Back in Japan - Kansai Tour (Image Heavy)

I went back to Japan as a gift for myself on my birthday~! This time I went to Kyoto and Osaka with some friends. I initially planned to go alone but I am really thankful that they tagged along because I wouldn't have survived without them. Going around Tokyo was easier for me.

Day 1: Kyoto - Fushimi Inari and Philosopher's Path

Rare shot of the torii without people =_=

The grandmother who was stronger than me...

1000 paper cranes

Tokyo Adventure Day 4: Meiji Jingu and Shibuya

Meiji Jingu was one of the best places I visited during my trip to Tokyo. I couldn't help but feel amazed by the efforts the Japanese made to preserve their culture!

Everything was massive, the Gates (Torii), the trees, the path... I was overwhelmed when I entered. While walking towards the shrine, I couldn't help but imagine what it was like during the time it was built (1920's). People walking around wearing traditional clothing and all...

Torii

Tokyo Adventure Day 3: Shinjuku Gyoen National Park

Influenced by an animated movie, I included the Shinjuku Gyoen National Park in my itinerary~! It was huge! I was only able to see the French Formal Garden, the English Landscape Garden and the Japanese Garden.

Small path towards the Japanese Garden

Tokyo Adventure Day 2: Asakusa, Ueno Park and Akihabara

I went to Asakusa, Ueno Park and Akihabara on the second day for my Tokyo adventure. I had planned other sites like Tokyo Tower, Zojoji Temple, Sumida Park, and Hikawa Jinja (the shrine at which Rei Hino/Sailor Mars live and work at) in Akihabara but I miscalculated a few things. I did not expect my feet to turn to jello at Asakusa then tortured even more when we reached Ueno Park... Good walking shoes is a must! Even though most sites are practically beside each other in Google maps... =_= It was hot and some streets were quite steep... =__=

Anyway here are some photos I managed to get:

Kaminarimon - Thunder Gate

Tokyo Adventure Day 1: Arrival

It has always been a dream of mine to travel to Japan ever since high school and it finally came true! Tokyo was absolutely beyond what I expected! The first few hours in Tokyo was already surreal and overwhelming!

During my train ride from Narita to Shinjuku Station, I noticed that everything was so clean and vibrant. The buildings all looked freshly painted, the grass were bright green and the trees were in huge clusters! Here's a 16 second video of my train ride scenery in Narita. Sorry for the low res, I didn't know how to set up my phone cam. >_<

I stayed in a hotel in Kabuki-cho Shinjuku, which is supposedly one of the most dangerous areas in Tokyo at night... However, everyone I encountered in Kabuki-cho were very friendly and helpful. Yes, there were a whole lot of host clubs touts but none of them paid attention to me except for one Filipino tout who has been living in Tokyo for 19 years. He told me that it was really obvious that I was a tourist. He also said that if he only met us earlier he would have been glad to give us a tour! Filipino hospitality at it's best!