The Dark Knight

This weekend I went to see the new Batman flick. I was surprised at how dark and edgy the film turned out. If I had to describe it in one word: Twisted. Ledger as the Joker was phenomenal. Apparently I'm the only one who likes Batman's rasptastic voice.

One of the best movies I have seen in years. The movie was saturated with poignant political and social undertones which are highly relevant to today.

The katakana on the poster reads: DaaKu NaITo


Movies are much more expensive in Japan. To go to the movies it costs 1,800 yen and DVD's range in price from 1,500-3,500 yen, almost double what you will pay in the states. However, when you buy a movie ticket in Japan you get to choose where you sit. Here is a picture of the seating chart!


After the movie I got dinner. Guess where I ate?


Note the wholesome clean fun Americana decor.


Recycling is a huge deal in Japan. Even at Mickey D's.

14 Days...

No Posts: Fantasy Football Season.

Welcome Party!

Yesterday my coworkers threw a welcome party for me! We ate raw fish and drank beer.


A lot of beer!


Then we went to El Mundo to drink more beer! I like parties! Thanks coworkers, you guys are awesome!

Tokyo: Harajuku

Two weeks back I went to Tokyo for the day with my coworker Kiwi, my friend JB who I met at training in Vancouver, and his coworker Haiku.

Harajuku is only two trains and two hours away from Ashikaga. Miraculously I made it to the station without gettng lost and met up with my friends. We grabbed a quick bite to eat, then headed to Meiji-Jingu.


Meiji Jingu
The main torii (gate) at Meiji Jingu. Meiji Jingu is a shrine dedicated to the Meiji Emperor. During his rule from 1867-1912, he played a significant role in Japan's rise to modernity.
(I stole this picture from JB.)


The area around Meiji Jingu is covered with tranquil forests.


I love sake this much!


Torii #2 at Meiju Jingu. Apparently the first one wasn't good enough so they had to build another.


Before entering and praying inside Meiji Jingu visitors are supposed to wash their hands and mouth. Here Kiwi is "pretending" to be Japanese. She didn't know what to do and had to read the instructions.


I decided not to pray. Besides, Japan is too far from heaven for Jesus to hear my prayers, over here it all falls under Buddha's jurisdiction.


For 500 yen ($5) you could buy a wooden card to write your prayers on. Of course you don't have to pay the 500 yen and get the card, but if you want your prayers answered, it is highly recommended.


Inside the courtyard of Meiji Jingu.



Shortly after we arrived at the shrine, a prayer ceremony was held and I got my first take of Taiko drumming.


On the left is where I bought a charm for victory. One of the best investments I have ever made. Since I have bought it, I have been victorious at everything!


Takeshita Dori
This street is internationally renown for its trend-setting fashion. This real estate is also known for having the highest concentration of foreigners in all of Japan.



Here Kiwi, JB, and I are walking down Takeshita Dori looking for Shakey's Pizza. It was wall to wall people everywhere.



Condomania!
On our way to Shakey's Pizza we found Condomania. Here is quick video of me getting kicked out for taking video inside!



Then we stumbled upon this sweet looking Audi dealership.

The pizza at Shakey's was somewhat disappointing. At least they had beer. Afterwards we made our way to the train station to catch a ride to Shinjuku.



The train was packed! I bet it's a fun ride during rush hour on weekdays.



This is the madness I encounter at major train stations.

continued on Tokyo: Shinjuku

Tokyo: Shinjuku

continued from Tokyo: Harajuku

Shinjuku station is considered by some to be the busiest train station in the world. It doesn't feel like a train station. In fact it resembles a massive underground metropolis more than it does a train station. It is a immense multistory labyrinth with shopping malls, restaurants, and department stores.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Center
After we escaped from Shinjuku Station we went to the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Center to take pictures.



A quick video of the view. Too bad the weather wasn't better. On clear day you a supposed to be able to see Mt. Fuji.


The Park Hyatt Tokyo
This is the hotel that was featured in Lost In Translation. We tried to go to the New York Bar on the 52nd floor but were denied due to dress code. This place was pretty swanky. The cheapest single room runs more than 50,000 yen a night. Next month we are going to head back with the appropriate attire. That should be a great opportunity to play the "How many Long Island Ice Tea's can I drink before I get cut off?" game. I'm going for 5!



So where do you go after being denied to one of the most lavish drinking establishments in all of Tokyo? Kabukicho! Tokyo's most infamous and irreputable red-light district!


The Lock-Up
Before walking through Kabukicho we decided to quench our thirst and rehydrate at a restaurant called The Lock-Up.


The Lock-Up is a horror themed restaurant with poor lighting and exotic drinks.


We ate dinner inside a jail cell.


We had been there for only 2 minutes and Haiku was already afraid.


After she gathered her courage she ordered the giant eye ball drink!


I decided to go with the Mad Scientist Starter Kit! Test tubes, beakers, and pipet included!


Then I went with the delicious Cotton Candy drink. JB decided to step up and try "the Shocker", the most alcoholic drink on the menu. "The Shocker" lived up to its name.



We Will Rock You!


The monster that attacked us!

Kabukicho
Apparently Yakuzas run this area which is filled with numerous "massage parlors", but I didn't see anything too exciting. Not even 1/100th as dangerous or skeazy as TJ.


Golden Gai
Then we headed to Golden Gai, an area just East of Kabukicho. We went to dive bar called Champions, a place for winners to congregate an celebrate themselves. We fit right in.



JB singing Lose Yourself by Eminem.



10 seconds later.



This guy sang New Kids on the Block. He asked me not to post this video on YouTube.


This was my first time singing karaoke in Japan. The song I choose, Shaggy: It Wasn't Me. No, the people behind me are laughing at something else that is even funnier than my singing...

After a few more songs we finished our drinks and caught the last train. My first trip to Tokyo was amazing and can't wait to go back.

Hana-bi!

On Saturday morning I was awoken at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00 am by...fireworks! Yes! Daytime fireworks on the hour every hour! I was not in a good mood when I had to get up for work.


Once my coworkers and I finished our classes for the day, we stepped outside the office to watch Ashikaga's annual hana-bi festival. The fireworks display started at 7:00 and didn't end until 9:00 pm.

For the past month various businesses and offices have had fireworks posters hanging in their windows. The fireworks festival is kind of a big deal.


Vendors began setting up booths and stalls hours before the fireworks even started.


Even the gangstas came out to enjoy the show. Unfortunately for them so did the police.


At the festival they served a lot of food that you would find at a carnival back in the states; fried chicken, icees, and hot dog on a stick. There were also a wide variety of noodle shops and of course squid!



Here is short video of some of the fireworks. My coworkers and I ate fried chicken while I filmed this.



Another action shot.

Goodbye, It Was Nice to Meet You

Sleeping in has never felt better. You've had trouble sleeping since moving to Japan. No matter what time you go to bed you find yourself waking up at 6:00 am and then again at 8:00. After an exhausting week of classes you are ready to unwind. Luckily enough there is a goodbye party for a teacher the next town over, "Jane". It's a great excuse to drink more than you should, so you top off your flask and head out!

The party is at a "Mexican Restaurant", immediately you thoughts turn to Dos Equis. They have it! It is going to be a good night!


Despite the fact that the restaurant has Dos Equis, the "Mexican food" is "disappointing". Once again your Mexican food theory holds true. The further away from Mexico.....at they had tortillas. You end up snacking on some chicken nuggets and a couple of hot dog tacos.

You talk to students about a wide range of topics: Las Vegas, racism in Texas, ("how White people don't like Yellow people"), the U.S. sub prime mortgage crisis, Obama vs. McCain, English curse words, Credence Clearwater Revival, Batman, and of course Steven Seagal.

Analogy
Jesus is to United States
as
Steven Seagal is to Japan

In Japan the man's a demigod. Don't ask me to explain, I still don't understand it.


While you are leaving the restaurant you introduce yourself to "Jane". By this point, her cheeks are flushed and she is completely smashed. You briefly chit chat and exchange courtesies. A nearby students tells the two of you that you talk just like actors in a movie. You highly doubt this, but are flattered none the less.

Afterwards, the party moves to a karaoke bar. You haven't had enough beer to embarrass yourself but you end up being cajoled on stage for Flavor of the Week by American Hi-Fi. It goes better than expected, or maybe you just aren't drunk enough to screw the song up. One or the other. You catch the last train to Ashikaga and head home. All in all a great night.



Proof that I was the most sober individual of the evening despite my best efforts otherwise.