Konichiwa
Trip Start
Jul 01, 2006
1
4
Trip End
Jul 24, 2006
Tokyo,
Kanto,
Japan
Monday, July 3, 2006
Started off the month of July with a 13 hour airline flight from NJ to the capital of Japan. This is the least diverse city I've ever visited. Tourists stick out like a sore thumb, partly because of Andy's height [travel companion whom everyone stares at], mostly because of our skin/features, and also a mix between being two of the only people wearing sunglasses and sporting backpacks. Spent our first two days touring Northern and Western Tokyo. Northern Tokyo, where our hostel is located as it is by far the cheapest, houses a more suburb-like city scene with temples, museums, parks and zoos with great pandas. Western Tokyo is dominated by skyscrapers, advertisements, shopping districts, and mobs and mobs of people. Another traveler we met from Aussie was quick to say that Tokyo has nearly the same amount of people as the entire country of Australia. You really have to go to Shibuya in Western Tokyo to appreciate that, which is home to the huge intersection you have seen in movies [attached photo]
Senso-ji Temple
. Tokyo overwhelms your senses. So much to look at. Having gigantic neon signs isn't enough, each one must flash or blink to get your attention. Huge color screens affixed on nearly every other skyscraper with audio. Even the traffic construction signs are in constant motion with a worker made of lights waving a flag [see photo]. The trains are faster. The cabs take credit cards. ATMs have animation. Everyone is playing on their cellphone. 25 minute train ride and if the japanese aren`t staring into their phone the entire time, they are sleeping. The lights/signs/screens may look tacky if they weren't so well-maintained. Also if I wasn't so impressed by them and if they werent surrounded by tons of other signs/buildings just like it.
Its hard to sleep in when the sun is up at 430am and the curtains to our hostel room are white so we are up and at em bright and early. Shoes must be removed before entering rooms. The shower faucets look like you need an advanced degree to use them. When you flush the toilet, theres's a faucet on the top of the toilet that starts running water for you to rinse your hands. I'm skeptical about washing my hands w water coming out of a toilet, but its a clever space-saving idea. A couple of the pictures I attached of the Senso-ji Temple and Pagoda (5 story tower thing) appear to be taken quite later than 7pm, but that is when the sun sets
Pagoda (5 story tower thing)
. Late night lots of locals flock to huge arcades with electronic horse racing and pachinko, which is similar to pinball but little silver balls fall from the top with the turn of a button and it requires no skill whatsoever. Its a form of gambling that gets around the law bc you get a prize and then can redeem the prize at a nearby store for money. Okay have to pack up and head to Mt. Fuji. Will be climbing to the top for sunrise tomorrow. Am having a great time and will send another when I find internet in Kyoto.
Hope all is well,
Lindsey
