Smash and grab part 2

Trip Start Oct 23, 2006
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Trip End Oct 25, 2007


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Flag of Japan  ,
Thursday, February 22, 2007

People don't push in Tokyo. One of the few things I dislike about Korea is that people can get pushy, like on buses or the subway. Tokyo-ites don't push. Perhaps it's a more Japanese thing, but people here are far more respectful of those around them. Subway travellers seem to instinctively know when another person is coming and so move out of the way accordingly. It makes a big difference, as the daily subway commute can be a stressful experience, particularly at rush-hour. It's also very quiet on the subway - as if talking would ruin everyone elses journey. I guess you get into a rhythm when so many spend so much of their life in these sardine cans. Tokyo subway system - brilliant.

The Government of Tokyo have institued a policy where, during rush hour, there are female only carriages. Apparently Japanese men can't keep their hands to themselves.
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Getting out of bed isn't something I'm known for - my grandfather yes - me, no. So when I heard that the Tsukiji Fish Market was the best attraction in Tokyo, I was torn. Get up at 500am and see a heap of dead fish, or sleep. Luckily for me my roomate had an early flight and woke me at 430 in the morning, thus inspiring me to rise and make the trip.

Tsukiji Fish Market - brilliant. If it comes from the see, it was for sale here. I'm not sure if all of the produce was legally for sale, but nonetheless, there it was. Tunas the size of dolphins. No kidding. It took all my less than impressive strength just to lift the head of one. Watching a tuna being carved up is quite a show. The 'fish artist' uses a massive buzz saw, like you would use to cut trees, and divides the fish with machine-like precision. Nothing is wasted.

A breakfast of fresh sashimi tuna and rice with wasabi - living the dream.

I did eat and drink a silly amount. It was like I was in a bad Jason Statham movie, and I had been injected with a drug that would kill me if I stopped eating sashimi tuna and drinking Asahi (the Asahi brewery, incidentally was a short stroll from my ryoken - beer colored building - smart), such was my rate of consumption.

If Tokyo were a movie character, it would be James Bond. Not the latest Bond, he's still learning the ropes, but the older Bonds, such as Connery or Dalton. They're both cool, calm, sophisticated - never a hair or thread out of place, regardless of the time of day or situation in which they find themselves. They both seem to take everything in their stride, almost effortlessly.

it's not until you rise to the observatory at the 45th floor of the Tokyo Government Building to look out over the city, that you realise just how mega this city is. It's a monster of a place.
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