Mac OS X 10.4

I installed Tiger on both of machines last night doing the upgrade install (since I'm lazy). No problems on my laptop, but iPhoto started acting very flaky on my desktop. Zero length jpegs were being created in the wrong directories in the iPhoto library directory structure and iPhoto was trying to read from them instead of the originals (which were still around). Also, iPhoto would display the wrong image when launched from a Spotlight search result. It also seemed to be crashing frequently. Rebuilding the library didn't fix the flakiness. Since I think the problem was due to the scans I imported (and doing a batch operation to change their dates), I exported the originals, used EXIFutils to add an image creation time EXIF attribute so that I wouldn't have to correct the date in iPhoto, and then re-imported. It seems better now.

Back in the United States

After checking out and having the hotel temporarily store my stuff until it was time to get on the Airport Limousine Bus, I wandered around Akihabara for a while looking for anime stuff. I didn't find anything that I was interested in purchasing and headed back to the hotel to catch the bus to the airport.

From the Narita, I flew to LAX and then on to San Diego.

Last full day in Tokyo

Today, I went to the Meiji-Jingu Shrine and wandered around Harajuku and Shinjuku for a little bit.

I also got over my mental dislike for sushi and went to a kaiten sushi place and had 4 dishes (for about 500 yen). For dinner, I also went to a sushi place and had a set meal of about 10 nigiri pieces and a scoop of green tea ice cream.

Although I'm sure most people probably think green tea flavoring is strange, I've found that anything that has a sweet green tea flavor to be oddly refreshing.

Tomorrow, I have to check out before 11am and will take the Airport Limousine shuttle to Narita at around 1pm (flight leaves at around 5pm). I'm assuming that the hotel will let me store my bags somewhere between checkout and when I leave so I can do some last minute souvenir shopping (and hopefully use up most up my coins).

Yokohama and more of Tokyo

In the morning I went to Yokohama and saw the Marine Tower and Chinatown.

A little before noon, I headed back to Tokyo and when to see the Imperial Palace, stopped by Ueno Park to capture a little more video of something I missed but might need for the video, and then went to the kitchen district in Asakusa.

After that, I spent a couple hours wandering Ginza. The Apple Store was very crowded and it looked like tourists were all using the computers to do email and stuff (which was my plan, as well). The elevator was very "Apple". As far as I can tell, utside of a button to open the door, there were no other buttons inside. Instead, the elevator just went up and down by itself.

I'm not exactly sure what I had for dinner. I think I had flavorful spicy pork (buta umakara) and succulent boneless shortribs served with special sauce (karubi). But, it's possible that one of these meat dishes was actually tender charcoal grilled beef tongue (tan). I got this from their chopstick wrapper as there was no English on the menu. Also included was rice (of course) and ox-tail soup.

Nikko

It was raining really badly in Nikko (was nice in Tokyo, though). The temples were very ornate, but unfortunately, I had to take pictures while trying to balance my umbrella on my shoulder.

When I left, there was an interesting looking festival that was about to start that involved people and their kids dressed up and lots of floats. But because it was pouring, I decided to leave.

After I got back, I wandered Akihabara for about 2 hours.

For dinner, I had tempura and soba noodles in a restaurant area in the Sunshine complex.

Also, I discovered CalorieMate does exist and is not something made up for Metal Gear Solid.

Kamakura and meeting up with Lili

Went to Kamakura today and saw the Kencho-ji, Tsuugako Hachimanga Shrine, Hasedera Temple, and Diabatsu.

I then headed back to Tokyo and went to Ueno to wait for Lili. Since we couldn't find a locker that would fit her luggage, we lugged them around. First we went to see the museum in Ueno Park, and then went to Asakusa to see the Sensoji Shrine (it was dark). After that we headed to Ikebukuro to eat at Namjatown (Gyoza Stadium and the Cream Puff Town or whatever) next to my hotel. At around 10pm, we headed to Shinjuku so that she could catch her train back to Kanazawa. Unfortunately, we had a tough time locating the proper bus terminal,　so we had to literally run through the streets (actually only a couple blocks) towing her luggage. If only we had some cameramen like on the Amazing Race to get some footage! Luckily, we made it with about a minute to spare, so she was able to get back to Kanazawa instead of being stuck in Tokyo.

Japanese Language Notes

Despite listening to over 30 lessons of Pimsleur's Japanese, I think the only phrases I've used are "arigato" ("thank you"), "do itashimashite" ("you're welcome"), "sumimasen" ("excuse me" or "sorry"), "wakarimasen" ("I don't understand") and "kyo wa" ("today": used when trying to get Hashin Tiger tickets). Overall, I've just been trying to get by on English since even if I am able to come up with something to say in Japanese, I won't be able to understand what they say.

Hakone

I got a late start and headed to Hakone today. The weather in Tokyo was clear, so I was hoping it would also be true in Hakone. Unfortunately, it was not the case, so I didn't get to see Mount Fuji. I was able to get some good sniffs of sulfurous fumes at Owakudani, so the trip wasn't a total loss.

I also wasted some time by getting off at Hakonemachi instead of continuing on to Moto-Hakone on the ship on Lake Ashi. I went to see the Hakone Checkpoint, but wasn't impressed. It was probably a waste of money (only 250 yen) and time.

Also, I found a better place to use the internet than the hotel (which is 525 yen for 30 minutes). There's this internet cafe (Gran Cyber Cafe B@gus) that's 400 yen for 1 hour (not that I need that much time). According to one of the guide books I have, there's supposed to be a Virgin Megastore in Ikebukuro that has a few machines with free internet, but I haven't been able to locate it yet. I just googled, and it's over on the west side of the station, which explains why I haven't seen it.

I'm probably going to be going to Kamukura and maybe Yokohama tommorrow morning.

Japanese Baseball

While waiting until the Seibu Lions game, I went to Shibuya and near the Tokyo Tower to take some pictures.

The baseball game was between the Seibu Lions and Nippon Ham Fighters at the Seibu Dome. Even though it's technically a domed stadium, it's not enclosed along the edges so it got quite cold. The hotel had a coupon for discount tickets for 2400 yen. The seat that I got was on the second row along the first base side (Lion's side). Although the stadium was probably have empty, the cheering sections in the outfield were quite loud (drums and noise makers). The Fighters ending up beating the Lions 8 to 4.

For dinner, I had octopus balls at the stadium.

Arrived in Tokyo

Before, I forget, I had tempura and udon noodles (in soup) for dinner at Kanazawa Station.

I just arrived at my hotel (Sunshine City Prince) in Ikebukuro. I'm on the 28th floor. Since this place seems to have a lot of Seibu Lion stuff, I might try and get a ticket here for tonights game rather than risk any more sell outs.

Afternoon in Kanazawa

I went to see the Nagamachi Samurai Houses and the Oyama Shrine.

For dinner, I had tempura at a restaurant in the station mall.

First day in Kanazawa

This morning, I went to the Sakada Gold and Silver Leaf Shop and saw a brief demonstration on how gold leaf is made. They also served tea that contained gold leaves.

From there I went to the Higashi Chaya District and saw exteriors of old giesha houses. After that, I went to Kenrokuen Garden. Admission happened to be free. Near the garden, I also visited the Seisonkaka Villa.

From Kenrokuen, I headed down to the Nishi Chaya district to the Kutani Kosen Pottery Studio. It was pretty hard to find. I actually walked right past it. After walking for a little bit longer, I figured I must have missed it and paid closer attention to the kanji signs.

Right now, I'm sitting in an internet cafe ("Cyber Cafe Freaks") which costs money since my hotel in Kanazawa doesn't have internet access and all the computers at the Ishikawa Pref International Exchange Association library were occupied. After this, I'm going to head the Nagamachi Samurai District.

Last day in Kyoto

This is backdated post.

After checking out of my hotel, I went to Kyoto Station to find a locker to store my luggage. Unforunately, they didn't have any lockers that weren't in use so I had to store them in luggage storage which probably was a little bit more expensive than a locker.

I then went to the Kyoto Handicraft Center and ended up buying a woodprint which I had shipped back to Nashville since I was afraid I would get in wrinkled in my luggage.

Afterwards, I headed to the Imaniya-Jinga Shrine to see a matsuri (festival) there. I was late, so missed most of it.

A little before 6pm, I took a train to Kanazawa. For dinner, I had some pastries which I bought at the station.

Stalking Gieshas

I spent about an hour standing on one corner in Gion watching and waiting for geishas to pass by. I think I got a few good shots on film with my SLR and also got a couple on video. While I was leaving, one nearly ran into me stepping into a restaurant. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera ready and I reflexively jumped out of the way.

For dinner, I had pork cutlets and croquettes of potato. I'm not sure what it's called in Japanese.

Last full day in Kyoto

This morning I went to the Imperial Palace (which was open to the public, so it was very crowded). Afterwards, I headed to Gion and went to see a showing of the Miyako Odori. This is a Cherry Blossom Dance show performed by the geisha and maiko of Gion.

Traveling around Kyoto

Today I went to Kiyomizudera, Nazen-ji, Ginkakuji, the Heian Jingu Shrine, and Sanjusangendo Hall. I did more walking then expected since a lot of the busses I had planned to take were completely full.

In the late afternoon, I took a train to Osaka and then to Koshien (on the Hashin Railway) in order to try and see a Hashin Tigers baseball game. Unfortunately, the game was sold out (as well as the other games through the weekend). So, I guess I will have to try and see a game in Tokyo.

For dinner I ate at an Okonomiyaki restaurant at Kyoto Station and had an Okonomiyaki with beef (tasted like jerky) and shrimp.

So far, I'm well under my food budget (even considering the number of drinks I've bought from vending machines).

Japan Day Two

Today (technically yesterday since I am writing this on the 8th), I took at Shinkasen (bullet train) to Himeji to see the castle there. Originally, I was planning to stopping buy Osaka on the way back to see the castle there, but I spent too much time at Himeji-jo and misstimed the train, so I decided to head back to Kyoto. After arriving in Kyoto, I headed to Nijo-jo and then back to my hotel where my luggage was waiting for me.

Afterwards, I walked around Gion. I saw a couple of geishas, but I don't think I got any very good pictures. I'll probably have to head back another day and just wait until one passes by. I also went to a show at Gion Corner. It was sort of interesting but, I'm not sure if it was worth the price.

For dinner, I at a little gyoza place.

First full day in Japan

My hotel (Karasuma Kyoto Hotel) has free internet.

I arrived in Japan yesterday without my luggage. Somehow it didn't get transfered from the American Eagle flight. It should arrive tommorrow, though. The food on the JAL flight was very good. For lunch I had tendon (the alternative was beef stew: probably japanized). Dinner was tortellini.

Today, I went to Nara in the morning at Northwestern Kyoto in the afternoon: Kinkakuji (Golden Pavillion) and Ryoanji. I was going to go to Daitokuji but sort of got lost.

Tonight, I had a dinner of eel over rice, a little tempura (two prawns and some vegetables), and a little soup. Cost: 1365 yen.

A couple of random observations:

- Pocari Sweat tastes like Gatorade. I had two bottles because I was really thirsty. The bottles were aluminum.

- There exists blueberry cream Pocky like snacks. The brand is Fran.

- Netscape 7 is aweful compared to the latest Mozilla/Firefox browsers. GMail only works in the standard HTML mode and blogger's composer doesn't work.

Garbage

I thought I was going get a trash cart from Metro this week, but it appears that this is not the case (unless they're planning on delivering on Saturday). So hopefully my neighbors don't get too annoyed if they deliver it while I'm on vacation and it gets left on the street.

Even though I really don't need a big 96 gallon trash cart, I'm assuming trash pickup will get better once the new system is in place. For the second time in the past few months, the garbage men didn't completely empty the garbage can. To make matters worse, it rained a lot and they left the lid open.