From December 22, 2014 to January 2, 2015, I spent overseas - one week roughly in China with family, one week roughly in Japan with Charles. It's been 10+ years since I've been back to China, and it was my first time in Japan. I pretty much underwent a mix of culture shock and sensory overload the entire time. (And then on the way back, a sort of reverse culture shock coming back into the states, haha)
The trip became more than just a family reunion, more than just a tourist's trip. It was a welcome break from the life back in Boston, a welcome change with a different perspective, and I wanted to share some of the stories I have of the places I had gone.
Warning: This will be an extremely long post!
TL;DR:
- I attended a huge birthday party for my 80 year old grandfather (on my mother's side), and visited my other grandparents (on my father's side) in the countryside!
- I rode the high speed rail from Beijing for the first time!
- I visited Todai (Tokyo University) for the first time!
- I attended Comiket for the first time! (Only the last day though)
- I went up Tokyo Sky Tree for the first time!
- Other places I visited in Japan: Akihabara, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku
For all the details though, read on! The post will be divided into the following sections:
China
I
Dec 22-28, 2014
High-speed rail
High-speed rail
Visiting Grandparents on both sides of the family
The view outside my Hotel window in Beijing.
Picture taken at my grandpa's 80th birthday party-
Over a hundred attended!
The panorama from the roof of my Grandparent's (on my dad's side) house.
Yep, the roof. I climbed up with one of my Uncles. 8D
Tokyo
II
Dec 29, 2014
Dec 29, 2014
Todai
DMM.Make
DMM.Make
Akihabara
AKIHABARAAAAAAAAA.
Yoshihiro-sensei demo-ing some very awesome circuitry magic.
Draw a circuit on a piece of photo paper with a special marker...and PRESTO.
Instant working circuit. Check the video out below!
TA-DA.
It's AWESOME.
Other projects the Todai students are working on!
III
Dec 30, 2014
Dec 30, 2014
Comiket
Tokyo Big Sight is in sight!
Titan spotted!
My favoraite Itasha spotted during the trip. : >
Zenbonsakura Miku!
A video compiled from smartphone recordings
I made during the Tokyo trip.
(Excuse the shakiness!)
IV
Dec 31, 2014
Tokyo Sky Tree
Tokyo Sky Tree, at 634m, or 2080ft, tall!
The tallest tower in the world and the 2nd tallest structure in the world!
The view from the Tembo deck of the tower.
V
Jan 1, 2015
Meiji Shrine
Harajuku
Kinokuniya
Meiji Shrine on New Years day afternoon-
(Still packed with lots of people, haha.)
Located in a beautiful park!
While walking through Harajuku, I noticed Pepper!
Of course I had to go in and try and say 'hi', hehe.
The famous Takeshita Street in Harajuku!
Charles and I bought some clothing here, hehe...
VI
1-2
Tokyu Hands
Homeward bound!
The view from our AirBnB room.
Last day in Tokyo!
Browsing through the megastore of Tokyu Hands.
Charles and I wanted to buy a lot of things here, haha.
They have a whole floor dedicated to DIY!
DRAGON 2020 MIKU FIGURE!
One of the things I bought in Tokyo!
CAUTION: LONG POST AHEAD!
Click below to read more about my trip!
