Tokyo: Meiji Shrine

One of the top-rated things to see in Tokyo was the Meiji Shrine. I know it sounds awful, but living in China has made me take up the motto "you've seen one temple/shrine, you've seen them all." I have seen a ton of shrines/temples/etc this past year, but since it was top rated (and included on most of the walking tours that I looked at) I decided to visit. I should begin by saying the "shrine" isn't anything spectacular, but the area surrounding it is huge and has lots to look at. It is quite a hike (not really uphill or anything, just a long distance) to get to the shrine itself. There were several times on my trip that I thought I was at the shrine, only to find out I wasn't. 

 One of the first things I passed were these sake containers. They all had the Japanese kanji and pictures painted on them.

I'd walk for about 15 minutes, and come across one of these. I'm not sure what to call them, but every time I was a bit let down thinking it was the shrine. Nope, not yet.

 

Here's the actual shrine. It wasn't much to look at for me. It actually had signs on parts of it asking tourists not to enter unless they were there for worship. That was one of the first respectful signs I had seen at a religious site. 

There was also this cool wall of wooden postcards. You could purchase them on-site and write prayers or well wishes on them and hang them up.

Okay seriously? How cute are these kids? I saw lots of small children in the traditional Japanese kimonos and I asked the parents if I could take pictures. Check out those wooden shoes on the little girl in red. They went all out.

Tokyo: Tokyo Temple

My last day in Tokyo was crazy busy. I started the day off by visiting the LDS temple. It was the first temple built in Asia, and the 18th temple worldwide. I was a better prepared to get here this time, I looked up metro/walking directions and surprisingly made it without much trouble. It was a gorgeous day outside--cold, but beautiful blue skies.

Across the street was this beautiful park. Although it was late November, the trees were still changing colors. Oh, and as I was walking back to the metro stop, I came across this beauty:

 You bet I tried some. I was the only one in the shop!

This is "party ice cream". Apparently, if you want to have a party with ice cream they will pack it in a little cupcake-esque container. Cute, right? Japan certainly loves all things cute.

Tokyo Disneyland: Food

If you've been following my posts, you'll notice a trend. I like food. I tried lots of different foods at the park--partly because I was hungry, and partly because I'd never seen some of the things before. I tried the turkey leg in Westernland (fail), pizza in Fantasyland (decent) and these two little Asian things in Adventureland (success).

This little Mickey is a trio of steamed buns. Steamed buns is a popular food in Asia (well, China and Japan)... kind of like a dumpling, but the "shell" is a dough that is steamed, hence the name. The ears were a pork and veggie variety, and the head was chicken terriyaki. The bowtie was just dough.

Had I seen this first, I probably would have passed on the steamed buns. This is a  sticky rice ball with egg, wrapped in bacon. Well, pork that is kind of like a bacon. I don't really know how to describe it... maybe bacon that hasn't been cured? The egg apparently goes in poached... and as  you eat it the yoke makes the rice more tasty. That's how the cashier described it to me. Odd, yes. Good? Absolutely.

Tokyo Disneyland: Westernland & Parades

I actually did not do any of the attractions in this area. It includes the Westernland Shootin' Gallery (which I never saw), Country Bear Theater (HUGE crowds!), Mark Twain Riverboat, Big Thunder Mountain (closed :( ) and Tom Sawyer Island Rafts. I did happen to watch two parades from right outside the Country Bear Theater, so I'll post pictures from those instead.

I love that Disney goes all out for the Holidays. Really made it feel more like Christmastime :)

Tokyo Disneyland: Toon Town

 To be 100% honest, I was going to skip this part of the park completely. It has tons of cute attractions for small children, but not really for me. It is very cutesy though.

Like the fish inside the gas pumps? Although this was the kiddy area, the lines were just as long. Raise your hand if you want to stand in a 3 hour line to ride a 30 second kiddy coaster with 2 small children by your side? Yeah, not me either. :)

Tokyo Disneyland: Critter Country

This is probably the smallest area of the park with just two rides--Splash Mountain and Beaver Brother Explorer Canoes. I didn't ride either one. I'm pretty sure the canoes were shut down. Splash Mountain was operating, but because it was cold enough to warrant two pairs of pants, two shirts, and a jacket, I figured it wasn't a smart idea to ride a water ride. Apparently the Japanese didn't agree as there were lines over 2 hours long.

Instead, I enjoyed a turkey leg. Well, I thought I'd enjoy it. It really didn't have much flavor. I was fooled once again by a huge line of people waiting and the alluring scent of roasted meat. Kind of a let down, but that's okay. Gave me a little break from the park :) 

Oh, and here's a shot of the people crazy enough to ride Splash Mountain in the winter.

Tokyo Disneyland: Adventureland

Adventureland had some classic rides--Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Western River Railroad, Swiss Family Treehouse, & the Enchanted Tiki Room (Stitch edition).

 

I always enjoy a good boat ride, and Pirates is no exception. Classic ride. I actually went twice because there was no wait :)

 The Enchanted Tiki Room was decked out for the holidays. And Stitch came to crash it :) It was an updated version to the classic attraction, singing birds and all.

Tokyo Disneyland: Fantasyland

Fantasyland. Home of the classics. Peter Pan's Flight, Snow White's Adventures, Cinderella's Fairy Tale Hall (inside the castle--like on the 3rd floor!), Mickey's PhilharMagic, Pinocchio's Journey, Dumbo, Haunted Mansion, It's A Small World, Alice's Tea Party, Pooh's Hunny Hunt, and the Castle Carrousel. 

 Not to mention a few fun visitors--like Dee. You know, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum :)

 I was hungry so I had some pizza. And I thought the carrier was a cool idea.

 I love it's a small world :) Classically themed.

 More fun themed drink vending machines.

 Look! Jiminy Cricket!

And Gepetto!

 

Haunted Mansion was specially-themed for the holidays--the Nightmare before Christmas. Cool :)

Tokyo Disneyland: Tomorrowland

So my internet ran out of credit so I wasn't able to post anything. Or access the internet for that matter. I didn't want to pay for a full month when I knew I'd be leaving soon, so I just lived without the internet.

To continue on with Tokyo Disneyland, I started my day in Tomorrowland. It has some of the expected attractions like Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters, but also some different ones like Monster's Inc Ride and Go Seek, Star Tours, Captain EO, Starjets (like the Rockets in Orlando) and Grand Circuit Raceway.

I went to Captain EO first. Clearly I had no idea what it was or else I wouldn't have gone. It was a 3D experience featuring Michael Jackson. Apparently it was really popular in the 80s and 90s, and brought back after Michael Jackson's death. It was just strange in my opinion. However, it was one of the few attractions in English :)

Monster's Inc Ride and Go Seek was one of my favorites in this area. It is very similar to the Buzz Lightyear ride. You board one of little vehicles and use your flashlight to find the monsters so they don't scare Boo. Once you "spot" the monsters with the light, they spin or do something silly.

 

Of course I rode Space Mountain--twice. I went there first and rode, then got a fast pass to come back later.

 One of the things I noticed about this park is they had vending machines for the drinks. And they were themed. Fun, right?

I also met up with Mr. Incredible. Haven't seen him at meet & greets before :)