Two Months in Tokyo: May 2006

Zoorasia (Yokahama Zooligical Gardens)

We ventured out past Tokyo again, this time to Yokahama. We were in search of Zoorasia, the Yokahama Zooligical Gardens. We made it to the station (with only one train change) without much trouble, but then met a problem. We couldn't find the zoo. Somehow (clumsiness I suppose) had left the second page of my directions either on the train or at the hotel so we were at a lost. Out comes the cell to call poor Taka for directions. Turns out we have to take a bus, which we can't find.

All of the signs were in Japanese (go figure). I'm actually somewhat embarrassed to admit that I hadn't realized just how much I relied on English translations to get where I was going. After stressing and walking back and forth trying to read the signs at the bus stop, a green bus with animals all over it drives up. hhhmmmm... Maybe this one goes to the zoo?

We boarded the train, and after a few embarrassing moments of trying to get Andrew on the bus, pay our fare with a too-large bill, and get the stroller up the steps and all the way to the back of the bus, we were off!

We stopped at multiple stops and I stressed that I should be getting off... then Taka pointed out over the phone I would probably know what a zoo looks like, right? Well, as it turns out no, this one didn't look like a zoo when we pulled up. It looked like a conference center. But, everyone else got off, including several people with kids, so we followed suit.

We walked up to the ticket booth and I pulled out money to insert into the machine when a woman rushed up to me saying "no, no" in Japanese. I was, of course, confused but turned to her anyway. She held out a white piece of paper with the Zoorasia logo on it and attempted to give it to me, while explaining this in Japanese.

She was smiling and looked really friendly so I took the paper, assuming she meant me no harm. Then she and her friend smiled, bowed and walked up to the ticket window with identical papers. The attendant handed them tickets and they entered the zoo.

I was still standing back trying to figure out if I had a) a coupon to get a discount for my tickets (and wondering how the heck I tell a machine I have a coupon) b) I had a free pass into the zoo or c) the ladies were trying to solicit business for something inside the zoo. Just as I went through these thoughts in my head, I looked up at the attendant window to see a sign that said "turn in vouchers here". A voucher! That's what I've got. So with only a bit of trepidation, I approached the window and handed my voucher. The attendant asked if Andrew was 2, and I replied "hai" then she passed me a ticket. We were in! So to those two friendly ladies of whom I was suspicious, thank you!!!!

Andrew recognized the spectacled bear from an episode of Dora and Diego!

Some of the animals we saw today...

Now, tell me, is this good foot attire for walking in 80degree weather and circling a zoo for hours??

Andrew hamming for the camera...

A really cool orangutan. Check out the video of him below...

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And, always beware of droppings...

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Kids In Any Country...

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On the way home... RUSH HOUR!

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Meguro Mini-Gym at the Jidokan

Another jidokan (children's hall) on the agenda today. We tried a new one in Meguro and what fun Andrew had on the balance beams. It was like a mini-gym for the toddlers and preschoolers; for free!

Coca-Cola Citra

Here's an interesting Coca-Cola product I've never seen at home. Appears to have been introduced in Mexico and New Zealand last year, but I can't find any further information on it for Japan. huh.

Odaiba Panoramic Shot

Beautiful panoramic shot of Odaiba bay, taken April 30.

Jellyfish for Dinner

Dinner tonight, and what's on the menu? Jellyfish!

It had an odd taste (mostly the sauce, I think) and an even odder consistency. But overall, no puking involved. Kind of like rubbery noodles, to be honest, and had I not known what it was I never would have guessed.

Green Tea KitKats

Found green tea flavored KitKats at the Family Mart convenience store today. Yum?

Andrew 10-minute Haircut

So yesterday we spotted a 1000Yen, 10-minute barber shop near the Hanzono Shrine. We headed back there on Sunday to get haircuts for Taka and Andrew. True to their word, they were each done in 10 minutes.

I think the guy even threatened Taka that if Andrew moved around and then exceeded 10-minutes, he would not be able to finish! haha Andrew did great, and they did a fantastic job on Taka and Andrew both, considering how fast those scissors were cutting (I was a little nervous at how fast they were whizzing and cutting).

Takoyaki (Octopus Balls)

A festival stand preparing and selling Ta

koyaki (better known to us g

aijin as octopus balls).

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup flour
2 1/2 cup dashi soup
2 eggs
1/2 lb. boiled octopus chunks
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1/4 cup dried sakura ebi (red shrimp)
1/4 cup chopped pickled red ginger
*For topping: bonito flakes, aonori (green dried seaweed), worcestershire sauce or takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise

PREPARATION:

Mix flour, dashi soup, and eggs in a bowl to make batter. Thickness of the batter should be like potage soup. Put oil inside cups of a takoyaki grill pan. Pour batter in the cups to the full.

Add chopped octopus, red ginger, and green onion in each hole. Grill takoyaki balls, turning with a pick. When takoyaki become rounds and brown, remove them from the pan and place in a plate. Put sauce and mayonnaise on takoyaki and sprinkle bonito flakes and aonori on the top.

Hanazono Shrine & Festival

A festival this weekend at the Hanazono Shrine in Shinjuku. From tokyo tourism website, "Hanazono Jinja is the grand tutelary shrine of Shinjuku, the town that has been thriving for over 300 years developed as a station on the Koshu-kaido route. The annual festival used to be held on the fair of Inari Jinja (Inari is a messenger of gods, symbolized by the fox), however the dates became fixed on Saturday, Sunday and Monday closest to May 28th since 1976. The main feature is the parade of magnificent miniature shrine of 1.1 meters in width and 3 meters in height, carrying Shinto festival music performers on the base, topped with the decoration of a lion’s head. Starting from Hanazono shrine, the parade proceeds along Yasukuni Street, Shinjuku Street and Meiji Street, passed over by shrine parishioners in the neighborhood association consisting of eight blocks. Ceremonious, yet vigorous, the traditional festival shows us another aspect of Shinjuku metropolis."

500Yen bags of cotton candy. But they are decorated to attract the kiddos, huh?

A kabuki style play... From japan-guide.com, "Kabuki is a traditional Japanese form of theater with its origins in the Edo period. Kabuki, in contrast to the older surviving Japanese art forms such as No, was the popular culture of the townspeople and not of the higher social classes. Kabuki plays are about historical events, moral conflicts in love relationships and the like. The actors use an old fashioned language which is difficult to understand even for some Japanese people. They speak in a monotonous voice and are accompanied by traditional Japanese instruments."

For 300Yen, Andrew scooped rubber bouncy balls into a cup, then the vendor dropped them into a handy little carrying bag. $3 for some rubber bouncy balls. The things we do for kids.

A crafter carves and paints candy animals with great skill. These look so good!

Chocolate covered bananas! We got the pink one with sprinkles and it was yummy. Much better tasting than the ones we got in Asakusa, which were very waxy in taste.