Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Japan - Haneda, To Do (Diver City, Venus Fort Shopping Mall, Decks Tokyo Beach Shopping Mall)

Haneda - To Stay
Haneda - To Do
Haneda - To Eat
Haneda - To Do
12NOV2013
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Diver City
(Giant Gundam, Gundam Cafe and Gundam Museum and Shop LVL7)

 Giant Gundam

See the huge, iconic Gundam, standing tall in front of Diver City. Stay for the different shows. The one seen was at 12:00 with music, spraying myst, some flashing lights and limited head movements.
Show Times 12:00/15:00/17:00(5min), 19:30/20:30/21:30 (11min) and 20:00/21:00 (100sec) *Clip is of the 5min show. Each of the shows offer something different I guess.*
There is mobile sales van of sorts located beside the life sized model, not to be confused with the much larger and more impressive flagship store located on the 7th floor of Diver City.
Gundam Cafe
Gundam Cafe Located on ground floor beside Giant Gundam. They really are stretching it. Not even a sit down cafe, but a kiosk and more of a gifts shop really. Don't bother. 
Gundam Store (Free Entry) 7th Floor of Diver City
The Gundam store itself with all the model displays were impressive. Though not familiar with the long history behind Gundam, I did appreciate the freedom to photograph their products.
 Gundam Museum within the Gundam Store 7th Floor of Diver City
Entry For 1Adult ¥1200
Personally, I didn't find the Museum worth paying for. Limited displays,with a 360 degree dome, screening Gundam, which was utterly confusing. It was like watching transformers movie fight sequences, jagged gundam color in a ball of mess.

A half bodied Gundam for photo taking opportunities, larger scaled replicas of weaponry
and Gundam and some conceptual drawings. One is better of looking at the completed
models scattered around the "free-zone" area of Gundam. Not worth the entry fee.
Click here of ABBA location of Diver City


Venus Fort Shopping Mall
(History Garage and Toyota Experience)
Venus Shopping Mall seems to take after the malls in Vegas with painted sky ceilings and replica focal points. The mall is clearly categorized into three parts, with outlet shopping, miscellaneous and family shopping.

Apart from the obvious shopping opportunities, the start/end (depending where you walk
from) of the mall houses the old/new generation of automation, both of which are
presented by Toyota and are free entry.

History Garage - Toyota Automobile Museum, Venus Port Mall
(Located in the end nearer to Diver City)

Free Entry


Good effort in the various displays of past times. The ground floor offers loads of replica car models and various car memorabilia for purchase. A small 2 leveled compound located within the mall ground. 
Toyota City Showcase, Venus Port Mall (Located Nearer at Farris Wheel)
Free Entry
Essentially a Toyota Show Room with a few interactive stations. Two separate driving
simulators, one for racing and another to highlights various car safety features. On the
ground floor, B grade visuals for a simulated racing experience. 


However the new range of cars, especially the section to accommodate disabled individuals was quite an eye opener in their innovative car seat designs and stowage.

Unfortunately, without an international driving license or an understanding of the
Japanese language, one is unable to test drive, go-kart or even drive electric buggies
around the track which go for
¥300 for 10mins.
Click here for ABBA location of Venus Fort Shopping Mall


Decks Tokyo Beach Shopping Mall
(Tokyo Trick Art Museum, Cat Cafe) 
 Tokyo Trick Art Museum
Adult Entry ¥900
Great great fun especially with new found friends, Nari and company from Japan. Without them, I would not have been able to enjoy the visual trickery of the masterful pieces.

Located on the 5th floor of Decks Shopping mall, this museum isn't inherently large.
With approximately 5-7 rooms, each area housed their own unique paintings and similar
visual trickery for fun poses and shots. Worth a visit and depending on how spontaneous and creative you want to be with shots, perhaps an hour and a half or more would cover everything.
ABBATIP: Go at least as a pair, or else enjoying the trick visual effect would be moot.
That is, unless you've got a tripod with you to set up your own shot.
 

Cat Cafe
Entry ¥1200 for 1hr inclusive of one drink
Yet to be reviewed. But the shortest description is, only in Japan.
Click here for ABBA location of Decks Tokyo Beach Shopping Center.

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