Free Range Tourist
- Thread starter WillEater
- Start date
-
Throughout the month of April 2024, participate in the FileJoker Thread Contest OPEN TO EVERYONE!
From 1st to 30th of April 2024, members can earn cash rewards by posting Filejoker-Exclusive threads in the Direct-Downloads subforums.
There are $1000 in prizes, and the top prize is $450!
For the full rules and how to enter, check out the thread -
Akiba-Online is sponsored by FileJoker.
FileJoker is a required filehost for all new posts and content replies in the Direct Downloads subforums.
Failure to include FileJoker links for Direct Download posts will result in deletion of your posts or worse.
For more information see this thread.
Well, here's an update.. Spent Saturday at Tokyo Disney. Too many visitors.. Never did Mickey or Minnie.Sunday am, breakfast, and there was a Jr, Idol cooking, So I asked "Are you a Jr. Idol"? She simply turned my omelette over.
Second, I spot a younger female, walking the street. I guess that makes her a street walker, but no, more like a walking billboard.
I then asked a Ninja if he knew where I could find a Jr. Idol. He just smiled.
Damn, there is a Starbucks. I'll look in there. No, still closed.
A toy store was open, and the only Jr. Idol I saw was too small. But the price was OK.
Good day yesterday.
Pictures later as the limo arrives at 6:45 today, and it was a late night.
I visited a coupe of temples, many beautiful things to see.
Instructed the limo driver to take me the the "Fish Market" for lunch.
Many pictures there, amazing.
Lunch was excellent.
I decided to go inside the Imperil Palace, and that was very nice.
The guard with a gun yelled at me, and made me stop walking.
I didn't understand, but it all became clear when the Imperial Limo drove by.
I was very near the royal residence.
Maybe it was just me, but I swear the Empress winked at me as the limo drove by.
Then the limo took me to see Ginza area, bought some trinkets.
Even had a big toy store, but I didn't need any. (Pix later)
Stopped in at many high end (POSH) jewelry stores, couldn't decide.
At dusk, I told the driver to go to the Tokyo tower as the light were coming on.
I saw a restaurant there and decided to have a dinner and enjoy the ambience.
Turns out, it was very nice. Eight course dinner with amazing service. Japanese whiskey to finish the night.
Not much time this am, as the limo is due, I seeing some Sumo guys train today. Should be fun.
Really, pictures of all my (mis) adventures later.
Pictures later as the limo arrives at 6:45 today, and it was a late night.
I visited a coupe of temples, many beautiful things to see.
Instructed the limo driver to take me the the "Fish Market" for lunch.
Many pictures there, amazing.
Lunch was excellent.
I decided to go inside the Imperil Palace, and that was very nice.
The guard with a gun yelled at me, and made me stop walking.
I didn't understand, but it all became clear when the Imperial Limo drove by.
I was very near the royal residence.
Maybe it was just me, but I swear the Empress winked at me as the limo drove by.
Then the limo took me to see Ginza area, bought some trinkets.
Even had a big toy store, but I didn't need any. (Pix later)
Stopped in at many high end (POSH) jewelry stores, couldn't decide.
At dusk, I told the driver to go to the Tokyo tower as the light were coming on.
I saw a restaurant there and decided to have a dinner and enjoy the ambience.
Turns out, it was very nice. Eight course dinner with amazing service. Japanese whiskey to finish the night.
Not much time this am, as the limo is due, I seeing some Sumo guys train today. Should be fun.
Really, pictures of all my (mis) adventures later.
Amazing day.. Crack on dawn, jumped in the limo and stopped at a champion Dojo.
I watched entire stable of sumo guys practice for over two hours.
Two shrines, and walked all over the posh district, and found a narrow lane with small food joints..
another great lunch.
Off to the Nikon museum, took some great pix there. They liked my D500.
I'm off to Kyoto tomorrow, for two days. Pix posted as time allows.
Tired now, sleep beckons.
I watched entire stable of sumo guys practice for over two hours.
Two shrines, and walked all over the posh district, and found a narrow lane with small food joints..
another great lunch.
Off to the Nikon museum, took some great pix there. They liked my D500.
I'm off to Kyoto tomorrow, for two days. Pix posted as time allows.
Tired now, sleep beckons.
One picture from the Dojo.
I'm loading pix into Lightroom now, and there are a lot of them.
Yes I was very close to the guys training..
Not me on photo, as I took this one.
I may have time on the bullet train ride to edit and sort pix.
(First class ticket of course)
I'm loading pix into Lightroom now, and there are a lot of them.
Yes I was very close to the guys training..
Not me on photo, as I took this one.
I may have time on the bullet train ride to edit and sort pix.
(First class ticket of course)
I'm truly exhausted right now. These Geisha girls sure are demanding.
On the train, I slept a bit as the WiFi was spotty, email ok, data transfer not so ok.
Many temples and shrines here in Kyoto. End of long day, a "Show" with a tea ceremony, a puppet, a bit of comedy, and some singing and dancing.
I arranged for a private show during dinner, Food was not first on my mind.
I secured two performers, and they sang and danced for me.
I'll post one picture now, (They need to resized down to 25%) and more later after a bit
One more day here and then, Hiroshima.
On the train, I slept a bit as the WiFi was spotty, email ok, data transfer not so ok.
Many temples and shrines here in Kyoto. End of long day, a "Show" with a tea ceremony, a puppet, a bit of comedy, and some singing and dancing.
I arranged for a private show during dinner, Food was not first on my mind.
I secured two performers, and they sang and danced for me.
I'll post one picture now, (They need to resized down to 25%) and more later after a bit
One more day here and then, Hiroshima.
Attachments
As to cost, they say if you have to ask, you can't afford it.
The girl in Yellow, is still in training for at least another month.
So, as you know, training starts at 15, and if they continue training, they graduate at plus or minus 20.
So that girl I estimated to be 17 or 18 max.
Very skilled for one so young, and because so looks so young, they requested she not graduate early.
I posted the above due to the view of the long sash in the back, indicating a trainee Geisha.
The cost was reasonable for such quality, only $400 each for two hours.
Dinner of course was not included in that price.
I had the driver take me south to a tea farm, and spent the day learning about quality teas and the entire process.
More shrines and temples this afternoon, and a fine dinner at Yakatori.
I'll post one temple image. Time consuming, due to the need to shrink each one.
I'm back on the bullet train to Hiroshima tomorrow, more adventures await.
The girl in Yellow, is still in training for at least another month.
So, as you know, training starts at 15, and if they continue training, they graduate at plus or minus 20.
So that girl I estimated to be 17 or 18 max.
Very skilled for one so young, and because so looks so young, they requested she not graduate early.
I posted the above due to the view of the long sash in the back, indicating a trainee Geisha.
The cost was reasonable for such quality, only $400 each for two hours.
Dinner of course was not included in that price.
I had the driver take me south to a tea farm, and spent the day learning about quality teas and the entire process.
More shrines and temples this afternoon, and a fine dinner at Yakatori.
I'll post one temple image. Time consuming, due to the need to shrink each one.
I'm back on the bullet train to Hiroshima tomorrow, more adventures await.
OK, a couple more pix this am prior to breakfast.
If you like baseball, the crew "Drags the Infield". Same at the Dojo.
Nikon museum was fascinating.
Complete collection of all products ever produced.
You all have been to see the Golden Temple, and now I have been there.
Tea farm in the morning, Temples after lunch.
Limo driver never complains..
Off to breakfast now, and bullet train t0 Hiroshima later.
I hate to say goodbye to Kyoto, very nice people here.
I LOVE this vacation..
If you like baseball, the crew "Drags the Infield". Same at the Dojo.
Nikon museum was fascinating.
Complete collection of all products ever produced.
You all have been to see the Golden Temple, and now I have been there.
Tea farm in the morning, Temples after lunch.
Limo driver never complains..
Off to breakfast now, and bullet train t0 Hiroshima later.
I hate to say goodbye to Kyoto, very nice people here.
I LOVE this vacation..
If you did not mention that the girl in yellow is young, I will not have noticed.
USD400 for each girl for two hours?
Other than singing and dancing, what other services did they provide you?
She served the alcohol. Very sweet young girl..
It seemed improper to suggest she provide "Other" services.
Bullet train was relaxing, WiFi sucked as usual..
I grabbed a bento box for a quick meal during the ride.
Told the limo driver to stop by the peace memorial, and snapped a few pix.
Museum too. Depressing.
To brighten up my day, I visited the primary school that was 300 meters from the blast,
and was part of an Origami session, and folded some cranes.
I'm to see an island tomorrow, and sleep is way overdue.
I grabbed a bento box for a quick meal during the ride.
Told the limo driver to stop by the peace memorial, and snapped a few pix.
Museum too. Depressing.
To brighten up my day, I visited the primary school that was 300 meters from the blast,
and was part of an Origami session, and folded some cranes.
I'm to see an island tomorrow, and sleep is way overdue.
Awake early, sorting pictures.
The school requires not photographing the children.
However, after the origami practice and as I was leaving, the children fought over who could tie my shoe laces.
Two girls won the fight. The boy wanted to be in the picture also.
Later, a walk around the "Dome" .
I waited until the sun slipped behind a cloud, so the dome would not look so bright and happy.
The school requires not photographing the children.
However, after the origami practice and as I was leaving, the children fought over who could tie my shoe laces.
Two girls won the fight. The boy wanted to be in the picture also.
Later, a walk around the "Dome" .
I waited until the sun slipped behind a cloud, so the dome would not look so bright and happy.
While at the school, (This school survived the bomb) Ishida-san, A-Bomb survivor tells his story. He was 4 years old on Aug 6, 1945. It was quite compelling!
Ishida-san led my tour, (with translator) and it seems he is one of very few survivors still living.
I was also allowed to the basement to see items damaged by the blast.
Ishida-san led my tour, (with translator) and it seems he is one of very few survivors still living.
I was also allowed to the basement to see items damaged by the blast.
The school is about 300 meters from the dome.
Classes were resumed in the same building, (without windows) soon after.
It survived due to a new type construction, concrete.
Most of Hiroshima was wooden construction, and burnt up completely.
Nobody actually knows exactly how many were killed, as most were never found.
The theory on the dome, Copper dome at top, melted, blast went down and out the windows.
Beyond sad.
Off to breakfast, (buffet) and then a boat ride.
Should be fun.
I'm at Hotel Granvia near the train station. Nice place.
Classes were resumed in the same building, (without windows) soon after.
It survived due to a new type construction, concrete.
Most of Hiroshima was wooden construction, and burnt up completely.
Nobody actually knows exactly how many were killed, as most were never found.
The theory on the dome, Copper dome at top, melted, blast went down and out the windows.
Beyond sad.
Off to breakfast, (buffet) and then a boat ride.
Should be fun.
I'm at Hotel Granvia near the train station. Nice place.