After spending a week in Kariya, stepping out on my own in Nagoya seemed like an entirely new experience. I was no longer traveling with an entourage, nor did I have the luxury to be driven everywhere. It was kind of nice being able to explore the city on my own pace. Of course, it was also nice to stay at a hotel with a shower and central heating. =)

I had one last breakfast with Yoko-san that morning. I bid farewell to my room, turned off the heater for the last time, then we headed off to the station. Eri-san would be meeting me at Chiryu Station, then she would be taking me to Nagoya. It was hard saying goodbye to Yoko-san. It really felt like we were family during our week together. I continued to wave to Yoko-san as I clumsily maneuvered my luggage inside the station gates. I soon lost sight of her as I made my way inside.

Later on in the station, Eri-san and I had the utmost pleasure of dragging my two heavy suitcases up and down the platform. We made it to Nagoya Station then navigated our way through the crowd till we reached my hotel. After getting checked in, we went out to hunt for food.

I actually had a list of things I wanted to do in Nagoya. Since I only had two full days, I was a little worried about trying to cram in all the activities:

1. Visit Osu Kannon Temple & the neighbouring shopping arcade
2. Shop at Oasis 21, including the JUMP Shop
3. Go to Nagoya Castle
4. Visit the Nagoya Port
5. Find the JE Shop
6. Watch GANTZ

Okay, so #5 and #6 were not quite the ‘tourist spots’ in Nagoya, but they were nonetheless high on my list of priorities. Haha. I really really really wanted to see GANTZ properly without dubs, so Eri-san and I first went to the theater to buy tickets for the evening show. I felt bad that I was already dragging Eri-san with me, so I told her I would be fine watching the movie on my own. I ended up buying a ticket for a late night screening. 

Since we were already inside Midland Square, we decided to go for lunch in the building. There was a really nice tempura shop Eri-san introduced me to. We had a really yummy meal.

Later on we took a walk towards Oasis 21. We stopped by the information desk to ask for directions on how to get to the JE Shop. It was another 10 minute walk from the mall. The JE Shop in Nagoya is nothing like the one in Harajuku. First, there were no line ups! In Harajuku they have to hand out tickets for you to come back at a designated time. Second, it wasn’t housed in its own building. We had to take the stairs up to the second floor. Third, there was actually standing room space inside the shop! I’ve been in rooms where everyone was elbow to elbow. Anyway, it was great that I was able to finish up my purchase quickly since there were no lineups at the cash!

Afterwards Eri-san and I walked back to Oasis 21 and spent some time shopping around. My two suitcases were already filled to the brim, but I refused to leave empty handed. =)

The next stop that day was to Osu Kannon Temple. We had a nice walk around the shopping arcade. I even bought a yukata! I was looking for one for a long time. Now if only I can figure out how to wear it…hehe.

We already had a long day, so we went back to Nagoya Station and I dropped off all my purchases at the hotel. Then Eri-san took me for afternoon tea at a little restaurant tucked off one of the side streets called 春光乍洩. I’m not sure how they romanize it in English, but I was told there isn’t a proper pronunciation in Japanese. (Side note: the first character in the word Kariya 刈谷 has no reading in Chinese either. Goes to show that Chinese and Japanese are different in so many ways.)

Anyway, that was my side story. I can’t remember what this dessert was called, but the food was really good.

Later I said goodbye to Eri-san and went back to the hotel on my own. I still had a few hours before the movie, which was at 9pm. It was really the first time in a week that was I truly on my own. It was like a toss up of being independent and being lonely at the same time. Haha. I spent some time at the hotel resting, then headed out to the Takashimaya inside Nagoya Station to shop for a bit. I ended up eating at one of the restaurants upstairs called Mollette. Omurice!! Which I found I didn’t like very much…LOL. I think it was the sauce I got.

The last thing I did was watch GANTZ at the Midland Square Theater. It was quite…bloody. I understood so little of the dialogue, but I think I got the gist of the story by watching all the aliens get blown up. Great way to end the night. =P