After returning from my trip I created articles to be submitted to webzines and blogs that I queried before I left. These have since been publised. On top of this I also submitted to places I already write freelance pieces for.

Whilst these articles were done for free they are the first steps towards building a freelance writing career. In writing the more work you can get out into the public domain and the bigger portfolio you create greatly benefits your employment prospects. Even guest blogging can be benficial as it can drive traffic to your own blog.

I wrote two articles about the same event, yet because they were aimed at different places the articles are individual. This demonstrates a key aspect of travel writing; that a single trip can and should provide multiple opportunities.

The articles published so far can be found here:
http://www.waddyado.com/lifestyle-advice/touristintoyko

http://studentwire.co.uk/your-next-summer-holiday-japan/

http://nihontastic.com/2014/09/16/takeshita-street-tokyo/

Hyper Japan 2014

Hyper Japan is the UK’s biggest Japanese culture event, held in London since 2010. It showcases a mixture of old culture and new: from traditional crafts & cuisine to contemporary fashion from the streets of Harajuku (Tokyo’s fashion district). From the 25^th to the 27^th of July in  Earls court, it is a chance to dip into another country without leaving your own.

The queue to enter is a sight to behold, as those already interested in Japan dress up for the occasion in detailed costumes. Some people cosplay as characters from games and anime, others are clad in complex doll-like Lolita dresses or covered in elaborate accessories. These bright displays only increase as you enter.

There are many booths offering different pieces of Japanese culture. One of the most eye-catching is the ‘kawaii’ area.  Kawaii is the Japanese word for cute, and at Hyper Japan it certainly lives up to its meaning. Stalls selling fashions in cheerful pastel colours, with intricate lace adorning every hem, and shoes riddled with bows are everywhere. Stationery is on every stand too, with a seemingly endless variety of pencil toppers, stickers and erasers, all with cheeky faces. Somewhat confusing is the obsession with plushie alpacas and mini vegetables; apparently anything goes here in the name of cute.

There are three performance stages at Hyper Japan; at these you will find demonstrations of Japanese technology, dance, music and many other shows. A popular attraction on stage is the various examples of J-pop (Japanese pop music): which at first sounds high pitched and sugary, but you’ll be humming ‘PonPonPon’ on the journey home. To ensure you don’t miss the main stage shows programmes are essential to help plan your day and available for free on entry, remember to leave enough time to ensure you get the best seats.

For those looking for the more traditional aspects of Japanese life, you can find the elegant bonsai tree garden. Here miniature trees have been expertly grown into complex knots; the result of knowledge passed down over the centuries.  To get a more hands-on grasp of the culture there is the workshop tables. Several traditional skills and pastimes can be tried here for free, such as origami, haiku writing and the opportunity to paint your name in the Japanese alphabet. There is also the opportunity to wear the clothing which usually springs to mind when anyone mentions Japan: kimonos. Although, you will soon realise that there are many different styles of this dress, for example special kimonos for different seasons and occasions. Their patterns are designed to capture the eye, with vibrant colours and images of iconic Japanese symbols; serpentine dragons, cherry blossoms or graceful koi carp.

After all that discovery, food is probably the next thing to seek out. Hyper Japan offers many Eastern delicacies. There is a whole area named Eat-Japan, which houses the Sushi Awards. Here, skilled chefs present some of their finest pieces of the culinary phenomena. Sushi is a mix raw fish and seaweed, something many people fear, yet you can’t help but admire the artistic presentation. The chefs’ precise carvings can leave a fillet of Salmon looking like a rosebud - almost a crime to eat. For £5 you can try a sample from each of the chefs in the booth and then vote for your favourite. Then there is the Sake Experience, a taste of Japan’s infamous fiery rice-based alcohol. Here you can try many different blends of sake, much like a wine tasting event. There is a surprising variety to the drink, depending on the region it’s from, brewing technique and type of grain used.

Japan is also known, of course, for technology.  Japanese game developers, such as Nintendo and Capcom, have stands demoing their upcoming games at Hyper Japan. This area often draws a big crowd; many are eager to test-drive the games. Unfortunately, this means that queues for some bigger titles can be quite long and you could expect to wait for awhile.

To many people, Japan appears to be summed up with anime, robots and geishas. Hyper Japan will make you realise that they are barely even the surface of this rich culture. Attending gives you the chance to discover a world far removed from our own, one bedded in tradition yet also refreshingly modern.

Winchester Christmas Market travel piece

If you’re seeking a Christmas experience to get you in a festive frenzy, then a visit to Winchester Cathedral is essential. The famed annual winter market is back, bringing a little piece of German tradition. A hive of food, fun and wonder tucked within the historic Cathedral’s inner close. It’s a refreshing change of pace from our modern concept of the season, no loud music, flashy lights or expensive technology. Instead you’re whisked back to a Victorian-esque scene which you would expect to see only on biscuit tins.

It struck me no sooner had I entered the Cathedral’s grounds, beneath a walkway of fairy lights. I couldn’t help feel enchanted, cold but enchanted.  I noticed an enticing saccharine sweet smell, a mixture of candy floss and warmed spice overloaded my senses and drew me into the festivities. Before me was the quintessential winter wonderland market minus the snow. Wooden chalets all lined up forming a village square scene, each offering something different and unique.  In the centre stood an ice rink bringing a sense of frantic fun and a pinch of danger to the atmosphere.

Following the path took me to each hut; ensuring I wouldn’t be able to miss a thing even if I had wanted to. I found myself pulled to stalls that from afar I had no interest in investigating, just so I could soak up every detail. There is something on offer for everyone from Christmas gifts and decorations to beautifully handmade products and even a fairy or few. I’m surprised my neck wasn’t aching after being constantly distracted by all the opportunities on offer. Despite being a market, I felt no compulsion to purchase and panic buy. The stall owners were all respectful and I felt more than comfortable just to stop and look. Many in fact gladly explained the crafting purchase and the stories they told added to the magic.

All the excitement had worked up an appetite within me. Luckily at the halfway point is a semi-circle of food huts offering a variety of choices. There’s Bratwurst or turkey for those who want to continue the traditional festive feel.  I, however, opted for ‘hot and spicy wedges’ with some sour cream on the side. They tasted great and certainly lived up to their name, just what I needed when the night was getting chilly. They tasted crisp and fresh and watching them get roasted then and there added to the sensation Of course with such a range on offer I saved room for dessert. The problem, I needed something light. As much as I wanted Belgian waffles and toasted marshmallows I don’t think my stomach would thank me. I found a stall selling strawberry crepes. They were just what I was looking for, something subtly sweet and a great fruit taste. I did notice as I continued around caramelized nuts on sale, and made a mental note for my next visit.

Overall, Winchester Cathedral’s winter market offered me an unforgettable shopping village. I will certainly be heading back and recommend you visit soon. Whether you’re looking for handmade gifts, tantalising treats, or like me, to get a truly unique experience and get you into the holiday spirit. There’s much more than mulled wine and mistletoe on offer. I can assure, you’ll go home happy and tingling with tinsel on the inside. 

Learning Japanese

Rather soon I will be boarding an airplane at 6AM in London Heathrow, and landing in Tokyo at 7:30 the next day. Of course, with a four hour stop in Vienna; just enough time to check out duty free. I am excited that my trip is getting ever closer, but I am also slightly terrified. This is because I fear being in Japan without the ability to speak an ounce of Japanese,

That’s why for the past few weeks I have dedicated a lot of my time to learning about Japan’s history, culture and it’s language. As someone who has attempted to learn a language several times in the past, without much luck; the last task seemed impossible.

I'll be spending a while looking through duty free in Vienna

It seemed so daunting; tasked with not only a new language, but a whole new alphabet. After a quick glance at the alphabet I leaned that they actually use a combination of alphabets. Surely, I will never be able to get a grip with any of them. So what is the point of even trying?

I quickly pushed this thought aside. Too often, English tourists travel abroad with little to no inclination to learn the local’s language. We have become accustomed to finding that the majority of people speak English as a first or second language. This has made tourists rather lazy when travelling; something that only becomes a problem in times of emergency. By which time it’s too late, leaving them left rather stuck and confused.

With this as my incentive, as what not to do; I began studying. I am pleased with the progress I have made in as little as a week. Already I know the symbols for the vowels on sight, and I am beginning to see a pattern in the alphabets. As you can see from the charts on this post the alphabets are mostly the vowels coupled with a consonant. So, once you have got a grasp on the vowels it becomes a matter of recognising them with a paired consonant.

I took the opportunity of a recent trip to Japan Centre in London, to pick up some Japanese newspapers. I am currently slowly pouring through its pages translating the articles on a separate piece of paper. The activity is rather similar to code cracking games I played as a child, the type often found on the back of cereal boxes. The additional benefit to learning how to recognise words is that I am also picking up on what is current in Japan at the moment.

To me learning the language is like a complex one of these.

As far as speaking Japanese, the phrasebook Say It In Japanese is a godsend. That’s not saying it is easy, getting into a habit of pronouncing words phonetically is tricky. Once again the English can be rather lazy with pronunciation, often letters are skipped over when said aloud. Japanese tends to be more phonetic with the words sounding as they are written. I am finding that the best way to tackle saying a new word is to break it down at the vowels. For instance the word America, I would break that into A-mer-i-ca. By doing this I ensure I hit every letters sound and avoid mixing words.

Already I am making good progress. I can introduce myself, wish someone a good day and ask them if they don’t mind repeating themselves. I am hopeful that with a few everyday phrases and keeping the book with me, that I won’t go too wrong.

Overall I have found that learning Japanese is an example of a task that at first seems Herculean. But, once you begin, it becomes more manageable. So, Arigato gozaimasu, Itte kimasu (that should mean thank you and good-bye).

Duty free shop from 1bag1world, Hiragana chart from Kanaquest, Code cracking puzzle from education

The London 2012 Legacy

I remember standing in this exact place two years ago, so why does it feel like an  alien planet to me? Gone are the crowds, the music and the vibrant party atmosphere - replaced, with an eerie stillness. It's hard to believe a location can have such a dramatic change in such a short space of time.

That is all I can think, however as I walk across the bridge towards a park which two years ago held the London Olympics. Back then I was caught up in the flow of the crowd and the magical atmosphere. Even someone like myself, who isn't patriotic couldn't help feel proud of the event London had put on. I got caught up in woops, cheers and the beat of life; egged on by the  Olympic stewards, known as Gamesmasters, sat upon their umpire chairs, loudhailers blaring. Now the atmosphere is so still, almost serene, the only sounds are the birds above and the cars below passing under the bridge. My mind can't quite handle the dramatic shift in appearance as I try to place any familiarity. Clearly, I thought at this point, the Olympics is already a distant memory.


This is how I remembered it.
A stark contrast to now.

The Olympic stadium ahead of me, still stands looking like a massive bowl - just calling out for some milk and cereal. I love the design; it has a  minimalist structure that is rather unassuming, yet lit up as it was in 2012 it couldn't fail to impress. It seems smaller than I remember and my tour guide informs me that the top tiers were taken off; so much seating is no required. It is now owned by West Ham football club, who whilst I'm sure have many fans, their numbers can't compare to the crowds of Oylmpic proportions. The worry in my mind that time has forgotten the event already is growing. Perhaps, I won't be recapturing some of the magic I felt before as I had hoped. I reason that whilst it may no longer look as impressive, at least it is still being used; and not left to rot.

Refreshingly this seems to be a theme of the Olympic park (now the Queen Elizabeth Olympic park), everything is either being reused or re-purposed in a bid to save resources. Many of the stadiums were dismantled and shipped to Brazil for their Olympics - in a fashion rather reminiscent of a childs construction kit. Whilst I agree in principle with the idea of recycling I am rather upset at the sparse land this has created. If anything my tour of the park showed me was that nothing lasts forever.


From the two pictures you can see why it felt so different.

However there is a force hard at work ensuring London 2012 lives on. The London Legacy Development Corporation  was formed to ensure that the Olympic park is utilised and not left derelect. My tour guide details an upcoming monument that will stand as a reminder that people from all over the world came together for the games. This gave me some hope; that at least the area won't return to the wasteland it was once before. Maybe, the Olympic impact will indeed be kept alive after all I began to hope.

The next part of my tour showed more of the benfits that has become of the legacy. The swimming pool, where Tom Daley set his record breaking lap, is now a sports gym with ties to both professional athletes and the local community. The spirit of the Oympics still lives on in this venue; helped perhaps by the amazing technology remaining. Above the swimming lanes is a massive digital clock - which displays lap times, temperature and other statistics. Anyone who takes a dip under that feature is sure to feel like an Olympic athlete themselves. Many in my group joke amongst themselves of taking a dip themselves, certain they could give Tom a run for his money.

It isn't all sports however, a small section of the park has been turned into a nature reserve. This is a rather refreshing - especially in a place that once was little more than urban wasteland. The trail is well designed and a walk around it can be very peaceful. I closed my eyes, taking in the sound of birdsong and the gentle trickle of water. Unfortunately, a deep breath shattered this illusion; there is no covering up that city central smell. Yet, any type of greenspace in a city is something to be praised. Too often nature is being forgotten about as we try to expand for our ever growing population.

The Olympics may be over now, and memories of it fading in my mind, but clearly it has still left its mark. I get a sense of how important the legacy has become; which is a welcome change. It can be so easy for places, to become derelict once their purpose is served. I realise that it is still a relatively recent event, and in time all of it could be changed; more so than it has already. Still it is clear, that there is a shared passion in ensuring the Olympics legacy lives on.


First Oylmpic stadium picture from Demotix, second Oympic stadium image from Dezeen,

A day in the Westfield's Stratford centre machine.

Shopping centres, to me, are beacons of freedom. Places where we are able to spend a day wondering around spoilt for choice. Everything is provided for us with multiple options in what we eat, drink and buy. Whilst I grew up with shopping malls like Bluewater and Lakeside on my doorstep neither seemed to offer the what Westfield did. However, both are well known to me and visits often feel too routine.

So when I entered the Stratford Westfield centre it felt as though I had entered a paradise of choice. Stepping through those pristine glass doors I was surrounded by a gleaming marble-effect floor which met the walls seamlessly. It was open, and with no clear walls to contain me - it appeared to be endless. Entrances to other worlds stood wide on both my left and right, each vying for my attention. Everything seemed fresh and exciting to me, I was free to begin an adventure in this new playground. I couldn't understand why my brother called this place the 'Deathcentre'. How could he describe such a clean and airy environment in such a manner that invokes images of somewhere so soul destroying? Well I was about to find out.

So new and fresh.

The freedom could have felt confusing but, luckily, there was a mall guide to help me get my bearings. Fortunate too that a Starbucks waited ahead, allowing me a place to sit and plan my day. I unfolded the map on my table and took a brief glimpse to get to know the basic layout. Why only a brief glimpse? Well, I wanted the first half of my afternoon here to be about discovering the shops it had on offer for myself; first I checked that it had my essentials. I already had my coffee joint pinned, now I needed: a HMV, a Game and a good bookstore, but ensured I didn't look at the map to place them. Most of the fun from shopping is in the foraging, so why not extend that fun to locating the stores themselves?

With my coffee drained and my energy levels peaking, I  set off and walked the length of the centre. It is pretty much a long hallway and didn't take long for me to walk from the entrance to the Great Eastern Market area at the other end. I found the centre had certain areas, such as the Great Eastern Market, named; giving them each their own unique personality. For instance, the Street is the outside section of the centre and the food court speaks for itself.

 As I walked I took note of the Game store I passed and a book shop called Foyles. I knew I would be visiting those later. I the repeated my patrol for the next floor up and by the end I felt like I had gathered my bearings a bit more. Impressed by the amount of shops on offer I envisonioned the many ways my day could go. With this in my head, and a mental map created, I was free to wander and browse at my leisure. I was rather taken by Westfield at this stage, it seemed so fresh and exciting; in this new location, I felt rather refreshed. 


Looks rather pleasant like this,

The first signs of change came around lunch time, when I realised all the rooting through shelves had left me in need of food. As I walked along I tried to find a place to sit and enjoy the lunch I'd packed for the day. I soon became aware of an interesting feature of the centre or actually the lack of. There appeared to be no benches or chairs except in the food court area. This is quite a subtle aspect of manipulation, one that creates a feeling of necessity to purchase food to justify your use of the benches. I had the odd sensation that I didn't really belong with my packed lunch, when those with heaving trays of cooling food needed my seat more. I tried telling myself I had as much right to use the table as anyone else but still ended up rushing my lunch.

Despite this I resolved to approach the remainder of my day with as much enthusiasm as I had started it. But, as the building began to fill up with ever more people this optimism began to faulter. I decided to go to one of the places that was sure to perk me up, HMV. I love looking through the shelves for lengths of time, and often visit without the intention of buying. Yet, here was different. Several times as I walked the aisles I was approached by staff asking if I needed assistance. Whilst at first this is obviously them trying to be helpful, instead it made me feel rushed once more. I found myself going straight to the DVD I wanted and cutting short my browsing.

I was no longer feeling refreshed, quite the opposite. Staff in many stores are clearly use to busy periods and are trained to keep their shops turning over. On one hand, it makes a shoppers day easier it also makes you feel like your on a assembly line. I was rather claustrophobic and edgy at this point, like a fish in a fast moving shoal, I began to get pushed along out of my control. This took it's toll on my body as I began to grow weary. No longer was the building vast and open, now it was an enclosed corridor filled to burst. It was clear I had little actual freedom; I forgoed seeing all the shops that interested me as I felt compelled to call it a day.

and less so like this.

Whilst Bluewater and Lakeside feel stale to me; both offer facilities other than just shopping. They have playgrounds and riversides that are pleasing to walk along. Westfield offers neither of these and other than shops only has a cinema and casino. Even the layout on reflection, feels rather manipulative. All you can really do is walk up and down, basically pacing, until you have finished. As I headed off home I felt fed up and rather uncomfortable.

I can see now why some people hate shopping centres like Westfield. It has made it apparent to me that really all they offer us is an illusion of choice. Thinking especially about the layout, things like the seating, subtly affect our behaviour. Even the staffs actions have the appearance of being helpful, but behind this is a desire to get you through the door as soon as possible. They are machines designed to take our money in the quickest way possible. Unfortunately, it took an experience like Westfield to make me realise this - and I won't look at shopping centres the same way again.


Exterior image from aizakbuyondo at wordpress, First interior image from Buchan, Second interior image from the Gaurdian,

What Turned Me Japanese-y

As mental preparation for my imminent trip to Tokyo, something that both excites and terrifies me, I thought it would be good to reflect upon my current view of Japanese culture.

Our personalities are shaped by the interests that we have, many of mine are often what many in a Western culture to be obscure. Things like anime, video games and popular internet images (known as memes) are often dissmissed as being geeky. Often in order to partake in these interests I need to actively seek out this subculture as it isn't prevelant in everyday life. I have been to London Comic Con in the past and will be attending this year's Hyper Japan; two examples of events that allow me to express my passions and meet others with similar interests. Many of these geeky franchises seem to originate from Japan, which has built a keen interest within me to experience the culture.

This is the type of merchandise I hope to find in Tokyo,
although my wallet hopes I don't

 Despite this, I am aware that what I have experienced so far as Japanese culture goes is only a snippet. Indeed, even my trip is limited to a ten day burst in Tokyo. I will not presume to have experienced all of the culture when I return - merely a brief glimpse of city life in Japan's capital. This will surely be an eye opener to me nevertheless, and my image of what Japanese life is like will change. Right now, my view is of a city not too dissimilar from London - filled with bright lights and loud traffic. Only with an abundance of all things 'kawaii' and geeky. My mind paints a picture of brightly painted anime characters dancing outside vast stores devoted to technology. Whilst I know that these places do exist, in reality they will only be in certain districts (such as Akihabara) and not scattered everywhere.

An example of Tokyo's bright city life.

Like many modern childhoods, my Saturdays began with sugar-coated cereal and morning television. Growing up, my favourite shows to watch were Pokémon, Cubix and Digimon (all of which I still have a slight obsession with). They all depicted the lives of Japanese children, which struck a chord with me. The towns they lived in seemed much simpler and yet more exciting than my own. Cubix especially, as this displayed an image of a robot-obsessed world where it was possible to have your own robot friend. How could my town compare? All it could offer was a musty library and a park that got burnt down every few months.

When these shows weren’t on I indulged in video games and, once again, often my preferences were  brightly coloured offerings from the East. Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog games were my first introductions to the gaming world. Many weekends were spent playing Mario Kart with my brother on our N64, and these are some of my fondest memories. It's little wonder then that I embraced an idealistic view of the land they originated from.

This sums up my childhood.

Due to my enjoyment of crafting, I also developed a keen interest in origami, the Japanese art of paper folding to make objects. I am quite proud of my origami skills; there is something about watching the precise folds turn into amazing creations. I find it calming, and that it creates a sense of real accomplishment.   

Even circumstance seem eager to encourage my ever-growing obsession with Japan. In Primary school, we started to learn Japanese in year three. Now, it seems odd to me for our school to expect young children to be able to take on and understand a language that is so alien to our own. Yet, reflecting on this, I can remember really enjoying learning the language and displaying a certain aptitude for it. One which weirdly I haven’t been able to replicate, demonstrated by how I am currently struggling to learn little bits that will enable me to get by during my trip. I recall learning numbers from one to ten, how to write my name and memorising the alphabet (I am unsure if what we were taught at the time was Kanji, Katakana or Hiragana, Japan's three main alphabets).

Some of my origami creations

The highlight of these lessons came when we took a visit to Canterbury University, where the students had put on some form of Japanese experience day. I remember walking round their campus revelling in the examples of culture around me. Getting to try katsu chicken kebabs, making delicate kites small enough to fly using a desk fan, being introduced to haiku and painting our names onto thin parchment using  a brush called a fude. It appeared I had a certain knack for the latter, as my attempt won me a book of haikus. I felt so proud of myself and treasured both the book and the poetic form of haiku. To this day, despite a certain lack of enthusiasm to all things poetic (especially non-rhyming ones) I still love haiku. I enjoy reading these for their seemingly simple structure, and the contrasts they create.

More recently in life, I have continued to be drawn to Japanese culture. I have recently developed a passion for amigurumi (a form of crochet to create soft toys, often game or anime characters), which I hope to be able to sell on Etsy. I was also very fortunate that I have found a like-minded partner - my amazing girlfriend, Amy. I don't doubt that anyone else would deem me too insane to give the time of day to. But not her, oh no. Instead, she showed an equal obsession and introduced me to all things ‘kawaii,’ and taught me what the word actually means and how to spell it. I in turn have taught her some origami and together we rediscovered haiku. We also enjoy exploring Japanese cuisine together. Whilst we are both hesitant towards sushi, we never shy away from a good yakisoba (pan fried noodles) and I fear that an argument over the last mochi or dorayaki (traditional Japanese sweet treats) could be the thing that may eventually separate us!

Some examples of my amigurumi projects.

Overall, my life seems to naturally deviate towards certain aspects, probably the ‘geekier,’ ones of Japanese culture. I realise in reality that anime, video games and cute critters isn’t what Japan is about. There is also a rich, spiritual culture, evident in the many festivals and shrines they have. I hope to immerse myself in these during my stay. In highlighting my presumptions in this post, I will hopefully be more inclinded not to focus too much on what I want to experience in Tokyo, but instead seek out new experiences as well. Indeed, whilst I am there people will be celebrating Obon, a summer festival devoted to remembering ancestors.

I hope my trip will be eye-opening. and allow my love for Japanese culture to flourish. I also want it to enrich the knowledge I have of the culture in a way that will give me a greater understanding of it and my own interests.


Merchandise image from illustrators lounge, Tokyo image from The Telegraph, Nintendo image from Theology Gaming