Japan: Shin-Urayasu shopping complex 2012-01-24

Another snowy day, another adventure around Shin-Urayasu!

This time around my friend Mao and I explored a shopping complex that had a big display of goofy gifts. See for yourself!

Poop chocolate, anyone?

Japan: Snow day drinks in Shin-Urayasu 2012-01-23

Homemade omurice, a Japanese home cooking staple!

While I've yet to actually try it in a restaurant (though they do exist), it's a simple dish of fried rice seasoned with ketchup and a soft egg omelette draped on top. I had mine with some broccoli and a big old cup of coffee to power myself through the day!

I had plans to meet with friends for a drink after work in Shin-Urayasu~

Construction at Ikspiari, across the street from Tokyo Disney Sea.

Japan: Mamachari & Shin-Urayasu shopping complex

Oh, Soft Bank, with your adorable doggy mascot, bravely setting paw where no pup has stepped before.

While I meandered around the shopping center quite a bit, I actually came with a singular goal in mind:

ママチャリですよ！

Ah, my sweet Mamachari. I had that bike for the rest of my stay in Japan all the way up until the day I left, at which point it was handed down to my coworker Jason who lived a few blocks away. 

The bike cost roughly ¥10,000 and some change, about $100US, which is pretty reasonable. With the basket, the bell, and the price, it was a great find that would make my life so much easier. Many a grocery trip ended with the basket stuffed full of veggies and bags dangling off the bars. What I didn't realize is that I had just purchased the two-wheeled equivalent to a minivan, usually owned by mothers who need to get around with baby in tow. Womp womp.

Honestly though, it was my first breath of true freedom here, allowing me to cruise all around the town like a bat out of hell. 

While I had to wait for the bicycle shop employee to process all the paperwork and prepare the bike for me, I took the time to continue browsing the enormous entertainment/shopping center.

Japan: Toyouke Shrine in Urayasu

Japan is an old country, especially compared to a newcomer like the United States. As such, there's a lot of history to accommodate in a relatively small space. Appreciably, they try to conserve this history whenever possible, meaning that your liable to stumble into multiple unexpected temples throughout the cities.  Surrounded by all the modern trappings you can still readily find your zen zone.

Toyouke shrine, in the Nekozane area of Urayasu, is a beautiful structure and integral part of the cultural heritage of the area. Every four years there's a huge festival in the town called the Urayasu Sanja Matsuri, which includes Toyouke shrine among the three celebrated. 

All was quiet when I visited this time, but I was lucky enough to catch the Sanja Matsuri in 2012!

Here's hoping I can catch the next one in 2016~

Japan: Grey day in Urayasu

Hailing from the desert, rainy days are a favorite of mine. 

There's no shortage of rainfall in Japan, which bodes well for my affinity for precipitation.

Japan: Day to day vibes 2011-11-30

More meanderings around my neighborhood in Urayasu-shi, Japan. 

Photo diary~

Japan: Doggy basket 2012-11-24

Spotted these two at Inagekaigan station and found them too adorable not to photograph! 

Sweet little old puppy waiting patiently for his pop pop. ^_^

Japan: Urayasu Sanpo 2012-11-05

A little slice of my daily life living in Japan…from eclectic decorations to tiny doors.

Japan: Bridge to Tokyo 2012-10-07

Urayasu station was one of the three train stations within walking distance from my residence. Normally I would take the trains into the city, but on this day I had to run an errand to the Arribas offices, located just across the bridge from Urayasu station in another burg of Tokyo. 

I could bike to the corporate offices in about 15 minutes or so from my apartment. :) 

I was quite fond of those wedge boots I picked up… I still have them, too!

^_^

Japan: Relaxing day off in Urayasu~ 2012-09-27

Sunset on my street. 

Japan: Urayasu sanpo 2012-09-14

Sanpo, or osanpo, is Japanese for taking a casual, pleasant stroll. 

I'm quite fond of the word, so I like to use it when referring to my walks. ^_^

This charming little abode was tucked away along a quiet residential street in Urayasu. 

My friend Zoltan, his sister and I were walking to Urayasu station to head into Tokyo to visit Mori tower and show his sister around. :) It was also a bit of a prolonged birthday celebration, which I've previously touched on in this post. This post and tomorrow's will be focused on sharing photos of the outings!

Japan: Maihama Sunset 2012-07-17 日本語も

Walking home from work many nights, I'd pass along Maihama station.

Maihama station is the official Disney resort station for the Tokyo Disney parks with busses and taxis available to take guests to their points of destination (be it the park or a nearby hotel), so it's usually quite the bustling hub of activity. I could catch one of the many busses that left the station for nearby neighborhoods but they were often crowded with a long queue as Maihama is also a popular residential area for young families. As someone who finds unwinding in quiet optimal for relaxing after a long day, the walks home were generally my preferred route. What better way to get to know my neighborhood and the little joys of life in Japan?

毎日仕事から帰りましたおさんぽする。舞浜駅はデズニーレソートーの一番となりだから人が多いです。バースとタクシーがあるでもおさんぽがいいね？ママチャリもいいね！「笑」

Japan: Snowy Valentine's 2014-02-14

On Valentine's night Tokyo got hit with quite the snow storm…