Did the Japan Pavilion get a Refurb?

Voxel

President of Progress City
Original Poster
Intros have never been my forte, but let’s give this a shot. The name is Vox/Vogel (which ever you prefer) and I’m a Passholding Floridian. However despite enjoying the parks on a regular basis, I have not had a proper Vacation in 3/4 years due to personal and family issues. As a result, I have decided to throw caution to the wind and step out of my Comfort Zone. As a Result I’ll be spending the next month exploring Japan and wanted to share my experience with my favorite community. However, before you panic there will be Disney in this blog. I have made time to spend 3 or 4 days galavanting around Tokyo Disneyland Resort.

So without further ado, let us rewind 28 hours to a very cranking and paranoid Vox waking up at 3:40am. After triple checking everything in my house, I finally made it to my Local Space Coast Airport and honestly I was impressed how much they dedicated their selves to the Space Coast Persona. We had models of most of the current and past generation rockets on display along with some left over engines:
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After a quick check in, me and my travel buddy found ourselves ready and waiting at the gate to fly out.
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Since I live in a relatively small town (though we have an international Airport with direct flights to Canada of all places), I found myself flying in to Atlanta like Always. Having time to spare, I found myself wondering around the terminals until I finally made it to my International Terminal. Upon entering the Terminal I was treated by my Dream Car either wishing me luck or telling me to sell everything and buy it. I haven’t deciphered the message yet.
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Finally I was on board my 14 hours flight.. Honestly there isnt’ much to talk about here, if you have been on one international flight you have been on the all. After a small amount of sleep, few meh meals, and a couple of movies later our wheels hit the ground at Narita International Airport. Being my first solo trip out of the country, I was truly concerned with the communication barrier and the process of Custom/Immigrations, however 45 minutes later I was walking out of customs and heading to the Post Office to get my Pocket WiFi (more to come with this).

Heading to the station, I was two options for getting into Tokyo: The Narita Express and the Kensei SKyliner.. However, my mind was quickly made up when I saw the length of the Narita Express Ticket booth, so I turned around and got my ticket from Kensei in 5 minutes and made it to my train with 5 minutes to spare. This rides was my first taste of Japan.. I think I’m gonna like it here.

After 40 minutes we made it to Ueno Station where I easily transferred to the Ginza Line and made the 30 minute trip to my hotel. After checking in, I climbed to my room and took a look at my view for the next 5 days.
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And as I write this a Crowd of Hiroshima Fans are chanting loudly as they make a late game comeback against Tokyo... Oh yea, more on the Pocket WiFi, This has been the biggest issue of my trip so far. The unit I have only seems to work when it’s plugged in, and will cycle off when I unplug the unit. I”m gonna let it charge over night to see if it cleans it self out. If I still have issues in the morning I’m gonna contact Global and see if//how they will fix it.

There you have it. Day 1. (Well technically the first two days for me, but I think ya’ll get the gist). Tomorrow I explore the lands heard my hotel, in practical Meiji Jingu, Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku.

Good night and enjoy.
 

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Ariel1986

Well-Known Member
Oh wow a month! We went to Japan but we only had 5 days. I'd love to go back! It was amazing. Are you going to any other cities other than Tokyo? Can't wait to read about Tokyo Disney either. We had a whirlwind 36 hours for both parks but it was still awesome. Disney Sea is just incredible. Have fun! I'm jealous!
 

Voxel

President of Progress City
Original Poster
Day 2 (Well I guess it’s actually Day 1 being my first full day in Tokyo). It’s just shy of 9:00pm and I am exhausted from today. I might have pushed myself to far but I enjoyed everything about it. Negatives and Positives of Jetlags, I woke up at 2 am Wide awake. However after a bit more sleep, I was out of my hotel room around 5:30am and found myself walking the empty Streets of Tokyo. My first goal of the day is to see the Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park.
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I wasn’t kidding about Empty Streets, in fact I walked by Harajuku twice today: The first time it was empty while the second was around mid-day.
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So I continued my walk until I finally made it to the Meiji Shring.. Let me tell you this. If you find yourself awake at 6am go to the shrines, not only are they gorgeous but they are empty as this time of day. Walking up to the shrine, we first pass a wall of Sake given as tribute every year. I just wish I had this much sake in my house.
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Finally I made found myself at the Shrine:
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Leaving the shrine, I walked around the block I found myself at Yoyogi shrine which while not a tourist destination it had some insight to the Culture. Japan is home to a lot of runners, they run in groups during the morning to achieve their workouts. The love for dogs is amazing also. I have seen more Dogs in this City than I have ever seen in any other City. While it was a quiet park, there was a beautiful city view.
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The next stop of the day was Shinjuku where I found myself in time for the Observatory Opening. Sadly it was a bit cloud so the photos where not the best, so I will try to get a better stock photo later. After making my way down, I made a pit stop at the 2020 Olympics Info booth and got my photo with the two mascots. I am going to try and find them later, they are cute.
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I ended up getting lost in Shinjuku and found this gorgeous side street,
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(Why is this beautiful). Finally, after an hour nap, I found myself going to conveyor belt sushi (Which was a lot of food for the price). Sadly, I seem to forget about my phone during this portion of the trip. I think it was a mix of the exhaustion and the onset of chaffing... I ended my day laying in bed, writing up this report and watching the fireworks for the baseball game.
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Overal, I love Tokyo. It’s only been a day and this opinion might changes, but I love Tokyo. There is something special about this city, it’s well executed and their desire to leave smalll elements of natural all around..

I had a few stumbles today and avoided eating a bit to long out of fear of ordering food however, now that I’ve conquered two dining establishments, I feel like I will do better moving on.

Total Distance Walked 14.9 Miles (Double what I was expected)
Total Steps: 43,962 STeps
Flights Climbed: 38 Floors
 

Voxel

President of Progress City
Original Poster
Looks like I’m falling behind on this thread.. The last few days have been exhausting and I’m wish I was in better shape than I currently am.. That being said, tomorrow is a bit of a lazy day for me and I should be able to catch up. I mean what else am I going to do with Typhoon Jebi. My plan was to Hike Mt Takao but I don’t believe it will happen with the none stop rain.. But who knows.

That being said I was wondering if there is anything in particular you all want to see in my Trip Report. More Detail? Photo?
 

slipperalwaysfits

Well-Known Member
WOW!!! What an awesome view from your room! I love Japan, we lived there for three years! Meiji Shrine was awesome and Harajuku is fascinating! I'm so glad you're exploring and enjoying the city!

ASAKUSA shrine in Tokyo is neat to check out and if you are feeling hungry, go to LA JOLLA in Shibuya....it's some of the best Mexican food I've ever had!
 

Bob

B00b
Premium Member
Looks like I’m falling behind on this thread.. The last few days have been exhausting and I’m wish I was in better shape than I currently am.. That being said, tomorrow is a bit of a lazy day for me and I should be able to catch up. I mean what else am I going to do with Typhoon Jebi. My plan was to Hike Mt Takao but I don’t believe it will happen with the none stop rain.. But who knows.

That being said I was wondering if there is anything in particular you all want to see in my Trip Report. More Detail? Photo?
Photos, please. Stay safe and dry.
 

spacemt354

Chili's
Looks like I’m falling behind on this thread.. The last few days have been exhausting and I’m wish I was in better shape than I currently am.. That being said, tomorrow is a bit of a lazy day for me and I should be able to catch up. I mean what else am I going to do with Typhoon Jebi. My plan was to Hike Mt Takao but I don’t believe it will happen with the none stop rain.. But who knows.

That being said I was wondering if there is anything in particular you all want to see in my Trip Report. More Detail? Photo?
Take your time - more pictures (food, sightseeing, etc) definitely!
 

Voxel

President of Progress City
Original Poster
Good Evening, it’s time for me to play catch up. I’m gonna try to get one or two days completed tonight.. Worst Case I’ll write more in the morning or on the Shinkansen tomorrow (If they are running, silly of me to continue trying to go to an area that was just hit by a Typhoon...)

Day 2, More Adventure Around Tokyo.. Behold the Rain..

It appears that I am still not entirely in sync with the local time, I woke up at 2am this morning and scrolled through my phone for a bit (mainly catching up on @englanddg travel blog) until I was able to fall asleep again. After a bit of a lie in, I finally decided to get up and venture the world of Tokyo for another day. Sadly my attempts to get on the subway before 8am was in vain and I spent the morning learning about Rush how in Tokyo and being stuffed into a subway car. Honestly, while it’s bad, it was not as bad as I was expecting. However due not carry Lugguage with you during this. It takes up too much room and they already look at you strangely if your book bag is big enough.

After a quick ride on the Ginza line and a quick jump to the Asakusa Line, I made it to the Famous Asakusa Shrine. Once again I was early enough to miss out on all of the tourist. (I could go out an experience the nightlife, but being rewards with quiet temples is worth missing out on the party life).
61E56D4A-C13D-4182-B2C9-41CD457C0BC8.jpeg

The streets leading up to the temple are lined with vendors, when I arrived all of the doors were closed. However as I was leaving, stores were starting to open up...
The Shrine itself is quiet gorgeous, and I was able to get a few images of it that I really liked.
0FC2C6A9-96E0-48F6-B258-9CBF2AF39D11.jpeg
B712B4B1-9474-420D-AA7C-BF607E0C25BF.jpeg


After spending an hour walking around to Temple, the rain began and I made my way to 7/11 for breakfast and coffee. Getting my trusty raincoat out, I hopped on the subway against and made my way to the Tokyo Edo Museum. As a Classical Studios Major in college, I have spent a lot of time in and out of museums. I mention that, because honestly this was one of the best executed museums I have ever been in.

The museum starts you off in the beginning of Edo and walks you through the history of the Tokyo/Edo Region through the rise and decline of Edo, and the rise of Tokyo from the ashes when It was the capital. I was memorized and too a photo of everything I could. However I don’t want to bore everyone, so here are some of the highlights.

FCD3D4B5-3DB0-4F7B-9D81-72F3D15F16CE.jpeg
One you get your ticket, you take an elevator to the 6th floor where you are treated by a scale replica of one of the old bridges into Edo. Looking from the side you can see a early building form the 1900s.
B0357173-5BAF-4DC9-B5DD-BCF23A4DF845.jpeg


Through out the museum they have models of history locations, below is an hold shopping towers where you paid to enter and have the privilege to shop.
DEA99CFD-3F74-4331-A80B-0228F10441A7.jpeg


However, I think one of the most moving sections of the museum was seeing the results of WWII on Tokyo.. While I am actively aware of the destruction caused by the A-bombs, I didn’t know about the fire bombs used on Tokyo. According to one America Pilot, the flames of the residential areas burning were bright enough he could read his watch at altitude. Something like 70% of the city burned and honestly it’s boggling that we are allies after that.

What I found even more amazing is how fast this cities rebuilds. It was completely destroyed in the 1920s earthquake and with the help of America and other countries they rebuilt in ten years. Than WWII occurs and once again withint 20 years they are hosting the Olympic. Amazing.. But enough of the Rambling.. The piece that really grabbed my attention was a chunk of metal wrapped by the bombing. Unlike most pieces which were removed and melted down, this piece was left in the roof and used as support for the buildings new roof. IT was rediscovered during the demo process for the building.
157A98FD-2168-40E6-B7CD-520DCE6A160B.jpeg


FInally, I caught sight of one of the first Suburus.
3E08E65E-6AB9-4B77-8C7B-A9E33E63B231.jpeg


After finishing my day at the Tokyo Edo Museum, (spending just shy of three hours there), I caught the Ginza Line to head into Ginza.. However the train I caught seems to be a special edition through back to good ol days.
996494E6-9078-479F-989B-D70370AC58AE.jpeg


I spent the afternoon and evening exploring Ginza. Honestly, it was not for me. It was neat to explore, but I’m glad I didn’t book a room there. It is too “rich” for my blood. I think the neatest part was that they close the street on weekends for foot traffic. But it always means it’’s usually busy on the weekends.
 

englanddg

One Little Spark...
Good Evening, it’s time for me to play catch up. I’m gonna try to get one or two days completed tonight.. Worst Case I’ll write more in the morning or on the Shinkansen tomorrow (If they are running, silly of me to continue trying to go to an area that was just hit by a Typhoon...)

Day 2, More Adventure Around Tokyo.. Behold the Rain..

It appears that I am still not entirely in sync with the local time, I woke up at 2am this morning and scrolled through my phone for a bit (mainly catching up on @englanddg travel blog) until I was able to fall asleep again. After a bit of a lie in, I finally decided to get up and venture the world of Tokyo for another day. Sadly my attempts to get on the subway before 8am was in vain and I spent the morning learning about Rush how in Tokyo and being stuffed into a subway car. Honestly, while it’s bad, it was not as bad as I was expecting. However due not carry Lugguage with you during this. It takes up too much room and they already look at you strangely if your book bag is big enough.

After a quick ride on the Ginza line and a quick jump to the Asakusa Line, I made it to the Famous Asakusa Shrine. Once again I was early enough to miss out on all of the tourist. (I could go out an experience the nightlife, but being rewards with quiet temples is worth missing out on the party life).
View attachment 309535
The streets leading up to the temple are lined with vendors, when I arrived all of the doors were closed. However as I was leaving, stores were starting to open up...
The Shrine itself is quiet gorgeous, and I was able to get a few images of it that I really liked. View attachment 309533View attachment 309534

After spending an hour walking around to Temple, the rain began and I made my way to 7/11 for breakfast and coffee. Getting my trusty raincoat out, I hopped on the subway against and made my way to the Tokyo Edo Museum. As a Classical Studios Major in college, I have spent a lot of time in and out of museums. I mention that, because honestly this was one of the best executed museums I have ever been in.

The museum starts you off in the beginning of Edo and walks you through the history of the Tokyo/Edo Region through the rise and decline of Edo, and the rise of Tokyo from the ashes when It was the capital. I was memorized and too a photo of everything I could. However I don’t want to bore everyone, so here are some of the highlights.

View attachment 309536One you get your ticket, you take an elevator to the 6th floor where you are treated by a scale replica of one of the old bridges into Edo. Looking from the side you can see a early building form the 1900s.
View attachment 309537

Through out the museum they have models of history locations, below is an hold shopping towers where you paid to enter and have the privilege to shop.View attachment 309538

However, I think one of the most moving sections of the museum was seeing the results of WWII on Tokyo.. While I am actively aware of the destruction caused by the A-bombs, I didn’t know about the fire bombs used on Tokyo. According to one America Pilot, the flames of the residential areas burning were bright enough he could read his watch at altitude. Something like 70% of the city burned and honestly it’s boggling that we are allies after that.

What I found even more amazing is how fast this cities rebuilds. It was completely destroyed in the 1920s earthquake and with the help of America and other countries they rebuilt in ten years. Than WWII occurs and once again withint 20 years they are hosting the Olympic. Amazing.. But enough of the Rambling.. The piece that really grabbed my attention was a chunk of metal wrapped by the bombing. Unlike most pieces which were removed and melted down, this piece was left in the roof and used as support for the buildings new roof. IT was rediscovered during the demo process for the building.
View attachment 309539

FInally, I caught sight of one of the first Suburus.
View attachment 309540

After finishing my day at the Tokyo Edo Museum, (spending just shy of three hours there), I caught the Ginza Line to head into Ginza.. However the train I caught seems to be a special edition through back to good ol days.
View attachment 309541

I spent the afternoon and evening exploring Ginza. Honestly, it was not for me. It was neat to explore, but I’m glad I didn’t book a room there. It is too “rich” for my blood. I think the neatest part was that they close the street on weekends for foot traffic. But it always means it’’s usually busy on the weekends.
The firebombs killled / wounded significantly more civilians, and caused far more damage than either nuke.

And, by the late stage war our bombers basically had no resistance, as the Japanese Army was strapped for air resources, fuel and pilots. The nuke bombers, for example, didn’t even have an escort for their runs. They didn’t need them.

It didn’t help that the Zero was largely outclassed at this point, as well. A captured Zero had taught the US that there were two ways to engage to take advantage of flaws in the design. One was that the Zero lost mobility at high speed due to the aerodynamics basically locking up the control planes (which were fly by wire).

The second was a similar “stall” situation the early Spitfire’s suffered from, due to a lack of fuel injection in the carborator. So, moves with inversions or near inversions could actually stall the planes engine.

Another general factor was how lightly armored the plane actually was. The outer skin was basically all it had. And whilst that was in line with what other countries were producing at the time, other countries also had protective plating under the skin in vulnerable areas. The Zero did not.

All of this is why the US started shooting down Zeros in record numbers...and Japan couldn’t keep up. Innovation stalled as they were trying to just replace losses.

I was aware of that, though, but I wish that was explained more in general history courses.

You are so right!
 
Last edited:

Voxel

President of Progress City
Original Poster
The firebombs killled / wounded significantly more civilians, and caused far more damage than either nuke.

And, by the late stage war our bombers basically had no resistance, as the Japanese Army was strapped for air resources, fuel and pilots. The nuke bombers, for example, didn’t even have an escort for their runs. They didn’t need them.

It didn’t help that the Zero was largely outclassed at this point, as well. A captured Zero had taught the US that there were two ways to engage to take advantage of flaws in the design. One was that the Zero lost mobility at high speed due to the aerodynamics basically locking up the control planes (which were fly by wire).

The second was a similar “stall” situation the early Spitfire’s suffered from, due to a lack of fuel injection in the carborator. So, moves with inversions or near inversions could actually stall the planes engine.

The third was how lightly armored the plane actually was. The outer skin was basically all it had. And whilst that was in line with what other countries were producing at the time, other countries also had protective playing under the skin in vulnerable areas. The Zero did not.

All of this is why the US started shooting down Zeros in record numbers...and Japan couldn’t keep up. Innovation stalled as they were trying to just replace losses.

I was aware of that, though, but I wish that was explained more in general history courses.

You are so right!

It’s boggling honestly. I found myself at a lost of words as they had the animations showing how quickly the city burned and the results of the bombing campaigns..

I’ll be honest, though I’m a history buff the era of WWII was never one of interest for me (I tend to consider it more modern politics than history, yes we Classicals Studies Majors can be snooty) I’m slowly realizing how little I know about that period.
 

slipperalwaysfits

Well-Known Member
The Ginza is cool to explore .... but yes, very RICH. o_O I'd rather save my money for Disney! The museum looked fascinating! When we lived there in the 90's, we were absolutely taken aback with how built up everything was. Granted, they'd had 40+years but still, nearly everything was bombed/leveled and now, it's a huge, thriving metropolis again! YES, those trains at rush hour are something else!

Japanese trains at rush hour are absolutely PACKED and you are in there like a sardine and often, you can't even turn another direction because you're packed in so tight. The Japanese people understand and accept this and it's part of the reason they are so polite on the whole. I'm dissapointed that when we go to WDW at the end of a long day, I run into more rude people than nice people and even though it's super crowded and we're all trying to stand on the bus, people seem to need a "huge" personal bubble around them and their family when Large Personal Bubbles aren't really an option that time of day!
 

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