Kagehashi Japan (Day 10)

Tokyo Fish Market | Cat Cafe

During our last day in Tokyo (sad face), a couple of us woke up bright and early to look at dead fish. Ok, more excitingly, we went to the famous Tokyo Fish Market where fisherman prepare their catch at around 3 in the morning to sell to chefs in the city. By the time we got there, the market was open to normal consumers.

Stalls upon stalls of dead fish carcasses. Definitely not for the feint of heart or seafood haters.

Kagehashi Japan (Day 9) Part I

Meiji Shrine | Harajuku | Okonomiyaki

A scenic route to the Meiji Shrine is where Kagehashi begins its 9th day in Japan, specifically Tokyo. In the middle of the busy city, one can find sanctuary from the bright Eastern sun under the lush canopies near the Shrine. Visitors at the main entrance are greeted with caskets of alcohol on both sides of the walk: Japanese sake on the right and fine French wines fit for an emperor on the left.

Pictured here is the main entrance to the shrine. These gateways are meant to look like the word "kai" in Japanese/Chinese which means open. My tour guide told me that people aren't actually supposed to walk through the big gateway as it's meant to be a door for gods, but even most Japanese people aren't aware of that fact.

Kagehashi Japan (Day 8)

Japanese Cultural Dance | Akihabara | Ramen Cart

The first destination of the day was back to the Japan Foundation for a Japanese dance presentation. The professional performing showed us an example of a male, female and girl dance. He was surprisingly very good as a bouncy teenage girl.

The audience then got to learn one of the dances from him. I volunteered for the "flower blooming along the riverside" dance. The other one had something to do with a love letter and a girl confessing.

After going through a couple museums in Roppangi, we went to Akihabara, the electric and anime city! I was so excited to go there after hearing stories of multistory anime stores and maid cafes! In the above picture, you can see a maid peddling for business. I couldn't take an actual picture with her - I would have to pay oodles for that...

Kagehashi Japan (Day 6)

Chiba University | Parco Department Store

On the sixth day, we visited Chiba University to get a glimpse of student life. Chiba University is the sister school to Rice University, and I noticed some similarities between the two schools. Their campus is also draped in overhanging foliage along the roads. It also has a small charming feel to it. 

A poster calling for students to volunteer in showing Rice University and U. Wisconsin around campus. The students who came were super nice and easy to talk to. We bonded over anime among other thing. 

Kagehashi Japan (Day 2)

Japan Foundation | National Museum | Kappabashi | Asakuza Shrine | Shinjuku Shopping

A healthy breakfast to start the day. I wish we had rice, miso soup and fish available for breakfast in America. I would totally wake up early for that.

I tried naoto (fermented soy beans) for the first time. The taste is neutral but the texture is the interesting part - all plasticy and stringy like cheese. Although I heard it's good for you, I don't think I will be eating it again anytime soon.

Kagehashi Japan (Day 1)

Shinjuku (Hotel, Dining, Arcade)

This summer I am taking part in the JENESYS/ Kakehashi Project - a youth-exchange program between Japan and North America. As part of this trip, a group of 24 students including me will be touring Tokyo and Chiba, and visiting local universities. We were told to keep a blog about our experiences. Because I will be taking pictures of almost every experience, I'll look even more touristy in Japan. (There were times where I had to refrain from taking pics of Japanese vending machines and airline food)

After a grueling 11 hour airplane trip from LAX to Narita International Airport, we were friendly greeted by our host of this trip. It was the first time I had ever had someone holding a sign at the airport - It felt good. Along with Sato-sensei and Mr. Jose Narbona (2 Rice teachers), he will be accompanying us on our entire journey and providing hilarious & honest commentary.

London (Day 4)

Harrod's (Tea Time, Laduree)

On Monday, we started the day off visiting the National Gallery so we woke up super early to make sure there was enough daylight to do everything. There are no pictures from there because you weren't allowed to take photos. Have I already talked about my excitement for being able to recognize many of the paintings in the Gallery?

Afterwards, we took the bus to Knightsbridge and visited Harrod's, Europe's largest department store, chock full of expensive main brand wear. Needless to say, our visit was mostly for the tourist value. The inside was beautiful each brand got their own decorative space. Even the escalator hallway was bejeweled and Egyptian themed.

London (Day 3) - Part I

Old Spitalfields Market | Brick Lane Market

One great thing about staying in Stratford is that we're super close to the East London markets like Brick Lane and Old Spitalfields. The markets were a mixture of antiques, homemade "Etsy" products, clothing and food. It reminded me a lot of the lady streets in China that were booths after booths of fashion.  Except unlike the China, the "bargains" here were still pricy because of the conversion rate. I think everything in England is more expensive than America.

Old Spitalfields Market

CRAZY AUSTIN TRIP - SOCO

Le Artist Starving?

On Saturday we went to South Congress for lunch. It was super packed and the lines for the food trucks were so long - it took about 20 minutes just to get one Carne Guisada taco from Taco Baby. Nevertheless, I was impressed by all the quirky trucks and stores along the street. 

CRAZY AUSTIN TRIP - The Shack

Shirt - Thrifted | Scalloped Shorts - Lucca Couture | Necklace - Chanel | Belt - XXI

Spring break started for my school so my friends and I decided to take a trip to Austin, Texas. To dress for the occasion, I wore a cowboy inspired ensemble...which to me just means a blue jean shirt and black boots!

On the way, we stopped by the Shack for dinner. They had some wild burgers with donuts for buns.

moshi moshi

My favorite kawaii goods store is back in business! Moshi Moshi is a small shop in Chinatown, Houston located next to Tapioca House. I was so surprised by their wide variety of cute stuff at reasonable prices, which are even cheaper than those on the internet. I'm seriously going to make sure that store never goes out of business again - SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!

Some goodies I picked up for myself.

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HOLIDAY LOOT

Hey guys! I just got back from my vacation in Disneyworld and it was a blast! I have pictures and stories to share but that will be in a later longer post. Here are some stuffs I bought over winter break - LET ME SHARE THEM WITH YOU!

I got this super cute sticker set and postcard from the Japanese gift shop at Epcot. Omg I cutegasmed when I went in because of all the Shinzi Katoh items. There was also lots of Sanrio, Totoro and Pokemon goodies.

Necklace, Belt, Shorts by F21 | Hat by Rubi | Boots by Nurture | Leather Jacket by Kenar (thrifted)

Because my cousin is here for break, she and I went shopping almost every day - seriously, we went to like three malls. Also, my dad bought me the Chelsea style boots I've been wanting for a while as a Christmas present!

MAGAZINE ST.

Went exploring a little today in New Orleans while my dad went fishing with his friend. I stumbled upon Magazine Street in uptown Nola. Quite similar to Houston's Montrose area, this street was riddled with thrift stores, boutiques, restaurants and art galleries. I also tried my first Po Boy from New Orleans at Guy's.

My only purchase today is stationary from Box Paper Scissors. This Midori envelope set automatically caught my eye and I'm going to use it on special friends only. The storekeepers were super nice and they gave me a free pencil!

I also stopped by a Goodwill in Covington. The one there had a lot of vintage items but I wasn't expecting to find a 1986 Sanrio trinket box! Holla! It was too cute to pass up and for only a buck too! 

major stationarygasm

Today I went to Rice Village and found this cute little design store called PH. They had lots of stationary, prints, greeting cards and other nifty trinkets. I wanted to buy EVERYTHING in sight but alas, I'm poor and had no use for any of it. I secretly snapped a few pictures with my camera. ;) One day I will decorate my house in this type of stuff.



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