Three days in Tokyo was very quick and this Jane's Addiction song lyric came to mind, although this tale isn't about the end of the world. Rather, the beginning of an adventure. A quick one.
The necessary evil of travel is the actual act of travel. Going through security, checking luggage, finding the right train, just basic organizational stuff. And yeah, customs is always fun. That's the stressful part. Once done though, it's a blast.
Even though the flight wasn't until 2 pm, we were up early for last minutes shopping and taking a dreaded Hong Kong taxi to the airport express station. Luckily they know where that is. The four hour flight to Tokyo took almost 5 hours. After finally getting through customs it's almost 8 pm before I can get an airport shuttle to Shinjuku, my base for three days. Shinjuku is a major hub of activity in Midtown Tokyo. 3.7 million people pass through daily.
To get a feel for the vast are that is Tokyo, Narita Airport is in a different prefecture or state than Tokyo. But suburbs of Tokyo reach out to here. A 2 hour bus ride on a nearly empty expressway at night should tell you how big this megalopolis really is. Some of the tower photos may as well. Or this might: metropolitan population is 37 million. The whole country is 127 million.
So, to cover Tokyo in three days border on crazy. That's me. Close to 11 pm when I finally check in to the hotel, I take a quick walk around outside to get a feel of the energy. But wait to do anything until morning.
Day One
First thing in a new city is, get cash, get subway card, and in Japan, exchange my rail pass voucher for the actual pass. All of this in the mammoth Shinjuku station. It's a subway station where 4 lines converge, a regular commuter train station, a city to city train station, but curiously enough, not the terminus to the Shinkansen bullet train. That's at Tokyo station.
I had to wait until 10 am when ticketing agents open for the International visitor only issued 3-day subway pass. But finally getting that, I head to the Tsukiji Fish Market. Some tour would charge $100 or more for this, because they add a sushi making course, I guess.
I don't need that, I just take the subway and shop in the markets, watch out for all, the little carts sending fish boxes to their destinations, and have some of the freshest sushi anywhere. Literally, right out of the boats. I actually ate fish eggs and sea urchin!
Next I head to the big new tower in Tokyo called Sky Tree. It's like the tower in Seattle, Toronto, San Antonio. A panoramic view of the city can be seen from the 350 meter observation deck 1. I didn't go to 450. These things have to sway a bit, and this especially has earthquake absorbing technology. I could feel it and the increased sway at 450 doesn't seem so inviting. Here, you can see some photos showing just how big the city is. This is another places where I could bypass the long queues to take the elevator up, without even a tour. International visitor can take a fast lane and skip the queues.
Day Two
The next day, I decided to do one of those big motor coach tours. It seemed a good way to get around and view some more sites with a guide. And it was fine, we went to Tokyo Tower, smaller than Sky tree, and similar in design to the Eiffel Tower, and according to the guide taller. I've seen the Eiffel tower though. I think they measure by the antenna spires. The one in Paris looked bigger to me. Now, here is the problem with the structured tours. We have time limits on when we can view sites and it seems rushed everywhere. We visit the Imperial Palace, the Meiji Shrine, drive by a few other spots and time is limited everywhere. It was especially disappointing at the Meiji Shrine because there is a lot to see, but I had to return to the bus. We finally end the tour in Ginza, where there are many department stores and mall shopping and restaurants. I find a recommended Ramen place and book another day trip tour to Hakone. More on that in a later blog.
So now here's what I do. Find the brochures for the half day or full day tours, decide what I want to see from that and go to the sites on my own via subways or walking. No time limits there. Next day is planned. Now, to find Kobe beef.
After the first 2 recommended restaurants were booked and closed for a plumbing issue, I went to another tiny basement restaurant (6 tables) that was very local. Business men and women having happy hour and other locals were enjoying it. I enjoyed the atmosphere as much as the food. To have real Kobe beef you probable have to come here. It began exporting to the US in 2013, so you may be able to find some now. But, when in Rome...
Day Three
Until today, the weather in Tokyo has been perfect. Now it is rainy. My self created itinerary starts with Hama-Rikyu Gardens, a peaceful refuge within the city, on the banks of the Sumida river.
Some cherry blossoms are just beginning to appear on some trees. There is a grove of orange trees and I see a Japanese man going to into the grove to gather some fruit. I'm not sure it's legal, but maybe acceptable? The flowers that are blooming are the filed of yellow, unnamed flowers.
After considering a cruise on the river, I decide against it and just return to theTsukiji fish market for more gift ideas.
A subway ride to Asakusa station and a quick lunch at a noodle house, I walk to the Sensoji Temple/Asakusa Kannon. Before arriving at the temple, you are surrounded by shops selling silly souvenirs and higher quality goods. This is the Nakamise Street Market. It's odd how such market places are on or near the grounds of a temple.
Next, I wanted to see the electronics area known as Akihabara. You can find anything here, except, apparently, music CDs of certain Japanese artists. All I found were bubble gum pop music. That's what they love here. The arcade and pachinko gaming houses are filled to capacity and roaring with machine sounds. It seemed louder than a Vegas slot casino room. They love gaming here too.
Wrapping up my self guided tour, I head to Kabukicho, Tokyo's red light district. Sex clubs mixed with high and medium end restaurants and 5 star hotels mixed with love hotels. I'll let you guess what that is. I kept getting approached by African dudes trying to get me in "their" club. Touts is what these guys are known as. And they and the clubs are shady even for this area.
One guy was going to show me a free "preview", down the alley, to a dark lit elevator. Uh, no. Avoid the Nigerian and Ghanaians. Just avoid eye contact and don't shake their hands. I just want to come for a look and feel the atmosphere, and to get overpriced roast pork. It's all fun.
Time for me to say Mata, ai mashou. See you next time, Tokyo.
Peace
The necessary evil of travel is the actual act of travel. Going through security, checking luggage, finding the right train, just basic organizational stuff. And yeah, customs is always fun. That's the stressful part. Once done though, it's a blast.
Even though the flight wasn't until 2 pm, we were up early for last minutes shopping and taking a dreaded Hong Kong taxi to the airport express station. Luckily they know where that is. The four hour flight to Tokyo took almost 5 hours. After finally getting through customs it's almost 8 pm before I can get an airport shuttle to Shinjuku, my base for three days. Shinjuku is a major hub of activity in Midtown Tokyo. 3.7 million people pass through daily.
To get a feel for the vast are that is Tokyo, Narita Airport is in a different prefecture or state than Tokyo. But suburbs of Tokyo reach out to here. A 2 hour bus ride on a nearly empty expressway at night should tell you how big this megalopolis really is. Some of the tower photos may as well. Or this might: metropolitan population is 37 million. The whole country is 127 million.
So, to cover Tokyo in three days border on crazy. That's me. Close to 11 pm when I finally check in to the hotel, I take a quick walk around outside to get a feel of the energy. But wait to do anything until morning.
Day One
First thing in a new city is, get cash, get subway card, and in Japan, exchange my rail pass voucher for the actual pass. All of this in the mammoth Shinjuku station. It's a subway station where 4 lines converge, a regular commuter train station, a city to city train station, but curiously enough, not the terminus to the Shinkansen bullet train. That's at Tokyo station.
I had to wait until 10 am when ticketing agents open for the International visitor only issued 3-day subway pass. But finally getting that, I head to the Tsukiji Fish Market. Some tour would charge $100 or more for this, because they add a sushi making course, I guess.
Next I head to the big new tower in Tokyo called Sky Tree. It's like the tower in Seattle, Toronto, San Antonio. A panoramic view of the city can be seen from the 350 meter observation deck 1. I didn't go to 450. These things have to sway a bit, and this especially has earthquake absorbing technology. I could feel it and the increased sway at 450 doesn't seem so inviting. Here, you can see some photos showing just how big the city is. This is another places where I could bypass the long queues to take the elevator up, without even a tour. International visitor can take a fast lane and skip the queues.
Day Two
The next day, I decided to do one of those big motor coach tours. It seemed a good way to get around and view some more sites with a guide. And it was fine, we went to Tokyo Tower, smaller than Sky tree, and similar in design to the Eiffel Tower, and according to the guide taller. I've seen the Eiffel tower though. I think they measure by the antenna spires. The one in Paris looked bigger to me. Now, here is the problem with the structured tours. We have time limits on when we can view sites and it seems rushed everywhere. We visit the Imperial Palace, the Meiji Shrine, drive by a few other spots and time is limited everywhere. It was especially disappointing at the Meiji Shrine because there is a lot to see, but I had to return to the bus. We finally end the tour in Ginza, where there are many department stores and mall shopping and restaurants. I find a recommended Ramen place and book another day trip tour to Hakone. More on that in a later blog.
So now here's what I do. Find the brochures for the half day or full day tours, decide what I want to see from that and go to the sites on my own via subways or walking. No time limits there. Next day is planned. Now, to find Kobe beef.
After the first 2 recommended restaurants were booked and closed for a plumbing issue, I went to another tiny basement restaurant (6 tables) that was very local. Business men and women having happy hour and other locals were enjoying it. I enjoyed the atmosphere as much as the food. To have real Kobe beef you probable have to come here. It began exporting to the US in 2013, so you may be able to find some now. But, when in Rome...
Day Three
Until today, the weather in Tokyo has been perfect. Now it is rainy. My self created itinerary starts with Hama-Rikyu Gardens, a peaceful refuge within the city, on the banks of the Sumida river.
After considering a cruise on the river, I decide against it and just return to theTsukiji fish market for more gift ideas.
Next, I wanted to see the electronics area known as Akihabara. You can find anything here, except, apparently, music CDs of certain Japanese artists. All I found were bubble gum pop music. That's what they love here. The arcade and pachinko gaming houses are filled to capacity and roaring with machine sounds. It seemed louder than a Vegas slot casino room. They love gaming here too.
Wrapping up my self guided tour, I head to Kabukicho, Tokyo's red light district. Sex clubs mixed with high and medium end restaurants and 5 star hotels mixed with love hotels. I'll let you guess what that is. I kept getting approached by African dudes trying to get me in "their" club. Touts is what these guys are known as. And they and the clubs are shady even for this area.
Time for me to say Mata, ai mashou. See you next time, Tokyo.
Peace
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