Tokyo Days (III)

***Listen to this***

Youkoso!!! (Japanese for welcome) to the last part of the trilogy Tokyo Days :D

Tokyo Days (III)

Jumping right in it, today I want to write about one of my best experiences in Japan so far: nature.

One day after class I decided to visit a nice traditional Japanese garden, so I started searching for some nice ones. I was torn between two, specially, but little did I know that I would have the chance to visit them both days later :D

So first, I finally choose the most well-known garden, called Rikugien. At around 2pm I took my umbrella and stopped at the basement of the mall to buy a bento box (set of nice varied food) and some onigiri (rice balls), then, I headed for the train. After 40 minutes or so I arrived to the destination station and walked to the gardens.

When I saw the entrance gate I already felt it would be great.

Although the day was gray and it started raining shortly after entering, the place was stunning. You can really tell they arrange everything in a certain aesthetic way.

I let myself get lost in that oasis in the middle of busy Tokyo until around 5pm...

(The pictures are not as good as they should, sorry!)

I decided to eat lunch on this bench. I was completely alone the whole time and it was great. Shortly after an insect came and it freaked the shit out of me (insects here are HUGE)

After walking for a while I found this little place where you can have a drink and some wagashi (traditional Japanese confectionery)

I chilled under the rain with my hot matcha tea and delicious anko filled wagashi <3 Happy times

This little place is heaven

There weren't many people so it was even more peaceful. A boy was drawing, a coupled of old people were taking a walk... The gardens close at 5pm so when I came out it was already closed if people wanted to go in. It was a day in which I could feel some pressure in my head, but it totally evaporated while in here, it is definitely one of my happy places. 

Going back to the station, after that I met with friends to go eat okonomiyaki :D

So days passed and I finished my classes and graduated!

Homework is OK with a view

Graduation day!

After that I spend a few days off around basically roaming around wherever I wanted. I actually had time to spend in places :3

Spent a whole morning looking for and selecting manga

I don't know what this is but Japan is cute things land

Night spent roaming around with C are a fond memory. Half confused half excited, I was truly happy. This is in Shinjuku:

We liked Shinjuku a lot!

Hi from Shinjuku

The red light district

I was so impressed by seeing 5 (!!!!!) vending machines together!!! There's at least one in every street, but this!?? I miss them

The last day I met with my host sister, we had to cancel our plans to go where we wanted to go, but I suggested to go somewhere else... Kiyosumi gardens! The other gardens I wanted to visit. It was a gorgeous day and we couldn't stop saying: "So pretty! So pretty!".

Ittekimasu! (Going out) In the entrance of the residence about to have a wonderful day

I took so many pictures of streets in Japan... They are just that charming

 Now, to what probably are the prettiest pictures I took while in Tokyo:

Many trees had a tag with them telling you the kind of tree it is. Also, can you see some waves in the water? That's because it had the BIGGEST fish in there!!!!!!! THEY LOOKED LIKE DRAGONS NOT EVEN JOKING. There were also super cute turtles in there, we got to see a turtle family.

Hello, cutie

After that, we went to Akihabara to take PuriKura and later she took me to this great and famous raw fish market area called Tsukiji for dinner. I had the most fancy and delicious dinner.

PuriKura with N, we are maids! >u<

More PuriKura with N, we are school girls, Sailor Moon uniform ;)

In the restaurant, the environment was great and the service was the most exceptional I've ever gotten to experience

After this, my last day in Tokyo arrived. I was definitely feeling down thinking it was my last day, but I was decided to smile through it and have a great time, hopefully I would forget about it!

Not a good morning when it's your last morning :(

After C's classes, I went to pick her up at the academy, we were going to spend the rest of the day together. 

In this picture I'm trying to take a selfie with Mount Fuji (behind), it's the first and only time I got to see it. Everyone was making fun of me x)

 We took off to look for my tea time sweet and beverage :P

We ended up in the Daikanyama area.

HIGHWAYS ARE A NEW WORLD TO ME

C looking as cool as ever

Welcome to Tokyo!

Prettythings.com

Transcription: Orinpikku ga ta Tokyo ni yattekuru (Coming for the Tokyo Olympics!) Totally will :P

When it was already night we went to a souvenir shop that was huuuuge! Way to Omotesando, a fashionable area with brand shops like Chanel, Louis Vuitton... you get the idea (not as high-end as Ginza, though).

A wedding church

Omotesando streets

I wanted all of these

And these

After that, we went back to Shibuya for dinner and when in the station said farewell to each other. That, was when everything came up out from inside me and when trying to said goodbye tears started flowing, nooo!! I kept my whole train trip to the residence trying to hold myself back but I was so sad  I couldn't help it.

Last night in Tokyo feels

That night I rebelled and went to the konbini (convenience store), bought all the sweets I hadn't tried, and ate some. After getting my suitcase ready at around 5am i went down the hall and sat down alone in the dark refusing to sleep x) I didn't want the day to ever change!

Outside the station back to the residence

:'(

Ready to go

Airport grounds

That's it folks

Game over

Already on the plane, the weather fits my mood

stOP GOING AWAY

My first stop was Beijing. Spent there from 5pm to 1am, very boring honestly

Peking airport

Hello from Beijing

Chillin'

Bored, so bored

This airport was deserted and was kinda creepy

FINALLY GOING TO THE EMBARK DOOR

Not comfortable. Air China is not comfortable.

Hours later we stopped in Vienna. Vienna airport was the worst so far but I got to see the sunrise. It was red and I loved it.

And then, the sun came up from Vienna

"...This trip was special because of you."

And thus, September came to an end.

I got to Barcelona from Vienna and went home. My trip had finished, and although I was feeling down another part of me was happy and excited to think about everything that had happened during those days spent in Tokyo. I met so many wonderful, open-minded people that I know for sure that I will love reuniting with and it will be as nice as the same day we met. I got to see so many new, exciting, funny, beautiful... all kinds of places! The best was sharing it with them and experiencing together, I felt so comfortable and accepted I can't believe it. I'm very happy I got to meet everyone I met. Now, though, I miss them a lot. I miss walking around following Google Maps, and simply walking around when we couldn't. Singing the Evangelion opening in the Karaoke, getting all excited everyday (even at the konbini), meeting at Hachiko... With C we walked the longest time, I had never met someone who didn't get tired of walking with me and could walk for hours without complaining about being tired  or wanting to take public transport. Those moments of quiet looking around and discovering gave me the time I needed to process all the incoming new information and aided me to reaffirm my thoughts.  R showed me the coolest places and she was so welcoming and fun I miss her a lot. N is my Japanese big sister. 

I feel so, so lucky to have been able to live this... It will never be repeated, but I am so glad it happened. I left Japan with the best experiences and the best people I could have ever met behind. After being lost for so long I feel so blessed to know my place. 

This trip is, definitely, one of my favourite memories of life so far and one of the most special. I love everybody and everywhere so much I can't contain it. When I think about it, I feel all warm and fuzzy and smile inside.

Japan is beautiful, but now is even more special to me and I can't wait to go back, and hopefully see everyone again. I feel loved.

There are still so many places to go, so many things to see, but I'm so blissful to be able to say that I lived it to the fullest! I just can say thank you. 

By now, I'll keep on keeping and enjoying what is here, but eventually, I'll stop and you will come to my mind, Japan, I'll look up, shake my head with a smile and retake my walking. I am looking forward to the next time.

Thanks for reading,

See you soon,

Onwards.

B.

PS: I leave you with, probably, my favourite picture. It gives off a special feeling, that's because it was a special moment.