Ohhhh Tokyo!

There's this show during the 1990's that most probably must have been the spark that ignited my interest in Japan for the first time. It was aired on a local channel, and everyone were just captivated by it. It was the host's fault; She was so funny, so awesome, the ultimate epitome of host-ness that she became a common household name.

Her name's Ellen (her full name is Eleanor Nishiumi), and her show was the legendary, WINS Oh Tokyo! And that's her on the pic. The one holding a mic, wearing a fedora hat, white shirt, and a black jumper (sorry for the poor quality~). A woman of smiles, optimism, wide-eyed curiousity, and never-ending hunger (she eats a lot).

I'm not sure if the show's faithful to its title and featured only scenes from Tokyo, but it sure is one heck of a great way to hypnotize kids to come to Japan! From restaurants, to amusement parks, famous landmarks and tourist spots; Ellen saw, came, and conquered every place she's visited.

Hanayashiki, Asakusa, Roppongi, Odaiba, anywhere that there's something to see, she'll be there. Interviewing people, sampling delicacies in nearby restaurants, computing and converting the Yen prices in her head, and enjoying everything.

Here's another pic where she's touching her chest. I don't know which episode this is, but it reminds me when she went out to Tokyo Bay and went fishing. Or maybe that was another show...

She's infectious and very charismatic. If she says that this place/food/thing is great, it will be. Whenever she's having fun and a very great time, it will be included in the top places to visit once in Japan. And she does it with so much gusto.

I miss her. Her show had a second season where the show was entirely hosted by her (there were other hosts back in season 1), and a talk of a season 3 sent us to a crazy frenzy. But years has passed and Ellen never returned. A decade went by and still people talk about her show, that goes to show just how strong her following is.

By writing this entry dedicated to the wonderful hostess and her spectacular show, I hope to leave a trail in the World Wide Web for other fans to follow. Thank you Ellen, for showing me a colorful side of Japan, we hope to see you again sometime soon~