Advertisement
Published: March 7th 2006
Edit Blog Post
Tokyo's Rainbow Bridge
A nice night for a walk... but bridge walkway was closed. Grrr! I regretted ordering breakfast the minute I awoke. Most Japanese food appeals to me on paper, but the Japanese style of breakfast is something that never has. Never say never though....
So it was with dread that I slipped off my cramped slippers at the door, and with caution that I walked across the Tatami floor of the spacious dining room to the table with my name on it. The spread was fairly impressive and included Grapefruit, Rice, Miso Soup, Boiled Tofu (sat over a meths burner), Fish, Salad, Ham, Pickles and green tea. You know, the usual. Anyway, I ate it. It wasn't actually too bad, although I can't say I'll ever be making it for myself. Ever.
What is this Japanese obsession with Tofu? A block of Tofu is not a valid piece of food to eat. I can just about accept it cubed in soup, or in a stir fry, but serving blocks of Tofu the size of packs of butter is wrong. Wrong I tell you! And on my birthday I splashed out on an ice cream desert... which had Tofu in it. Not impressed, although it turns out this is a reimport from America.
Across Tokyo Habour
Ok, not the greatest photo...but it was a lovely view I promise! However, this doesnt make it right. Oh no.
Roppongi is not part of Japan - it's a multinational twilight zone that feels like Mardi Gras blew over on a hurrican from New Orleans
I packed and Jumped on the Shinkansen to Tokyo, which as before was so prompt you could set you watch by it. While on the train I read a little of the lonlely planet to see which Tokyo districts I would explore in my remaining day, and came across a choice quote: "Roppongi is not part of Japan - it's a multinational twilight zone that feels like Mardi Gras blew over on a hurrican from New Orleans." I think the perhaps sensitive nature of this quote nowadays may mean the LP is in for a new issue...
Lunch was in a vending machine noodle bar, and was a bowl of Udon Noodles with some spare ribs on top. This style of serving noodles is something I've never cooked before, and i think its something Illl definitely have to add to my snack repertoire.
most westerners are a lot taller than Japanese, and if everythings in proportion...
After lunch I bumped into Mike, an American born Japanese guy living in Tokyo. He was kind enough to show me a number of Tokyo districts I had never been to:Shibuya and Harajuka with their young and trendy crowds, with a myriad of shops to server them including perhaps the worlds greatest ¥100 shop! He had some interesting insights into Japanese culture too. We discussed the sex trade a little, as it was very apparant near where I had booked into my hotel. "The Japanese Sex Trade is very closed to foreigners, its almost exlusively for the Japanese". "Why?" I asked him. "Well they give a lot of reasons. Sometimes Westerners try and haggle. But apparantly some workers are scared of being damaged - most westerners are a lot taller than Japanese, and if everythings in proportion... you know what I'm saying?". We went for a drink in a Garish 20th floor restaurant, with a great view, and it was again another great opportunity to get an ex-pat perspective on life in Japan.
Mike had to visit a family memeber in hospital, so I left him and headed out to Obaida, the bay area of Tokyo. The final part of the journey was by Monorail, which gave a fantastic winding view of the city. I would recommend this Journey to anyone, if only for the views from the train itself as it works its way over the rainbow bridge. I got of the train at Palette Town, a brand new development and walked back towards the rainbow bridge, with the aim of crossing it on foot. I had no such luck - the bridge was closed to pedestrians. Nonetheless I got a nice walk along the beach looking over the bay, so I was happy.
I headed back to the general area of Shinjuku where I was saying, and saw the same old carange you see in any city as the midnight hour approaches. Girls crying in the street, hearts broken for the 3rd time that night, other girls on all fours vomiting in the gutter. Club touts on the streets trying to draw in the punters. And an absolute ton of pimps. The sex industry may be closed to foreigners if you go looking for it, but sometimes it comes looking for you. "You want me massage" said one pale skinned girl with deep set eyes, looking like she needed her next fix of the day. "you want see nniiiiice Japanese girls" said a guy as wide as he was tall, and pretty tall with it. Lots of timid looking middle aged Japanese men walked up to me holding photos of girls "you want sex with her?" came the questions, over and over again. I politely declined all offers, but it was certainly an interesting experience to be asked with such proliferation.
I headed back to the capsule hotel - this one grimier and less classy than the last. The bar was replaced by a vending machine, the toned girls in hotpants replaced by...well...less toned girls and swimming trunks replaced by total nudity. I wondered if it was time to test the theory Mike had heard re: Western vs Japanese. I wondered for very little time. Of course it wasnt the time!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.152s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 18; qc: 87; dbt: 0.0865s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Mum Brown
Sylvia Brown
next bit
Dear Alex have a great flight to Aussie. I hope you havent eaten to much in Japan and will still fit in your seat. Remember wiggle your toes. Love mum.