Little Random Update

As you can see my list of places to visit keeps growing XD

I've visited some of them already, but I'm sure I will go back again.

I want to visit Kasukabe as it was the setting for one of my favourite (and apparently very popular here!) anime called Lucky Star.

Also Washinomiya shrine that the girls from Lucky Star visited is on my list.
Apparently many fans of the series visit the shrine XD
It's good business for them I guess!

As I'm typing this I'm watching a program that is showing all of the stops on the Yamanote line and what you can find in each of these areas - so I'm watching out for interesting things to go and see ^__^

Tokyo Game Show

Today, I went to Tokyo Game Show - supposedly the biggest video game convention :3

It was quite an expensive do with it costing 2500yen to get there, 1,200yen entrance fee, 500yen on food and then I spent nearly 7,000yen on merchendise (a Tokyo Game Show t-shirt and a K-ON hoodie).

It was a good day out though :3

I won't post all my photos -in the cosplay sections, they requested that we get the cosplayers permission to post the shots on personal websites.

They were quite strict with photographing in most areas, but it was difficult to stop the millions of people that must've passed through the venue from taking some photos.

Akihabara

Well I finally made it - the otaku went to otaku land XD

I'll say it's probably not the place to take children - certainly a lot of not very well hidden hentai sections within shops.

I saw a maid cafe and also lots of maids advertising their shops, handing out leaflets in the street.

In all the shops there are signs everywhere indicating that photography is prohibited, so I had to take photos from the outside of buildings.

I didn't have much time to see all of it, but I raced up and down Chuo Doori and still managed to buy some nice little bits and pieces...

1. Kuroshitsuji stickers
2. Tezuka Prince of Tennis phone charm
3. Twilight (with English & Japanese audio options and English & Japanese subtitle options)
4. A Lucky Star Tsukasa figure (from a 200yen vending machine)
5. A K-ON Ui badge (also from a vending machine)


I'll definitely be going back to check for new merchendise throughout the year :3

I'll upload photos as soon as I can ^_^

Tokyo Trip #1 - Ikebukuro & Pokemon Center

Hi!

Today I suppose has been the most eventful since we chose our classes.

I've been down with a sinus headache for a few days, so didn't do too much.
Although, some painkiller called Mogifen with like 3 anti-inflammatories in it, seems to be dampening down the pain, although it's making breathing a bit of a chore.

I got adventurous - charged up my PASMO and headed towards Tokyo.

I took the Tobu Tojou line from Kita Sakado to Ikebukuro and hung around there for a while to try and find CLOSET CHILD (a lolita clothing and BJD clothing shop) and MANDARAKE (a manga and cosplay shop).

Luckily as I was heading towards the train station there was some parade/fair on.
So I took some photos as the parade passed through.
I wish I knew what it was for though ^^;

After that, I got on the JR Yamanote line and went in search of the Pokemon Center in Hamamatsuchou.
Luckily it was well signposted from the Hamamatsuchou station and it was only opposite and slightly to the right of the station XD

I loved it there, even though it was packed! I'll definitely be going back, since it's so easy to find!!!

I managed to download some Pokemon event mystery gift for a special Pikachu field in the Heart Gold/Soul Silver walker while I was there.

There were lots of Pokemon Halloween merchandise, and there will be more in October!

See my gallery for new photos from Ikebukuro and the Pokemon Center <3

I feel rather ill now after adventuring, I hope I haven't made myself worse :/

Placement Test & Choosing Classes

Monday

Well, the placement test wasn't the monster I expected.
There was one test for general grammar and one for comprehension.

However I was so hungry, headachy and tired by the time we got to the comprehension paper, I kind of skim read for the bits I needed so I could answer the questions quickly.

After the test I went to my flat to freshen up, dump my stuff and chill for a bit.

Then I went to Higashimatsuyama and made some Purikura and got ice cream with a friend. I love the Purikura, I wanna make lots while I'm here <3

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Tuesday

Well, today we got separated into our levels.

There are 4 levels - level 1 is for beginners and level 4 is for students who are capable enough to take other classes with the native Japanese students.

So how is it I ended up in level 4??? Especially when I didn't put all my effort into the test.

I'm going to give the level 4 classes a go, but I fear it may be too high a level for me.
I will most likely end up going into level 3, so I don't have a mental breakdown XD

I have to choose which classes I want to take before tomorrow morning.
So far, I have chosen: Japanese language, Japanese culture, 2 kanji classes (level 3 and level 4) and German.
I need to choose 2 more now :3

korekara ganbarimasu yo!

University and Placement Test

We went to the university campus for the first time on Friday.

I saw a zoo next to the university on the way in. I really wanna go there ^_^

We had a meeting where everyone introduced themselves and the teacher talked to us about what would be happening next week.

We also got our mobile phones, they are very fancy!

I wish I had opted in for the mobile internet thing now. I think that's why I can send messages via SMS but not messages. Maybe I can sign up to it later.

I got my bank stuff sorted, it didn't take as long as I expected. Now I gotta figure out how to deposit and withdraw money O_o

We have a placement test tomorrow to determine what level class we should be put into.
I'm quite nervous, I wish I had felt like studying more this week.
My brain just doesn't want to move this week!

I suppose even if I do badly and end up in a low level class, I will still learn a lot due to being surrounded by the Japanese language.

ganbarimasu <3

Arrival

I finally made it after a very long journey!

My suitcase will be catyching up with me soon, as a delivery company is bringing it.
I remembered to take some clothes out, but I didn't take out any pyjamas for last night >_<

I've taken lots of photos of my room. It's well cool, I wanna stay here forever <3

Although I'm in dire need of lots of things such as a kettle, spare bedding, stationary, food/drinks etc

I bought a french stick, miso soup and cup noodles. I just had to microwave the water instead of boiling it.

haha I just discovered a heater underneath the low down table (you well get pins and needles sat down here but the tatami is quite comfortable!).
Don't need it right now though, it is quite humid!

Photos of my accommodation have bee posted in the gallery (see menu on the right).