Last weekend we had our first visit to Tokyo City. At this time of writing, Tokyo is the world’s second most expensive city to live in, yet almost 10% of Japan population is here. Fortunately, we’re allocated to the Urawa Language Center during our 5 days visit, which really saved us a lot.
Arrival at Haneda Airport, Tokyo
The first 2 days of our trip was planned by the institute personnel, where we got to visit the Asakusa Sensoji Temple, Edo Tokyo Museum, Imperial Palace, Panasonic Center and University of Tokyo. Generally, personal transportation vehicles are not required as there are heaps of trains and subways to get you to every corner of the city.
Raimon of the Asakusa Sensoji Temple
A shrine for hand wash to cleanse oneself
Me and Raymie
Edo Tokyo Museum
Kabuki, a stage performance presented solely by males
In front of the Imperial Palace
Too bad we’re not allowed to enter…
Visit to Panasonic Center, Odaiba
A place displaying all the high tech gadgets and latest products of Panasonic that can never be found anywhere around the world. Too bad photo shooting is prohibited in the center…
View from Aqua City, Odaiba
Rainbow Bridge and miniature Statue of Liberty
Visit to University of Tokyo, the dream university of every Japanese student
Being the oldest and top university of Japan, most of the buildings have long history and sometimes it feels a bit creepy when you are staying alone here. The library gave me the “Hogwards” feel in Harry Potter, where you can actually experience similar design and decoration around the building.
Dinner with AYF seniors, big family…
Once again AYF Malaysia reunited
Tsukiji, one of the world’s largest fish trading market, handling over 2,000 tonnes of marine products per day
“The art of slicing”…???
No sushi or sashimi is comparable to these freshly made in Tsukiji
Tokyo Game Show 2010, the gamers’ arena
Beauties and the Beast
Anime cosplay, a popular teenagers’ trend in Japan
Akihabara, the electronic gadgets heaven in Tokyo
Shinjuku, where different cultures mixed
The famous crossroad at Shibuya
Hachiko the faithful dog
This is a story about a dog which waited his master here at this spot for 9 years despite after his master’s death. The monument is built as a token of gratitude for the loyalty and faithfulness of the dog to his master.
The Autumn Festival in Shibuya
Harajuku, Japan’s most extreme teenage culture and fashion spot.
Visit to Tokyo Tower
This is actually the old tower, with a height of about 300 meters. A new tower is currently under construction and is expected to reach a height of about 600 meters !!!
Night view of Tokyo City
Ginza, the high end shopping street that will dry up your wallet in no time...
Tiffany
BVLGARI
Cartier
Chanel
LV
These are just a few examples. In fact, the street is full of branded fashion goods’ flagship. A shopping heaven for those who don’t know where to spend their money. 
Returning to Osaka with Shinkansen a.k.a the “Bullet” train
There are basically 3 types of Shinkansen, Nozomi (fastest), followed by Hikari and Kodama. Of course, the speed of the train is proportional to the ticket fee…
Everyone’s tired after 5 days in Tokyo
Mario and Wee, the classical moment…
Generally, Tokyo is a nice place to visit, but not a good place for long term living. Life here is so hectic and you can see the crowd rushing here and there all the time. Lots of entertainments, but everything here is much more expensive as compared to other places in Japan. So why is there still almost 10% of the Japan population being located here…?
Career opportunity. Most of the big companies’ headquarters are located here in Tokyo. In the Japanese working society, being transferred from branch office to the headquarter is actually a promotion and great advancement in one’s career life. In some cases, one will actually bring his/her family along with the reallocation. But in most cases, one would have to be separated from his/her family due to the inconvenience. Well, guess there are always negative elements behind the positive ones.
Til then~~~
