The freezing Winter has pretty much come to a close but still have a few photo walk posts from the Japan in the Winter series.
Today we take a gander around the Yokohama area which is only 30 mins or so from Tokyo by train.
Yokohama in the Winter
Yokohama is the capital city of the Kanagawa Prefecture and is located next to Tokyo. The population is about 3.6 million and the amount of registered gaijin-san is about 75,000.
For more than 200 years, Japan went through a period of seclusion where it was forbidden for any Japanese to leave Japan. Trading and communications with the outside world was also forbidden.
In 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry arrived at Yokohama with a fleet of American warships requesting that Japan open up its ports for trading. The Tokugawa shogunate agreed by signing the Treaty of Peace and Amity. Since then, Yokohama has developed to be one of Japan's major ports.
The easiest way to get to Yokohama would be on the Toyoko-line from Shibuya station.
"Taking up skirt photos is a crime"
Posters like these can be seen all over train stations in Japan. Is this a problem where you are too?
Posters like these can be seen all over train stations in Japan. Is this a problem where you are too?
This is where you buy your train tickets. Check the destination on the huge map and then buy the ticket that corresponds to the price shown under the destination.
While signs on the trains and in the train stations are also in English, many of these maps are only in Japanese. In this case all you need to do is buy the cheapest fare and pay the difference when you reach your destination.
While signs on the trains and in the train stations are also in English, many of these maps are only in Japanese. In this case all you need to do is buy the cheapest fare and pay the difference when you reach your destination.
Naruto teams up with the Red Cross Society and asks us to donate blood.
West side of Yokohama station.
Yodobashi Yokohama - a one stop for all your electronic needs.
WiMAX - one of the broadband WiFi solution providers. You can get very high speeds of broadband Internets through mobile devices in Japan - so much so that many people dont bother in getting their house wired up anymore.
The WiMAX speeds are about 40Mbps down which is not as fast as the Optic fiber but still good enough for most needs.
The WiMAX speeds are about 40Mbps down which is not as fast as the Optic fiber but still good enough for most needs.
Have seen these on the market but have wondered about them - they enable you to use your smart phone with gloves on. My leather gloves seem to work fine when using my mobile touch devices though.
iPad mini looks great - but I went for the Nexus 7 instead. Photos taken just need to upload ><
Yodobashi also has a hobby section so you can fill some of your otaku needs too. Here we have Mirai Nendoroid - thanks to all who bought one!
Mirai Nendoroid (271) gets added to the history of Nendoroid list for eternity ^o^
The huge Gacha section at yodobashi. Very dangerous place for doll owners as there are a load of 1/3 scale goodies - and then some which kinda look 1/3 scale but you dont know until you buy ^^;
For folks who like old men in young girls clothes.
Underground shopping area which connects Yokohama station with Yodobashi Camera.
Volks Yokohama - for your doll and figure needs.
Mirai Nendoroid poster by the entrance of the Volks store ^o^
Taito Station have a whole floor dedicated to otaku and anime goodies.
K-ON! still going strong.
Yamada!
Figures for you - but only if your UFO Catcher skills are up to scratch.
Should have picked one up - just the right size for dolls ^^;
Sayonara Santa.
Tokyu Hands Yokohama - another place you need to stop off at that covers a wide variety of lifestyle goods.
A makeshift blood donation van asking you for your juices.
Animate Yokohama can be found on the Eastern side of Yokohama.
The huge department store Sogo.
Soon.
Fresh Sashimi. Many are discounted near store closing time.
Heading to the "Landmark Tower" located near Sakuragicho station which is 1 station away from Yokohama. You can walk it from Yokohama though.
Time to head up to the observation deck of the Landmark Tower.
Entrance fee for the observation deck (Sky Garden) is 1000 yen.
You may want to go on a weekday - not a lot of people to queue behind.
Lovely views of Yokohama all round.
And thats it for today! A list of the Japan in the Winter photo posts below.
And a list of Japan in the Summer posts listed up below.
And if you are looking for a list of places to visit...
