I've been in Japan for a total of eight days now. There was a class today called History of Japan, but fortunately I don't have to take that class so I had a free day. My building mate (Michelle) and I went down to Harajuku today =D We didn't really see any outrageous outfits, but I think those are more common during Saturdays and Sundays. We checked out a few costume stores, which are way intense. There were maid costumes, and sailor moon ones; I even found a beanie with ears on them, which were being sold for about 40 bucks =(

I'm still getting used to taking the trains here so I'm not really sure if I could find my way down to Tokyo by myself yet. It's not difficult because the maps all have English on them, I just am paranoid about getting lost and having to ask for help. Err that might not go down so well.

Anyway here are some things that I have observed from being over here.

1. In the majority of the stores I've been in you don't hand money directly to the cashiers as you do in America. They have little plates that you place the money in. I tried to give it to the cashier directly the first time and Michelle had to correct me, plus the cashier gave me funny looks.

2. Subways are generally very quiet. Nobody talks, and if they do its in whispers. People usually cover the mouth piece on the cell phone if they use it.

3. Trains are the most common form of transportation, so when it gets packed, it gets packed. Today I was squished in between lots of people, kinda of freaked me out since I don't like tight spaces. An IES student said they saw a guard pushing people in the trains to make them fit, but I haven't seen that yet. If that was ever the case, I'd take the next train.

4. Guys carry purses. LOL

5. Cell phone accessories are really popular here. I bought a pink voodoo one today =D

There are a few others, but I'll add those later. Anyway while we were in Harajuku we ate at this crepe stall. I ordered something with banana's and cream in it, but the cream was just way too much. The stall was awesome though, the crepes on display looked real. These seem to be really popular in this area, there was a few in the same vicinity and there were lines in each area. Then behind the Harajuku train station there's the Meiji Jingu Shrine. It's dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken and is one of Tokyo's major shrines. They had a wooden prayer cards that visitors can write on. This was mine =D

Today was pretty fun, my feet are hurting from all the walking though. Unfortunately we weren't able to visit any parks to see cherry blossom trees (sakura) but tomorrow we are heading to an American military base to see some. I'll let you know how that goes =D ...

I've been in Japan for a total of eight days now. There was a class today called History of Japan, but fortunately I don't have to take that class so I had a free day. My building mate (Michelle) and I went down to Harajuku today =D We didn't really see any outrageous outfits, but I think those are more common during Saturdays and Sundays. We checked out a few costume stores, which are way intense. There were maid costumes, and sailor moon ones; I even found a beanie with ears on them, which were being sold for about 40 bucks =(

I'm still getting used to taking the trains here so I'm not really sure if I could find my way down to Tokyo by myself yet. It's not difficult because the maps all have English on them, I just am paranoid about getting lost and having to ask for help. Err that might not go down so well.

Anyway here are some things that I have observed from being over here.

1. In the majority of the stores I've been in you don't hand money directly to the cashiers as you do in America. They have little plates that you place the money in. I tried to give it to the cashier directly the first time and Michelle had to correct me, plus the cashier gave me funny looks.

2. Subways are generally very quiet. Nobody talks, and if they do its in whispers. People usually cover the mouth piece on the cell phone if they use it.

3. Trains are the most common form of transportation, so when it gets packed, it gets packed. Today I was squished in between lots of people, kinda of freaked me out since I don't like tight spaces. An IES student said they saw a guard pushing people in the trains to make them fit, but I haven't seen that yet. If that was ever the case, I'd take the next train.

4. Guys carry purses. LOL

5. Cell phone accessories are really popular here. I bought a pink voodoo one today =D

There are a few others, but I'll add those later. Anyway while we were in Harajuku we ate at this crepe stall. I ordered something with banana's and cream in it, but the cream was just way too much. The stall was awesome though, the crepes on display looked real. These seem to be really popular in this area, there was a few in the same vicinity and there were lines in each area. Then behind the Harajuku train station there's the Meiji Jingu Shrine. It's dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken and is one of Tokyo's major shrines. They had a wooden prayer cards that visitors can write on. This was mine =D

Today was pretty fun, my feet are hurting from all the walking though. Unfortunately we weren't able to visit any parks to see cherry blossom trees (sakura) but tomorrow we are heading to an American military base to see some. I'll let you know how that goes =D ...