cat cafe

I went to Ikebukuro today with a couple of friends to experience a cat cafe. We went to a place called Nekorobi and it took us forever to find because of the fact that there are no street signs in Japan (><).
Anyway, so the place was more like a daycare than a cafe. I expected it to be like a full cafe, with tables and a menu, but it was just a shared common room with books, devices, etc. for public use. They did have free drinks (from a vending machine) and snacks (junk food), though. Basically, people go there to see and pet cats. Surprisingly, the crowd was all Japanese (and I bet there were regulars, too); we were the only foreigners. The first couple of minutes, I was excited, but after a while, I realized how terrible the whole idea was. The air in the room was filled with unhappiness. The cats were so pitiful, they didn't even like to be petted or picked up. Since they're constantly in contact with strangers who want to touch them, they're at the point where they don't even want to be with humans (I think). None of the cats looked happy at all (not that cats can express their emotions through smiles or tears), but the atmosphere gave it away. Most of them were sleeping around (no energy) and the ones that were up and walking were avoiding us. And none of the guests seemed to notice this at all! They just continued to harass the poor cats.

Ikebukuro: this may actually be one of my favorite city places so far just because it is not as crowded as the other ones, such as Shinjuku and Shibuya. 

So it is ¥1200 per hour per person on weekends, and ¥300 for every fifteen minutes you stay.

The Lion King

I was glad to get out of the place after an hour. Now that I've seen it for what it is, I don't think I want to go to anymore animal cafes. The whole idea is just horrifying, but the business goes on because actual Japanese people support it.

On a happier note, we went to a taiyaki place inside Ikebukuro station because, you know, if I'm there and I see one, we're bound to stop by.

samples! These were cheese anko.

But I bought 白玉 shirotama, which is a green tea flavored taiyaki, with red bean and dango (mocha) filling. 

It was good, but it was too doughy for my liking. I like my taiyaki crispy. The green tea was good, though.

Let's go, WARABI!

Today was the Second Semiannual DK House Futsal Championship. Basically, an indoor soccer match between the different branches of my dorm. I've never played futsal before (nor have I ever heard of it until this day), and the last time I played soccer was over ten years ago, in elementary school. We had one practice last week and went straight to the game this week. Surprisingly, I met my friend Rouven from school (I didn't know he stayed at DK House! a different branch, though), and that made it all the more fun.
There were five teams playing this time: Shiki, Shinkoiwa, Nerima, Honsha (DK management staff), and Warabi. Even the chairman of DK House joined the game! Because we were short on time, we had twenty games, each lasting about fifteen minutes. I had so much fun! Somehow, I ended up the team captain, but honestly, we all worked together!

!

warming up..

and this is how WE get ready :)

#15

Shiki vs. Shinkoiwa

Warabi vs. Nerima

Shiki vs. Honsha

janken to decide who goes to the field

She was so cute!

senpai-tachi 

Pre-game Chant! 

お疲れ様！

After the game, we had a party at our dorm, with everyone that participated. We had a mini award ceremony, announcing the winners of the match, as well as individual player awards. Of course, WARABI won! Good job!

drinking out of the trophy!

a lot of food!

drunk lol
so cute :3 

わらび最高！みんな大好きだよ！~キャプテンより

We played bingo and rock, paper, scissors. The winner gets ¥10000! and guess what? I won! much to my surprise.

Later on that night, I went to the Hotaru (Firefly) Festival with a couple of people form my dorm. It took place at the Sumida River, around where Skytree is (in Asakusa). The purpose of the event is unclear, but it's just another random festival where you can buy an いのり星 (prayer star), which is basically an LED ball and throw it in the river. It was really pretty. It was dark, but all you could see were the blue lights floating in the water.

D Block

by Riko

the start! 

There were also a lot of boats and cruises.

Skytree!

time to make a wish!

So this is what the ball looks like. It doesn't light up unless you throw it into the river. 

So the bottom has these two metal generators. It will not light up unless it comes into contact with something that will produce a current, such as water or metal. Cool concept, right? And it's environmental, too.

Dissecting the ball lol

Of course, always end the day with food.

crab pizza

takoyaki, basashi, kujira sashimi

This is whale meat!