And so it has happened. The beautiful sunny state of Okayama was hit by a typhoon. Yes, that super typhoon Vongfong you all heard about hit the main island of Japan yesterday, and even scraped through Okayama too! Unfortunately, my friend and I were in Tokyo, which caused me quite a panic to get home!!
With winds predicted to reach 180kph, all bullet and local trains would be suspended simultaneously throughout the main island. This of course could have prevented us from leaving Tokyo full stop! As we made our way hurriedly to Tokyo station to battle the many other locals for train tickets, I had mini-panic attacks of the worst possible scenarios – nothing to do with the weather, but what would happen if we became stranded and I missed a day of work! Hahaha, my god, I think I’m turning Japanese!!
Regardless, we managed to board a bullet train from Tokyo to Okayama. Shortly after departing, a message appeared explaining all further bullet trains had been suspended from Tokyo – what a narrow escape! However, we missed the deadline at Okayama station to catch a local train home.
Soja is a small town. It does have two train stations, but not bus services. Being stranded in Okayama definitely put us in a predicament. With no other choices, we were forced to catch a taxi from Okayama station to my home. While it was expensive, we did get some free treats from our driver, who also cut some of the fare off! The locals truly are helpful and wonderful people. I think we scored out on how much luck we had!!
The most important lesson I have come to learn through this typhoon however, is to forget ever using an umbrella! My friend and I broke one each while trying to get dinner last night. We felt like Mary Poppins, with the wind trying to drag us away. Or maybe I was one of those Nanny’s that Mary blew away before she arrived at their doorstep. Regardless, it really was pointless trying to keep dry with an umbrella! Lesson learnt!
Despite the typhoon frustratingly disrupting our Monday Tokyo plans, we did get to fit some sightseeing. First stop was Tokyo Tower, all alight in it’s glory. Tokyo Tower may not be as tall as Skytree, but it certainly is beautiful. The photographs never do this place justice.
Google Maps is also a very reliable app. It gives you a very precise location and can locate very nearly anything. Feeling adventurous, I wanted to try the very famous squid-ink burger being offered by McDonalds as a Halloween special. Well not knowing the Tokyo area, Google Maps came to the rescue. I simply entered ‘McDonalds’ and multiple possible destinations appeared. My friend and I selected the closest on route and followed our blue dot towards McDonalds. Well, as I said, Google Maps is a very reliable and precise app. We soon found the McDonalds – closed due to renovations. Regardless, the app was true to it’s reliability and helped us reach our ‘destination’.
After a good laugh at ourselves, we ventured to Shibuya for McDonalds and the famous Shibuya crossing. The Shibuya crossing has been described as people moving like marbles in any direction necessary to reach their desired location. And that’s exactly what it was! We hastily took photographs amongst the possible hundreds of people crossing – truly taking our tourist status to a whole new level!
And then we reach the McDonalds. It was officially time to try the squid-ink burger. After now trying this burger I can tell you that… drum roll please…
It tastes no different to any other burger I’ve tasted. Talk about disappointment! But it was a lot of fun to think I was eating a black burger ;)
The next day brought our Disneyland adventure! With it being a holiday weekend, the park was packed to the brim – with mainly Japanese locals it seemed! After discovering we were in the incorrect line twice, we finally purchased our tickets and entered the gates. It was a magical day, filled with both of us being the biggest tourists possible! We even met Mickey, who gave us a kiss on the cheek each – that’s right boys, be jealous ;)
In Japan, they do not celebrate Halloween. However, they certainly do recognize and observe the holiday! The whole of Disneyland was decorated just for the occasion – pumpkins, orange lanterns, spider webs and ghosts littered every possible section! It was strangely awesome.
The most beautiful part was watching the light show against the castle. During this show, images and songs of all Disney movies are shown against the castle, like a projector screen. Fireworks and laser lights were fitted with the music pieces, which really lifted the show. Was such a breath-taking show to have seen.
I have the feeling that not many foreign tourists visit Tokyo Disneyland. The shopkeepers complimented every little bit of Japanese I spoke. It was as if they’d never seen a foreigner speak Japanese before! Regardless, it does always make you feel fuzzy when you receive such compliments from locals.
And now I am back to work again – reality hurts sometimes! Hopefully this week will be easier on me than the past few… my head hurts from all the thinking! Is it New Years yet???
