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Japan trip
Day 16 - 21st June - Matsushima Bay; Akihabara, Tokyo (Part 5)
I then went to Zuiganji Temple. They had caves with many nice statues.
Sign about the more-than-eight-century-old caves
Statues
Don't ask me why there're 2 reels
Long road leading out of the temple grounds
Enmei Jizo (The Guardian deity of longevity), 1863. The statue was modelled after the 117th abbot, tsk.
Whereas the grounds were free, entrance to the complex cost Y700. I decided not to visit yet another temple (even if it was, surprise surprise, a National Treasure) and spend the time walking around the town, and back in Tokyo.
Outside they were giving out free samples of beef tongue (Gyu tan), the local delicacy (thanks to post-War food shortages). This was cooked with black pepper and tasted mostly like beef, except springier and chewier.
It was a bit early, but I hadn't eaten very much during lunchtime (3 scallops and a rice ball, then ice cream a few hours later) so I looked for a restaurant, "Gozabune", recommended by Lonely Planet. Once again, it had failed me, as one woman informed me that there was no such outlet, and someone from another restaurant said it was in Shiogama (a nearby city). So, whatever, I had a Y1500 fried oyster combo at a place with "Cow" in its name (IIRC where I asked about Gozabune; it specialised in beef tongue, but I wasn't really a fan). It didn't hurt that they had an English menu.
The oysters were very fresh (assuredly fresher than in Miyajima). Both sauces were for the oysters (that one was egg mayo was weird).
Barley rice wasn't very special - just normal rice with a bit of barley inside. It didn't do anything for the taste.
It was one of the very few places I'd been to where the miso soup didn't taste the same (i.e. from a huge factory in Japan supply 99.9% of the world's miso soup). The spring onion was very fresh, and the soup was light and refreshing.
Dinner menu. I don't know what sashimi being "raw in this season" means. Maybe they have cooked sashimi in other seasons.
I was still a bit hungry after dinner, so I had fries from a kiosk beside the restaurant. These were light and fluffy. The guy pressed a lever on a machine to squeeze out the fries. I think he was pressing a lump of reformed potato.
Can you tell what is wrong with this vending machine?
On the Shinkansen back to Tokyo, I took a sound recording of the variety of English that is common in English announcements in Japan: what I call Gaijin English: Gaijin English Accent.WAV; it's an unplaceable, off-angmoh accent which you'd expect from an angmoh who'd been in Japan for too many years.
Assorted snacks. The ones on the right look freaky (like alien riceballs)
Back in Ueno, I got my backpack from a locker and then went to my Capsule Hotel in Akihabara.
Besides the main sign advertising a 24 hour 'DVD" shop, notice the banner on the left: "Video & DVD Men's Relaxation Space. 3 hours. Y1000". There're options for up to 12 hours too - Jap men must have a lot of stamina.
"Olive High Society School Club"
"Lingerie Club"
I was quite annoyed by the typos in both signs - Engrish is known for bizarre grammar and word choice, but usually the spelling is alright.
Despite all the alluring signs with tempting services, I eventually reached my Capsule Hotel. Capsule Hotels are primarily designed for businessmen who are out past the last train and unable to get home. They then check into these relatively inexpensive, high-density (see future photographs) establishments to spend the night.
You only get a locker like this to store your stuff. Sufficient for a businessman, but not for travellers (there was a rack at the lobby for bo liao people like me to chain our luggage).
What's the difference between Wonda Wonderful Coffee's "After Shot" and "Morning Shot"?!
I then went to walk around again.
Y1700 watermelons at Hanamasa Prospec Discount Supermarket (24 hour). I shudder to think of how watermelons at non-discount supermarkets are priced.
Japanese Snapple - not made from the best stuff on earth (how shocking).
Akihabara at night - dead
??? manga poster. Wth is "lump of sugar"?!
I had no idea what this dispensed, besides artificial sugar (Calorie Mate), but had a hunch it was food. I am informed this sells canned ramen and oden.
Costume Shop. There's one at Bali Lane
"Octopus Ball Made in Kyo-To" - If these were really made in Kyoto I wouldn't want to eat them.
I then wandered into another 'DVD' shop, intent on finally getting someone his tenga cup.
Half a floor of MILF material, 1 floor of gravure and manga/anime and 2 of adult materials.
Huge U-15 shelf on the gravure floor.
What looks to be a shelf of food and beverage products: cup noodles, green tea, beer, lemon tea and red tea, but look closer. I am particularly amused by "Anaho Super 'Wet'" (a take on Asahi Super Dry). I don't know why lube needs to be packaged in this form though.
Zentai. YES, IT EXISTS.
Used panties.
I was quite excited to see this. I never knew sex dolls were so affordable. Then again there's the freaky manga face, ugh. And on reflection it doesn't look fully articulated (for all you know it's a blowup underneath).
Someone: u see e words beside the 8400 yen
it means "self made hole for specialised use"
I finally got the tenga cup for someone, so I left.
There's a LOT of Dōjinshi at this place. There's "女人向" but no "男人向" (maybe that's porn).
I was feeling peckish, so I went to Matsuya again.
The pork was both better taste and value. Fried stuff doesn't fare well when microwaved.
Almost all Jap eating establishments up to the not-so-cheap level use disposable chopsticks. Maybe it's some law.
Matsuya menu. Mine was the top left.
Various breads. The one on the top right was my breakfast.
I don't yet know if this is Français or Fwancais (Fwench)
An example of subordinate masculinity. The tie makes it less subordinate, I suppose.
After my walk I returned to the Capsule Hotel.
Hotel's floors. I am amused at the distinction between beer and normal vending machines. Women got private shower cubicles, their own computer area and the option of renting a room (as opposed to capsules). How sexist. Then again, knowing how perverted Jap men can get, I don't exactly blame them.
My
The capsule had a TV (but I couldn't hear anything) but no power points inside. Cutting edge technology indeed - for the 1980s!
Usually Jap-style pillows have beans inside. This one didn't.
The mortuary
Me in my coffin, with the blind pulled down
Someone: your display picture looks like some rather sleezy pictures I've seen of passed out girls
PS: I only have 2 more travelogue entries left, but there probably won't be more for quite a while.
