Grateful to sleep in once more, due to our realisation that we couldn’t see any of the things we wanted to in Miyazaki, I got ready and met Linus and beanie downstairs outside of lawsons once more. I was distraught when the entire group decided to follow me op shopping, as honestly I was trying to gate keep it so no one would buy the cool clothes before me. Luckily, or unluckily the first place we went to was selling clothes for the low low price of all of our collective kidneys. Engulfed in their phones anyways, Peter Mike and jason went back to the hotel and the rest of us went onwards. 

As we walked to the next op shop, I suggested we go to an old antique shop run just in the front of a nice old lady’s house. She was very nice and gave us mandarins. She got in very well with Linus given his slight understanding of Japanese and as we bought things, she made us all play rock paper scissors to win free things. Toby and Linus felt guilty buying things from her as she was selling her goods for criminally low prices which made me think they might be cursed. Moving on, we split up as Mr Harry “poor spending habits” quirk and Mr Toby “shiny card addict” richman and the others wanted to check out the Pokémon card store. 

Leaving just Linus beanie and I we walked onwards to more op shops and we were disappointed as everyone we stumbled across was just more of the same overpriced junk. I stumbled across a store I don’t know how to describe other than a ‘stylish trinket store’ where I found some cool wallets that I liked. The clerk was very friendly and cool, he spoke a little English which made communication and jokes a possibility. Pondering the price, I left to decide whether my disintegrating 13 year old wallet need replacing or not, as we went and got some crepes. 

Walking further we made a stop at mister donut for I’m sure you can guess what, where Linus got a Pikachu shaped you can guess what. We then made our way back to this strange little op shop on the second floor of this building, where everything was just as overpriced as the others, but I felt paying full price for what was an almost new shirt wasn’t the end of the world since shirts aren’t usually super expensive new. I had been looking for a purple shirt for the longest time as it’s one of my favourite colours and the lavender shirt, although quite enormous on me looked quite good when tucked in. I purchased it and then went back for the wallet which I decided was worth it in the end. The leather was new and didn’t want to stretch so I wasn’t sure at first, but as I used it and stretched it a bit more, I ended up being quite satisfied with my purchase. 
we walked back to the hotel, but before going to rest, we visited a ‘shrine’ ontop of a shopping centre which had the most beautiful view

Somehow once we got back to the hotel, after what feels like years of Harry trying to get me to watch JJK I finally watched it. Maybe it was because everyone was watching it in my room, and my choices were to watch or enjoy the cold lonesome streets on my own. Although super confusing it was actually really good and we were up till about 1 watching it. 

Recovering from that reel from Harry and beanie yesterday, we all woke up at a much more relaxed 9 o’clock. Meeting downstairs we all got breakfast at lawsons as it was built into the building our hotel was in. We then boarded a train (yes I know) which looked like it belonged in the 1920’s and I got this majestic photo of beanie.

We were headed to Aoshima to the supposed cat island. Completely devoid of cats, the island was quite small yet pretty with strange rock formations in the water that got too slippery for an idiot with a camera to safely traverse. It didn’t stop him. There was a small little market thingy at the front of a shrine, and I saw something that reminded me of the gorgeous and enchanting Natalie hui, hence I had to purchase it. However mine pockets had been run and I was left with mere pence in place of my earlier fortune. The item was by no means expensive, but it defiantly wasn’t worth what I paid for it. The most observation might JUST be able to tell I’m not too happy about it. None the less we walked around the rest of the island, making sure to get my feet soaked in as much water as humanly possible until my shoes are reflectively white from salination. 

Spotting the first burger store in all of Japan, Harry made haste to order his taste of home, so beanie Toby and I joined him. It was a strange place. The man running the store made the strange choice to take individual orders, and complete them before taking the next order, as a result beanie and Harry had finished before I had even ordered, but that’s life I suppose. We thought we had ordered chips with our lunch and while beanie thought he’d stick around for them, I decided to leave with Toby to the next place down the road selling shaved ice cream and stuff. Giving up on his hopes of the chips he wanted, beanie and Harry joined us and we wondered down to the beach where Toby enjoyed shaved ice cream half the size of his head. After playing with a stick for a while we made our way back to the train to head back, but were confused about how to board the platform. To get to platform 2 which was between a fence and a rail, you had to walk ontop of the the tracks and sort of hope a train wasn’t hurling towards you at Mach fuck. We made it back to the hotel and we relaxed for a little before heading to the buffet that Linus had booked us for my birthday. 

We had to jog part of the distance because we were running late, not just because we were stereotypical fat fucks eager to eat, even though we were. We arrived and once again were segregated by race across two tables. The beginning was calm, before Toby decided to order the most random shit like liver and heart. Concerned that the delivery of normal human being food to our table was slowing, due to Toby’s random ass orders, the other 3 of us began a nights long slander against him. Adding to Harry’s frustration, it seemed that the other tabled orders were getting delivered every minute, while we were waiting for ages for our 15 orders of meat to arrive. The real chaos ensued when beanie, the fool, surprised us all with EIGHT BOWLS OF RICE. This was important later because there was an e tea charge for uneaten food, which to Harry and I especially wasn’t a threat until this moment. Tears of laughter erupted on the table as I stole beanies food before he could even finish saying that he might be getting full, and the manager came out to tell us we couldn’t order any more food, much to Toby’s relief as he felt guilty about the rest of us trying to run them into the ground for being foolish enough to let 4 fat white boys into a beef buffet. As we were getting ready to head off. Fear ran through all ours veins as beanie was beginning to admit defeat during his 5th bowl of rice, which he triumphantly worked through in order to redeem himself. 

Day 6 funnily enough began at 6 in the morning. We needed to be checked out by 630 to get to the train station which was a train ride away. We spent some time getting to the JR lines, which are sectioned off, but still apart of most public train stations. We saw our first bullet train arrive, before boarding one ourselves a few minutes later. The train was very quiet, stable and smooth, and most importantly fast. 

This day was genuinely uneventful…. The most interesting thing that happened was that the train stations have lines on the ground that tell you exactly where the doors to each cabin would be, as the trains pull up to the same spot every time. I thought that was cool. 

There was a total of 9 hours on the trains, across 14 hours of total travel across 4 different trains. Most of the time was spent either sleeping, scrolling reels and or listening to music, with the exception of the last train ride which was tarnished by a text conversation with a certain slimy spherical bitch back in Aus who’s name rhymes with ‘fatfuckwhostoobigtofitdownawidealley’

We dismounted the train and much to my delight the train station was less than 100 meters from the front entrance. We checked in and it was a nice feeling to share a room with one of my friends rather than 24 random strangers. We settled in and went out for dinner at the train station. At a nice beef place. I ordered a hot pot kinda think where I cooked my food and it was cool an all, however I was partially envious of the everyone else who ordered something more filling looking. 

As beanie rushed off to the hotel to deal with the damage his curry was dealing to him, the rest of us got some snacks and dessert at Lawsons. I took some time in reception away from everyone else so I could talk on call with my baby for the first time and it was by far the highlight of my day. We then went back to Harry’s and my room to chill for a while. The moment the clock struck 12 beanie and Harry simultaneously sent me quite a disturbing Instagram reel which was apparently meant to congratulate me for my birthday…. It was definitely time for some sleep

Day 5 began like the others. It was an early morning and we all met up before taking the train once again to shibuya to get our JR passes, it was mostly uneventful except for a few extra steps in the wrong direction as we all looked for the ticket office. We were early so we beat the crowds and got the tickets fairly quickly. We then made our way to the main section of shibuya. I’ll preface now that I didn’t get any photos of this day, as it was pretty laid back and un eventful. A bit more familiar with Tokyo now, we quickly found our way to 109 tower were we were going to meet some school friends who were also visiting. Some time passes and along come Felicia and Aarna. Our interaction was brief before we all formed groups that split up. Eager to get some Pokémon cards, most of the group went on, leaving just beanie, Felicia and I to go op shopping. 

In our previous shopping experience in Tokyo, we discovered that thrifting is more of a style than cheep clothing outlet, and so prices were high. In our last adventure we found this amazing place that sold really cool clothing for prices we had come to expect from back home. It was out of the main area and so our logic was that if we went walking out of the city centre, we’d find some cheaper clothing. Long story short, we spent the next 4 hour walking around, visiting op shop and op shop with no success. With sore feet, Felicia wanted a break, and Beanie wanted some food, however now in a familiar looking place, I suggested we keep walking just a little further. We sat at a bench and had some sushi triangle thingies and just talked for a while, before moving on to my beloved thrift store which was just up the road. 

I loved that place. The young lady with great music taste was always super nice, and the 3 of us spent hours looking at, and trying on different clothes. Beanie made some very cool clothing suggestions handing me clothes which I was very interested in, but was unfortunately too white and large for. Felicia made some suggestions which…. Where definitely interesting too…. Her interests seemed to be more fixated on much more comfortable, and publicly indecent night wear, such as a night gown befitting of Norma Desmond. 

Both unable to, or unwilling to take on either recommended articles of clothing from my accomplices, I decided to purchase what I thought was a very stylish red button up shirt, while beanie got some nice jeans. Noticing our satisfaction, the store clerk pulled out a digital camera, perhaps to display for social media or something. 

We all decided to meet up with the other, however Harry and Toby had gone home by this point. The others thought they’d do the same, until they were persuaded by mine and Felicia’s extremely eager suggestion of karaoke. While we waited for them we went exploring the local area for a karaoke location. 

We all finally met up and put our “skills” to the test and while Felicia and Peter were about to crawl out of their skin at the prospect of singing some random ass Japanese songs no one has ever heard in their lives, the other seemed captivated by the promise of “free drinks” which ironically came with a much more expensive karaoke package. 

After finishing up, we payed and headed outside, and a glance at Felicia holding Peter made me realise just how much I was missing my beautiful girlfriend back home. From there we took the train back and the rest of the night was fairly laid back. We all got food from the family mart and found Harry and Toby with their blanket of Pokémon cards thick enough to cover the entirety of the two tables they were occupying. 

yeah all the photos for this post are kinda random I didn’t get many…

The day began at 730. Linus was pushing for us to role back our wake up times in order to prepare for the coming days, aswell as to maximise the day. Ready to leave at 830, the group waited on a certain member to emerge from their infinite slumber. Pool games were played, clash Royale games won and thrown, reels mindlessly scrolled. Then came Mike. Anger. Anger erupted like Pompeii everyone wondering where he was. It turned out a shower and hair routine were in order. With the hair looking schmick and our bellies empty we began towards the train station and searched for the train that would take us to endoshima. Many train rides later, and some feuds between beanie and Toby about which platforms to take, we finally arrived at our destination. 

Across two bridges lied an island, covered in trees with I giant viewing tower at the top. The entire island was connected through one very very small street about 3 meters wide and covered in tourist traps, and more frustratingly, tourists. Slow annoying tourists. Tourists whom were inferior to us in every conceivable way because I said so. After taking some photos and walking around we queued up for a ticket into a cool cave with some stuff to look at. The cave was small and had some water leaks which were cool, but caused me some concern for the safety of my camera which was hanging from my neck. The small caverns forced us to crouch down to get to the little tribute at the end, and at the end of one of the caves lied a dragon statue which played thunder when you clapped your hands together. Much to my disappoint, continuous clapping yielded no more thunder. We then left the cave and go started on some food as some of us were hungry. 

The group decided on either a tea shop or a sea food restaurant. Too hungry for tea, I decided to go to the seafood restaurant with Harry Mike and Toby. Not yet feeling as adventurous as Toby, I decided to get a cheep icecream for lunch, while Toby chose to go for the cooked sea snails and raw fish. None of the waitresses spoke a lick of English so moments were awkward and extremely confusing at times, but all was well in the end. We then regrouped with the others and went to a beautiful light garden thingy with lots of beautiful structures. Simon and Mike decided not to pay the entrance fee and waited outside for about an hour, while we went up the tower and admired the outstanding view of the area.

We decided to split up as by sunset some of us wanted to go home and some wanted to continue exploring a nearby temple shrine thingy. Us white boys all went walking to the shrine, but soon discovered it was a bit creepy and closed. With some confusion and conflicts with suggested tours back to the hostel, we eventually found our way onto a cool monorail, which would’ve provided a very cool view I bet, had there been some light. Afterward we boarded another train, but when asking Toby for our progress we discovered that we were on the wrong line. We divided to get off the train, but in a cinematic moment, Toby was trapped inside, with the rest of us outside. Now separated, we continued to communicate over Instagram and eventually we all found our way home.

Hungry from our adventures, beanie Harry and I ventured to get some sushi, and eager for somewhat of a taste of home, we got some tuna sushi, only when we got back and ate said sushi we had discovered that we had actually ordered 4 packets of fermented bean sushi. Feeling absolutely betrayed and disgusted with the atrocity that had been committed against us, we went down to the shops and got some more food, while gaslighting the rest of the group that the food we were offering them WAS in fact tuna sushi and waiting for their reactions. 

Day 3 was in many ways less eventful than the past two. The day began with me accidentally blasting my balls with water as I struggle to figure out the stereotypical Japanese toilet. After getting dressed and ready, I went to the local family mart to get some white person food aka tuna sushi and then ate it upstairs with everyone else. We made our way to a minibus we had booked for the day which I thought would just be an hour at most……. 4 hour later.. with an ass stiffer than Harry mood, we arrived at or destination. Before exploring the Fujiyoshida sengen shrine, we decided it was time for some food as some of us hadn’t had breakfast and it was now 1. With all the exotic choices of food, I decided to broaden my mind and try something I couldn’t get anywhere outside of Japan. Some French fries. We enjoyed our food in a little hidden section of the place we were eating which was very cozy and nice. Concerned that we needed to use our time effectively before we left, Toby Mike Simon and I left the others to go look at the main attraction and capture some photos.

After some time the others joined us and we began our ascent up the mountain, how we waiting to avoid the hundreds of people climbing the small narrow stairs leading to the main shrine, I suggested we take some side paths that slowly led us up the mountain with almost no other tourists. The views were very nice but there were more to come. Back in the main area now, we climbed up to a small outlook where I ask some English speaking tourists to take a photo of us all. Don’t get me wrong, I was very grateful for them taking time out of their day to take a group photo of us either the  “heaviest camera [he’d] ever held”… however I don’t think I could exaggerate enough how horrific this photo was… I don’t think it could’ve been much worse if he tried. Regardless, Toby and I were keen to keep tracking up the mountain where other tourist feared to tread. With the impending lack of time in our minds, we went onwards with haste, bet kept getting held up by the rest of the group. After about 20 minutes we reached turtle rock which only vaguely resembled a turtle, and the rest of the group was wanting to stop. Beanie Toby and I wanted to go onwards, believe we were close to the peak, and so we told the group we’d be back in a mere 5 minutes. 10 minutes later we discovered a small sign and a local telling us we were 5 minutes from the peak and so we excitedly and hastily trekked onward to the top. 

My photo:

Not my photo:

Once we arrived, I couldn’t believe the view. The hike which had been completely encompassed by trees now led to a view unobstructed, showing us the beautiful town below, alongside mountains Fuji, which was unfortunately hidden by clouds. Admiring the best view I’ve seen in my life, I got to work with my camera, which despite capturing an incredible image, could never convey the beauty I was experiencing. After some quick photos we had time concerns in mind and made our way back down to the others. Now at the bottom, it was clear some of us were hungry and out of energy, which was further reflected in the quiet and sleepy drive back to our hostel. Once regrouped upstairs, we prepared for a long 20 minute walk of wondering and looking for a place to eat. 15 seconds into our 20 minute walk, we decided to go to the local place 30 meters from where we are staying and spent the remaining 19 minutes and 45 seconds ordering food from a single iPad which had no English at all despite having chosen the English menu. When our food arrived, we all learned how much we all loved gyozas, as each one of us on average had a plate of about 10. Being gyoza festival, Each person was given a free gyoza voucher, and we calculated we’d be able to topple the Tokyo gyoza economy with the 72 free gyozas we’d have gotten from the vouchers. 

Day two started with blood nose. The frustrating event caused me to be late to meet everyone in the communal area at 9. A problem that wouldn’t cause much trouble given mikes ability to neglect all plans and sleep till 930, only showing up another 15 minutes after that. The day began with us all (eventually) leaving the hostel and getting some food at Shibuya. Boarding 3 different trains we found ourselves at the iconic intersection, however instead of taking photos we decided to head to a small cafe for breakfast. They didn’t sell much but what they did sell was delicious. Almost the entire group, myself included ordered the French toast which came with some whipped cream with almond. After playing some clash with Harry we all packed up and decided to split up. 

Harry Toby beanie and I split went as a group and the others had their own adventure. We slowly began making way for a shrine which was not too far away. The walk led us down lots of roads, bridges alleys and more. One alley we went down was explosive with tourist trap businesses trying to sell nothing but overpriced junk, and when a fluent English speaking sales man reached out and said hello and began harassing us to have a look at what he had for sale I learned and important lesson; if you’re on the street and THEY speak English, then I speak German. The problem solves itself. Lying between us and the shrine was a train station, or a giant detour. Thinking we out witted the system we decided to touch on with our cards and go through the train station, thinking no fare would be deducted since we never went anywhere. We were wrong… none the less we made our way through the beautiful shrine/massive garden and I bored beanie Harry and Toby to death with all the photos I wanted to take. There were lots of cool things to see like giant arches, carts with beautifully artistic displayed food and more. Eventually we found a nice patch of grass the sit down and sleep on, and through lots of walking we found our way out to a more public park where Toby and I purchased some balls to kick around.

Night was arriving and we still had time to kill before meeting up with the others for dinner, so we did some exploring in the city along side some attempted shopping. I was drawn to many thrift shops, however learnt in seconds that thrift shops in Tokyo are more of a fashion label rather than a place to get second hand clothes, as some of the prices were almost what I’d expect of new clothing. We decided to continue our way to the rest of the group but found another thrift store. We thought we’d be quick, but I found the coolest jacket I’ve ever seen in my whole life for just $4500 yen very happy with my purchase we found the others and discussed plans. Beanie Linus and Peter decided it was booze o’clock while the rest of us went off for some dinner. Toby had his eyes set on some ramen, that had us joining a 33 group queue online before we could enter. Although moving fast at first, it came to a complete halt after about 15 minutes. Not wanting to go, I convinced Toby and the others that the line wasn’t moving, and we’d be wasting another hour if we sat around waiting to be served. After 31k steps we all had felt pretty defeated and took the 40 minute voyage back the hostel. When we got there we all got some “dinner” at the local family mart and hung around playing pool.