The eighth day of our Japan tour, which marks our second day in the big city of Tokyo, we spent the entire day shopping. We visited a fish market in the morning. Much to our disappointment only a few stores were open as it seems to be their rest day.
With nothing much to look at, we headed to a sushi restaurant for breakfast. Rachel and I tried a plate of o-toro sushi for the first time. This is the most premium grade of the tuna fish, with the belly fats literally oozing out when you hold the meat with your chopsticks. It tastes really good, but cost a bomb too.
![Planning our trips for the day Planning our trips for the day](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3543/3410944734_02b2593269_o.jpg)
![Mind-boggling train stations map Mind-boggling train stations map](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3410129625_f7bf7e99fb_o.jpg)
![Rachel buying our tickets Rachel buying our tickets](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3347/3410128383_b6bcdd787b_o.jpg)
![Rachel writing her diary while in the train Rachel writing her diary while in the train](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3349/3410940388_453f74941f_o.jpg)
![One of the few seafood stores open for business One of the few seafood stores open for business](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/3410132981_9e93f12154_o.jpg)
![seafood seafood](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3410129005_dd7dcb06d8_o.jpg)
![Uncle selling dried foodstuff Uncle selling dried foodstuff](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/3410128699_8086320669_o.jpg)
![A packet of salt which Rachel bought for her dad A packet of salt which Rachel bought for her dad](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3410939788_fd663f03fa_o.jpg)
![The closed stores have beautifully painted shutters though The closed stores have beautifully painted shutters though](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3548/3410943564_5a97d4eafd_o.jpg)
![More beautiful shutters More beautiful shutters](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3590/3410944474_2f195fb905_o.jpg)
![Giant shellfish Giant shellfish](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3562/3410133161_d0715f70dc_o.jpg)
![Some weird clam Some weird clam](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3574/3410943526_e1ddbf9e13_o.jpg)
![Marinated live crabs Marinated live crabs](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3624/3410943502_d1896c8ec6_o.jpg)
![Slimy seafood Slimy seafood](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/3410943094_6ba931d69d_o.jpg)
![Beancurd store Beancurd store](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3410941370_c4117dc822_o.jpg)
![All kinds of beancurd All kinds of beancurd](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3407/3410942330_773bd70fd3_o.jpg)
![We had our breakfast at this sushi restaurant We had our breakfast at this sushi restaurant](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/3410941878_825a18a317_o.jpg)
![This is a real giant fresh tuna head displayed outside the restaurant This is a real giant fresh tuna head displayed outside the restaurant](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3412/3410938970_b66cd185c5_o.jpg)
![Conveyor belt sushi Conveyor belt sushi](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/3410942870_70ba601a8b_o.jpg)
![Mark and Meiyen waiting for their sushi Mark and Meiyen waiting for their sushi](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/3410941102_623aba57cd_o.jpg)
![Sushi chef slicing up a fresh piece of abalone Sushi chef slicing up a fresh piece of abalone](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3411/3410133975_7024031250_o.jpg)
![The mouth-watering o-toro sushi - note the golden plate it was served on The mouth-watering o-toro sushi - note the golden plate it was served on](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3310/3410940894_44691627fa_o.jpg)
![Btw, there is a tag below all the sushi plates so that the total price can be calculated electronically Btw, there is an electronic tag below all the sushi plates so that the total price can be calculated electronically](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3335/3410130201_b05a66476c_o.jpg)
In the afternoon, we visited the shopping district of Shibuya (渋谷区). Rachel and I split way with Mark and Meiyen here as we all wanted to shop for different things. Mark the big kid wanted to spend all his time buying Transformers toy as usual; Meiyen wanted to hunt for bargain buys; while for Rachel and I, we just wanted to cover as many places as we can since it’s our first time shopping in Shibuya.
Rachel and I spent some time shopping at a second-hand clothing store called Bingo and I managed to buy a flowery shirt there. We also looked at some cosmetics and clothing brands, but the poor exchange rate really works against us and we find most stuff too costly. Sad.
The two of us had lunch at a noodle store which always have a steady queue outside. We concluded that if people are willing to queue for it, the food must be good. This turned out to be true when we got in and tried the noodle. Oishi! The noodle has a strong, chewy texture to it and the soup to dip it in tasted just salty enough to flavour up the noodle.
However, we realised we did a silly thing by ordering the smallest serving of noodle as it was the same price across for all five sizes! No wonder all the other customers had such large servings and the waiter also gave us a strange look when he took our order. This is the disadvantage of not having Mark around as our Japanese translator.
![Shibuya Shibuya](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3379/3410131077_258467daed_o.jpg)
![Teens giving our Free Hugs Teens giving our Free Hugs](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3338/3410941534_1ecc853104_o.jpg)
![Another group - this seems to be a popular pastime in Japan Another group - this seems to be a popular pastime in Japan](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3570/3410941130_e0c3cb84c9_o.jpg)
![Awed by all the colourful advertisement and signboards Awed by all the colourful advertisement and signboards](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3410134315_b9c0361a43_o.jpg)
![Busy Shibuya Busy Shibuya](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3410943164_44274e5387_o.jpg)
![Female skincare and cosmetic shop that regularly update and rank their products Female skincare and cosmetic shop that regularly update and rank their products](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3616/3410131895_1b33a7ddff_o.jpg)
![At a second-hand CD shop At a second-hand CD shop](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3353/3410133569_4f86626612_o.jpg)
![Vintage Pinochio vinyl record Vintage Pinochio vinyl record](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/3410941460_be68f486e7_o.jpg)
![I bought the flower shirt from a second-hand clothing store; the blue shirt was bought at Uniqlo the night before I bought the flower shirt from a second-hand clothing store; the blue shirt was bought at Uniqlo the night before](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3330/3410943136_a60a714589_o.jpg)
![Shibuya 109, a shopping mall targeted at fashionable young women Shibuya 109, a shopping mall targeted at fashionable young women](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3541/3410938798_c1dc3a138c_o.jpg)
![Inside Shibuya 109 Inside one of the female-targeted shopping malls](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3658/3410130771_2f149930a9_o.jpg)
![Grand opening of a fashion boutique Grand opening of a fashion boutique](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/3410945326_2d20952192_o.jpg)
![Nice balloons which they were giving away Nice balloons which they were giving away](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3368/3410132191_2b2c0be3a8_o.jpg)
![The Japanese seems to be crazy about Barack Obama - Yes we can posters are everywhere The Japanese seems to be crazy about Barack Obama - Yes we can posters are everywhere](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/3410945286_10a12779a7_o.jpg)
![Another shop that endorses Barack Obama Another shop that endorses Barack Obama](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3397/3410133931_493f605def_o.jpg)
![Outside Lush! - a shop that sells natural skincare products Shes playing with skincare product, not food](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3303/3410940272_e9fd120544_o.jpg)
![Skincare products, not food Blush skincare products, not food](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/3410133295_b753187bc4_o.jpg)
![Rachel needs to be tied up whenever we pass by cosmetic counters Rachel needs to be tied up whenever we pass by cosmetics counters](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3349/3410133201_824ebe86d9_o.jpg)
![Look at Rachels mischievous expression whenever she sees cosmetic Look at Rachels mischievous expression whenever she sees cosmetic](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3635/3410939244_9acf0b6c02_o.jpg)
![No smoking while walking No smoking while walking](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/3410940740_b72a8f0759_o.jpg)
![The restaurant where we had our lunch The restaurant where we had our lunch](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3410131943_1cf03342c3_o.jpg)
![Inside the restaurant Inside the restaurant](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3540/3410944304_a5960a11af_o.jpg)
![Lunch is served - this is the smallest portion of noodle available Lunch is served - this is the smallest portion of noodle available](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3410939494_db21480015_o.jpg)
![Yummy! Yummy!](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3410939588_4bd444f557_o.jpg)
![A performer hired to draw crowd to a newly opened pachinko store A performer hired to draw crowd to a newly opened pachinko store](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3404/3410940804_da23ba263b_o.jpg)
![Another performer on the saxophone Another performer on the saxophone](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3404/3410129857_cd8896577d_o.jpg)
![I think this performer is a guy in drag I think this performer is a guy in drag](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3410939548_10f20b2df9_o.jpg)
![Sumo wrestlers Sumo wrestlers](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/3410940558_ddc51e3033_o.jpg)
![Flower shop Flower shop](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/3410939188_f40b2b5806_o.jpg)
![Beautiful flowers Beautiful flowers](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3351/3410942950_b658e117ba_o.jpg)
![Hand bouquet Hand bouquet](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3410130381_e9184c2943_o.jpg)
After lunch, we went to Mandarake to check out anime and manga-related stuff. We spotted Mark there, sweeping up Transformers toys and Meiyen looking very bored beside him. Rachel and I bought a book each. I bought an illustration book by one of my favourite manga artist, Naoki Urasawa (浦沢直樹) while Rachel bought the storyboard book for Hayao Miyazaki (宮崎 駿)‘s blockbuster anime movie, Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し) .
![We spotted a poster of Hard Gay! We spotted a poster of Hard Gay!](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3355/3410945228_1c62e695c1_o.jpg)
![Neon Genesis Evangelion - giant figurines Neon Genesis Evangelion - giant figurines](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3591/3410134043_b3774f2937_o.jpg)
![Look at the amount of manga books! Look at the amount of manga books!](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3591/3410129793_c84c4e268a_o.jpg)
![A pity I cant read Japanese A pity I cant read Japanese](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3043/3410944952_6e45017865_o.jpg)
![Theres an entire section devoted to Hentai anime and manga! Theres an entire section devoted to Hentai anime and manga!](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3313/3410133261_871f900b28_o.jpg)
![The two books Rachel and I bought; a Son Goku figurine I bought The two books Rachel and I bought; a Son Goku figurine I bought](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3619/3410131251_a489f5f0ed_o.jpg)
Next, we headed to every otaku’s paradise – Akihabara (秋葉原)!
Again, we went separate ways with Mark and Meiyen as Mark continue his Transformers buying mission. Rachel and I had fun shopping the area, intrigued by the vast amount of anime, gaming, electronics and manga-related products and services in Akihabara. There’s also quite a bit of pornography businesses. We stumbled into a few buildings which specialise in only pornographic material.
As pornography is illegal in Singapore, I was quite amused by the open nature of how such products are sold and displayed. Japan has a wide range of porn of all genres – neatly categorised into various sections like anime; fetish (sub-divided in second-level categorisations like public nudity, pregnant woman, woman peeing, etc); under-aged; old ladies; etc etc… Crazy shit man! You name it, they got it.
Moving away from porn, Rachel had a good time looking through products spotting designs from anime master, Hayao Miyazaki’s various movie releases. The prices were not cheap; as much as Rachel wanted to go on a buying spree like Mark, she settled for just two hair bands in the end.
Being an avid manga reader, I had a good time in Akihabara just window-shopping and spotting products related to some of my favourite manga like Dragon Ball; One Piece; Ah! My Goddess!; 20th Century Boy; just to name a few.
![Tower Records used to be cool too in Singapore before HMV came in Tower Records used to be cool too in Singapore before HMV came in](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/3410132057_d50cfcfd73_o.jpg)
![crowded streets of Akihabara crowded streets of Akihabara](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3549/3410943710_c8e5016e09_o.jpg)
![Rachel Chan @ Akihabara Rachel Chan @ Akihabara](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3609/3410939296_129cf16dac_o.jpg)
![Alvinology @ Akihabara Alvinology @ Akihabara](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3309/3410128289_6cbf7a7bc8_o.jpg)
![The Friend Sign from the manga, 20th Century Boy The Friend Sign from the manga, 20th Century Boy](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3410131861_074680a06f_o.jpg)
![Whole buildings selling otaku stuff Whole buildings selling otaku stuff](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3347/3410133709_f6ee823c5f_o.jpg)
![More such buildings More such buildings](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/3410131833_f54e561510_o.jpg)
![IT products for sale IT products for sale](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3326/3410130613_5dc98e8be8_o.jpg)
![This shop sells just second-hand porn DVDs This shop sells just second-hand porn DVDs](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3606/3410942096_e907041e4b_o.jpg)
![Gum ball machine Gum ball machine](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3410134451_5423bbfe29_o.jpg)
![Taro Aso, Japans current Prime Minister who is a well-known, big manga fan Taro Aso, Japans current Prime Minister who is a well-known, big manga fan](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3410939148_698ce2a0f4_o.jpg)
![More otaku products featuring Taro Aso More otaku products featuring Taro Aso](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3664/3410941674_9f17cdfbcb_o.jpg)
![In Japan, its okay for adults to be manga addicts In Japan, its okay for adults to be manga addicts](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3410130929_a12b5e5b88_o.jpg)
![Kimono dolls Kimono dolls](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3663/3410944700_63f14d6de7_o.jpg)
![Giant Belldandy figurine, a character from the manga, Ah! My Goddess! (ああっ女神さまっ) Giant Belldandy figurine, a character from the manga, Ah! My Goddess! ((ああっ女神さまっ)](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3385/3410940210_9823f3cf20_o.jpg)
![Alvinology goes to Japan - Day 8 of 14 Figurines of manga character, Yotsuba](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3595/3410134009_8cf4c3949c_o.jpg)
![GeGeGe no Kitaro (ゲゲゲの鬼太郎) GeGeGe no Kitaro (ゲゲゲの鬼太郎)](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3325/3410133785_b794977863_o.jpg)
![Watch that can tell train arrival timing Watch that can tell train arrival timing](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3410944510_2df1274cbf_o.jpg)
![Hollywood movie DVDs Hollywood movie DVDs](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3320/3410944404_a65334e1c3_o.jpg)
![The two hair bands that Rachel bought The two hair bands that Rachel bought](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3572/3410944988_1c416fe2e9_o.jpg)
![Totoro in an acorn Totoro in an acorn](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3410943468_740712f5cc_o.jpg)
![The cat from Hayao Miyazakis anime movie, Kikis Delivery Service The cat from Hayao Miyazakis anime movie, Kikis Delivery Service](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3410942458_c2caa41cb3_o.jpg)
![Hayao Miyazakis Ponyo Hayao Miyazakis Ponyo](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3377/3410133401_82fd1eb58f_o.jpg)
![Domo - Tokyo edition Dodomo - Tokyo edition](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3410134411_bd21cd685a_o.jpg)
![Doraemon - Tokyo edition Tokyo edition of Doraemon](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3560/3410130487_173f0bb908_o.jpg)
![Stitch - Tokyo edition Stitch - Tokyo edition](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/3410940932_05413d5f2c_o.jpg)
![Maid cookies Maid cookies](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3567/3410133331_b9bef38336_o.jpg)
![More maid cookies More maid cookies](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/3410943314_c2b39bf29b_o.jpg)
![Special flavour Kit-Kat, exclusive in Tokyo Special flavour Kit-Kats, exclusive in Tokyo](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/3410943210_1017e02694_o.jpg)
![Hot Lemon C juice - damn shiok to drink this in the cold! Hot Lemon C juice - damn shiok to drink this in the cold!](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/3410132639_405c18c0bd_o.jpg)
![Ultraman-shaped chocolate Ultraman-shaped chocolate](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3410131595_f759f16a6d_o.jpg)
![Figurine toy for pedophile Figurine toy for pedophile](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3325/3410945486_18ddb302a0_o.jpg)
![Domo soft toy Domo soft toy](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3345/3410131479_d52f32815c_o.jpg)
![Fist of the North Star (北斗の拳) Fist of the North Star (北斗の拳)](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3568/3410939452_19f32baa43_o.jpg)
![Gajira Gatchan Norimaki (則巻ガジラ) from the manga, Dr Slump Gajira Gatchan Norimaki (則巻ガジラ) from the manga, Dr Slump](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/3410131393_1e5948910d_o.jpg)
![The dragon from Dragon Ball The dragon from Dragon Ball](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/3410134195_f0c03cdeb8_o.jpg)
![More Dragon Ball figurines More Dragon Ball figurines](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/3410131309_4a6478abc8_o.jpg)
![Baby Son Goku Baby Son Goku](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3410132543_98bcfcdf3c_o.jpg)
![Rugged-look Dragon Ball figurines Rugged-look Dragon Ball figurines](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3595/3410133601_848e9fde41_o.jpg)
![The fat samurai boy in Dragon Ball The fat samurai boy in Dragon Ball](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/3410130729_c882496909_o.jpg)
![Caveman Goku Caveman Goku](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/3410132273_76d8ece359_o.jpg)
![Figurines of characters from the pirate-themed manga, One Piece Figurines of characters from the pirate-themed manga, One Piece](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3655/3410944086_c4e95044c7_o.jpg)
![Dragon Ball and One Piece crossover Dragon Ball and One Piece crossover](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3410941750_d44c7cde34_o.jpg)
![The two lead characters - Son Goku and Monkey D. Luffy The two lead characters](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/3410129667_b7a5be6f61_o.jpg)
![Beach volleyball babes Beach volleyball babes](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3549/3410132675_34a148da51_o.jpg)
![All kinds of plastic figurines, all over All kinds of plastic figurines, all over](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3664/3410130651_ddc0a795a9_o.jpg)
![Shop that specialises in vintage cards Shop that specialises in vintage cards](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3356/3410130303_42dd0509f6_o.jpg)
![I wonder how much is a box of these figurines I wonder how much is a box of these figurines](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3410131977_2348b6e030_o.jpg)
![Vintage porn collectibles Vintage porn collectibles](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3616/3410134217_d50c48e6e0_o.jpg)
![Hentai stuff Hentai stuff](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3350/3410131525_2d402be06c_o.jpg)
![Freaky life-size doll Freaky life-size doll](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3387/3410130033_1650b951d6_o.jpg)
![Idol collectibles Idol collectibles](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3540/3410942998_cb2ce60183_o.jpg)
![Lots of adults milling around to buy toys Lots of adults milling around to buy toys](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/3410134135_2087b4b3bc_o.jpg)
![Toys are everywhere Toys are everywhere](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3410943746_63a778283d_o.jpg)
![Takeshi Kitano billboard Takeshi Kitano billboard](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3579/3410131707_ec6d17e7bc_o.jpg)
Our next stop following Akihabara was to head for dinner at an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant called Mo-Mo Paradise which serves Shabu-Shabu hot pot. Rachel and I found the food average here. The price was reasonable but the service totally sucks. This was the first time we encountered horrible service in Japan. The girl serving us was one of those heavily dolled up Japanese Ah Lian who probably sleeps around with old men for extra pocket money. We assumed she got dumped by her sugar daddy on that day as she was in a bad-ass mood.
To get her attention, we have to call out to her a dozen time as she kept avoiding eye contact in order to skive duties. When we do managed to get her, she will just say “hai” and not carry out what we asked her to do. We were not even making special requests, but just asking for simple things like an extra ladle or to take orders.
When she serves us, she will throw the plates loudly on the table and we even caught the little bitch rolling her eyes on some occasions. She did the same to other customers too. We wanted to complain about her to the restaurant manager, but Mark was too meek while the rest of us can’t speak Japanese. In any case, at least for Rachel and I, we will never ever return to this restaurant again and would recommend everyone we know not to go there if you are on a Japan tour.
The horrible dinner experience dampened our mood for an otherwise, fun and purposeful day.
We shopped around a while more after that and went to Cold Stone Creamery for desert. Rachel loves their ice cream. It’s not available in Singapore, but we tried it before once during our visit to Taipei last year.
We then spent some time at a bookshop near the train station. Being avid bookworms, Rachel and I usually spend a lot of time in bookshops and seldom walked out empty-handed. However, as we can’t really read Japanese, we were confined to just browsing through picture books and magazines.
It was interesting to observed the wide range of magazine titles catering to just the domestic market since they were written in Japanese. The magazine market is so competitive that practically all the titles carry freebies with them such as bags, cosmetics, accessories and even food items. Rachel ended up buying a magazine she can’t read just to have the tote bag that comes free with it.
We headed back to our hotel after that, ending our eighth day in Japan. 🙂
![The night is still young The night is still young](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/3410132335_d0421ae212_o.jpg)
![The restaurant where we had our dinner The restaurant where we had our dinner](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3412/3410944144_8d6d6d83df_o.jpg)
![There are paid bicycle parking lots in Japan There are paid bicycle parking lots in Japan](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3410943042_bc5a0a476c_o.jpg)
![Outside the restaurant Outside the restaurant](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3410133897_e7396c81f3_o.jpg)
![Still smiling, before the rude waitress dampen our mood Still smiling, before the rude waitress dampen our mood](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3309/3410944334_8a2b727f37_o.jpg)
![The buffet menu The buffet menu](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3608/3410129961_d6f0b4d81d_o.jpg)
![Beef Beef](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3410132121_960e9e4af6_o.jpg)
![Pork Pork](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3410942672_ff651955f4_o.jpg)
![Cooking the meat Cooking the meat](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3660/3410134287_f03b10dc6b_o.jpg)
![Remember this signboard - we wont go back there to eat ever Remember this signboard - we wont go back there to eat ever](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/3410943598_3887344646_o.jpg)
![A pachinko store - they are everywhere A pachinko store - they are everywhere](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3316/3410134241_f754b82986_o.jpg)
![KFC in Japan KFC in Japan](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3371/3410944782_c26368b46e_o.jpg)
![Crepe mini-van Crepe min-van](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3361/3410134587_cebf2295dd_o.jpg)
![Valentines Day was just round the corner - in fact, it falls on the day of our return flight to Singapore Valentines Day was just round the corner - in fact, it falls on the day of our return flight to Singapore](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3320/3410129991_8dc2eb1d3b_o.jpg)
![Valentines Day chocolate Valentines Day chocolate](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3410132033_f0f09e681a_o.jpg)
![Cold Stone Creamery - gourmet crushed ice cream Cold Stone Creamery - gourmet crushed ice cream](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3410941634_b8421c541f_o.jpg)
![Rachel loves the crushed ice cream here Rachel loves the crushed ice cream here](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3382/3410945436_43bb8f07f1_o.jpg)
![You can the wafer-type to go with your ice cream You can the wafer-type to go with your ice cream](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3410133123_fbfeaf49b6_o.jpg)
![The Green Tea combo which Rachel and I ate The Green Tea combo which Rachel and I ate](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3410942218_1ef0fd3e82_o.jpg)
![Mark and Meiyen ordered the chocolate combo Mark and Meiyen ordered the chocolate combo](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3349/3410131191_eafaba0945_o.jpg)
![All kinds of magazines are available in Japan All kinds of magazines are available in Japan](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3591/3410945366_da866210c7_o.jpg)
![More magazines More magazines](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3411/3410128255_98651895b6_o.jpg)
![Rachel got this Paul & Joe tote bag free with a magazine she bought Rachel got this Paul & Joe tote bag free with a magazine she bought](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3207/3410939972_db092f3041_o.jpg)
![20th Century Boy manga 20th Century Boy manga](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/3410130965_056e014e71_o.jpg)
![A manga featuring Buddha and Jesus Christ A manga featuring Buddha and Jesus Christ](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3303/3410128439_0089c9ca20_o.jpg)
![Heading back tired Heading back tired](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3663/3410943630_6d0826829e_o.jpg)
![Its a good thing Meiyen was not feeding Mark with food Its a good thing Meiyen was not feeding Mark with food](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3570/3410128737_d3af0f5ab6_o.jpg)
![Most Japanese public announcement posters look cartoony like this Most Japanese public announcement posters look cartoony like this](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3338/3410129257_1e95fc7d80_o.jpg)
![Dragon Ball buns spotted at the convenience store besides our hotel Dragon Ball buns spotted at the convenience store besides our hotel](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3395/3410133467_4a14e94269_o.jpg)
![Dragon Ball nuggets Dragon Ball nuggets](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3385/3410133101_3f1af31b89_o.jpg)
![Theres free fruit juice and coffee at the lobby of Cube Hotel for guests Theres free fruit juice and coffee at the lobby of Cube Hotel for guests](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3309/3410944028_72eab9a3a4_o.jpg)
Links to my previous blog entries on my Japan trip:
Day 1 – Kansai Airport, Hokkaido
Day 3 – Asahikawa, Asahiyama Zoo
Day 4 – Sledding, Shiroi Koibito, Crab Buffet
Day 5 – The 60th Sapporo Snow Festival
Day 6 – Staying with the Asai, Shōnan
Day 8 – Shibuya and Akihabara, Tokyo
Day 12 – Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan and Dotonbori
Day 13 – Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge and Mt. Rokko
Technorati Tags: alvinology goes to japan, japan travel, hua meiyen, mark tan, rachel chan, tokyo travel, o-toro sushi, otoro sushi, tuna sushi, tokyo fish market, marinated live crabs, japanese beancurd, shibuya, 渋谷区, free hugs, free hugs in shibuya, free hugs in japan, ranking queen, pinochio, shibuya 109, barack obama, yes we can, yes we do, japan’s obesession with barack obama, lush!, lush! japan, pachinko, sumo wrestlers, Naoki Urasawa, 浦沢直樹, Hayao Miyazaki, 宮崎 駿, 千と千尋の神隠し, spirited away, mandarake, hard gay, neon genesis evangelion, hentai manga, hentai anime, son goku, akihabara, 秋葉原, dragon ball, one piece, monkey d. luffy, ah! my goddess!, 20th century boy, tower records japan, taro aso, ああっ女神さまっ, belldandy, よつばと!, yotsuba, yotsuba &!, ゲゲゲの鬼太郎, gegege no kitaro, totoro, kiki’s delivery service, ponyo, domo, doraemon, lilo and stitch, lemon c, maid cookies, ultraman chocolate, 北斗の拳, fist of the north star, 則巻ガジラ, dr slump, gajira gatchan norimaki, takeshi kitano, shabu-shabu, mo-mo paradise, japanese ah lian, cold stone creamery japan, paul & joe tote bag
woo hoo i gave free hugs too.
damn japan looks so cool
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3566/3364796850_1ba71f2c7c_m.jpg
If I were to return to Japan, I would:
1) Go to Hokkaido in spring or autumn; and
2) Visit Harajuku in Tokyo, Ueno Park in Ueno
3) Optional: Eat apples in Aoyama
Sigh.
The strange clam is called awabi or known to us as abalone. The crabs are not marinated. They are covered in sawdust to keep them alive. and the slimy seafood is sea cucumber….