Last Dinner at Ichiran

For my last dinner in Tokyo in 2013, Kyle brought me to the famous ramen shop, Ichiran.

Single counters at Ichiran. You can set aside the dividers if you're dining with friends.

Spicy food is quite uncommon in Japan so being a spicy food-lover, I really love how Ichiran has spicy sauce in their ramen and allows you to customize the amount.

There's already a water dispenser on your counter.

Darn it, I miss Ichiran. I'm craving ramen right now.

Fandom-Driven Tokyo Adventures

This post recounts the last whole day of my 2013 trip to Japan in which Kyle and I went to Ebisu, Akihabara, and Tokyo Tower.

In the morning, we took the train to Shibuya and walked to Ebisu Garden Place. The only reason I wanted to go there is because it's one of the sets of Hana Yori Dango, one of my favorite Japanese drama series.

Domyouji and Tsukushi's meeting place for their first date.

This is where Domyouji and Tsukushi got married.

Actually, while walking to Ebisu, Kyle noticed this Baby The Stars Shine Bright store. It's one of the settings for the Japanese movie, Kamikaze Girls.

Afterwards, we went to Akihabara where we had lunch at the Gundam Cafe. I have been to Akihabara in 2012 but I didn't have the chance to dine at the Gundam Cafe.

After lunch, we went around the shops to buy some Gundam models for my brother and to buy a Kindle for myself.

Later on, we went to Tokyo Tower. 

I first learned about the existence of Tokyo Tower when I was in elementary school and watching Card Captor Sakura. It was used as a setting in that anime series a number of times. I guess visiting Tokyo Tower brought back childhood memories when I'd go home early and watch Card Captor Sakura in the afternoon. 

This is Zojoji Temple as seen from Tokyo Tower. It's one of the settings of the Wolverine movie!
I wish I had realized it was just nearby and I would have visited!

Odaiba as seen from Tokyo Tower.

At this point, I realized how fandom-driven my travels in Tokyo were. Two days prior, I went to Odaiba because of Gundam. One day prior, I went to Roppongi for Harry Potter. That day, I went around Tokyo for Hana Yori Dango, Gundam, and Card Captor Sakura and encountered Kamikaze Girls and Wolverine along the way.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition in Tokyo

A few days before my 2013 trip to Tokyo, I learned that the Harry Potter: The Exhibition was there. It's an international traveling exhibition featuring props, costumes, and sets from the Harry Potter movies. I actually first heard about that exhibition when it was about to move out of Singapore in September 2012. To be honest, I was so tempted to book last-minute tickets to Singapore that time. However, I didn't push through that impulsive plan because even if I had money, it was around the end of the semester and I was really busy with academics and [teaching] work that time so I had to prioritize.

Needless to say, I was really happy that my trip to Tokyo coincided with the Harry Potter exhibition. I mean, what are the chances, right?

The day after I landed in Tokyo, I went to Lawson with my friend Kyle (who is also a fan of Harry Potter) to buy tickets. 

On the day itself, Kyle and I were so excited lol.

Pictures were not allowed inside the exhibit but I was able to snap some photos at the shop (nothing said it wasn't allowed). However, it was really crowded (again, because of the holiday) so I gave up trying to take photos lol. Plus, I was really distracted by all the merchandise.

I seriously wanted a LOT of stuff there like the Marauder's Map, a wand, some Ravenclaw merchandise, and Hermione's necklace during Bill and Fleur's wedding but I had to control myself because I had spent too much on the trip already. However, I still ended up with these:

A postcard set for JPY1100 (around PhP495.00 at that time)

JPY9000 (around PhP4050.00 at that time)

So much for control, I guess. That Time Turner was friggin expensive for something I'm just putting on display but... come on, it's a Time Turner! Kyle, on the other hand, got a wand for JPY5000.

The view from Mori Arts Center in Roppongi where the exhibit was located.

Afterwards, we went back to the Kichijoji area to eat omurice. I had omurice with curry katsu.

After lunch, went around Kichijoji as it's one of Kyle's favorite neighborhoods in Tokyo and I also did some shopping hehe. I guess I enjoyed a lot that I didn't bother taking any photos. Afterwards, Kyle had to go to his part-time job and I went around Inokashira Park but didn't stick around much because it was really hot and humid.

All those trees by the river are sakura trees so they turn pink during spring.
I only know this because I have a few Filipino friends living near Inokashira Park who post photos of this place during spring.

I walked back to Kyle's house and then went out again to visit a local supermarket. For dinner, instead of going out, I made this Japanese-style chicken adobo rice bowl. I paired it with a slightly alcoholic peach drink I found at the supermarket.

Amazing day, I say!