RoCo
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Watching Godzilla Vs. The Smog Monster, a wide-eyed ten year old, at the Santa Monica Criterion theater. Biting into my first piece of salmon sushi. Voraciously reading James Clavelle's Shogun. Working on blueprints for Tokyo Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Discovering that "tentacle porn" was a thing.
At what point did I realize, fully, that going to Japan was not just a dream, but my destiny? Hard to say. The Land of the Rising Sun has long been on top of the list of places I wanted to travel through. But after reading the Theme Park Review reports from their 2011 expedition, the decision was made: I was going to Japan with TPR the next chance I got. That chance came this past summer.
June 23rd until July 8th, two solid weeks. A lot can go wrong in two weeks – lousy weather, ride breakdowns, crappy meals, who the hell knows what – but nothing went wrong. To put it more precisely: sure, there was a little rain, a couple of borked coasters, but it all went right, magically, all of it. Because: As I'd been promised repeatedly in the months leading up to this experience, 1) TPR trips are so much fun, coming back to the real world will make you want to kill yourself, and 2) Japan is so mind-blowingly better than everywhere else, in every way possible, coming back to wherever you call home will make you want to kill yourself, unless, of course, you live in Japan and if you do, then damn you to hell, you lucky son of a bitch.
This trip was not inexpensive. However, dollar for dollar, I cannot imagine a better value. As I'd also been promised repeatedly by TPR trip veterans, all you have to do is show up on time, and don't lose your rail pass. That's it. Robb and Elissa take care of just about everything else, up to but not including chewing your food for you. This trip was the most stress-free travel I've ever experienced, and that was just the beginning of what made it so great, because everything else did include more special surprises than I can count.
And how do you put a price tag on the memories, holy crap, so many splendid memories: the bullet trains, the sushi dinner we had in Kyoto, the Rusutsu dive-loop Ultra-Twister, the Spider-Man walk-through, Kawasemi (everything you've heard, it's all true), the Harikata Japanese Jesus/headphones dark ride, ALL the dark rides (so many!), Pooh (INSANE), Journey to the Center of the Freaking Earth, 20K Freaking Leagues Under the Freaking Sea, the Freaking Little Mermaid show (seriously, AMAZING), the whole day at Fuji-Q – that's right, freaking Fuji-Q was FANTASTIC... but I'm getting ahead of myself.
And so many great new friends, truly priceless. I miss you all a ton!
In brief: impossibly high expectations were exceeded mightily.
Part One: Arrival and The First Day
I departed from L.A. on June 22nd, arrived in Tokyo the evening of the 23rd. The bonus pre-trip add-on days did not start until Tuesday, June 25, but I wanted to get in a little ahead of things to start adjusting to the crazy time change, and to have a full day in Tokyo to just explore and soak up being in Japan.
I'll give praise here to The Guidebook. This is the huge document we all got well before leaving that was crammed with schedules, maps, packing tips ("buy cheap socks and throw them away each day to have more room for souvenirs" – genius!), helpful Japanese words and phrases, a list of all the parks and roller coasters on the itinerary, unique etiquette rules we'd be wise to learn ("don't blow your nose in public"), what to do in case of an earthquake... an indispensable resource. And it detailed clearly, with illustrations, where to go and what to do as soon as we stepped off the plane and gathered up our bags.
I was completely exhausted and in a country where I barely spoke any of the local language, but got through customs, had my Japan Rail Pass activated, and was on the bus to the hotel without a minute of confusion or concern. Total piece of cake, and it was primarily thanks to The Guidebook. There are guidebooks, and then there is The Guidebook. The Guidebook dominates.
Almost a stone's throw from the hotel entrance is the Tokyo Aqua Stadium. It was closed at that hour, but this pathway out front was all lit up, glowing and dreamy. Four ladies traveling together saw me with my camera and asked if I would take their picture with their camera; I did. We had a brief, awkward, but very pleasant multilingual conversation. They were from Okinawa and urged me to visit that area the next time I was in Japan. I promised that I would.
I passed a row of below-street-level bars and restaurants, all flying these banners out front. Holy Motherloving Christmas, I'm in Japan.
A street sign, at a bus stop I think, with the current temperature. (That's 75.2 degrees Fahrenheit; it was a very pleasant evening.)
My first vending machine! They are everywhere, as you've no doubt heard, and they are the bee's knees. I think I vended several hundred bottles while I was there. Water, Pocari Sweat, hot coffee, cold coffee, flavored teas, all kinds of drinks, and really inexpensive! Japan wins.
Two trains passing by.
The graphic on the street in front of the train crossing. Japan wins, I tell you!
Eventually, I stumbled into a restaurant, managed to order some food in my pathetic approximation of "Japanese," went back to the room and collapsed.
The next day, I slept in and had the buffet breakfast at the hotel, which was enormous and superb. The goals for this first full day were to see the Senso-ji Temple, and visit Hanayashiki, Tokyo's little old-school amusement park, both in Asakusa. (A big group was headed to Tokyo DisneySea on this Monday, but I wanted to save that experience for the very end – the epic dessert of this incredible feast.)
Still pretty dazed by the jet lag, but fortified by several cups of coffee, I ventured into the subway system.
And I managed to make it to Asakusa. Just outside the subway stop was this fantastic structure, the Kaminarimon, or "Thunder Gate," the outermost gate for the Senso-ji Temple.
Right behind it is the Nakamise-Dori, a famous shopping street that leads to the second gate. I did venture down here a bit, but I wanted to get off the beaten path (and I didn't realize that this market was quite famous, centuries-old, actually), so I walked over to one of the parallel avenues.
Looking down every side street was like opening a little gift.
Just an ordinary lane. But I had a stupid smile on my face no matter where I looked. Holy Motherloving Christmas, I'm really in Japan.
Oooh, what's that way down down there??? Turns out, that's the Tokyo Skytree. More on that later.
Almost everywhere you turn, there are reminders that Japan is both very old and very new.
A storefront I particularly loved.
Wait, the Japanese like video games? Who knew?!
This is a ryokan, a Japanese-style inn. I do hope to stay in one of these on a future trip (many trips back are planned).
And here's a "love hotel!" Did I get this "credit?" No, I didn't...
OR DID I?
No. I really didn't. Some day, though.
If Japanese schoolchildren aren't the best behaved schoolchildren in the world, then I'd like to see which schoolchildren are.
These rows of paper lanterns over the streets, I think they were made out of paper, anyway, there were a lot of these and they are awesome.
Here's another set of them, so cool.
Only well after I'd returned did I learn that you can tour Asakusa by rickshaw. And: "rickshaw" is derived from the Japanese word "jinrikisha" which means "man-powered vehicle." Which it most certainly is.
This guy does not appear to be enjoying space, or sunshine, but I can't read the text, so I may be wrong.
As The Guidebook made clear, smoking is still prevalent in Japan. Can you remember the last time you saw a cigarette vending machine in the States? I can't.
Japanese calligraphy (all Asian brush calligraphy, for that matter) is so beautiful. I wish I could read their written language.
I remember being really puzzled when I first learned that Tokyo Disneyland's "Main Street" would have a glass roof over it. Of course, there are a million precedents all over Japan, something I did not understand until taking this trip.
The Shinagawa Prince Hotel was the base of operations for the early arrivals and it was really sweet, one of the nicest I've ever stayed at. (All of the hotels were class joints). I was so giddy that night, even with the jet-lagged brain fog.
After I got settled in to the room, took a shower, I had to go walk around a little.
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^Hah, right? Every creative decision should be that easy.
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This is probably the most appropriately themed Swinging Boat installation ever. Love it.
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Hah, I've never seen a multi-car train running on this type of ride; look great!
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Thanks for this great report! I haven't been to this park in many years, but I also remember it fondly. And I'm so happy they still have a dark ride! It looks great, right down to the Terminator in the flash out front!
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Great report, so many details in here I wasn't aware of. The Love Tester?? The Ribwich??!! Fantastic.
They need a "Treehouse of Horror" maze for Halloween Horror Night.This simply must happen.
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Maybe it was just the unending joy of being on this trip, or maybe it was the easy availability of busty, scantily-clad collectible figurines at this park, but something had me in the right mood when I rode Rusutsu's SLC. I remember it as being very not-awful. Almost fun, actually, sort of. Certainly, I've ridden much, much worse versions.
But yes, all other coasters here were completely pwned by the dive-loop Ultra-Twister. We need to resurrect Togo and have them make more.
Thanks again, Chuck, for these updates. It's such a pleasure to relive the entire experience.
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It's so great to see that work is progressing. It all looks amazing, as usual. Can't wait to see the media day report, once that finally happens!
Also, that is one big freaking pizza.
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Great final reports, and yeah, wow, that Hades video offers a lot of... insight... into what looks like a very, very... challenging... ride. Such a shame, because the layout looks so freaking good.
But glad to see that The Point wrapped everything up so well. Maveshark. I'm calling it that from now on.
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So I got to this report by googling "animal porn" ... the less said about that, the better. Anyway, you made lemonade out of lemons. This is a fairly unimpressive-looking fair, but this was a very enjoyable report; thanks!
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I need me some Outlaw Run. Bad. And the City Museum Vine videos are hysterical. That place is so kick-ass. I pray the safety nazis never figure out what's really going on in there. Experiencing that with TPR has become another life goal.
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Love the updates so far, but now that I know firsthand how much insane fun TPR trips are, it's been even harder to read. I need to pop my "International Snack Exchange" cherry some day.
I'm intrigued by "Jungle Twist"...
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I'm going to have to get to this park someday just for the Haunted House. That sounds pretty rad.
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Thanks for this great report; it's the first time I've ever seen pictures from this park. And yes, I also vote, strongly, for some American park to pick up a Gerstlauer Bobsled coaster. They look like a blast. And that "Cobra" logo is the bomb.
Wind in the Willows:That's Debbie Harry in the red, a few years before Blondie. I figured there would be another "over 30 year old" on here who might appreciated that. Maybe one
MUCH appreciated! She looks great as a brunette.
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Fantastic report, and what an amazing park indeed. Love all the theming and the many green spaces, and playgrounds, and FRESH FRUIT. We need more of all of that here in the U.S., badly.
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How did we miss the haunted shack attraction?! So awesome to learn that they had one! Well, there's another good reason to go back someday. You gotta love a park with so many dark rides/walk-throughs/etc.
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Being overweight is not always a lifestyle choice. There are both medical and hereditary conditions which can result in a tendency to be overweight.
Neither is being too tall or too short. I don't get it what the problem is. If you can't fit, you can't fit, whether it's by lifestyle choice or medical/hereditary means.
I don't have 20/20 vision, so I can't be a fighter pilot. I don't have the looks to be a Calvin Klein underwear model, so I can't be a Calvin Klein underwear model. Sometimes bad genes and/or lifestyle choices limit the things we get to do in life.
Years ago, a friend of mine and I were getting onto Colossus and he was told he couldn't ride because of his weight. It was a little humiliating and a drag, but he shrugged it off and that was that.
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This is a post in the "Say Something Random" Thread.
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Again, thanks so much for sharing this cool, funky park! They really go for it with the theming; that has to be the best themed Gravitron ever. I can't wait to see what they do with the flume ride.
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Need to ride Olympia Looping one of these days.
Yup, me, too, and I'm glad to see it looking brand new. Long may she roll.
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^Gotcha; that's too bad, and ^^ LOL
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EPIC reports; thanks so much!
The classic rides section is incredible, a functional museum. It's so awesome they keep them operating! And that rotor building is spectacular.
I'm sure this has been said before: these German fairs have better ride collections than a fair number of permanent, big-brand theme parks. Amazing. HAVE to get to one someday.
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That is one unique looking coaster. Reminds me a little of those Pinfari loopers, but I've never seen one with a corkscrew... funky. Did you try out the walk-through?
I'd write more but I need to go take a smoort.
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...*Heavy Sigh*... Awesome photos, especially of Toy Story Mania, which I missed, opting out of that first TDS add-on day. The huge props in the queue are fantastic.
So. 2015. That's when we go back, right?
A TPR Japan 2013 Trip Report
in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
Posted · Edited by RoCo
Continuing:
These covered shopping streets are everywhere. As are bicyclists.
In Tokyo, you don't have to look very hard to find a bus that looks like a dog.
Even their earth-moving equipment is cute, for crying out loud.
Not cute, but mega-awesome, is this statue, very close to the temple, dedicated to Meiji period kabuki actor, Ichikawa Danjuro. Asakusa was once an important entertainment district, with a lot of kabuki theaters and a red-light district (a detail that will be important further along wink nudge), and this guy was a legend, apparently. Sure looks like a badass, doesn't he?
"I see that your Schwartz is as big as mine" because "Spaceballs" jokes will never, ever get old.
But, seriously, that face: awesome.
The Senso-ji Temple gardens are quite pretty and serene, as one would assume they'd be.
Koi, you gotta have koi, right?
If you need an escape from the sensory overload that is so much of Tokyo, this is the place to go.
I don't know nearly enough about Buddhism to tell you much about the many little shrines here.
I believe some (most?) of them are omikuji stalls, but don't quote me on that. Many are remarkable, though.
Look at this dragon carving; wow. <3
Hondo, the main hall, is damned impressive.
Out in front, there is a huge incense pot...
...which people stand beside, waving the fragrant smoke over themselves, saying prayers, etc.
Amazing.
I didn't realize until after snapping away happily that photos of the interior space are frowned upon, but a lot of people were also taking photos, and I just assumed... anyway, here's a shot of the ceiling just inside the main hall, so beautiful.
This shot was taken standing on the main hall steps, looking back at Hozomon, or "Treasure House Gate," where cultural treasures are indeed stored (though out of view from the general public).
Another shot of Hozomon, with the Skytree on the left.
On either leg of this side of the gate are these huge "sandals." And I mean huge; look at that guy on the ladder. Heeeyoooog.
Another angle on Hozomon, with the five-story pagoda on the right.
Love the pagoda. I wish the world had more pagodas.
This is just a detail shot of ginormic lantern hanging in the Hozomon gate. Our Latin alphabet is so frickin' boring.
I wish I knew what sort of sacred object this thing was, but behind it is the Asakusa Shrine, or "Shrine of the Three Gods," in honor of the three men who founded the Senso-ji Temple. This shrine is right next to the Temple grounds.
Again, no idea what this was all about, but the banners, loved 'em.