UlasanAnime.com – In early March, I embarked on a 12-day journey to Japan, and I’d like to share some of the experiences that might interest you.
A significant event during this trip was the malfunction of my phone, which led to numerous complications. This meant I had very few pictures and videos from the first five days, and even fewer afterward. I ended up using my tablet, which I always carry, as a substitute. Losing your smartphone while traveling abroad can create a cascade of logistical issues, especially when you rely on it for navigation, storing essential information, and communicating with others.
For those planning a trip to Japan, traveling with a group can be incredibly helpful, particularly if you encounter phone issues. Fortunately, I was able to resolve my phone problem relatively quickly because the AirBnB I was staying at had a Wi-Fi hotspot. Despite this, the experience was quite challenging. In retrospect, it was a valuable lesson, and since my phone was covered by warranty and I’ve already received a replacement, the situation could have been far worse.
Visiting Oarai
With that out of the way, this trip involved a packed schedule of back-to-back events on weekends, which in hindsight was perhaps too much. However, I also had the opportunity to visit Oarai for the first time. Additionally, I returned to Sendai with two companions, acting as their guide for a portion of their visit.
Tragically, my phone died while I was on a bus traveling from the Ibaraki aquarium in Oarai back to the Oarai train station, as we were returning to Tokyo. Consequently, I lost all the video footage and most of the photos I had taken there. This included recordings from the journey from Tokyo to Mito, several Koroazu pilgrimage sites in Mito, and the excursion to the area known as “Girl und Panzer land.”
Anime pilgrimage sites often feature a dedicated section at the local train station. Oarai station, while lacking electronic gates, has an information office that is essentially a massive “Girls und Panzer” (GuP) display. The presence of GuP is pervasive throughout the town, albeit in a subtle manner. Oarai stands out as one of the most extreme examples of this phenomenon, and it was impressive to see GuP-themed elements integrated everywhere.
The day we visited, March 6th to 7th, coincided with a birthday celebration for one of the minor Russian school characters. Some of the traditional Japanese inns (ryokans) were fully booked for that Tuesday, so we opted to visit on Monday instead. We stayed at the Oarai Hotel, which offers bookings through Japanican and other international websites and accepts credit cards. They also have some English-speaking staff, which is always a plus. While it wasn’t the specific “Girls und Panzer” ryokan, that particular establishment was fully booked.
The Oarai Hotel is quite large and offers rooms in the ryokan style. Meals are typically served in the cafeteria, and there’s a variety of room types available. These include standard Japanese-style rooms with communal baths, Western and Japanese-style rooms with private in-room baths offering sea views (the hotel is adjacent to the beach), and a few luxurious suites that we did not see. For dining, they provide a half-buffet with main dishes served to each table. Guests can also order à la carte items such as grilled whelk, ankimo (monkfish liver), and grilled Hitachi beef. Their seasonal specialty at the time was anko nabe (monkfish hot pot) served with local vegetables, which we enjoyed along with ankimo sashimi.
Anko, or monkfish, is consumed across the northeastern Pacific, but only Japan and Korea place significant cultural importance on it. For fans of GuP, this sea creature symbolizes the lead tank of the Oarai Girls High School senshado team. In reality, the monkfish is an unattractive, large bottom-feeder. The Oarai Hotel hosts a daily fish-carving demonstration, which visitors can observe.
Our plan for visiting Oarai was simple: to explore the main town area and perhaps visit the aquarium. Upon arrival at the station, we entered the information center, where the staff suggested we participate in a stamp rally, which we then used as our sightseeing guide.
Japan seems to have a fondness for stamp rallies, and this was the first one I had ever completed with genuine dedication. We traversed the town, starting from the tower and shopping center, proceeding through the narrow main street, crossing the coast up to the Oarai Hotel, passing the mentaiko factory, and finally reaching the temple on the hill. We concluded our day and visited the aquarium the following day before heading back.
The tower and shopping center are essential stops for GuP pilgrims, housing the Girls und Panzer gallery and shop. The observation tower cafe is also adorned with GuP memorabilia, offering a place to enjoy English tea.
Other locations in town are primarily shopping venues or points of interest. These shopping areas can range from general stores to small restaurants. Depending on the timing, there are often small or large events taking place. I’ve included a link to the main Oarai GuP tourist website for the latest information. Unfortunately, the ML4th event conflicted with the Oarai Spring Festival.
On our way back from Oarai, we spent some time exploring Mito, a vibrant city in Ibaraki. During the week of our visit, plum blossoms were in bloom, so we visited a large park dedicated to them. It was quite pleasant, though the weather was not ideal, being chilly and rainy, which limited our exploration. We did try plum ice cream. We had a late lunch at a good curry restaurant in Mito. Unfortunately, I don’t have any comparative photos from Koroazu blog posts.
Revisiting Sendai
My return trip to Sendai, my third visit, incurred additional expenses due to an extended stay at Luvya. However, it was worthwhile as I sponsored someone’s idol song. For the most part, my previous post provides comprehensive details. This visit offered a few key updates.
A new Loople + subway day pass is now available for 950 yen. The Sendai subway system is a convenient way to navigate the city, making it a recommended option for exploring the Wake Up, Girls! (WUG) sites within the downtown area. The Sentabi website has also expanded its coverage to include many eateries and shops in the downtown district.
Since my last visit, Date Castle has been fully repaired and renovated, giving the entire area a fresh appearance. Fortunately, the day we visited was sunny, providing a beautiful view from the castle grounds. We also had the pleasure of riding with a very talkative Loople driver who took his tour guide role seriously, offering continuous commentary on nearly everything we passed. It was an interesting experience.
What else did we do this time? We visited the airport, as we had JR East passes. The airport itself is a pleasant sight, and I had the opportunity to visit the observation deck. It was also the only place I found an open zunda shake stand, likely due to the lingering chill from earlier in the day when it had even snowed lightly.
We narrowly missed out on gyudon (beef bowls) as we had to catch the last express train back. I believe getting takeout from JR is the most efficient option.
For those visiting Sendai and looking for free WUG merchandise, visit the information office (now conveniently located in a quiet corner away from the main lobby) and ask for the WUG pamphlet and the Sendai holo card.
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Dying
I experienced a lot of “dying” on this trip, aside from my phone, of course. I say this jokingly, but it’s been over a week since my return, and I’m still recovering from a cold I caught on the flight back. While I may be exaggerating slightly, what struck me repeatedly during this trip was not just the physical exhaustion from attending so many events in a short period, but also the emotional toll of the types of events. Angela Budokan was an emotionally charged event, featuring a retrospective segment. Sphere Yoyogi announced their hiatus, and I attended the day after, experiencing the fallout. You might also be aware of how emotional the Million Live 4th (ML4th) concert was. While tourism was not entirely neglected amidst these events, it didn’t significantly aid my recovery between them. I even compounded the fatigue with smaller events like seeing WUG at Koshigaya Lake Town on March 4th, the Sakura Quest event on March 11th, and the Trinity Seven event on March 12th.
This isn’t solely an issue of aging, although that certainly plays a part. I believe it’s wise to avoid overly aggressive scheduling, especially on extended trips. Recovering during the week while in Japan is more challenging. I can bounce back much faster at home, so the tendency to overcommit on weekends and then scale back during the week is something I need to resist, as it doesn’t yield the desired results.
Bowling
We went bowling. To provide some details, this establishment in Shibuya is conveniently located near the main crossing and is a pleasant venue, albeit a bit pricey. We opted for a three-game package, including shoe rental, which cost 1500 yen per person. They offer both daytime and nighttime bowling, and the cafe area where the bowling takes place is the same location featured in the bonus footage for the ML 3rd Makuhari Blu-ray. This was the primary inspiration for the activity, but bowling with a group like ours is enjoyable regardless.
Bowling was incredibly fun, and it all worked out well. I’m unsure if I’ll repeat this experience in Japan, but at least I now know where to go and how it operates. The venue also offers other sports such as billiards, ping pong, and darts. You enter through the basement level and place your order via elevator after specifying your choices. While bowling, you can use a tablet to manage in-game settings and also order food and drinks.
Staying
Tokyo is experiencing a shortage of tourist accommodation. While more facilities are being constructed in anticipation of the Olympics in a few years, the reality is that with each year’s record tourist numbers, fewer hotels are available in prime Tokyo locations. Standard hotels have been beyond my budget for several years. Business hotels remain a viable option for short stays, but AirBnB has become the primary choice for budget-conscious travelers seeking the autonomy and privacy of their own space at a reasonable price. This time, I stayed in a converted office unit near Kodemmacho station. It was quite spacious and cost approximately $97 per night after all fees. Splitting this cost among four people was not an issue, significantly reducing the individual expense. Ultimately, we only split it three ways.
It’s safe to say that some of us recommended the place for its excellent price and spaciousness. It’s never a certainty to gauge the size of an AirBnB unit in advance, especially in Tokyo, but this one comfortably accommodated 4-5 people, which is a rare find. While staying off the Hibiya line might not be the absolute best option, I believe it offers a good compromise.
Shopping & Miscellany
Here are some notes on my spending, or lack thereof in some instances.
I was unaware that Pasela offered a lunch special. For a set price, you get an hour of karaoke, in-room food service including a drink and lunch set, all part of Pasela’s system. This is a fantastic deal, especially considering how easy it is to relax in such an environment.
The Wugmaga shop in Sendai continues to be a drain on my wallet. At the time of my visit, the cafe was hosting a “Joker Game” collaboration.
The Loople bus stopped at the light near MACANA, allowing me to see it from the bus. Now I know its location.
I was unable to visit the Anion cafe’s Million Live collaboration due to scheduling conflicts. By Monday, there was a long queue of people waiting for lunch. Fortunately, I didn’t miss anything significant, as the signed pop display was showcased in the lobby.
The taiyaki/takoyaki stand outside Akiba Yodobashi is worth the long wait. I wish I could say the same for some other shops. On that note, I was unaware that the SQEX cafe was running a Nier collaboration…
The primary issue with merchandise sales (buppan) at Budokan is the limited space. They cannot accommodate a large number of registers, which leads to extended processing times for purchases.
Harajuku JR station on a Sunday afternoon, when the weather is not freezing or rainy, attracts enormous crowds. I hadn’t realized it was such a popular destination. On that note, I believe I’ve now visited every venue within the Yoyogi complex, including the Gymnasium!
I actually ate in Kabukicho this time. It’s surprisingly not that bad!
P.S. It’s time to upload all these iOS photos and videos to Google Photos, which managed to recover some unuploaded images from my malfunctioning phone. It completely bricked and wouldn’t turn on anymore?
