A Tokyo New Years

AKEMASHITE OMEDETTO GOZAIMASU!

On New Years Eve Michelle and I decided to go to Meiji Shrine in Harajuku, Tokyo...We waited in line with the other thousands of people and we thought we were going to die from the cold...We waited for three hours in the freezing cold just go walk up to the shrine, clap our hands twice, chuck all of the coins we had in our wallets, and watch a man bang a huge taiko drum. It was an interesting night to say the least, and at least we can say that we were at Meiji shrine on new years...but we both agreed that it wasn't something we would ever want to do again. haha. following the shrine there was a huge festival going on, i ate soba noodles because i couldn't imagine a new years eve without eating soba...it wasn't as good as grandmas though!










on new years day, michelle, kiyo, and i went to check out yokohama!! i LOVE yokohama...it was so beautiful and futuristic looking! we got to ride the world's fastest elevator in japan's largest building, landmark tower. the view from the top was breathtaking!









Yokohama-Chinatown






That night, as we headed back to Michelle's place from Yokohama I got a call from Jake! He was in Japan because he performed on the red and white show on new years eve :) I met him the next morning for breakfast...so exciting! haha.



Later that day my friend Sara from Iwaki came to join me in tokyo...she, michelle, and i went to tokyo tower and had dinner in shibuya! good times!!!








the next day i left for hong kong, but we spent the morning at ueno zoo :) i love pandas...

AWESOME START TO 2007...so here's to wishing the rest of the year is just as good :)