Outside of My Ishikawa Bubble - Tokyo Pt I of III

Three days in Tokyo. That’s all it took to hook me in and fall in love with the city. But I wouldn’t want to live there after living in Komatsu. I like my rural life with the friendly people and the quiet nights—with the option of going to a nearby city like Kanazawa, which is only a 30-minute train ride away. Nonetheless, Tokyo is a place I wouldn’t mind visiting again and again, especially when so many good friends are living there now.

1/2/2010

I woke up around 6:30am and got off the overnight bus at Shinjuku, an area in Tokyo. My friend, Kazuki, and I headed over by subway to the Kamata JR stop to leave our baggage at the hotel. We wouldn’t be able to check into our rooms until much later in the afternoon.

Our first stop that morning was Sengakuji Temple, a temple that was originally built during the Tokugawa period. This shrine is particularly interesting to me because it honors the Akoroshi, the 47 loyal ronin warriors who avenged their master, Asano Takuminokami, by killing Kira Hozukenosuke and taking his head to Sengakuji.

Sengakuji

Path that leads to the graves of the 47 ronin

Our next stop was lunch with Hiro in Ebisu. Kazuki and I headed over to Ebisu and had about an hour to kill before Hiro would arrive. We walked around the shopping center there, but I didn’t buy anything because I was all shopped out AND BROKE. People were still lining up to get the deals available that week. Our last twenty minutes was spent in a photographic arts museum. A lot of the images were beautiful, but I only took a couple shots of my favorites.

We walked back to the station to meet Hiro. I knew he was coming with a couple friends, but he appeared with an entourage. I was pleasantly surprised to find Ben amongst the group! I haven’t seen him forever, and I didn’t expect to see him in Japan. He and Hiro just met the day before through their mutual friends. What a small world.

Anyway, Hiro led us to a hamburg place and we had a nice hearty meal. I decided to be different and get hayashi rice. I had been craving it since Kyoto, because I wasn’t able to order it at the café in Kyoto since it was sold out. It was nice getting to meet some new San Diego people, even in another country.

Hayashi rice

Outside the restaurant with my boys

After our delicious meal, we all headed over to Shibuya to walk around. There isn’t really a lot to see there unless you want to window shop. We ended up leaving that area and going to Akihabara—the electronic and anime otaku central.

Shibuya crossing

Akihabara is the place to be if you want a wide selection of electronic goods or if you are obsessed with Japanese pop culture. Every other store in the area is selling computer parts, cameras, manga, anime, dolls, or idol paraphernalia. We went into one store that had 9 levels to it—each level with different otaku ware. There were strange looking dolls, anime cos-play costumes, ecchi (perverted) manga, and old school stuff. We took some photos until the staff stopped us.

Cosplay

Idol pictures

We were going to check out a maid café, because Ben wanted to (jk), but its ridiculously expensive just to get in and look at the “maids.” In Osaka, you could go into the café without paying, but in Tokyo there’s a cover charge on top of the expensive treats and drinks. Also, if you look in, there were only creepy men in there…fulfilling their fetish fantasies. I was not about to be the only female going in.

The best part of going to Akihabara, for me, was finally buying an electronic dictionary. I got it for a decent price—about $200.

Kazuki and I left the group for a bit to check into our hotel rooms. He decided to stay in his room for the night and I went back to Shinjuku to meet up with the guys and some more San Diego people.

Shinjuku

I met up with Hiro, Ben, Henry, Tony, Eri, Daniel, and Sachi. We all headed over to a nomihoudai/izakaya. Reuniting with old friends, delicious food and drinking, I was a happy girl that night. After dinner, we strolled on over to a karaoke place and sang for a couple hours. The night was a bit of a blur for me after the Izakaya. There are pictures from the others’ cameras, but I don’t remember taking those photos at all.

SD People part 1

SD people part 2

UCSD org people...it was originally going to be JSA until Tony popped in too lol

You'll always be my Hiro :D

It was a great first night in Tokyo.