Category Archives: Japan

Tokyo DisneySea (Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan)

Posted on by — 1 Comment ↓

Tokyo DisneySea Entrance Plaza

Our second day in Tokyo was to be spent at the 71.22 hectare (176-acre) Tokyo DisneySea theme park at the Tokyo Disney Resort, just outside Tokyo. Getting there would entail us a number to Metro rides.

Resort Gateway Station (3)

The second theme park to open (September 4, 2001, at a cost of 335 billion yen) at the Tokyo Disney Resort and the ninth park of the twelve worldwide Disney theme parks to open, the distinctly different Tokyo DisneySea was the fastest theme park in the world to reach the milestone of 10 million guests, having done so in 307 days after its grand opening (the previous record-holder was Universal Studios Japan 338 days after its opening). Just last year, it attracted an estimated 14.651 million visitors, making it the fourth-most-visited theme park in the world.

Disney Resort Monorail

In 2002, for the concept, design, and construction of the theme park, Tokyo DisneySea won a Thea Award from the Themed Entertainment Association  presented at El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, California.

DisneySea AquaSphere

Tokyo DisneySea has an overall nautical exploration theme to it, with seven nautically themed areas or “ports of call” – Mediterranean Harbor, American Waterfront, Lost River Delta, Port Discovery, Mermaid Lagoon, Arabian Coast and Mysterious Island.

Statue of Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney at Entrance Plaza

Unlike neighboring Tokyo Disneyland, it provides a wider selection of table service restaurants and is one of the very few Disney parks that serve alcoholic beverages (from regular pints of beer to a mix of fun cocktails at kiosks to fine selections of liquor at the elegant Teddy Roosevelt Lounge).

After breakfast at our hotel, we walked over to the nearby Akasaka-Mitsuke Metro Station where we boarded the train for Tokyo Metro Marunouchi. Upon arrival, we transfer to the JR Keiyo Line for the JR Maihama Station and, from there, transferred to the Disney Resort Monorail from the Resort Gateway Station that is adjacent to JR Maihama Station. We reach Tokyo DisneySea at the Tokyo DisneySea Station, the third stop.  The whole trip, including transfers, took us about 45 mins.

Mediterranean Harbor

Within the entrance plaza is the DisneySea AquaSphere, a water fountain with a large model of the earth. Upon entering, the first “port of call” we encountered was the Mediterranean Harbor which is themed as an Italian port city. Unlike entry “lands” of other Disney parks, Mediterranean Harbor’s layout differs is a large “V” shape rather than a main street that leads to a hub (as found in Disneyland‘s Main Street, U.S.A. or Disney’s Hollywood Studios‘ Hollywood Boulevard”). Overlooking a sizeable marina, littered throughout the port are various shops and restaurants. Guests here can board and ride authentic Venetian gondolas at Palazzo Canals.

A Venetian-style canal

Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta, built into the architecture of the port, serves as a full-scale reproduction of the various buildings of Portofino and Venice’s ports and serves as the southern berm (or border) of the park.

Magellan’s Restaurant

Bryan, Cheska and Kyle exploring a replica of an old sailing ship

Mediterranean Harbor also features Soaring: Fantastic Flight (a flying simulator) and “Fortress Explorations” (a large-scale interactive play area for guests that features exploration-themed activities and attractions). At night, there’s “Fantasmic!” show which premiered on April 28, 2011 as part of the park’s 10th anniversary celebration.

A bridge reminiscent of Ponte Vecchio, the old bridge in Florence, Italy

To the right of Mediterranean Harbor, the path leads to Mysterious Island, and to the left, the path leads to the American Waterfront, separated by a bridge reminiscent of Ponte Vecchio, the old bridge in Florence, Italy.

Mysterious Island

The Victorian-style Mysterious Island, the smallest of DisneySea’s “ports of call,” relies heavily on the storytelling of Jules Verne and, specifically, the mythology of the volcano fortress mentioned several times in the books called “Vulcania.”

Mount Prometheus

Its centerpiece and most prominent feature is the giant volcano Mount Prometheus and its ride employs technology similar to Epcot‘s Test Track.

While appearing to be a volcano on the water, Mysterious Island is not an island.  It is built into the side of Mount Prometheus, which is part of the show building for the two more popular attractions – “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (a thrill ride) and “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” (a dark ride).

Mermaid Lagoon

The mostly indoors, whimsical Mermaid Lagoon, geared towards younger children, has a facade made to resemble King Triton’s palace, recreating the feeling of being underwater.

Interior of Mermaid Lagoon

It features seashell-inspired architecture and is home to the characters of The Little Mermaid. Attractions at this “port of call” include Flounder’s Flying Fish Coaster; Scuttle’s Scooters; Jumpin’ Jellyfish; Blowfish Balloon Race; The Whirlpool; all children’s rides; and Ariel’s Playground (a children’s playground and extensive walk-through attraction that recreates the various settings in the movie).

Mermaid Lagoon Theater

King Triton’s Concert

At Mermaid Lagoon Theater, we watched “King Triton’s Concert,” a musical show that recreate the story of The Little Mermaid and featured live actors, large-scale puppetry and Audio-Animatronics.

Arabian Coast

The Arabian Coast, themed after Aladdin, recreates an Arabian harbor combined with an “enchanted world from 1001 Arabian Nights.”

Sinbad’s Storybook Voyage

Our boat ride…..

Here, we tried out the  Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage, an indoor dark ride boat ride whose art direction seems to be, at first glance, a variation on “It’s a Small World” (with its own theme song, “Compass of your Heart,” composed by Alan Menken).

Jasmine’s Flying Carpets

Cheska, Kyle and Bryan at the Caravan Carousel

We also tried out the Jasmine’s Flying Carpets and Caravan Carousel, a double-decker carousel that holds over 190 passengers, and ate lunch at its Casbah Food Court.

Casbah Food Court

This “port of call’s” other attraction is the Magic Lamp Theater which houses a combined live-action/animatronic based magic show with a 3D movie featuring the Genie.

Lost River Delta

Lost River Delta, located at the back of the park, the dominant structure in this “port of call” is the ruins of an ancient Aztec pyramid in the Central American jungle which houses the dark thrill ride, Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull. “Out of Shadowland,” a live theatrical show, follows Mei, a young girl lost in a world of shadows who finds confidence and strength through her sojourn there.

Indiana Jones Adventure – Temple of the Crystal Skull

Out of Shadowland

Also in the Lost River Delta is the DisneySea Steamer Line which transports guests from Mediterranean Harbor to Cape Cod and Lost River Delta.

DisneySea Steamer Line

Raging Spirits , an Intamin roller coaster which opened in 2005, is similar to Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril at Disneyland Park in Paris).

Port Discovery

At Port Discovery, home to the fictional “Marine Life Institute,” Grace, Jandy, Bryan, Cheska and Kyle tried out Aquatopia, a boat ride that uses LPS tracking (the ‘trackless’ technology also used in Tokyo Disneyland’s Pooh’s Hunny Hunt to move and spin through a lagoon amid waterfalls and whirlpools.

Aquatopia

Jandy and Grace taking a spin around the lagoon

We also rode the relaxing and scenic  DisneySea Electric Railway, an overhead electric trolley, on a 2 ft., 6 in. (762 mm.) narrow gauge  track, that transported us the American Waterfront.

Disneysea Electric Railway

The author, Cheska, Kyle and Bryan on board the trolley

The Nemo & Friends SeaRider, opened on May 12, 2017, is based on Finding Nemo/Finding Dory which replaced the former StormRider simulator.

American Waterfront

The American Waterfront, representing the northeastern seaboard of the United States in the early 20th century, features two themed areas – an “Old Cape Cod” section, and a “New York Harbor” section.

Here, we rode some of the area’s “Big City Vehicles,” from the limousine to paddy wagon, delivery truck and more, which roam the streets of the area.

One of the “Big City Vehicles”

The Tower of Terror, an elaborately themed free-fall E-ticket ride, is  the port’s most popular attraction. Its Broadway-themed theater, which plays the show “Big Band Beat,” features 1940s-style swing jazz performed by a 12-piece band, as well as 20 singers/dancers.

SS Columbia

This “port of call,” accessible by the aforementioned DisneySea Electric Railway from nearby Port Discovery, is dominated by the SS Columbia, a large passenger ship which is usually the site for various shows and events. It houses a restaurant and lounge.

Turtle Talk

Here, we watched a special theater-style attraction called Turtle Talk where you can ask questions (though in Japanese) in real time to Crush, the 153-year-old surfer-dude turtle from Finding Nemo and Finding Dory.

Toyville Trolley Park

Toy Story Mania, in a new area called Toyville Trolley Park, is easily one of the most popular attractions in the park.  An interactive 4-D theme park attraction, it opened on July 9, 2012.  Inspired by Disney Pixar’s Toy Story, guests wore 3-D glasses while riding spinning vehicles that travel through virtual environments based on classic carnival games. There are shooters on the vehicles to let guests to shoot targets in those 3-D games like “egg toss” and “balloon pop”.

Toy Story Mania

Tokyo DisneySea: Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Open daily, typically from 8 AM to 10 PM, admission ends one hour before closing. Admission: 7,500 yen.  For a detailed map of Tokyo DisneySea, check out their website.

Shibuya Crossing (Tokyo, Japan)

Posted on by — Leave a reply

Shibuya Crossing: A Must Do for first time visitors to Tokyo

Fashionable  Shibuya , a major commercial and business center and a special ward in Tokyo, is famous for its famous, unique and extremely busy Shibuya Crossing  located in front of the popular Hachikō exit of Shibuya Station, one of the busiest stations in Tokyo.

Bryan, Kyle, Cheska, Jandy, Grace and the author at Shibuya Crossing

One of the icons of Tokyo, here vehicles stop in all directions to allow large crowds of pedestrians, who walk between the various stores and shopping centers near the crossing, to inundate the entire intersection, making for an impressive sight in a confined space. Here, five roads meet in one of the busiest parts of the most populous city in the world.

View of Shibuya Crossing from Shibuya Station

Here are some of the interesting trivia regarding this famous Tokyo attraction:

  • It is the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world.
  • The iconic crossing scene is frequently used to depict how busy Tokyo
  • Per green cycle, up to 3,000 pedestrians use this crossing.
  • Also referred to as the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, the Shibuya Crossing allow pedestrians to walk in all directions (scramble) through the intersection as the traffic is stopped in all directions. Additional terms for this style of pedestrian cross are diagonal crossing or exclusive pedestrian crossings.
  • Three large TV screens, mounted on nearby buildings overlooking the crossing, as well as many advertising signs, can be seen from the crossing.
  • The iconic video screen, featured in the movie Lost in Translation (with its ‘walking dinosaur’ scene) as well as other movies, was taken down for a period of time and replaced with static advertising. It resumed operation in July 2013.
  • The Starbucks store at the Q Front Bldg., overlooking the crossing, is the busiest in Japan and one of the busiest in the world. It is also one of several publicly accessible raised vantage points where you can obtain an overview of the crossing. However, the much sought after prime position at the second floor window, looking out the crossing, can be challenge as the wait can be very long, especially at peak times.
  • Hachiko Statue, a very popular meeting place next to the crossing, commemorates Japan’s most famous dog who used to visit Shibuya Station every day for over ten years to wait for his master to return from work.  A station exit was also named after him.
  • Shibuya Crossing is often featured in Hollywood movies (Lost in Translation, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Resident Evil: Afterlife and Retribution), music videos and  television shows, which take place in Tokyo, as well as on domestic and international news broadcasts.
  • Carl Randall, a contemporary British painter  who spent 10 years living in Tokyo as an artist, depicted the area in his large artwork ‘Shibuya’ which was exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery in London in 2013.
  • During the 2016 Summer Olympics closing ceremony, the crossing was featured to promote the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
  • Its heavy traffic and inundation of advertising have led to it being compared to the Times Square intersection in New York City and Dundas Square intersection in Toronto.
  • Julian Worrall, a Tokyo-based architecture professor, has said Shibuya Crossing is “a great example of what Tokyo does best when it’s not trying.”

Check out “Hachiko Memorial Statue“

For first time visitors to Japan like us, it is an excellent place for travelers who want an introduction to Tokyo’s more energetic side as well as see what an organized mega city looks like.

A rite of passage begins for the author as he makes the crossing …..

We arrived at the crossing by late afternoon when the crowds were at their maximum.  When we made our first crossing, we well expected chaos, with the thousands of people walking in different directions.

Jandy, Grace and Kyle follow suit …….

However, we realized how cool it really was as the pedestrian flow was surprisingly generally smooth as Tokyo residents are used to walking in crowded places (crossing a road with hundreds of other people seems to be just part of their daily routine) and they were very polite and efficient.

Bryan. Kyle and Cheska join in …..

The traffic lights at the crossing have a 2-min. cycle and, during that short waiting time, each little corner of the intersection steadily fills up and, just as the people begin to spill out into the street, the crosswalk lights turn green again and the crossing starts all over again.

Shibuya Crossing at night……

Photographers and videographers were everywhere, constantly searching for the best vantage point to take the best shots.

It was less hectic than we expected as everyone stuck to their own path. We did the crossing, not just once, but several times as we finally were able to really experience the Shibuya Crossing vibe and feel the Tokyo spirit, all in one single square.

Come evening, the crossing came alive with all the color and light coming from the massive advertising, neon signs and jumbo screens. After midnight, the crowds finally thin out when the Shibuya stations closes.

 

Hachiko Memorial Statue (Tokyo, Japan)

Posted on by — 1 Comment ↓

Hachiko Memorial Statue

It was now late in the day when we finished our late lunch inside our airconditioned hotel room and, as many museums close by 5 PM, we decided to just visit Shibuya Crossing and the nearby famous Hachiko Statue.  From the Akasaka Station, it was just a short 10-min. train ride to Shibuya Station.

The bronze memorial statue of the loyal dog Hachikō, between the train station and the intersection, is a common meeting place and, thus, was crowded. Hachikō, was, during his lifetime, held up in Japanese culture as an example of loyalty and fidelity.

This Akita Inu (a Japanese breed from the mountains of northern Japan) dog was born on November 10, 1923 in a farm near the city of Ōdate, Akita Prefecture. In 1924, Hachikō was taken as a pet by Hidesaburō Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the Tokyo Imperial University, who brought him to live in Shibuya, Tokyo. Professor Ueno would commute daily to work, and Hachikō, at the end of each day, would leave the house to greet him at the nearby Shibuya Station.

This daily routine continued until May 21, 1925 when, while he was giving a lecture,  the professor suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died without ever returning to the train station in which Hachikō waited. Still, each day for the next nine years, nine months and fifteen days, Hachikō would still await Ueno’s return, appearing precisely when the train was due at the station and thus attracting the attention of other commuters, many of whom frequented the Shibuya train station and had seen Hachikō and Professor Ueno together each day.

Hirokichi Saito, one of Ueno’s students who developed expertise on the Akita breed, also saw Hachiko at the station and followed him to the home of Kuzaboro Kobayashi, Ueno’s former gardener, where he learned the history of Hachikō’s life. He returned frequently to visit Hachikō and, over the years, published several articles about the dog’s remarkable loyalty. On October 4, 1932, an article about him in Asahi Shimbun (Asahi News), placed Hachikō in the national spotlight, making the dog a national sensation. People started to bring Hachikō treats and food to nourish him during his wait.

His faithfulness to his master Ueno’s memory impressed Japanese people as a spirit of family loyalty to which all should strive to achieve and teachers and parents also used Hachikō’s vigil as an example for children to follow. Throughout the country, a new awareness of the Akita breed grew. Eventually, Hachikō’s legendary faithfulness became a national symbol of loyalty, particularly to the person and institution of Emperors.

Hachikō died on March 8, 1935, at the age of 11, from both terminalcancer and a filaria infection, and his remains were cremated and his ashes were buried in Aoyama Cemetery, Minato, Tokyo, resting beside those of Professor Ueno, Hachikō’s beloved master. His fur, preserved after his death, was stuffed and mounted and is currently on permanent display at the National Science Museum of Japan in Ueno, Tokyo.

A statue based Hachiko’s likeness was first sculpted by well-known Japanese artist Teru Ando and erected at Shibuya Station (35°39′32.6″N 139°42′2.1″E) in April 1934, with Hachikō himself present at its unveiling. During World War II, the statue was recycled for the war effort.

L-R: the author, Kyle, Grace and Jandy

In 1948, Takeshi Ando, son of the original artist, was commissioned by the Society for Recreating the Hachikō Statue to make a new second statue which was erected in August 1948.  It still stands and is a popular meeting spot. The station entrance near this statue, one of Shibuya Station’s five exits, is named the Hachikō Entrance/Exit (Hachikō-guchi).

L-R: Cheska, Kyle and Bryan

Hachikō’s devotion is honored on March 8, each year, with a solemn ceremony of remembrance at the Shibuya railroad station, attended by hundreds of dog lovers who want to honor his memory and loyalty. Well after Hachiko’s death, the dog continues to be remembered in worldwide popular culture, with statues, movies, books, and appearances in various media.  In 1987, the story of Hachiko was depicted in the Japanese film,  Hachikō Monogatari (ハチ公物語,The Tale of Hachiko). The 2009 British American drama film Hachi: A Dog’s Tale,  which starred Richard Gere, Joan Allen and Sarah Roemer, is a remake of the Japanese film. 

Plaque of statue

Hachiko Memorial Statue: 1 Chome-2 Dōgenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tōkyō-to 150-0043, Japan.  Tel:  +81 3-3463-1762.

Tokyo Here We Come!!!

Posted on by — Leave a reply

Our first clear view of the Japanese countryside from our plane window

Our direct Cebu Pacific (5J-5054) flight to Tokyo left Manila’s NAIA Terminal 3 by 6:15 AM and our flight took us nearly four-and-a-half hours.  We had a pre-ordered breakfast on board our plane.  Our plane landed at Narita International Airport by 11:30 AM (Tokyo time which is one hour ahead of Manila).

Narita International Airport

Grace, Bryan and Cheska exiting the plane

Kyle, Jandy, Cheska and Bryan now inside Narita International Airport

After gathering our luggage and passing through Airport Immigration, Cheska booked all of us on an Airport Limousine Bus that would bring us, from the airport, to Akasaka Excel Hotel Tokyu which was near the hotel we were to stay in for four nights – Centurion Classic Akasaka.

Check out “Hotel and Inn Review: Centurion Classic Akasaka“

Airport Limousine bus

Fare was ￥3,100 per adult (￥15,500 total for me, Grace, Jandy, Cheska and Bryan) and ￥1,550 for my 6 year old grandson Kyle.  We could have taken the Metro and save more than half what we paid, but we decided against it as we were traveling with heavy and bulky luggage. Taking the taxi or Uber would have been more expensive as we would have to board two vehicles.

On board…..

Our airconditioned limousine bus soon arrived and, after our luggage was loaded, we took our seats inside the bus which left promptly at 1:30 PM. Normally, travel time from Narita International Airport to Asakasa (59.7 kms. away) takes just a little over an hour but our bus trip took 30 mins. longer as the bus made a number of stops to drop off passengers at different hotels.  We arrived at the Akasaka Excel Hotel by 3 PM and made the short 5-min. walk to our hotel.

Alighting from the bus at Excel Hotel Akasaka Tokyu

Walking towards our hotel

After checking in at our 5th floor room (Room 509) and freshening up abit, we again went down to the hotel lobby and walked to a nearby 7-11 convenient store where we bought packed lunches, sandwiches and 1-liter bottled water.  That done, we gain walked back to our hotel and had our first meal in Tokyo in the airconditioned comfort of our room.

Centurion Hotel Classic Akasuka

Centurion Classic Asakasa: 107-0052 Tokyo Prefecture, Minato-ku Akasaka 3-11-8, Japan.  Tel: 1-866-599-6674.