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The SMA MASTERCLASS 2016 Special Report Day 3: Explore Tokyo!

Mayuna Mizutani Mayuna Mizutani 07/03/2016 9 min read
With the main event over, it was time for everyone to have some fun!   The first destination was the Ghibli Museum, located in Inokashira Park. Blessed with fine weather, we had a refreshing 30 minute stroll through the park. 1487684_689496754523573_5567557137410126731_o 10575332_10205344621087233_3689830281202765001_o 12795003_689496941190221_1200344000617953382_o 12806005_10205316320339732_63661510038645036_n 12829345_689496907856891_8997364556126936871_o   On the way to the museum, we passed a Shinto Shrine dedicated to Benzai-ten.    12823299_10207341694078668_2322926838607740599_o 12814149_222862801398077_4713201809954229504_n 12801217_222200324797658_2473385422672344018_n Benzai-ten originates from a Hindu goddess Saraswati, the goddess of art and knowledge. Just the right goddess for the Master class members!   Although the weather was still a bit cool, there were some early-blooming Sakura (cherry blossom) trees along the path to the museum, too. So lucky for us to witness such a beautiful sight!! IMG_2400 12806005_10205316320339732_63661510038645036_n DSC_0030 12711324_10207341715199196_3131542645326920994_o     Here we are, at the museum entrance! Our friendly neighbor Totoro was there to greet us 😀
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We pre-booked our museum tickets…still, it was so crowded!!

 

Master class members excited to meet Totoro 😀

“GWAAAAAAA”

Every single display inside the museum was spectacular! An anime with human sound effects, a zoetropes (one of the early forms of animation)”, the artwork of every Ghibli animation…and a giant awaiting you on the rooftop!
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Here’s Lan, in front of the giant 😀

All anime fans, you MUST visit this place once!!
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The garden of the Ghibli museum. The architecture itself is awesome!

By the time we left the museum, we all had full hearts and empty stomachs. Time to feast on some yummy Japanese food!
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Seems like eggs, with tomato ketchup…?

Have you ever seen this meal before? This is Omu-Raisu (Om-Rice, or Omelet Rice). As you can see, it’s a dish of rice covered with an egg omelet. It is a very popular meal for Japanese people. Maybe you’ve seen it in manga or anime? 🙂
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XianNu Studio, enjoying their meal 😉

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Roberto and Taiyo looks super excited to eat this dish!

IMG_2419       After lunch, we split up into two groups: One heading to Shinjuku and Akihabara for shopping, and the other heading to the Naoki Urasawa Exhibition.   The Shinjuku team first went to “SEKAIDO”, a famous shop for art tools.
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They have so many tools here, even the Mona-Lisa is surprised

Screen tones!! G-pens!! Sketch books!! Inks!! Reference books!! This place is literally a treasure island for everyone who draws :O IMG_20160302_152000   The store is full of so many valuable supplies! 2 hours was definitely not enough X)   And of course, we cannot forget the Sanctuary of all Otaku – AKIHABARA! DSC_0013 Books, figures, plastic models, video games… you can buy literally anything in this small town! IMG_20160302_161727
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A picture of Snippy MJ and Mayu, with a clerk in cosplay. They took it at “Mandarake”, a store specializing in second-handed anime/manga products

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A popular game called “Taiko no Tatsujin (Master of Drums)”, available in game centers in Japan. Are the masters of manga, a master of drums too? 😀

We also enjoyed some Print-club photos together! Say cheese, everyone 😉 1020457065 1020459720     Meanwhile, team URASAWA had arrived at the Setagaya Literary Museum, where the Naoki Urasawa exhibition is held.
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“Hey! Come on over and take a look!!”

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Preau seeks to rule the world…

943983_531167027062682_6518846412076810926_n There were so many splendid artworks by Naoki Urasawa sensei! He definitely is a living legend 😀   Team URASAWA also went to Nakano, another sanctuary any Otaku would dream of! 12829251_689498857856696_1141791149698829226_o Nakano Broadway is a heaven on earth for an Otaku, with all the valuable manga books, figures, etc etc!!
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Maybe you’ve seen these in our “TOKYO MANGA DEEP WALKER” article? (http://ma-dev-main.coamix.net/tokyo-manga-deep-walker-006/) An enormous ice-cream!!

IMG_2429 After the great Tokyo adventure comes the long-awaited dinnertime: a Kaiseki course at a traditional Japanese restaurant! DSC_0055 DSC_0058 DSC_0066   12805903_222862091398148_3625214063765038909_n 12800230_222862158064808_8500150448940366687_n 12801136_222862211398136_3689004922018361557_n It’s true that time flies when you’re having a great time!   So here they are: Master Class 2016! IMG_2442 Tomorrow, we’re heading to Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan! Still got lots of excitement in store, don’t miss it 😉  

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