to the HRC at the Universal Studio's walk outside the entrance. I think there is another in Osaka but have never been. I also collect pins and polo shirts from HRC's worldwide.
Aloha!
Aloha!
Mar 28th, 2012, 03:13 PM
#43
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I just buried my wonderful father-in-law today. Both he and my beloved uncle, whom we buried 4 yrs ago, were at the Battle of Okinawa.
My husband was very close to his dad, my father-in-law. He is being interned at Bourne NAtl. cemetary on Cape Cod.
So I said to my husband today, "We should really go to Okinawa." Now this is a man who has had zero interest in going to Japan w/me. I have taken both my kids on separate trips, but Joe just hasn't given a hoot about Japan. We travel some to other places, and I have been dying to get him to Japan but zero interest.
But today he looked at me and said, "Plan the trip."
So out of death comes this, I am going back to Japan and this time Okinawwa will be in the plans. I have to chuckle bc my father-in-law also loved to travel, and he would have loved to have been the impetus for a trip like this.
My husband was very close to his dad, my father-in-law. He is being interned at Bourne NAtl. cemetary on Cape Cod.
So I said to my husband today, "We should really go to Okinawa." Now this is a man who has had zero interest in going to Japan w/me. I have taken both my kids on separate trips, but Joe just hasn't given a hoot about Japan. We travel some to other places, and I have been dying to get him to Japan but zero interest.
But today he looked at me and said, "Plan the trip."
So out of death comes this, I am going back to Japan and this time Okinawwa will be in the plans. I have to chuckle bc my father-in-law also loved to travel, and he would have loved to have been the impetus for a trip like this.
Mar 29th, 2012, 06:47 AM
#48
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emd, our condolences to you and yours.
A trip in his honor will be one to remember. All aside I am glad you will be in Okinawa before me.....I have a plan but not for 2 years so will be so happy you will be there first with that report,lol
veeolette, ditto on the trip report. We would love to hear about your trip when you return and details about Okinawa.
Mara,
.......nuf said
Aloha!
A trip in his honor will be one to remember. All aside I am glad you will be in Okinawa before me.....I have a plan but not for 2 years so will be so happy you will be there first with that report,lol
veeolette, ditto on the trip report. We would love to hear about your trip when you return and details about Okinawa.
Mara,
.......nuf saidAloha!
Mar 29th, 2012, 08:22 PM
#49
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Bill, Mara, Peter, and maryya and kja: You are all very sweet, thank you for your condolences.
Bill, I recall you took your cousin (I think he was a cousin, Mike I believe his name was?) who was in the military to some significant locations in Japan. Would you please refresh my memory on that? Where did you take him?
Bill, I recall you took your cousin (I think he was a cousin, Mike I believe his name was?) who was in the military to some significant locations in Japan. Would you please refresh my memory on that? Where did you take him?
Mar 30th, 2012, 04:23 PM
#51
Yes, Mike it was, very good memory. My nephew the Airborne Ranger (he just came back from reserve duty in Jordan last week training some Jordanians to be tough guys, I think).
Mike flew into Fukuoka from Seoul and I met him at the airport. We stayed in Fukuoka. We went to a restaurant to try mentai (nasty) and fish - there were several big tanks with different types of fish. Then we went to Shimonoseki and stayed at a ryokan that had a view of the shipping in the strait and bridge from Honshu to Kyushu. We visited the fish market there and tried fugu. Then we went to Kyoto for a couple of nights at the Westin Miyako. He flew back KIX to ICN and I went on to see Hagi, Matsue, and visited Izumo Taisha.
Thank you for the HB wish (I can't credit your memory as much for this, given the circumstances). This could be my second-best birthday ever if I win the lottery tonight.
emd, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!
Mike flew into Fukuoka from Seoul and I met him at the airport. We stayed in Fukuoka. We went to a restaurant to try mentai (nasty) and fish - there were several big tanks with different types of fish. Then we went to Shimonoseki and stayed at a ryokan that had a view of the shipping in the strait and bridge from Honshu to Kyushu. We visited the fish market there and tried fugu. Then we went to Kyoto for a couple of nights at the Westin Miyako. He flew back KIX to ICN and I went on to see Hagi, Matsue, and visited Izumo Taisha.
Thank you for the HB wish (I can't credit your memory as much for this, given the circumstances). This could be my second-best birthday ever if I win the lottery tonight.
emd, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!
Mar 30th, 2012, 07:17 PM
#52
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Thanks! I am in NYC, toasting quick before end of the 30th. Drove a big rental truck from Boston to NYC late today, just arrived here. You haven't lived til have driven a big truck from 178th St. to 40St. on Broadway at night, dodging tourists.
That was a great itinerary w/Mike!
Now I wonder what your best bday was.
That was a great itinerary w/Mike!
Now I wonder what your best bday was.
Mar 31st, 2012, 02:56 AM
#54
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I realize this may be late advice. For me - not to missed list:
In Tokyo, I would not miss seeing the cos-play kids at Takeshita-Dori - walking only street with latest Japan fashions. You may see the Elvis crew dancing at the bridge or Bloody Nurse Brides with cute hello kitty purses. All are nice Japanese kids. (BTW crime is nonexistent for all practical purposes for tourists). Also very close to good souvenir shop and ancient Shinto temple - there are often weddings going on - wish trees.
Akasaka is close to Tsukiji - but kinda touristy, toms of shops on street. good place though, to catch a river cruise cheap and see tokyo from the river and bridges.
Must go to Kushiage or Tonkastu specialist restuarants for new perspective on that food.
I would do one day less in Osaka and trade it for an overnight in Nara - see the Grand Shogun's tomb, path of a thousand buddhas, stay at inexpensive in on a hotspring like Turtle. Plus, the bus ride up there from the easy regional train is exhilarating. More turns than Lombard street in SF.
Kyoto - take a day to go to see the BIG buddha in BIG temple -in park where deer are tame. Also has worlds oldest still standing wooden structure.
Cannot miss Kiyomizudera and the street leading up to it. nor Ginkaju or Kinkaju or the Original stone garden, or pond stepping stones. Moss garden is near Kinkaju, I think.
MUST go to baseball game if it coincides - unforgettable event. (I would skip Disney, if you've been to one in the states).
At Okinawa, take the day trip to go to the Aquarium - it is impressive and world class. Bigger than Moneterrey Bay Aquarium.
>>>> ALSO - if your elders were in Battle of Okinawa, PLEASE go to Peace Museum, hear the Oral history - this really touched me, I also have parents that lived through it. Was the most moving culture event/site I've ever been to, given my personal history. They have memorial walls which commemorate over 250,000 people who died on Okinawa. American, Japanese Soldiers and Civilians. My Grandfather and Uncles names are there.
This should be an unforgettable trip, Any way you go. Bring an open heart and plenty of SD cards.
tommyp
In Tokyo, I would not miss seeing the cos-play kids at Takeshita-Dori - walking only street with latest Japan fashions. You may see the Elvis crew dancing at the bridge or Bloody Nurse Brides with cute hello kitty purses. All are nice Japanese kids. (BTW crime is nonexistent for all practical purposes for tourists). Also very close to good souvenir shop and ancient Shinto temple - there are often weddings going on - wish trees.
Akasaka is close to Tsukiji - but kinda touristy, toms of shops on street. good place though, to catch a river cruise cheap and see tokyo from the river and bridges.
Must go to Kushiage or Tonkastu specialist restuarants for new perspective on that food.
I would do one day less in Osaka and trade it for an overnight in Nara - see the Grand Shogun's tomb, path of a thousand buddhas, stay at inexpensive in on a hotspring like Turtle. Plus, the bus ride up there from the easy regional train is exhilarating. More turns than Lombard street in SF.
Kyoto - take a day to go to see the BIG buddha in BIG temple -in park where deer are tame. Also has worlds oldest still standing wooden structure.
Cannot miss Kiyomizudera and the street leading up to it. nor Ginkaju or Kinkaju or the Original stone garden, or pond stepping stones. Moss garden is near Kinkaju, I think.
MUST go to baseball game if it coincides - unforgettable event. (I would skip Disney, if you've been to one in the states).
At Okinawa, take the day trip to go to the Aquarium - it is impressive and world class. Bigger than Moneterrey Bay Aquarium.
>>>> ALSO - if your elders were in Battle of Okinawa, PLEASE go to Peace Museum, hear the Oral history - this really touched me, I also have parents that lived through it. Was the most moving culture event/site I've ever been to, given my personal history. They have memorial walls which commemorate over 250,000 people who died on Okinawa. American, Japanese Soldiers and Civilians. My Grandfather and Uncles names are there.
This should be an unforgettable trip, Any way you go. Bring an open heart and plenty of SD cards.
tommyp
