nateniale's travels

{ Japan April 2010 - Day 5 - Yokohama } After spending the last few days all around Tokyo - Shinjuku , Roppongi Hills , Shibuya , Central Tokyo and Odaiba - we decided that it was time to visit the Japan's second largest city, Yokohama. We spent some time walking around Minato Mirai before going to Chinatown for dinner. Walk around Minato Mirai Minato Mirai 's full name is Minato Mirai 21 ( みなとみらい21 ) which means Future Harbour 21. The 21 in the name indicates the 21st century. It was built on reclaimed land and housed Japan's tallest building, Landmark Tower. We took a walk around the area, starting from Minato Mirai Station. Right outside the station was Cosmo World with a large ferris wheel. The ferris wheel which doubled as a clock is the tallest in Japan with 112.5 metres in height. Personally, I prefer this type of ferris wheel compared to the Singapore Flyer in Singapore ( click here for the photos ). The amusement park looked pretty big with lots of rides...

It was hard to believe that Japan is a country in Asia and only 7 hours away on the flight from Singapore. It was extremely different from all the Asian countries that I have been to - no, make that all the countries that I have been to. Japan is a land of contradictions.... Ancient temples and huge amazing gardens in the midst of modern skyscrapers Traditional wedding in Meiji Shrine with the bride in full fledged kimono and ladies in cosplay costumes right outside the shrine in Harajuku Clean streets and yet it was difficult to find rubbish bins (apparently Japanese will keep their rubbish in their bags till they see a rubbish bin!) Separating rubbish by combustible, non-combustible, plastic bottles, cans and papers while using lots of papers, ribbons and packaging materials for gifts and decorations. Young man purchased a fortune from a shrine and tied it to a frame with the rest of the paper fortunes, and walked away using all the gadgets and gizmos imaginable Modern anime an...