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[My Trip to Japan – 日本への私の旅 – رحلتي إلى اليابان] – Part II

Finally, it’s my “Part II” post  about my latest trip to Japan!

Here I’m talking about Tokyo Sky Tree Tower “東京スカイツリ”! In my earlier entries I’ve already posted something about Tokyo Sky Tree Tower and about its establishment & the overall construction, but this time it’s different! I’ve experienced seeing  Tokyo Sky Tree Tower in real! YES I DID!! It’s off the Sumida river. Sumida river has always meant something special to me. Back in 2007 I had the chance to see Sakura in full bloom off the Sumida river and it has left an exceptional memory for me. This year, when I knew that Tokyo Sky Tree Tower can be seen right off the Sumida river, I’ve decided to see it right from the same spot where I’ve walked by back in 2007. I did, and it was just a amazing view of the Tower! I was totally speechless!! All what I did was taking pictures and staring at its beauty!

P.S.: For me, Tokyo Tower will always be the only national Tower of Japan.

[My Trip to Japan – 日本への私の旅 – رحلتي إلى اليابان] – Part I

I’ve stayed in Japan for 17 days visiting some of the major cities in Honshu (Tokyo, Shizuoka, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe and Awaji Island). It was my first time visiting Nagoya, Kobe and Awaji Island. Shinkansen was really helpful in making me reaching these cities conveniently. I rode the Shinkansen: Tokyo <–> Shizuoka; Shin-Yokohama  –> Nagoya; Nagoya –> Osaka. Kobe and Awaji Island were visited by car. InshaAllah I’ll update with more posts and pictures about my trip but I’ve decided not to make it very personal though. Therefore, I’ll try to summarize the main activities/events that I did there, ja ne!

My Trip to Japan – 日本への私の旅 – رحلتي إلى اليابان

          This is my first entry being posted from Japan! Not a first visit though. I’m in TOKYO now, my plan is to discover Japan beyond what’s mentioned on travel guidebooks/websites. I shall add new posts in the future insha’Allah about this trip, stay tuned!

Seto Bridge – 瀬戸大橋 – جسر سيتو

“The Seto-Ohashi Bridge, is a series of double deck bridges connecting Okayama and Kagawa prefectures in Japan across a series of five small islands in the Seto Inland Sea. Built over the period 1978–1988, it is one of the three routes of the Honshū-Shikoku Bridge Project connecting Honshū and Shikoku islands. At 13.1 km long, it ranks as the world’s longest two-tiered bridge system.
Crossing the bridge takes about 20 minutes by car or train. The ferry crossing before the bridge was built took about an hour. The non-discounted toll from Kojima, Kurashiki (Okayama Prefecture on the Honshū side) to Sakaide (Kagawa Prefecture on the Shikoku side) is ¥3,500, and vice-versa.” (Wikipedia)

Japan has many good bridges like the Rainbow Bridge in Odaiba in Tokyo and the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge connecting Kobe to Awaki Island, besides many other famous bridges around Japan. However, since Seto Bridge is the longest two-tiered bridge, it’s the most joyful one to drive on. I’ve never drove on it or been to that region before but imagining driving for 20 min over a suspended bridge passing through a number of small islands is awesome! Moreover, I’ve always wanted to visit Shikoku island, taking the Seto Bridge from Honshu would make the road trip even more fun.

Japan – 日本 – اليابان


Ikebukuro – 池袋 – إيكيبوكورو

” Ikebukuro (池袋), the largest city located in Toshima ward, is a commercial and entertainment district of Tokyo, Japan. Toshima ward offices, Ikebukuro station, and several shops, restaurants, and enormous department stores are located within city limits.

At the center of Ikebukuro is the train and subway station, a huge urban gathering shared by the JR East lines, the Seibu Ikebukuro Line and the Tōbu Tōjō Line. It is one of the main commuter hubs in the western Yamanote area of Tokyo. Ikebukuro Station is the second busiest station in Japan, second only to Shinjuku Station.Around the station are the Seibu and Tōbu department stores. Seibu, written with the characters for “West” and “Musashi (province)” 西武, is on the east end of the station and Tōbu, written with the characters for “East” and “Musashi” 東武, is on the west end. East of the station, on the site of Sugamo Prison, stands Sunshine 60, which was Tokyo’s tallest building at the time of its construction. Otome Road, a leading shopping area for otaku products aimed at women, is located nearby. Marui and Don Quijote also have department stores in the area. The principal electronics retailer in Ikebukuro is Bic Camera. There is a small pleasure district similar to Shinjuku’s Kabukichō, but less lively and less attractive for tourists.” (Wikipedia, accessed July 17, ’10).

Ikebukuro is one of my favorite areas in Tokyo mainly ‘cos of two reasons. First, Ikebukuro is where I’ve stayed during my ”FIRST” visit to Tokyo. Second, it’s fun and busy all day. Ikebukuro is not usually included in tourits’ must-see places/locations as Shinjuku, Shibuya and Ginza may attract typical tourists more, besides their more convenient locations compared to Ikebukuro.

Sumida River – 隅田川 – Sumida-gawa – نهر سوميدا

” The Sumida River (隅田川, Sumida-gawa) is a river which flows through Tokyo, Japan. It branches from the Arakawa River at Iwabuchi and flows into Tokyo Bay. Its tributaries include the Kanda and Shakujii rivers. What is now known as the “Sumida River” was previously the path of the Arakawa, however towards the end of the Meiji era work was carried out to divert the main flow of the Arakawa to prevent flooding. It passes through Kita, Adachi, Arakawa, Sumida, Taito, Koto and Chuo” (Wikipedia).

When some friends of mine and I first visited Tokyo in 2003,  I’ve tried to convince them to visit the Sumida River as it’s one of the land marks in Tokyo, they were partially convinced about it. Then, the next day, we’ve arrived in Asakusa train station which is just next to Sumida River, I didn’t know how far it’s located away from the train station, so once we went out the station we kept walking ‘n’ walking for ages! Nothing appeared on the horizon yet, as I’ve mentioned earlier, they were just partially convinced about visiting it, so suddenly we’ve they’ve decided to forget about it and go back to whatever is left to visit/see in Tokyo. FOUR years later, in 2007, a friend of mine and I, have made it at the Sumida River at the right time and the right place, the station this time was just a couple of minutes away from the river, and the timing was just perfect for it, it was late March, you know what I mean! Cherry blossom, Sakura trees, were covering the streets of Sumida. It was crowded with public enjoying the weather, the scenery and the river at that delightful moment. What’s so special about Sumida River in addition to the Sakura trees, the bridges, it has many bridges passing over it and some are dedicated for trains, it’s wide and relaxing for sight. I remember how people there were so happy and joyful! Sumia River now means a beautiful moment for me!

Captain Tsubasa – キャプテン翼 – الكابتن ماجد

        “Captain Tsubasa is a popular Japanese manga, anime and video game series, originally created by Yoichi Takahashi in 1981. The series mainly revovles around the sport of Football.

The story focuses on the adventures of a Japanese youth fotball team and its captain Tsubasa Oozora, whose name literally translates to (Big Sky Wings). The series is characterized by dynamic football moves, often stylish.

The Captain Tsubasa manga series was originally serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump manga magazine between 1981 and 1988″

I’ve first watched the Captain Tsubasa (الكابتن ماجد) series in 1990, when I was in Saudia Arabia during the Gulf  War. Whatever volume I buy or whenever I watch it at other’s houses it has always been the episode of Captain Majed and Mazen rainy match, LOL. In 2003 in Tokyo I was lucky to find the Shonen Jump weekly volume of the 1983 edition with a chapter of Captain Tsubasa!! that was very original and joyful to read watch! lol.  A friend of mine was lucky to find Captain Tsubasa’s video game as a MEGA-CD when we were there as it wasn’t released in Kuwait due to the unpopular SEGA MEGA-CD console, he never had that console though!! lol. Later, the ROM was found online. Yureshi!

Odaiba – お台場 – أودايبا

 

“Odaiba is a large artificial island in Tokyo Bay, Japan, across the Rainbow Bridge from central Tokyo. It was initially built for defensive purposes in the 1850′s, dramatically expanded during the late 20th century as a seaport district, and has developed since the 1990′s as a major commercial, residential and leisure area.

Two Shuto Expressway lines access Odaiba: Route 11 enters from central Tokyo crossing the Rainbow Bridge, while the Wangan route enters from Shinagawa Ward through the Tokyo Port Tunnel and from the bayfront areas of Tokyo and Chiba perfecture to the east.”

I’ve been to Odaiba once and I really liked it from the first visit. The scenery there was amazing especially at night. I had the chance to ride on the Rainbow Bridge by car, I wasn’t driving but at least I was on the front seat hehehe!! Insha’Allah next time I’ll visit Odaiba riding the  automated Yurikamome transit system from Shimbashi or Toyosu!

Tokyo Dome – 東京ドーム.

 

” Tokyo Dome is a 42,000 seats baseball stadium located in Tokyo, Japan. It is the home field of  the Yumiuri Giants baseball teams. It has also hosted martial arts events and music concerts. Its dome-shaped roof is an air-supported structure. Tokyo Dome opened for business in March 17, 1988.

Tokyo Dome is a part of a greater entertainment complex known as Tokyo Dome City. It includes an amusement park  and shops. “

I really liked the Tokyo Dome and been there to snap some photos with the structure, but unfortunately didn’t get the chance to attend a match there!! Yes, I’m a fan of baseball!

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