This is not a drill. My local Hmart has real Japanese gachapon! Not just the US branded toys. Woo hoo!!!

Oh no. I seem to have picked up the wrong zodiac animal for this year.

Catching up on gacha pix. I’d have to look up my totals so maybe next time but these were from Thursday. Do you like the stand? Trip day 34/52: 14

Really decohome, Christmas jazz? Already???

Dropped by the Kenelestands in Ueno station last night — there are two now! One at the Ginza line and one at the JR station! Also got 1 at the Nihombashi information center. I now have 3 that record voice memos! Trip day 26/52 (halfway!): 11 Trip opened total: 71 Unopened: 66

Ah it was 76F/24C today so of course I saw people outside in a park in sweaters and hoodies. Guess it’s officially fall, y’all 😜 I don’t get Tokyoites.

Backlog: Takadanobaba station/Gashacoco near Ikebukuro Station The train station (upper right) is by first one that requires batteries (not provided) but apparently it powers a whole set if I collect them? 🧐 Trip day 9: 9 Opened total: 60 Unopened (yesterday): 66

The capsule thing kinda looks like a Ferris wheel car and we went on a Ferris wheel right after that.

Backlog Gach-ing! On my birthday I caught a few passing Tennoji station in Osaka. The left is a capsule meant for displaying your prized gachapon (they can stack), on the right the record player can record two messages! Trip day 7 (9/19): 3 Opened total: 51

Rainy weekday afternoon for the win, took just over 2 hours for 3 gacha centers in Sunshine city plus a new one I found at the Ikebukuro Seiyu line station. Normally that’s over 4 hrs. Still got 66 (although some are duplicates). When will you see them? Hahaha. I have no energy.

Tomorrow is the first rainy weekday since I’ve been in Tokyo so of course that means the ~4 hr gachapon marathon that is Sunshine City Mall 🥳 Be afraid. Be very afraid 🤩

Today’s gachapon is a little disturbing. The left is a bag meant for carrying one cup sake. (Why???) But the one on the right I didn’t think could be real. For 400 yen in a regular gachapon machine (not a special one at a craft market), a HANDMADE crocheted ghost, from Thailand!

Wow, dentist was amazing! So rare to find one so knowledgeable about my connective tissue disorder. Definitely recommend!

My cold has returned with a vengeance. I’ve fractured a tooth so have an emergency dentist appointment Monday. This trip is cursed.

Just throwing this out in case anyone in Tokyo is interested: I have a chance to tour the Kikkoman factory without the several months wait for a reservation. If you’d like to join me let me know (has to be a weekday, I have to submit a few dates and see what’s open).

I’m so behind on photographing my gachapon, I think I have about 15 scattered around but I’ve been busy or ill. Today I celebrated my recovery with this lil guy, though.

Also for my mom (who has never been on this app), who thinks my red hair will be frowned upon in Tokyo: passed a young woman with far more immaculate scarlet hair in the way to sit in a laundromat with another young woman with beautiful pink hair. (Anyway mom knows better 🤦🏻‍♀️)

Finally over the cold. Now for the exciting Tokyo life! Erm, laundry, grocery shopping, catching up on 10 days of email after conference + sick days. Yeah, the good life. 🫠 (Ok also going to Takadanobaba for some yarn bc I’m behind on my weaving samples for my classes.)

Still down with the ick, although much better. T has it too so probably we were both exposed prior to my departure. Probably con plague. Today tried the suntory mikan flavored water for the first time. It tastes like…children’s chewable aspirin.

So I’m in Tokyo now but I’ve come down with something. Staying in today to rest.