2.
Me: Kalau Miyajima tu the third scenic view of Japan, yang nombor satu dan dua apa ye?
Ghazali: (dengan yakin) Yang nombor satu Fuji-san. Yang nombor dua tak tau la apa...
Not doing any homework prior to visiting Miyajima, I mistakenly thought that Miyajima is supposed to be the third scenic view of Japan, so both hubby and I thought it made sense to hear Ghazali's claim of Mount Fuji being the number one scenic view of Japan...
Well, we later found out that Fuji-san is not listed among Nihon Sankei (Japan's three most scenic view). It has nothing to do with the top most-visited places in Japan, instead Nihon sankei refers to Japan's most interesting sights as selected several centuries ago by scholar Hayashi Razan. Apart from Miyajima, Nihon Sankei consist of Matsushima in Sendai and Amanohashidate in Kyoto.
That morning, we didn't start as early as the previous day (6.03 a.m.), but took our time leaving Ghazali and Fiza's place in Higashi Hiroshima. Ghazali even drove us around Hiroshima University area first, showing us the main buildings before sending us to Saijo eki, to board a train going to Miyajimaguchi, from where we took a ferry to Miyajima. (JR Rail Pass covers the ferry fare as well.) It is interesting to note that Amanohashidate registers least foreign visitors compared to Miyajima and Matsushima, probably because the trains to Amanohashidate run on non-JR tracks...
Our trip to Miyajima would have been great if not for Huzaifah being a bit cranky and one wild-tamed deer chewing frightened Humaidi's fingers. I was away with Huzaifah and hubby approached me to help with calming Huzaifah down, not realizing that he left Humaidi with some food on his hand, and the deers there ate everything and anything. Really! In fact, Miyajima website warns JR Rail Pass holders to be cautious of approaching deers since JR Passes will not be reprinted or replaced. Huzaifah had great fun chasing them, right as soon as we exited the ferry terminal, but poor Humaidi started crying out loud every time one of the deers (which are said to be more restrained than their counterparts in Nara) came near him.
We were fortunate to be there in time for high tide, the best time to view the 'floating' torii. Ghazali and Fiza told us that when the tide is low, many people walk to and under the muddy torii, some throwing coins and started praying in the Shinto way, others searching for shells, crabs and as such.
Tourists - both Nihonjin and gaijin - flocked the small island with not a single traffic light post. Since it has also been gazetted as a UNESCO World Heritage site, strict measures are taken to ensure that the town retains an Edo-era atmosphere, and the stone lanterns at the sea-front look very attractive. The world's largest shakushi (rice scoop) is proudly displayed along the main shopping street. The shopping street itself is filled with mostly shops selling momiji manju, okonomiyaki, and other souvenirs, including an 'Edo-era' Sanrio souvenir shop for Hello Kitty enthusiasts. The momiji manju-making process could be rather fascinating too and it is said that Miyajima is the best place to buy them hot and fresh - we bought two boxes and the ojiichan behind the counter gave us one freshly-baked momiji manju (which Huzaifah quickly devoured)
It would be nice to spend one whole day there - especially since there was a wedding going on at Itsukushima Shrine, but alas we needed to rush back to Hiroshima...
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Hiroshima
1.
a.z.: kalau kat hiroshima, jalan ke mana yang best?
radz: kat sini orang biasa jalan ke gembaku dome dan miyajima
a.z.: dekat ke?
radz: miyajima tu boleh tahan jauh. kena naik feri, kalau betul-betul jalan, sehari pun tak puas
a.z: gembaku dome?
radz: kalau tak masuk muzium, dalam 2 jam ok kot nak jalan-jalan kat taman tu
a.z.: ooo...
We did not do any study what so ever on Hiroshima beforehand - solely relying on Ghazali and Fiza to give us suggestion on where to go. So off we went to Miyajima in the morning, and then rushed to Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima city before catching the 5.50 p.m. Shinkansen Hikari (had to stand in the train until Okayama before getting seats for both of us ). We took the street car aka tram from Hiroshima eki to Gembaku Dome (A-Bomb Dome), the building closest to the hypocenter of the nuclear bomb released in Hiroshima on 6 August 1945. It has been left how it was after the bombing in memory of the casualties and has been gazetted as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996.
Apart from Gembaku Dome alone, a visit to the Peace Memorial Park was a sobering experience, especially enhanced by spending some time in the Peace Memorial Museum. It is difficult not to be affected by the exhibits - be it photos, drawings, stories or other stuff showcased in the museum.
Being in the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack made me stop and think of those who are currently still bearing the pain and suffering of war...
a.z.: kalau kat hiroshima, jalan ke mana yang best?
radz: kat sini orang biasa jalan ke gembaku dome dan miyajima
a.z.: dekat ke?
radz: miyajima tu boleh tahan jauh. kena naik feri, kalau betul-betul jalan, sehari pun tak puas
a.z: gembaku dome?
radz: kalau tak masuk muzium, dalam 2 jam ok kot nak jalan-jalan kat taman tu
a.z.: ooo...
We did not do any study what so ever on Hiroshima beforehand - solely relying on Ghazali and Fiza to give us suggestion on where to go. So off we went to Miyajima in the morning, and then rushed to Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima city before catching the 5.50 p.m. Shinkansen Hikari (had to stand in the train until Okayama before getting seats for both of us ). We took the street car aka tram from Hiroshima eki to Gembaku Dome (A-Bomb Dome), the building closest to the hypocenter of the nuclear bomb released in Hiroshima on 6 August 1945. It has been left how it was after the bombing in memory of the casualties and has been gazetted as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996.
Apart from Gembaku Dome alone, a visit to the Peace Memorial Park was a sobering experience, especially enhanced by spending some time in the Peace Memorial Museum. It is difficult not to be affected by the exhibits - be it photos, drawings, stories or other stuff showcased in the museum.
Being in the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack made me stop and think of those who are currently still bearing the pain and suffering of war...
Friday, April 25, 2008
Mak pesan... 2
"We should be more careful not to be judgmental (of others). We all run the same risks. But a lot of people forget to consider how bad things that happen to others might happen to them too.. People in glass houses should not throw stones..."
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Islam Inspires Meme
Tagged by Kak D
Rules:
1) Answer the following questions
2) Post on your blog with link to who tagged you
3) Tag a minimum of three other bloggers and include links to their blog in your tag. Make sure to let them know you’ve tagged them too.
Meme Questions:
1) What Qur’anic verse do you find most inspiring and why? What does it mean to you personally?
The first verse that comes to my mind is verse 256, Surah Al-Baqarahلَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفۡسًا إِلَّا وُسۡعَهَاۚ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتۡ وَعَلَيۡہَا مَا ٱكۡتَسَبَتۡۗ
"On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear; it gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns"
Time and time again, whenever I faced some obstacle, I found solace in reading this ayah, knowing that I am only tested with what I am capable of handling.
Every time I felt I was ill-equipped for a particular position, I read this ayat to find the strength to give it my best try - be it when I was 19 and asked to be the Vice President of Islamic Student Council in my college, or when I was in my early twenties and asked to lead the Muslimah in my vicinity, or later in my mid twenties and asked to be the Penghulunita for my fellow DPA attendees. I felt reluctant to fill important positions because somehow I've always fared better as a follower than being in top leadership position. This verse propelled me to give my best because it is Allah's promise that I would never be burdened beyond my limited capability...
So every time I felt weak and helpless- like when I had to leave Huzaifah in Malaysia and came to Japan 11 days after I gave birth, or when I had my miscarriage earlier this year - this verse comforted me like no other.
2) What Hadith (Qudsi or Sunnah of the Prophet salallahi alaihi was salam) do you find most inspiring and why?
Okay, I found this to be a little bit difficult, because nothing hit me immediately like the answer to question no 1. But after giving it some thought - among the hadiths that I found inspiring is the one on giving salam;
Abu Hurairah (ra) related that Rasulullah salallahu alaihi wassalam said, "Let the one who is on a vehicle give salam to the one walking, let the one who is walking give salam to the one sitting, let those who are small in number (or alone) give salam to those who are in a larger group, and let the younger one give salam to the elderly"
Here in Japan (or in the UK for that matters) drivers slow down or wait patiently for pedestrians to cross the road at traffic lights and zebra crossing - the one who is on a vehicle give salam to the one walking. Sadly, in Malaysia - pedestrians often get honked at for crossing the road a little bit slowly, as if they are in the wrong if they try to cross the road when there is a car passing by (with the bonus of "oi butakah?" yelled out the window by the driver/passenger of the car)
There are priority seats for elderly, disabled, pregnant ladies and people with small kids on buses and trains - so that the one who is more able of walking can give salam to those who deserve the seat more. There are also priority queues in certain governmental offices - especially for the elderly - perhaps so that the younger one can give salam to the elderly.
So the hadith is not only about showering each other with greetings of peace as a sign of love, but also a lesson on giving priorities and good manners...
3) Other than the Prophet himself salalahi alahi wa salaam - what Muslim man do you find most inspiring and why?
I checked Kak D's and Nadia's (the one who tagged Kak D) answers and they both chose a companion of Rasulullah for this. I guess I will go along with them, and one sahabah that I found most inspiring is Ikrimah bin Abu Jahl.
Why?
a. He proved that sometimes it doesn't matter who your parents are - you and your parents are not necessarily of the same kind. Abu Jahl was a staunch opponent of Rasulullah, Ikrimah became a staunch companion of Rasulullah. When Ikrimah approached Makkah to say his syahadah, Rasulullah advised his companions; "Ikrimah ibn Abu Jahl shall come to you as a believer and a refugee. Do not insult his father. Insulting the dead causes grief to the living and does not reach the dead."
b. He always gave his all - as a non-believer he was instrumental in obstructing the spread of Islam, but as a Muslim, he spent twice as much and fought twice as much too in Allah's way. Ikrimah, despite Khalid ibn Al-Walid's advice against it, penetrated deep into the ranks of the Byzantine in the Battle of Yarmouk. "You have fought with Rasulullah earlier. Leave me now to atone for what I have done in the past. I fought Rasulullah on many occasions, shall I now flee from the Byzantines? This shall never be!" Under Ikrimah's leadership (without the leadership of Khalid), this daring Muslim attack paved the way for a decisive victory
c. He was a selfless friend. At the crucial time in the Battle of Yarmouk, there were three warriors lying on the battleground, one of them Ikrimah bin Abu Jahl. Someone offered him some drink, but upon noticing Suhail bin Amar lying next to him and looking, he asked the war aide to pass the water to Suhail first since Suhail might need it more than him. When Suhail was offered the drink, he noticed Haris bin Hisham lying next to him and looking at the water, so he declined the drink and asked for it to be offered to Haris first since Haris might need it more than him. When the drink was offered to Haris, Haris asked for it to be offered to Ikrimah since Ikrimah might need it more than him. All of them refused to drink before the other, insisting that their friend might be more in need of the water - until in the end all of them became shahid before taking a single sip.
(update)
d. Because I am a sucker for 180 degrees changes - and Ikrimah was a great Fighter against Islam who turned into a greater Fighter for Islam. Too often people are quick to judge another - "oh, he is a terrible person, he is so rough, no manners blah blah blah", never stopping to think for a moment that we never really know the inner hidden qualities of a person, and we never know the extent of Allah's mercifulness... Who knows if the so-called terrible person might change into a religious, gentle and generous being the next day?
4) Who is the most inspiring Muslim woman to you and why?
Sharing the sentiment with Kak D and Nadia, for all the reasons that they had already stated in their respective blogs, I agree that Saidatina Khadijah is the most inspiring Muslimah. Thus, I'll take this question as "Other than Saidatina Khadijah - who is the most inspiring Muslimah to you and why? "
There are so many prominent figures to choose from - Saidatina Aisyah, Saidatina Fatimah, Rabiatul Adawiyah, Zainab al-Ghazali.... but I'll go with someone close to me - my Mak.
Mak gave her best in attending to both her late mother and mother-in-law.
Mak gives her best for her siblings even when it is not reciprocal.
Mak gives her best for her kids even when we broke her heart time and time again, and even when we know she gives more selflessly and generously than our own biological mother.
Mak gave her best to the rakyat when she was a civil servant - never afraid of any political master, not even when she was demoted of sort.
Mak is still giving her best to the society by voluntary works.
Mak gives her best to Allah by giving her all
5) What CONTEMPORARY (i.e., living) Muslim do you find most inspiring and why?
Well, it's hard to name just one person since I get inspired by lots of different people with lots of different things for lots of different reasons.
A new Muslim revert is inspiring - the courage to change, the risk they take, the willingness to study and adapt to a new way of life. A practising Muslim in a non-Muslim country is inspiring.
Any Muslim - reverts or otherwise - who could inspire others to turn to Allah is inspiring too.
Muslim scholars and thinkers like Harun Yahya aka Adnan Oktar and Dr Zakir Naik is inspiring, so are Muslim musicians the likes of Dawud Wharnsby , Sami Yusuf and Zain Bikha.
A stay-at-home mother who homeschools her children is inspiring, but so is a working mother who is successful in raising up good children by conventional means.
Since I get inspired by so many people for so many different reasons - if you are a Muslim and you ask me this question in person, I might answer "you" and I'll find some reasons to substantiate it too...
Being a born Muslim, raised in a practising Muslim family, and now married to an Imam of a mosque in a non-Muslim country - I have to admit that while I may not be a good Muslim, Islam inspires me in so many ways. Islam is about love and compassion, faith and trust, good manners, hope, strive for excellence, care for the environment, world peace, etc, etc, etc...
7) If you could do anything at all to inspire others through Islam, how would you do it?
The truth is I wanted to answer "by being good at what I am" - but then I am very ordinary - average student, average officer, average wife, average mother, average daughter, average sister... But one thing I know is that I intend to get involved with some charity/voluntary organisations, and I hope it could provide me a way to inspire others through Islam, insya Allah...
#####
Tag 3 persons? This tag has gotten me thinking long and hard, so this might not be the best time to pass it over to the super-busy-with-her-PhD Rad - but Rad, I don't mind waiting until after July to read your take on this, hehehe. Anyway, I hereby tag:
1. Mrs Jemain - an ex-schoolmate
2. Zarin - another ex-schoolmate
3. Theta - an articulate blogger
Little tag of horror
In order to do the Islamic tag as per Kak D's request, I feel it is only fair if I attend to the one requested by Zarin a long, long time ago. Sorry aah Zarin - I am a great procrastinator... and not a huge fan of horror flicks. Besides, like I've written before - I used to have vivid imagination which affected my bathing time - I was so scared of hands suddenly appearing on the wall wanting to choke me, or the pipe water turning to scarlet red blood, or some monster suddenly came out from the toilet bowl... Many times Mak had to wait patiently at the toilet door while I had a shower because I simply refused to lock the toilet's door for fear of something bad happening and nobody could save me because I was locked inside, all alone. Yeah, I know, vivid imagination could be hazardous too...
Anyway, 10 Scariest movie I've ever seen (or partly seen, whether by peeking from behind hubby's back or through some small opening between my fingers when my face is covered by my hands) in no particular order, are:
1 - 3 Nightmare on the Elm Street series - three of them, if I am not mistaken. Freddy Krueger is one really mean fella.
4 -Indonesian horror flicks starring Suzanna - can't remember any of their names though. Usually included some sickening scenes of water turning into blood, hands appearing from the wall to choke someone, poisonous animals appearing out of nowhere...
5 - Chermin - one that I don't have to watch behind hubby's back since the ghost at least doesn't change from a beautiful mam one moment into a typical Asian hantu rambut mengerbang, but the suara mengilai element is still there...
6 - Hantu Bangku Kosong - new teachers should learn from those who have been around longer, and try to get more background on certain 'customs' before easily dismissing anything as 'karut'
7 - Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam - watched this on the bus, and the hantu head appearing on the ground as seen by one guy was really shocking... Maya Karin could play a much more believable hantu than Deanna Yusof
8 - Dorm - not really a horror film, but well, like I said I don't watch that many horror flicks. Hubby said I should try watching Nang Nak, but just listening to him telling the story is enough to know that I don't want to watch it...
9 - It - yet another not-really-horror flick - but for a while I started to give clowns second closer looks, just to make sure whether they look funny ha-ha, or funny eerie...
10 - The Eye - the HK/Thai one, haven't seen the Hollywood version (and have no intention of doing it). Contains some poignant moments - like when the girl cried the village was burning after she tried warning the villagers but none believed her, or when the blind-again heroine confessed that she does not want to see again...
Anyway, 10 Scariest movie I've ever seen (or partly seen, whether by peeking from behind hubby's back or through some small opening between my fingers when my face is covered by my hands) in no particular order, are:
1 - 3 Nightmare on the Elm Street series - three of them, if I am not mistaken. Freddy Krueger is one really mean fella.
4 -Indonesian horror flicks starring Suzanna - can't remember any of their names though. Usually included some sickening scenes of water turning into blood, hands appearing from the wall to choke someone, poisonous animals appearing out of nowhere...
5 - Chermin - one that I don't have to watch behind hubby's back since the ghost at least doesn't change from a beautiful mam one moment into a typical Asian hantu rambut mengerbang, but the suara mengilai element is still there...
6 - Hantu Bangku Kosong - new teachers should learn from those who have been around longer, and try to get more background on certain 'customs' before easily dismissing anything as 'karut'
7 - Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam - watched this on the bus, and the hantu head appearing on the ground as seen by one guy was really shocking... Maya Karin could play a much more believable hantu than Deanna Yusof
8 - Dorm - not really a horror film, but well, like I said I don't watch that many horror flicks. Hubby said I should try watching Nang Nak, but just listening to him telling the story is enough to know that I don't want to watch it...
9 - It - yet another not-really-horror flick - but for a while I started to give clowns second closer looks, just to make sure whether they look funny ha-ha, or funny eerie...
10 - The Eye - the HK/Thai one, haven't seen the Hollywood version (and have no intention of doing it). Contains some poignant moments - like when the girl cried the village was burning after she tried warning the villagers but none believed her, or when the blind-again heroine confessed that she does not want to see again...
Monday, April 21, 2008
Kobe
It was one very long day - we started very early in the morning, to catch the first bus to Tokyo at 6.03 a.m., so as not to miss the second earliest Shinkansen Hikari at 7.03 a.m. In a touch-n-go manner, we stopped at Kyoto and went to Kinkakuji, then took a few trains to go to Universal City, in Osaka, followed by a few more to go to Sannomiya, from where we boarded a taxi to go to Kobe Mosque.
Kobe Mosque is the oldest mosque in Japan. It was built in 1935, three years earlier than the old Tokyo Mosque (1938 - 1985), and it remained standing, surviving two historical moments when all the buildings next to it were completely destroyed. It first survived the bombings in 1945 during World War II, with destroyed windows, and some cracks in the outer walls, all blackened by smoke. During World War II, the mosque was used by Japanese Military as a shelter during Allied bombing raids, but later returned to the Muslims after the war was over, and oil-rich nations like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait helped to restore it.
The mosque also survived The Great Kobe Earthquake in 1995 in which about 180,000 buildings were damaged, 5,000 people died, 35,000 were injured and 300,000 were left homeless. The fact that the Mosque survived was widely covered in the media back then and it became a refuge for Muslims survivors.
It was not a surprise to note that this mosque is popular among tourists. When we were there, we met non-Muslim Nihonjin tourists from Tokyo, Malaysian tourists from Beppu, Kyushu, as well as non-Muslim foreigners - all fascinated with its beautiful architecture and amazing history. (The locals also go there to shop at the halal shop located right across the mosque. Halal Kobe beef is a huge hit, and halal Kobe chicken is far superior in size and taste than the normal halal Brazilian chicken found in most halal shops throughout Japan)
Kobe Mosque is the oldest mosque in Japan. It was built in 1935, three years earlier than the old Tokyo Mosque (1938 - 1985), and it remained standing, surviving two historical moments when all the buildings next to it were completely destroyed. It first survived the bombings in 1945 during World War II, with destroyed windows, and some cracks in the outer walls, all blackened by smoke. During World War II, the mosque was used by Japanese Military as a shelter during Allied bombing raids, but later returned to the Muslims after the war was over, and oil-rich nations like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait helped to restore it.
The mosque also survived The Great Kobe Earthquake in 1995 in which about 180,000 buildings were damaged, 5,000 people died, 35,000 were injured and 300,000 were left homeless. The fact that the Mosque survived was widely covered in the media back then and it became a refuge for Muslims survivors.
It was not a surprise to note that this mosque is popular among tourists. When we were there, we met non-Muslim Nihonjin tourists from Tokyo, Malaysian tourists from Beppu, Kyushu, as well as non-Muslim foreigners - all fascinated with its beautiful architecture and amazing history. (The locals also go there to shop at the halal shop located right across the mosque. Halal Kobe beef is a huge hit, and halal Kobe chicken is far superior in size and taste than the normal halal Brazilian chicken found in most halal shops throughout Japan)
Osaka
It would be cool to spend a day in Universal Studio Japan - but not having enough time, we just hopped over in Universal City in Osaka for a quick photo snapping session...
By the way, one of the main differences between Kanto and Kansai people (apart from their slang and food) is the fast lane on escalators - right in Kanto and left in Kansai...
By the way, one of the main differences between Kanto and Kansai people (apart from their slang and food) is the fast lane on escalators - right in Kanto and left in Kansai...
Friday, April 18, 2008
Kyoto
I'm too busy to write in details right now (ehcheh).
So, for now, please enjoy the pics first
Just place your cursor on any image to see a bigger, clearer photo.
So, for now, please enjoy the pics first
Just place your cursor on any image to see a bigger, clearer photo.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Mak pesan... 1
Mak selalu pesan,
"Belajar agama biar masa muda. Bila kita tahu, boleh amalkan apa yang kita tahu, boleh manfaatkan diri, boleh manfaatkan orang lain. Yelah, sementara kita masih kerja, masih kuat tenaga, yang sedikit kita tahu boleh cambahkan pada banyak orang yang kita jumpa, yang kita kenal dalam kerja. Kalau belajar agama bila dah tua, dah pencen, biasanya untuk manfaat diri sendiri. Tapi kita hidup bukan untuk jaga diri sendiri saja. Ada habluminallah, ada habluminannas..."
"Belajar agama biar masa muda. Bila kita tahu, boleh amalkan apa yang kita tahu, boleh manfaatkan diri, boleh manfaatkan orang lain. Yelah, sementara kita masih kerja, masih kuat tenaga, yang sedikit kita tahu boleh cambahkan pada banyak orang yang kita jumpa, yang kita kenal dalam kerja. Kalau belajar agama bila dah tua, dah pencen, biasanya untuk manfaat diri sendiri. Tapi kita hidup bukan untuk jaga diri sendiri saja. Ada habluminallah, ada habluminannas..."
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
"Free" open day/activities in Tokyo
We are going to JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency - the Japanized version of NASA) center in Tsukuba this Saturday, for an open day. I think it is going to be fun, for both parents and kids (we are going there with Fendi and Liya).
Anyway, for those who are interested in a day outing at JAXA center in Tokyo, the Open House of Aerospace Research Center is scheduled on 20 April 2008, more details could be found here.
While I am at this, might as well share other "Tokyo-for-free" stuff.
For those who are interested in visiting Ueno Zoo for free, there is no admission charges on March 20 (Ueno Zoo's Anniversary Day), May 4 (Greenery Day), and October 1 (Tokyo Citizens' Day).
Yokoso Japan is a site to check from time to time especially during Yokoso Month campaign (late January to end of February). Normally there will be two days of no admission charges to enter Tobu World Square and another two days for Nikko Edo Wonderland back to back. Information on these free open days (including bus from Kinugawa Onsen eki to these two theme parks) is never published on the respected sites, but could only be found out by checking on Yokoso Japan's site (different dates for 2007 and 2008, so no surprise if it is going to be different again in following years)
Then, there's the free , New Discovery of Akihabara tour, which would be a good option to do on Saturday so as not to miss the visit to Anime University (no visit on Sunday). There's also free guided tour of Asakusa on Sundays, available at Asakusa Travel Information Center, located conveniently just opposite the famous Kaminarimon gate.
And if museum is your cup of tea, you might want to try out Currency Museum in Nihombashi (opened on weekends), or Sumo Museum in Ryogoku (closed on Sunday, Saturday and public holidays), or Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum in Waseda University (closed on lots of days - but one can always check the website for more information), or just visit Sannomaru Shozokan, in East Garden of the Imperial Palace (Kokyo Higashi Gyoen) which houses art treasures belonging to the Imperial family. The garden is closed on Mondays and Fridays. The Imperial Palace buildings and inner gardens are opened twice a year, for public appearances of the Imperial family members on January 2 (New Year's Greeting) and the current Emperor's birthday (for now, it is December 23).
Then, there are plenty of industry-related museums like TEPCO's Electric Power Historical Museum in Shibuya (closed on Mondays), or NHK Museum of Broadcasting, also in Shibuya (and closed on Mondays too). Odaiba/Shiodome area houses some interesting showcases too such as Panasonic Center, National Home Center and Toyota Meg@web. If you are a Ferrari enthusiast like my hubby, there's a former F1 model used by Schumi on exhibition at Shell Cafe Museum (closed on Saturdays) on the first floor of Daiba Frontier Building (the same building which houses Saizeriya restaurant, just next to Daiba Kaihin Koen eki on Yurikamome line). Or if you are in Shinjuku, maybe a drop at Living Design Center Ozone in Shinjuku Park Tower will remind you a bit of a trip to IKEA, only with more tasteful and stimulating exhibits.
If a stroll in a Japanese style garden is what you have in mind, then feel free to go to either Chinzan-so or New Otani Hotel. Ninomaru area in Kokyo Higashi Gyoen too has been maintained as an Edo Period Japanese garden.
Many are aware that one can visit the observation decks on Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building , better known as Toucho, for free. For different views of Tokyo, one could also give observation decks at Shinjuku Nomura Building and Shinjuku Sumitomo building a chance. Less tourists there, and no toy shop (like the one they have in Toucho, which could be a threat to parents with kids who would guling-guling on the floor unabashedly insisting on getting expensive toys)
Anyway, for those who are interested in a day outing at JAXA center in Tokyo, the Open House of Aerospace Research Center is scheduled on 20 April 2008, more details could be found here.
While I am at this, might as well share other "Tokyo-for-free" stuff.
For those who are interested in visiting Ueno Zoo for free, there is no admission charges on March 20 (Ueno Zoo's Anniversary Day), May 4 (Greenery Day), and October 1 (Tokyo Citizens' Day).
Yokoso Japan is a site to check from time to time especially during Yokoso Month campaign (late January to end of February). Normally there will be two days of no admission charges to enter Tobu World Square and another two days for Nikko Edo Wonderland back to back. Information on these free open days (including bus from Kinugawa Onsen eki to these two theme parks) is never published on the respected sites, but could only be found out by checking on Yokoso Japan's site (different dates for 2007 and 2008, so no surprise if it is going to be different again in following years)
Then, there's the free , New Discovery of Akihabara tour, which would be a good option to do on Saturday so as not to miss the visit to Anime University (no visit on Sunday). There's also free guided tour of Asakusa on Sundays, available at Asakusa Travel Information Center, located conveniently just opposite the famous Kaminarimon gate.
And if museum is your cup of tea, you might want to try out Currency Museum in Nihombashi (opened on weekends), or Sumo Museum in Ryogoku (closed on Sunday, Saturday and public holidays), or Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum in Waseda University (closed on lots of days - but one can always check the website for more information), or just visit Sannomaru Shozokan, in East Garden of the Imperial Palace (Kokyo Higashi Gyoen) which houses art treasures belonging to the Imperial family. The garden is closed on Mondays and Fridays. The Imperial Palace buildings and inner gardens are opened twice a year, for public appearances of the Imperial family members on January 2 (New Year's Greeting) and the current Emperor's birthday (for now, it is December 23).
Then, there are plenty of industry-related museums like TEPCO's Electric Power Historical Museum in Shibuya (closed on Mondays), or NHK Museum of Broadcasting, also in Shibuya (and closed on Mondays too). Odaiba/Shiodome area houses some interesting showcases too such as Panasonic Center, National Home Center and Toyota Meg@web. If you are a Ferrari enthusiast like my hubby, there's a former F1 model used by Schumi on exhibition at Shell Cafe Museum (closed on Saturdays) on the first floor of Daiba Frontier Building (the same building which houses Saizeriya restaurant, just next to Daiba Kaihin Koen eki on Yurikamome line). Or if you are in Shinjuku, maybe a drop at Living Design Center Ozone in Shinjuku Park Tower will remind you a bit of a trip to IKEA, only with more tasteful and stimulating exhibits.
If a stroll in a Japanese style garden is what you have in mind, then feel free to go to either Chinzan-so or New Otani Hotel. Ninomaru area in Kokyo Higashi Gyoen too has been maintained as an Edo Period Japanese garden.
Many are aware that one can visit the observation decks on Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building , better known as Toucho, for free. For different views of Tokyo, one could also give observation decks at Shinjuku Nomura Building and Shinjuku Sumitomo building a chance. Less tourists there, and no toy shop (like the one they have in Toucho, which could be a threat to parents with kids who would guling-guling on the floor unabashedly insisting on getting expensive toys)
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Jue and Man in Yokohama - the photos
Day 3 - off we went to Yokohama, the second largest city in Japan
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Unexpected dose of unfriendliness
I don't know what was in my previous entry that drove somebody to write mean comments - in 4 different guises. Labeling me as 'kedekut', greedy, inferring all Malaysian government servants as corrupted beings without any concrete proof, topping it with some immature political biasness - it was rather shocking to see this kind of comments appearing in my blog.
Seriously, what gives?
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The ojiichan I met in the park - he had no idea whatsoever that I am a government servant, so no I don't think he would go around telling anybody how he had generously donated 10,000 yen to a poor government servant in a third world. Chances are he would be too embarrassed to share with his friends that he misses his own grandchildren so much that he tried to make do by presenting gifts for kids that remind him of them.
The 10,000 yen I received was on behalf of the children. Not like I greedily accepted it too - I was hesitant in accepting it, but he insisted. But honestly, I see no wrong in accepting his offer - I asked around, and lots of people agreed with me. I didn't ask for it, and there was nothing attached to it. It was something like receiving 'duit raya ' on behalf of your kids from a kind stranger... What is so greedy or kedekut with that?
#####
For some reason I despise people who make baseless assumptions about other people's state of finance. When I was in high school, I heard dorm-mates whispering behind my back about how 'kedekut' I was with my crackers/biscuits.
What they didn't know was that my father was declared bankrupt when I was in Form 2, and it took quite some time for our family to recover. For a long while, Mak had to walk a kilometer away to board a bas mini to work, a big change from driving her own car to work, and she was in a quite senior position back then. I was given a pittance for monthly allowance, thus I looked forward to volunteer going to canteen for the seniors in my dorms - because that was the easy way for me to get a treat from the canteen using the tips, instead of using my limited pocket money. When I was in form 4, I was happy to be made a co-opian, as it also meant I could earn some extra pocket money (or rather buy stuff without using my small allowance).
Back then, I wore mostly hand-me-down garments from Mak out of necessity - Mak needed the money for other more important stuff, like paying bills, school fees and what nots. Due to our differences in size, I always had to make some 'alterations' to the waistline of Mak's kain sarong - once the sarong even 'melorot' to the ground but quickly re-put to normal condition in the evening prep class. I was not a brat - but sometimes I wished that I could wear stuff that are tailored made just for the (then) skinny me instead of risking wearing a sarong that might 'melorot' to the floor any time...
So, yes, while I admit that I was pretty stingy in sharing my crackers/biscuits, it was not because I am 'tahi hidung masin' by choice, but rather because I could not afford buying lots of crackers/biscuits, and I didn't feel like sharing with others about my family's financial situation back then. Looking back, I realize now that I should have just went ahead and shared what little I had. Might be tough for a teenager who got hungry frequently, but it might had spared me from hearing people saying stuff like - 'nama je anak orang Kampung Tunku, tapi biskut pun susah nak kongsi' when they didn't know the real truth. It hurt - and for a teenager who already had a tough time at home, it hurt pretty bad.
I still don't like discussing my personal state of finance or my savings or anything - but kindly note that we live frugally in Tokyo for a reason. I wouldn't cycle when I was in my third trimester nor would I take a bus when I was in my second confinement week (after Humaidi's birth) for Huzaifah's 18-months check-up for no good reason... Just because I am in Tokyo on paid study leave, please don't start making assumptions that I 'have a lot of savings'. It could be far from the truth, just like the assumptions my unsuspecting dorm-mates once made about me...
Seriously, what gives?
#####
The ojiichan I met in the park - he had no idea whatsoever that I am a government servant, so no I don't think he would go around telling anybody how he had generously donated 10,000 yen to a poor government servant in a third world. Chances are he would be too embarrassed to share with his friends that he misses his own grandchildren so much that he tried to make do by presenting gifts for kids that remind him of them.
The 10,000 yen I received was on behalf of the children. Not like I greedily accepted it too - I was hesitant in accepting it, but he insisted. But honestly, I see no wrong in accepting his offer - I asked around, and lots of people agreed with me. I didn't ask for it, and there was nothing attached to it. It was something like receiving 'duit raya ' on behalf of your kids from a kind stranger... What is so greedy or kedekut with that?
#####
For some reason I despise people who make baseless assumptions about other people's state of finance. When I was in high school, I heard dorm-mates whispering behind my back about how 'kedekut' I was with my crackers/biscuits.
What they didn't know was that my father was declared bankrupt when I was in Form 2, and it took quite some time for our family to recover. For a long while, Mak had to walk a kilometer away to board a bas mini to work, a big change from driving her own car to work, and she was in a quite senior position back then. I was given a pittance for monthly allowance, thus I looked forward to volunteer going to canteen for the seniors in my dorms - because that was the easy way for me to get a treat from the canteen using the tips, instead of using my limited pocket money. When I was in form 4, I was happy to be made a co-opian, as it also meant I could earn some extra pocket money (or rather buy stuff without using my small allowance).
Back then, I wore mostly hand-me-down garments from Mak out of necessity - Mak needed the money for other more important stuff, like paying bills, school fees and what nots. Due to our differences in size, I always had to make some 'alterations' to the waistline of Mak's kain sarong - once the sarong even 'melorot' to the ground but quickly re-put to normal condition in the evening prep class. I was not a brat - but sometimes I wished that I could wear stuff that are tailored made just for the (then) skinny me instead of risking wearing a sarong that might 'melorot' to the floor any time...
So, yes, while I admit that I was pretty stingy in sharing my crackers/biscuits, it was not because I am 'tahi hidung masin' by choice, but rather because I could not afford buying lots of crackers/biscuits, and I didn't feel like sharing with others about my family's financial situation back then. Looking back, I realize now that I should have just went ahead and shared what little I had. Might be tough for a teenager who got hungry frequently, but it might had spared me from hearing people saying stuff like - 'nama je anak orang Kampung Tunku, tapi biskut pun susah nak kongsi' when they didn't know the real truth. It hurt - and for a teenager who already had a tough time at home, it hurt pretty bad.
I still don't like discussing my personal state of finance or my savings or anything - but kindly note that we live frugally in Tokyo for a reason. I wouldn't cycle when I was in my third trimester nor would I take a bus when I was in my second confinement week (after Humaidi's birth) for Huzaifah's 18-months check-up for no good reason... Just because I am in Tokyo on paid study leave, please don't start making assumptions that I 'have a lot of savings'. It could be far from the truth, just like the assumptions my unsuspecting dorm-mates once made about me...
Friday, April 04, 2008
Unexpected doses of kindness and compliments...
1. Kamarol told me that when their Farhan was still a baby, Ija and he received 1000 yen from an unknown obaachan they met on a train. They used the money for an ice-cream treat. Then, last year, Mak told me that Huzaifah received 500 yen from an unknown obaachan when Mak, hubby and Huzaifah went for an outing in Mother's Farm (while I was still in the hospital after giving birth to Humaidi).
Well, to add another story to 'encounters with Nihonjin grandparents who miss their own grandchildren and give money to unknown children instead', yesterday while waiting for hubby snapping some 'hanami' photos in Sumida Koen, an elderly gentleman played with Humaidi (Huzaifah was asleep at that time) for some time, had a brief chit-chat with me, before telling me that he would like to give my kids some small token, as according to him, it is customary to give small gifts for small kids around here. To my surprise, instead of a 1000 yen note as I thought, Kitanaka-san handed over a 10,000 yen note. That never, ever happened before - to be given 10,000 yen by a total stranger who we met briefly in the park... Rezeki anak, alhamdulillah...
#####
2. Scribbled on Marroad International Hotel Narita, a note from a couple I helped guided while they were in Tokyo read:
"Assalamualaikum
Dear Azra,
We were touched with your hospitality & kindness. Here is some small token from us. Call us at 56****11 once you're back in Malaysia
(signed)
Mohd Hatta K.Zuraidah"
Enclosed in the envelope was two 1000 yen notes. Some would consider it tipping, but I'd rather think of them as hadiah for my two kids.
I was touched by getting an old-fashioned thank you note. I don't know about others, but snail-mail notes and cards are getting more difficult to come by for me nowadays...
#####
3. Helped Kak Ita for a short while with another Malaysian group of tourists for a short while. This group comprised mostly pakcik and makcik who are not very confident of ascending or descending the stairs without holding onto the rail. One makcik could not see properly even after going through eye operations for 4 times, her husband is having heart problems, numerous others are diagnosed with age-related problems such as hypertension and diabetes, and a few have to rely on walking canes. There are only 2 young persons in this group, both of them assisting their respective mom. One of them happened to be my ex-schoolmate too (MIO hasn't change that much too Zarin. Perhaps just like Ida,Basya and Firouz haven't change that much...)
I was surprised to find out Pallette Town to be their first stop in Tokyo. While yes, Toyota Meg@Web and Venus Fort could be unique in that you won't find anything like them in KL, at 10.00 a.m. the place was still closed. Yet, some makcik and pakcik were already busy looking for places to buy some drinks to take their medicine with. The well-to-do had no qualms entering Starbucks, but there were some who had their doubts, so I showed them the hot drinks section in ampm, next to the Starbucks.
Within the few hours I was with them, I found myself assisting one pakcik who wanted to buy stamp and send a letter to his former student in Chiba, answering some questions regarding Tokyo and Odaiba, requesting the management at Tokyo Camii to let the elderly makcik-makcik to use the men toilet on the ground floor so that they could be spared from going down to the basement floor to use the ladies, assisting the makcik in ascending and descending the stairs, in particular the makcik who could not see well. Alhamdulillah this group is not expected to board any normal train during the rush hours - they would be touring Tokyo-Hakone on bus, take a shinkansen from Hamamatsu to Kyoto, back on bus in Kyoto-Osaka area before boarding the plane back to KL from Osaka. Personally I don't think many of them could handle being in a super-crowded train during peak hours.
Anyway, even at 30-something with two kids, it is still flattering to overhear some pakciks referring to you as someone they would like to "buat menantu". It is even more meaningful when these pakciks later found out that they actually know your parents, and even attended your wedding a few years back. I guess when one says "boleh buat menantu", it is a compliment for both the person and his/her parents...
Well, to add another story to 'encounters with Nihonjin grandparents who miss their own grandchildren and give money to unknown children instead', yesterday while waiting for hubby snapping some 'hanami' photos in Sumida Koen, an elderly gentleman played with Humaidi (Huzaifah was asleep at that time) for some time, had a brief chit-chat with me, before telling me that he would like to give my kids some small token, as according to him, it is customary to give small gifts for small kids around here. To my surprise, instead of a 1000 yen note as I thought, Kitanaka-san handed over a 10,000 yen note. That never, ever happened before - to be given 10,000 yen by a total stranger who we met briefly in the park... Rezeki anak, alhamdulillah...
#####
2. Scribbled on Marroad International Hotel Narita, a note from a couple I helped guided while they were in Tokyo read:
"Assalamualaikum
Dear Azra,
We were touched with your hospitality & kindness. Here is some small token from us. Call us at 56****11 once you're back in Malaysia
(signed)
Mohd Hatta K.Zuraidah"
Enclosed in the envelope was two 1000 yen notes. Some would consider it tipping, but I'd rather think of them as hadiah for my two kids.
I was touched by getting an old-fashioned thank you note. I don't know about others, but snail-mail notes and cards are getting more difficult to come by for me nowadays...
#####
3. Helped Kak Ita for a short while with another Malaysian group of tourists for a short while. This group comprised mostly pakcik and makcik who are not very confident of ascending or descending the stairs without holding onto the rail. One makcik could not see properly even after going through eye operations for 4 times, her husband is having heart problems, numerous others are diagnosed with age-related problems such as hypertension and diabetes, and a few have to rely on walking canes. There are only 2 young persons in this group, both of them assisting their respective mom. One of them happened to be my ex-schoolmate too (MIO hasn't change that much too Zarin. Perhaps just like Ida,Basya and Firouz haven't change that much...)
I was surprised to find out Pallette Town to be their first stop in Tokyo. While yes, Toyota Meg@Web and Venus Fort could be unique in that you won't find anything like them in KL, at 10.00 a.m. the place was still closed. Yet, some makcik and pakcik were already busy looking for places to buy some drinks to take their medicine with. The well-to-do had no qualms entering Starbucks, but there were some who had their doubts, so I showed them the hot drinks section in ampm, next to the Starbucks.
Within the few hours I was with them, I found myself assisting one pakcik who wanted to buy stamp and send a letter to his former student in Chiba, answering some questions regarding Tokyo and Odaiba, requesting the management at Tokyo Camii to let the elderly makcik-makcik to use the men toilet on the ground floor so that they could be spared from going down to the basement floor to use the ladies, assisting the makcik in ascending and descending the stairs, in particular the makcik who could not see well. Alhamdulillah this group is not expected to board any normal train during the rush hours - they would be touring Tokyo-Hakone on bus, take a shinkansen from Hamamatsu to Kyoto, back on bus in Kyoto-Osaka area before boarding the plane back to KL from Osaka. Personally I don't think many of them could handle being in a super-crowded train during peak hours.
Anyway, even at 30-something with two kids, it is still flattering to overhear some pakciks referring to you as someone they would like to "buat menantu". It is even more meaningful when these pakciks later found out that they actually know your parents, and even attended your wedding a few years back. I guess when one says "boleh buat menantu", it is a compliment for both the person and his/her parents...
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Jue and Man in Tokyo part 3
I told Jue that she could make really interesting blog just sharing her experience in Japan. Once I met a foreign correspondent in Japan, and he said that they have to be transferred to new places after 3-4 years in a particular area, so that their journalistic could be re-sharpened and not dulled by familiarity with any particular area.
And I have to admit that maybe after living in Tokyo for more than 2 years, I've gotten too familiar with how things are being done here that they fail to amaze me anymore.
Like how clean Tokyo is even without having lots of rubbish cans.
Like how lots of Japanese will go out of their way to assist if they are asked for help.
Like how good it is to have a street clean of cigarette smoke since smokers only smoke in designated smokers' area.
Like how one actually doesn't need to know that much Nihonggo to enjoy touring in Japan, as one could get by with knowing some Engrish phrases - so it's not toilet, but toi-re, not escalator, but es-ka-ree-ta, and not elevator, but e-re-bee-ta...
Like how difficult it could be to get halal food when one could not read Japanese (and in the end they stick to buying what they bought when they were with me - Van Houten cocoa, Calpis, Pasco Sandwich bread etc)
Jue and Man too now have first-hand experience of rushing to change trains, carrying the stroller up and down the stairs where there was no escalator/elevator to be found in the eki, and walking a few hundred meters back to the mosque after they'd missed the right bus stop, not once but a few times (they dozed off in the bus, and yes, it could take ages to reach Higashi Asakusa from Tokyo eki by bus)
Main point is - they had an interesting family vacation, and I am really glad to form part of it...
And I have to admit that maybe after living in Tokyo for more than 2 years, I've gotten too familiar with how things are being done here that they fail to amaze me anymore.
Like how clean Tokyo is even without having lots of rubbish cans.
Like how lots of Japanese will go out of their way to assist if they are asked for help.
Like how good it is to have a street clean of cigarette smoke since smokers only smoke in designated smokers' area.
Like how one actually doesn't need to know that much Nihonggo to enjoy touring in Japan, as one could get by with knowing some Engrish phrases - so it's not toilet, but toi-re, not escalator, but es-ka-ree-ta, and not elevator, but e-re-bee-ta...
Like how difficult it could be to get halal food when one could not read Japanese (and in the end they stick to buying what they bought when they were with me - Van Houten cocoa, Calpis, Pasco Sandwich bread etc)
Jue and Man too now have first-hand experience of rushing to change trains, carrying the stroller up and down the stairs where there was no escalator/elevator to be found in the eki, and walking a few hundred meters back to the mosque after they'd missed the right bus stop, not once but a few times (they dozed off in the bus, and yes, it could take ages to reach Higashi Asakusa from Tokyo eki by bus)
Main point is - they had an interesting family vacation, and I am really glad to form part of it...
Jue and Man in Tokyo part 2
Jue, Man and lil Husna returned to Malaysia on 1 April. Went to Narita , carrying two boxes as they didn't have enough space to put everything in their one large suitcase. They came here with a total of 32kg baggage, half of it probably were the stuff they brought for us, yet returned to Malaysia with 30kg of baggage, the supposed to be empty spaces filled up with souvenirs they bought here in Japan.
On Monday both Man and Jue got to realize their 'hajat' to visit Tobu World Square and take a stroll in Ginza - no prize for guessing which of them wished for what. It rained in the morning of their last full day in Japan, making them rather hesitant in determining what to do for the day. Although we all woke up early, and I had already prepared breakfast/lunch even before 8.00 a.m., we didn't reached Tobu Asakusa eki until about 11.48 a.m., when Man finally said he would very much like to visit Tobu World Square despite the cold weather, or even light snow as it was predicted earlier.
The girl behind the counter at Tobu Travel Service asked us if we could visit Kinugawa Onsen on any other day, and I replied that my guests would be returning to Malaysia the next day. In order for us to be able to enjoy the theme park longer, we were advised to board the Limited Express Spacia (extra 800 yen for each person), since we had just missed the normal Rapid train . Man quickly agreed, so we found ourselves seated in Spacia 10 minutes after he bought the ticket, and arrived in Kinugawa Onsen at around 2.00 p.m.
Tobu World Square and Edo Village are both opened for free on certain selected days during Yokoso Japan campaign period (late January till late February) It was during the free open day period when Hubby and Che Lee's family went there last year while I was still pregnant with Humaidi and busy attending a one-week Winter term intensive course in Waseda and could not join them. Hubby consoled me back then, promising to have another visit this year during the free period, but both of us forgot all about it and only realized it when the free days were already over. Zannen datta. So for those who are interested in spending a day or two in Nikko/Kinugawa Onsen in late January/February, try googling "Yokoso Japan campaign", to find out more about these 'free open days' offer as it is only announced on Yokoso Japan website, but not on Edo Village or Tobu World Square websites. Otherwise, you could opt to buy a Kinugawa Onsen Theme park pass at Tobu Asakusa Travel Center like Man did. The 2-days pass covers normal train fare from Asakusa-Kinugawa Onsen, unlimited train rides within Nikko-Kinugawa Onsen area, unlimited bus rides within Nikko-Kinugawa Onsen area, and entrance ticket for particular theme park. The pass costs 4000 yen for Tobu World Square, 6000 yen for Edo Village, and 7200 yen for both World Square and Edo Village.
Alhamdulillah, the sun was shining amidst brief light rain in Kinugawa Onsen. Had a quick foot dipping in hot spring rest area right in front of the station, before we kelam kabut rushed to board a bus going to Tobu World Square (I wore my socks properly only after we were on board)
Man concurred with hubby who opined that while the theme park is not that big, it could be rather fascinating to feel like Gulliver for a short while as we 'traveled' from one 'continent' to another. My camera's battery went kaput when we were in still in 'Europe', so for the rest of the 'travel', I had to rely on Man's camera. Since hubby had a lot of pictures of the replicas, Man took more pics of us rather than the replicas - "gambar bangunan nanti cilok yang dah ada je lah". We only had less than 3 hours to rush though the whole theme park, in order not to miss another Limited Express train back to Asakusa. Jue who had passed by Ginza three times without stopping would really like to take a stroll in the upmarket area. On the way back, we had to pay extra 1000 yen each to board the Limited Express as 800 yen is the 'special price' if we had bought the Limited Express ticket together with the discounted Pass, like we did in the morning/noon. Oh well...
Right after we arrived in Asakusa, we quickly rushed to 100 yen shop not far from Kaminarimon for last minute souvenirs shopping before we boarded the Ginza line subway to Ginza. By the time we reached there, most shops were closing - it was a little past 8.00 p.m. But Jue was satisfied with having a chance to take a stroll there. Having already visited Harajuku/Omotesando and Roppongi areas, Jue at first thought that there would be nothing new to see in Ginza, but she was delighted to take in the sight and sound of Ginza. I remembered Mak insisting on buying us cake and tea in Ginza two years ago when she was here visiting together with my brother and two aunts, all because she wanted us to 'experience' Ginza. There's something very classy in Ginza - the people more well-dressed and less rushed than in other parts of Tokyo, the architecture of the buildings more upscaled, and there were some interesting advertisements unseen in other parts - like the white-against-black/black-against-white light show on Chanel building.
To entertain Jue's wish to have a picture in Ginza, we decided to have dinner there and recharge my camera's battery while dining. Jue was thinking of having nan and tandoori for the night, but the only halal restaurant I knew in the area was Rasa, a Malaysian restaurant. I have never been there personally, so only when we arrived there we realized that there is a Pakistani restaurant 4 floors below Rasa. We decided to ask if they serve Halal meat - and yes, they only serve halal meat there, or so we were assured by the 'concierge' who greeted us as the elevator's doors were opened. So we had our dinner there - and Man insisted on giving me a treat, just like they insisted on paying for my fares.
I almost left the battery and the charger in the restaurant but Jue who could not wait to have her photographs be taken in Ginza reminded me of them as we stepped out of the elevator on the ground floor. So we went up again to retrieve both the battery and charger, and quickly had another round of stroll down Ginza street, happily snapping here and there.
Personally I think Jue and Man came at the best time - when they could still play with snow in Karuizawa, yet also enjoy hanami in Tokyo. We took the earliest normal train to Narita Airport from Ueno, passing by lots and lots of sakura trees lined in parks and near rivers, giving Jue a final chance of enjoying the cherry blossoms from the train.
I finally bid farewell after they had checked-in their luggage, giving Jue a tight hug, kissing a sleeping Husna softly on her forehead. Till we meet again my friend - kalau ada rezeki maybe we can give you a visit in Switzerland - otherwise we'll meet again in 2010 after you are done with your MA, insya Allah...
On Monday both Man and Jue got to realize their 'hajat' to visit Tobu World Square and take a stroll in Ginza - no prize for guessing which of them wished for what. It rained in the morning of their last full day in Japan, making them rather hesitant in determining what to do for the day. Although we all woke up early, and I had already prepared breakfast/lunch even before 8.00 a.m., we didn't reached Tobu Asakusa eki until about 11.48 a.m., when Man finally said he would very much like to visit Tobu World Square despite the cold weather, or even light snow as it was predicted earlier.
The girl behind the counter at Tobu Travel Service asked us if we could visit Kinugawa Onsen on any other day, and I replied that my guests would be returning to Malaysia the next day. In order for us to be able to enjoy the theme park longer, we were advised to board the Limited Express Spacia (extra 800 yen for each person), since we had just missed the normal Rapid train . Man quickly agreed, so we found ourselves seated in Spacia 10 minutes after he bought the ticket, and arrived in Kinugawa Onsen at around 2.00 p.m.
Tobu World Square and Edo Village are both opened for free on certain selected days during Yokoso Japan campaign period (late January till late February) It was during the free open day period when Hubby and Che Lee's family went there last year while I was still pregnant with Humaidi and busy attending a one-week Winter term intensive course in Waseda and could not join them. Hubby consoled me back then, promising to have another visit this year during the free period, but both of us forgot all about it and only realized it when the free days were already over. Zannen datta. So for those who are interested in spending a day or two in Nikko/Kinugawa Onsen in late January/February, try googling "Yokoso Japan campaign", to find out more about these 'free open days' offer as it is only announced on Yokoso Japan website, but not on Edo Village or Tobu World Square websites. Otherwise, you could opt to buy a Kinugawa Onsen Theme park pass at Tobu Asakusa Travel Center like Man did. The 2-days pass covers normal train fare from Asakusa-Kinugawa Onsen, unlimited train rides within Nikko-Kinugawa Onsen area, unlimited bus rides within Nikko-Kinugawa Onsen area, and entrance ticket for particular theme park. The pass costs 4000 yen for Tobu World Square, 6000 yen for Edo Village, and 7200 yen for both World Square and Edo Village.
Alhamdulillah, the sun was shining amidst brief light rain in Kinugawa Onsen. Had a quick foot dipping in hot spring rest area right in front of the station, before we kelam kabut rushed to board a bus going to Tobu World Square (I wore my socks properly only after we were on board)
Man concurred with hubby who opined that while the theme park is not that big, it could be rather fascinating to feel like Gulliver for a short while as we 'traveled' from one 'continent' to another. My camera's battery went kaput when we were in still in 'Europe', so for the rest of the 'travel', I had to rely on Man's camera. Since hubby had a lot of pictures of the replicas, Man took more pics of us rather than the replicas - "gambar bangunan nanti cilok yang dah ada je lah". We only had less than 3 hours to rush though the whole theme park, in order not to miss another Limited Express train back to Asakusa. Jue who had passed by Ginza three times without stopping would really like to take a stroll in the upmarket area. On the way back, we had to pay extra 1000 yen each to board the Limited Express as 800 yen is the 'special price' if we had bought the Limited Express ticket together with the discounted Pass, like we did in the morning/noon. Oh well...
Right after we arrived in Asakusa, we quickly rushed to 100 yen shop not far from Kaminarimon for last minute souvenirs shopping before we boarded the Ginza line subway to Ginza. By the time we reached there, most shops were closing - it was a little past 8.00 p.m. But Jue was satisfied with having a chance to take a stroll there. Having already visited Harajuku/Omotesando and Roppongi areas, Jue at first thought that there would be nothing new to see in Ginza, but she was delighted to take in the sight and sound of Ginza. I remembered Mak insisting on buying us cake and tea in Ginza two years ago when she was here visiting together with my brother and two aunts, all because she wanted us to 'experience' Ginza. There's something very classy in Ginza - the people more well-dressed and less rushed than in other parts of Tokyo, the architecture of the buildings more upscaled, and there were some interesting advertisements unseen in other parts - like the white-against-black/black-against-white light show on Chanel building.
To entertain Jue's wish to have a picture in Ginza, we decided to have dinner there and recharge my camera's battery while dining. Jue was thinking of having nan and tandoori for the night, but the only halal restaurant I knew in the area was Rasa, a Malaysian restaurant. I have never been there personally, so only when we arrived there we realized that there is a Pakistani restaurant 4 floors below Rasa. We decided to ask if they serve Halal meat - and yes, they only serve halal meat there, or so we were assured by the 'concierge' who greeted us as the elevator's doors were opened. So we had our dinner there - and Man insisted on giving me a treat, just like they insisted on paying for my fares.
I almost left the battery and the charger in the restaurant but Jue who could not wait to have her photographs be taken in Ginza reminded me of them as we stepped out of the elevator on the ground floor. So we went up again to retrieve both the battery and charger, and quickly had another round of stroll down Ginza street, happily snapping here and there.
Personally I think Jue and Man came at the best time - when they could still play with snow in Karuizawa, yet also enjoy hanami in Tokyo. We took the earliest normal train to Narita Airport from Ueno, passing by lots and lots of sakura trees lined in parks and near rivers, giving Jue a final chance of enjoying the cherry blossoms from the train.
I finally bid farewell after they had checked-in their luggage, giving Jue a tight hug, kissing a sleeping Husna softly on her forehead. Till we meet again my friend - kalau ada rezeki maybe we can give you a visit in Switzerland - otherwise we'll meet again in 2010 after you are done with your MA, insya Allah...
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