In advance/anticipation of the theater opening of Episode 9, Star Wars is firmly imprinted in the Marunouchi area of Tokyo.
A Precious Star Wars Event Indeed, at Tokyo Marunouchi
The event is called Star Wars: Precious For You.
You'll find Star Wars exhibits of seemingly of all kinds, from Lego themed to Christmas/holiday themed and everything in between, across eight different buildings in the area (equaling the number of movie episodes in the Star Wars saga thus far), all within easy walking distance of each other and Tokyo Station.
I feel words wouldn't do much justice for the experience, so I won't type too many here. I'll let the images do most of the talking.
There's even a Star Wars café!
As you might have detected from some of my photos and my cosplay repertoire, Star Wars is a big deal for me, family, and many of my friends. So, this type of event truly appeals to my heart. From the heart:
May The Force be with you.
Specifics: Star Wars: Precious For You
Duration: From November 7 until December 25, 2019
Location: Marunouchi area, Tokyo (take Marunouchi exits from Tokyo Station)
Virtual Reality (VR) gaming is still a very new gaming medium. Even at events such as Tokyo Game Show, VR is still in the minority, seen as an intriguing and exciting way to play and experience a game but not reaching its potential. One of the barriers I can see right now for VR really taking off is the infrastructure required, and I don't meet just the electronics. Just looking at some of the VR games in action from the outside, you realize that VR requires considerable real estate to work. Whether it's a VR "vehicle" or one of the games where you walk around, more space is required than the console or even typical arcade game. In today's world where the majority of our electronics are getting smaller, VR is a step in the different direction.
Still, the idea of getting immersed in the game environment is a new and exciting one. So, early in 2018, several of us had our first experience with VR gaming at Sega, Akihabara. The game was Mortal Blitz, set in outer space, and the objective of the game was to survive attacks from hostile, nasty looking aliens who'd invaded the space station. The player is armed with an automatic rifle (equipped with a laser sight to ensure you get your target) and would need to gun down the attacking aliens, walk around the space station while opening doors and navigating the base order to reach your allies.
Your humble blogger, shooting at some virtual baddies
Unfortunately, it is a one player game. Though you can play at the same time as others, you're each in your own game. But that was the only bone I could pick with this game; it was truly fun, exciting, and definitely an experience I'd recommend to any gamer who'd never tried VR before... or even any non-gamer.
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It's also very cool/funny to observe your friends in battle from outside of the VR
On another occasion, some of us tried Tower Tag, one of the other VR offerings at Sega Akihabara. Unfortunately no photos from that experience, but it is a multi-player (2 or 4) shooting game where the objective is to eliminate other players while traversing towers. Not too much walking here, as you'll be swinging from tower to tower, but some evasive maneuvers are needed to emerge victorious.
Without going too much into detail, (and believe me, any attempt to describe what we seen and experienced through those VR headsets is quite a challenge), for all of us the VR experience was totally fun and immersive, and highly recommended to gamers and non-gamers.
Recommendations:
- Wear clothes/shoes comfortable for walking (no high heels!)
- Make reservations online before going. Walk-ins are okay, as they will take you in if there's a slot available, but if none are available soon be prepared to wait at least a couple of hours until you get your chance.
- Though Mortal Blitz is a one player game, go with a friend or more, so that you can have someone take the essential photo of you in the VR gaming gear.
Specifics: VR Gaming at Sega Akihabara
Cost: 1500 yen per game, per person for Mortal Blitz, 1000 yen for Tower Tag
Having some degree of familiarity with Virtual Reality gaming in the form of the Mortal Blitz game at Sega, Akihabara, we sought to experience more of that flavor of fun. So, we progressed towards visiting what seems to be the biggest virtual reality arcade in Japan: VR Zone Shinjuku.
The price of admission and gaming is pretty steep (4000 yen gets you in and playing four games) but as the games are very unique and so immersive, it is definitely worth considering if you love video games, and especially if you're among others who have fun playing video games as well.
The biggest pull for my friends and I was the Evangelion VR game. We're all fans of the anime, and the idea of getting to pilot an Eva was too good to resist.
And it truly lived up to all the hype we had for it, and then some. From the moment we stepped into the entry plug and had ourselves submersed in LCL, to getting to battle several of the Angels at Tokyo-3, it was awesome! Also, we were seated not too far from each other but communicating with each other through the mic/headphone system made it seem like we were coordinating from kilometers apart in the battle field.
Once we wrapped up our experience as Evangelion pilots, we moved on to give the Mario Kart game (also very fun) and another game (can't recall the name) where we rode on scooters to escape some prehistoric reptiles in a jungle, similar to Jurassic but not quite. Still, very fun and enjoyable among good friends.
For our last act, we went a bit away from the "traditional" VR route and opted to try their rock climbing experience, called Trap Climb. Virtual and real obstacles were there, making for a pretty unique type of rock climb.
There were, indeed, a few "traps" which I won't give away, but nothing that scary or dangerous, I think. Hands and arms got kind of sore at the end but it was a good time!
For a great time out in Shinjuku and in the virtual reality world, give the VR Zone a try!
Recommendations:
- Go with friends; one could conceivably go on his/her own here but it's so much more enjoyable playing alongside friends/family who will share the experience with you.
- You can ask staff to take photos of you with your camera/phone while you're busy playing, some examples of which are seen on this post.
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You'll move around a bit, and depending on the games you choose to play, wearing tight clothes or skirts might not be the best here. For the rock climb, if you choose to do it, they will lend you a pair of climbing shoes.
Looking for a unique party setting? Give the summer night cruise at Yokohama a whirl!
Want to experience a more "party-like" activity this summer, without too much of the festival crowds and summer heat? Tired of the Tokyo Club scene? How about a night party cruise in Yokohama Bay?
For about two hours you get to experience riding a cruise ship around Yokohama Bay. On these parts of the internets I haven't spoken much of, if anything at all, so far about the second biggest city in Japan (Yokohama). Though it may pale in comparison with nearby Tokyo, there is a lot to see, do, and like about the city of Yokohama.
Especially from the bay. And especially at night!
If your daily life and/or job doesn't involve being near or on ocean waters (like me), then being out on the sea can a treat just by itself. But this experience brings you quite a bit more in addition to that.
The food, for one, is great and plentiful. An all you can eat feast of standard Japanese izakaya-type food, with a touch of Chinese flavor taking its hint from the nearby Yokohama Chinatown. Drinks are free flowing and served in a pretty wide variety. As for me, I am always very happy with draft Kirin Ichiban, and the occasional Oolong tea to keep myself more traditionally hydrated. And the hydration part comes in importantly for the other part of the cruise.
The party!
A live band plays and gets everyone up to dance with the sway of the music and the ocean currents. Great party atmosphere and lively fun for all who get up for the dance, all in a very unique setting on a ship on the Yokohama bay waters.
You won't find a more unique, eye-catching, and fun experience than being on a party ship in the bay!
Recommendations:
- Recommend reserving in advance on their website. The website seems to be in Japanese only, so you might either need a friend to help, or just show up early onsite (around 17:00 or so) on the afternoon to get your ticket(s).
- Though it's held at night, dress as if the event were held during the summer day. It can get pretty hot especially if you like to dance!
Specifics:
Summer Night Cruise, Yokohama
Price: 6000 yen for cruise, drinks, food
Operates early July until end of September: Board the ship at 18:00.
Location (embarking from):
A New, Fresh! Place for Photography every day at Akihabara!
Fresh, in Akihabara, goes straight to the point for those who love photography and the main point of going to events/cafes is getting to do photography. As opposed to other places where there such obstacles as food, drink, or scheduled events, Fresh simply lets you do photo shoots in a studio setting with various local models, in various outfits, to include swimwear.
I've been to Fresh a couple of times, and the system is fairly smooth/simple even for a Gaijin; arrive and let them know you'd like to participate in the Photo Session, and you're given a card to keep on you until you "check out", at which time you'll pay for the time spent at Fresh.
Photographers are given 40-second turns to take photos of individual models. In case this sounds complicated or difficult to keep track of, it really isn't; you'll hear the beeping of the timer signaling the end of each 40-second turn.
The admission starts at 3500 yen per hour, with some other rates available the longer your stay is here. So far I've enjoyed hourlong sessions and have had lots of shots fired over those sessions (over 400) so you get a lot for the yen even at the minimum. There are other options/packages on offer, including hourlong individual shoots with a model and other photo shoots in other locations outside of the studio, but I haven't given those a try quite yet.
From what I've seen, Fresh is the first of its kind to offer this type of experience/opportunity to photographers, no matter what your skill level or previous experience may be. Definitely a highly recommended experience from me, if you love photography like I do. Fresh, indeed!
Recommendations:
- Bring your own camera! Or if you don't have a "good" one on you, you can rent from Fresh. Just bring your own SD/memory card to save your images to.
Specifics:
Fresh, Akibabara Photo session hours: 14:00-22:00, every day Location:
Run by the Giants of the Tokyo Waterpark Scene, but not overwhelming... just right for water park fun for all ages!
Yomiuri Land probably evokes visions of amusement park fun and baseball's Giants, if you've been in Tokyo long/often enough. It does serve as home to a pretty nice and fun water park called WAI (Water Amusement Island) which is worth a visit if you love to enjoy the water park fun of Japan during the hot humid summers in the Kanto Plain as I do.
For a treat before the fun, though, I recommend travelling to the park's Keio Yomiuri Land station (instead of from Yomiuri Land Mae station) because you then get to ride the "sky shuttle" which not only takes you on a very scenic cable car ride high above the park and gives you beautiful views of the surrounding area, but it also takes you practically to the entrance to WAI.
There are three water slides to satisfy your inner thrill seeker (if you have one on the watery side of things). The view from high above the rest of the park just before you slide is something to behold:
And on the slide the thrill is definitely there as well!
There is an Entertainment Pool where one can stand in the pool water while taking in a performance from the adjacent stage. Actually, it's lots of fun to watch (and dance the day away!), especially when water comes falling down on all the "partyers" after being sprayed up high in the air.
There are also the lazy river type of pool, and some general purpose pools. Also, there's an abundance of "fun" park type stuff here, as you might notice.
Yomiuri Land WAI tends to generally cater towards the younger ones.
Though, that doesn't keep us adults from playing with the kiddie stuff (whenever possible)!
So, there you have it; I've given you insight into all of my water park experiences (so far). Go out there and enjoy the water park scene, no matter which one you choose!
Recommendations:
- Bring money (especially coins) with you into the park, don't leave it in your locker, as you'll need it for food/drinks/rentals/etc. No cashless wristband/system that I know of here.
- Footwear wasn't needed too much here as most of the walking surfaces are relatively cooled/moist, though I do remember a few hot spots.
Oiso Long Beach: Bringing the Water Park fun in a picturesque beach/ocean setting!
Of course the summer waterpark scene in and around Tokyo is likely second to none, which is no surprise coming from me and on this web space. But sometimes, you might want even a little hint of the natural waterpark that is the ocean.
Oiso Long Beach is almost literally, at the sea!
Though not necessarily directly connected to the Pacific Ocean, Oiso Long Beach is one of those places that is literally reachable by a stone's throw from the water park area. If you want, you could take a short walk to get to the beach and the ocean waters.
But not me. Not on the occasion I visited Oiso for the first time. I was happy just seeing the ocean from a short distance, and enjoyed my team at the man-made water fun!
Oiso Long Beach definitely has more of a "resort" feel than other places. Which can be seen as natural, as other waterparks are located at amusement parks (such as Toshimaen and Yomiuriland) while Oiso Long Beach is literally at a resort, the Oiso Prince Hotel. So among other things, the amenities (such as food) are on the higher end. For example, there's a Kua'Aina burger stand on the premises, which is what we opted for during lunch:
The waterpark elements here are pretty fundamental and basic. The lazy river is fun to swim and float in, while the water slides are more than adequate (though not nearly as thrilling/spectacular as the competing water parks in the Kanto plain). The wave pool is there to simulate the ocean effects, since you're almost there. There's also a nice fountain; though not the most fun thing, it is a pretty scenic place/sight for a waterpark.
But, that is the beauty of Oiso Long Beach: its beauty. It's not full of thrills and adrenaline like the competition, but it can be fun, definitely easy on the eyes and a wonder to take in. It is at a resort, after all.
Also, its location is very convenient for those in the Kanagawa prefecture, since that's where it's located you don't need to travel too far to get to the beautiful water park and seaside fun. Take in the best of both worlds at Oiso Long Beach!
Recommendations:
- bring some form of beach/pool footwear with you (sandals/flipflops/etc); there are some long stretches of hot pavement in between the watery parts of the water park
- bring/use sunblock, as there isn't much shade here (unless you rent one of the umbrellas or sunshade areas)
- location is very distant from nearest train stations (JR Hiratsuka or Oiso station); recommend using bus or taxi from station to Oiso Long Beach, if not driving
Specifics: Oiso Long Beach
Open: 09:00-17:00 every day from early July to mid-September
Location:
Toshimaen has the best combined features of waterpark swimming, thrill rides/slides, and location!
When the blistering, humid days of summer hit Tokyo, Toshimaen is arguably must-visit stuff when other outdoor activities become borderline miserable during the hot summer day.
The water park is actually within the Toshimaen Amusement Park (in Nerima, cloes to Ikebukuro), so for those living/lodging in and around Tokyo, Toshimaen is likely the best located water park option during the summer.
Water slides at Toshimaen: The Big Thrill Leading to the Big Spill!
The best part of Toshimaen water park is the abundance of water slides. From flume/tunnel types that curve around, to straightaway speed slides, and even a slide you can ride down on an inflatable innertube, there's lots of variety of thrill to be had if that it what you're looking for.
There's also a wave pool (called the Surf Pool here), for simulated floating/swimming with a current of sorts. I haven't seen anyone with a surfboard here yet, but it's still a fun part of the water park to be at.
And, the lazy river: probably best experienced with a floater (available for rent) so that you can watch the scenery and the Toshimaen scene pass by as the river takes you for a relaxing water ride with everyone else.
Besides the slides and the Surf Pool, there are other water based attractions in the park that are worth a look. Pools, watery playgrounds, and waterfalls can make for some fun as well as nice photos.
On one occasion, there was a soap bubble party! It was a lot of fun, so indescribable that I can't even begin to find the words to do it justice, so...
The water park operates on a pre-paid wristband system; put as much money you think you'll be spending on the wristband and just use the wristband for food/drink/rentals while you're in the water park. Pretty handy (no pun intended) when you're just wearing swimwear and would have some challenges holding coins and/or keeping yen bills dry.
Toshimaen my favorite among all other water park experiences in and around the Tokyo summer. It's my preferred destination and highly recommend it to you as well. Splash down at Toshimaen water park, by all means!
Recommendations:
- Go with friend(s)! Though I haven't tried going alone, I imagine it would not be as fun as having someone else to chat with and share the thrills and spills of the day.
- Footwear at the water park: optional. Most of the walking surfaces are not too rough/hot, and most are wet from the water, but if you have sensitive feet that might be in pain at the slightest barefoot contact on hot surfaces... bring flip flops or sandals, etc, to use inside of the water park.
- "Must bring" stuff: towel, sunblock (if needed), and a bag/container to hold your wet swimwear in after the day/night fun.
Specifics: Toshimaen Water Park
Duration: Late Jun to early September
Admission: Adults 4000 yen, Children taller than 110cm 3000 yen, Children shorter than 110cm 2000 yen
Location:
