Tokyo - The city that never sleeps

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After a long but smooth flight, I finally arrived in Tokyo. From the airport, I took a one hour bullet train ride into the heart of the city to Shinigawa where my hotel is located. As the lush trees and traditional Japanese buildings flew by in the window, I put on my headphones and listened to some Japanese pop music to get me in the mood. Stepping off the train, I was greeted by a mass of people in a gigantic subway station. I found my way to the beautiful hotel, freshened up, and got ready for a night out on the town. Matt (my co-worker on this trip with me) and I were famished and we headed back to the subway and squeezed ourselves on the train and headed out to Shibuya, the youth district where thousands of teens and young adults go to hang out.

We were greeted by neon lights and thongs of people crossing the street at Hachiko crossing the famous walkway you see in the movies. After spending a little time lost trying to find the restaurant we had reserved, we settled for a sushi restaurant in a shopping center on the 9f. Inside, we were greeted by friendly staff and located the only waiter who spoke passable English. I ordered a sushi bowl of miscellaneous sashimi on a bed of rice. It was "oiishi" (delicious) and my first time eating a giant raw shrimp! (Matt's comment: Does that thing still have it's head on?)

With my belly full, we headed out to people watch and look around at the night life. I was surprised to see so many teenagers and young people jammed into one place. There were definitely some crazy fashions going on here and tons of unsigned bands playing music right on the sidewalk. I walked by a brightly lit building with an anime girl plastered all over it. My curiosity piqued,I walked in and found myself in a pachinko parlor which is sort of like a Japanese gambling den with tiny ball bearings. From my understanding you try to win as many balls as possible by rolling them through a little maze of pegs. I didn't try my luck, but it was total light and sound overload. The noise level was intense!

Amazingly there were quite a lot of big name western stores on the streets. I saw a Disney store, Mcdonald's and this gigantic Apple store. The highlight of my night was finding a small arcade made up of nothing but claw machine games and photo sticker booths. I tried my luck with trying to grab some anime figures and hello kitty stuffies. My conclusion: the machines are so rigged!

We ended our night at a cd store where you can get any artist you want, including Western ones. My first night in Tokyo was definitely an adventure of sensory and sight overload. Now I know why this city is so alive, there's just a stream of never ending things to do. I look forward to what new and weird things I'll experience tomorrow! Kombawa, Tokyo!

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Photos

Shinigawa Station
Throng of people at the exit to Shingawa subway station

Shibuya Neon Lights
Famous crosswalk at Shibuya

My first Victory!
Giving the obligatory Japanese Victory sign in Shibuya

My First Sushi in Japan!
Medley of raw fish and other random things on a bed of rice.

Pachinko!
Cha-ching...

Queen of Cuteness
Hello Kitty Store

UFO Catcher
Stuffed toys at an arcade in Shibuya

Random Cover Band
Bands played on the street - most of them are unsigned.

Comments

[Sam]

How can you find time to write?
It is fun to see the total different culture and city. I am happy for you that you enjoy Japanese foods and entertainments. I am not surprise because you like Japanese stuff since you were teenager. Just like the Chinese old saying: You look like a fish jumps into the water. Have fun!