Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Gundam

Most of our childhood and adolescent years were spent watching Japanese cartoons. Part of the plan was to visit the 1:1 RX-78 Gundam Robot outside Diver City located in the Odaiba district. The RX-78 Gundam is a fictional manned robot introduced in 1979. It's a long running Japanese anime series and TV franchise.

To get here from our place, we had to ride the Keio New Line from Hatagaya station, go down Shinjuku station, ride the Toei Subway Oedo Line, go down Shiodome station, ride the Yurikamome monorail then hop off Daiba station. The whole commute takes 49 minutes and costs Y 660. The Yurikamome monorail is driver-less and felt like it runs on rubber tires. I recommend sitting in front so you can get a spectacular view of the bay and the Rainbow bridge.

It was a beautiful day. Cool weather partnered with sunny skies. When we hopped off the monorail and walked over to Diver City, a wave of nostalgia swept over me when I saw the 18 meter Gundam. It was so surreal! I'd like to see this next time at night and enjoy the light show.


Snap.Snap.Snap.







I look so tiny with Gundam.


The experience was fantastic! This is one of the highlights of our Tokyo trip.

Some info taken from Gail Nakada of Huffington Post and Gigantic Statues
Photos taken using Canon 550D

Monday, April 7, 2014

Shibuya Crossing

Our Tokyo trip would be incomplete if we didn't walk along Shibuya Crossing. It was an amazing sight and the feeling of crossing the world's busiest pedestrian intersection is overwhelming. Let me tell you a secret, I cried happy tears. Lol! I'm not really the dramatic type but there was something magical about the place. We crossed eight times the first day and twice on another day. The pedestrian scramble is the perfect epitome of organized chaos. We did not experience one single bump. You just gotta love the Japanese culture.


We went all the way up to Starbucks Tsutaya to get this view. This is not even rush hour. To get here, take the JR Yamanote line, go down Shibuya Station and exit at Hachiko Exit.


We were pressed for time on our first visit so we decided to come back and explore the area in more detail. This time it was raining. While people watching in Starbucks Tsutsaya, a fellow traveler mistook Mike for a local. 

Fellow Traveler : What an amazing view! Do you get to see this everyday?

Mike : You're right, it is amazing. No, I'm not from here. I'm from Manila.

Does this view remind you of Sophia Coppola's Lost in Translation or The Fast and the Furious Tokyo Drift?



A short, unedited clip taken by Mike. The music playing in the background was perfect timing.


This experience is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Photos taken using Canon 550D, iPhone5, Video taken using Canon 550D
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