Punkspring 2010

Saturday after work, I took an overnight bus from Osaka to Tokyo. By myself. Wow. Miho booked the ticket for me, but I had to show up. It wasn't too difficult, but I did call Miho to make sure I was in the right area.

7 hours later, I arrived at Tokyo Station, and met up with Miho and Asami, who took a different bus.

Two things I learned about riding an overnight bus: 2 Benedryl is AMAZING! and wearing earplugs makes me carsick.

Asami and I in front of Unko san in Asakusa. *Unko means poo in Japanese

Too early for traffic.

311!!!

The lineup

The audience watching one of the Japanese punk bands. They were awesome!

Blue stage

Chad Sexton's drum kit. He's the drummer for 311.

Sneaky photo. Nick Hexum and S.A. Martinez.

Miho's apartment. This is her room. She has a shared kitchen and bathroom and stuff. It's really nice! It's also a good 15 minute walk from the Asakusa station.

Common living room.

BURGER KING!

Again, taking a photo with the hot models at A&F in Ginza.

Asami wanted to go to Vampire Cafe. Miho's face shows exactly how she and I felt about this.

In hindsight, those look like red blood cells on the floor.

My, what atmosphere there is.

Who is Earl, and why does he get to select some kinds cheese? I want his job.

duh duh duh THRIIIIILER!

And of course.... print club.

Karaoke

Minatogawakoen at 7:00 am.

Spiderman, spiderman, climbs the Asakusa lantern cause he's the man....

I've realized I only post on the weekends. Understandably so, because
1. Nothing exciting ever happens during the week.
2. I have no time during the week.

Saturday night I went out to the Hub with Miho, Asami, and Farron. I decided to stop drinking beer, because that's a lot of extra calories, and so far it's working out quite nicely. A few glasses of wine is all I need.

Today I'm going to go buy a few presents, and then go to Higashi Kakogawa and visit with Miho and her family. She's moving to Tokyo on the 31st, so I want to help her pack* and eat dinner with her parents. I'm going to find a roll cake, fruit tart, and a stuffed Bonerman for them.

* By help her pack, I mean sit in one corner of her room and give a running commentary on how much stuff she's trying to move to Tokyo.

Should be great fun. We both miss Jen, so we're going to Skype with her at some point during the visit.

Next weekend I'm going to Tokyo to visit Miho and see 311 in concert! WHOO HOO! I with they made different merchandise for the Asian tours, but I doubt it. However, I'm still going to buy a sweet shirt, and a poster for J Randy.

It's not goodbye, it's see you later.

After work Saturday, Miho and I met in Sannomiya and took the overnight bus to Tokyo. We arrived at 5:30 am, and met up with Jen around 7. We ate breakfast, dropped our bags at the hotel, and went to the Imperial Palace. It has a really beautiful garden.

Me and part of the moat surrounding the Imperial Palace.

I know this looks strange, but let me explain: After the Palace, we went to Ginza, which is a very fancy shopping area. They just opened a 14 floor Abercrombie & Fitch, and we stopped by to check out all the handsome employees (seriously). We were totally unaware of the fact they get you to stop in the entrance, and take a Polaroid with a half-naked handsome employee. Jackpot! They all say, in English, "Hey, how's it going?". It's pretty unreal.

After that, we went back to the hotel to take a shower and a nap. We were going to meet up with Anthony for dinner, but we had a little bit of time. So we took Print Club stickers.

"Doitashimashita" means "you're welcome", and it sounds like, "Don't touch my mustache". It's our favorite joke.

Anthony Luzby, Jen's friend from Florida who happens to live in Tokyo. He's a super awesome guy, if you couldn't tell by his cute smile!

Jen, Miho and I in our matching Cheers shirts! Dinner and drinks at a ¥280 izakaiya.

After dinner, we went to the karaoke room that was in Lost in Translation. We were only going to stay for an hour, but ended up singing until 4am. I love karaoke. It doesn't love me though, because I lost my voice.

Last train beers on the NEX express from Tokyo station to Narita Airport.

Miho and I stood at the departures security line until Jen cleared it, and we watched her go down the escalator to her gate. Sad. Then we waited in the airport lobby until her flight took off. You know, in case she changed her mind about leaving after all.

Tokyo! - Day Four - Asakusa (Thunder Gate)

Wednesday, we checked out of the Toyoko Inn, went to Tokyo station and left our bags at Daimaru, a department store. Daimaru is similar to Nordstrom's in America. They have excellent customer service, and will hold your bags while you shop. Or say you're shopping.

Then, we hopped on a train toward Asakusa, the Thunder Gate. It was very crowded, but it was really enjoyable!

This is right outside the station, on the way to Asakusa. I've forgotten what Miho told me it was, but it's a golden poo. Or sperm, your choice.

This is any tourist spot in Japan, summed up in one photo. Someone taking a photo in front of a shrine, with the subjects throwing up the peace sign.

See? Told ya.

The market leading up to the shrine. Lots of food and shopping.


A young girl all dressed up in a red kimono to visit the shrine.

The inside of the shrine.

Tbe ceiling was beautiful.

Lighting candles.

You pay 100yen, and shake a metal box that has sticks with numbers on them. You pull one out, and your fortune is in the drawer with that number on it. I drew 93.

Good fortune!

Lunch! Taco and Chikua (Octopus and basically a fish hot dog) from a street vendor. Delicious.

Second lunch! Hooray for BK Lounge. They serve Heineken there.