Japan 2019: Drizzling Tokyo & Mount Fuji Viewing

[Film] Tokyo, Pentax Spotmatic, Kodak Colorplus 200

The farthest I've ever travelled to was to Taiwan in 2016. I got to know that one can actually experience snow at Hehuan Shan during the cold season but unfortunately, that graduation trip took place in the summer. Somehow or rather, the universe decided to give me a treat and in December 2019, I got to travel to Japan!

Let's start this 13-day trip with some film photos of my arrival at Tokyo. I brought along my trusty (and rusty) Spotmatic which froze up a couple of times while I was trying to take a shot. I thought it would be a symbolic gesture to bring it along as Japan was it's motherland. However, it's age and body didn't cooperate with the weather and with that, most of my film photos for this trip was taken on my point-and-shoot Canon SXL. Here are a few shots on the Spotmatic when it was still "usable":

[Film] Ichiran Ramen, Tokyo, Pentax Spotmatic, Kodak Colorplus 200

First stop of the night was the must-eat Ichiran Ramen. It was pretty chilly that evening, so having a bowl of rich and savoury broth definitely warmed me up. I'm no ramen connoisseur but what I do know is that this bowl of tonkotsu ramen is really delicious. Would have definitely got myself another bowl if I had extra stomach space. Pudding on the other hand was okay but the flavour might be a little too strong for those that aren't into matcha.

[Film] Hachiko, Shibuya. Japan, Pentax Spotmatic, Kodak Colorplus 200

Before we left the super crowded and busy Shibuya crossing area, I had to capture the legendary Hachiko statue with my frozen Spotmatic. Thank goodness it worked and the photo came out nicely!

Now, to talk about Mount Fuji. It's time I saw the real deal for myself after years of seeing it on the internet and travel shows. I was supposed to see her most magnificent form at Lake Kawaguchi but unfortunately, it was raining when we were there after Owakudani and Gotemba Premium Outlet.

I guess the view from the van taken earlier on would do as a keepsake:

[Film] Owakudani, Hakone, Japan, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200

Owakudani was very memorable as I recalled vividly how the entire cable car was filled with smoke that smelled of rotten eggs as we descended the volcano valley. Ironically, there were special black eggs sold at the on-site cafe where it is said that consuming one kuro-tamago gives you an extra seven years of life. If my memories served me right, I ate two black-shelled eggs, so that meant I got myself an extra 14 years of life! Viva la vida!

This particular day was also my first time seeing Japan in daylight and I fell in love instantly. Here are some of the shots taken at the Hakone Ropeway and Gotemba Premium Outlet. The photos below are such an underrated depiction of what I saw and felt in real life. Mount Fuji was visible at every single location I visited here yet I did not grew tired of her majesty and beauty, such a stunner!

[Film] Gotemba Premium Outlet, Japan, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200

[Film] Lake Kawaguchi, Japan, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200

Since we missed the timing to view Mount Fuji at Lake Kawaguchi, I took the time to buy souvenirs and snacks at the little shop by the lake. After a really good blueberry and vanilla soft-serve (which comes with a super kawaii Mount Fuji-shaped biscuit), I headed back to drizzling Tokyo for dinner at Men-shou Taketora, a local eatery recommended by Marcus, our special tour guide for this trip. I had the Fish Tonkotsu Tsukemen, a "dipping ramen" variety which has a deep flavour and richer broth than the usual ramen. I still preferred ramen over tsukemen but at least I tried both!

[Film] Men-Shou Taketora, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, Canon SXL, Kodak Colorplus 200

Men-Shou Taketora, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

Of course, what is a trip to Japan without shopping at the many drug stores in Tokyo. I did my fair share of "tourist-ing" with my haul of local snacks and Cosme-stamped beauty products. Basically, anything that was cute or unique, it was in my cart for sure.

On a side note, if you are travelling to Tokyo or any other city in Japan, please do not take the last train because that is when everyone squeezes in each compartment (apparently it's a big deal to miss the last train so everyone forces themselves into it), creating human versions of sardines in cans. It was also here, out of so many damn places, that I had insufficient oxygen and fainted.

And with that, let's clap our hands to a "memorable" night in Tokyo.

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Japan 2019: teamLab Borderless & Harajuku

Photos were taken on film camera and by phone. Film photos were taken on the Canon SXL and Pentax Spotmatic with Kodak Colorplus 200.

A water bearer that travels the world through Google Streets when curious and occasionally capture life's moments with analogue cameras. Drives a car named Marco Polo and talks to plants and animals on a daily basis.

Japan 2019: Drizzling Tokyo & Mount Fuji Viewing

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