Day 3: Japan

My last real day of two limited full days in Japan. An early start. I make my way to the Tsukiji Fish Market. There are other markets in the vicinity as well, but the fish market is the star of the show.


Some shops before the fish market:


The place is huge, and signs in English are limited. There's an auction in the morning, but I couldn't find it in time.

It's a place where a lot of business is done. The walkways are wet, narrow, and crowded. People are carting styrofoam crates around, and they'll run you over if you're not being careful.






Outside I saw this traumatized critter at the side of the street. It was completely out in the open and didn't move as I got close. Something must have really shocked it the way it was shaking.


Post fish market, I went to Ginza - where rich people live. This is a huge shopping street with expensive stores.


An eyeglasses washing station on the street:


In the afternoon I met Cheerio and we went to electronics district Akihabara.


They have Manga cafes that have free drinks when you buy Manga. The staff are garbed in Manga gear, too. This store is five floors of Manga heaven:



Punk pop rock street band:


Next, the Imperial Palace. There's not much to see because the Palace itself is closed off to the public except for two days a year. It's more like strolling through a park. You can see buildings within the wall, the moat, and this bridge, but that's it.


Then we went to Shinjuku's Metropolitan Governement Building. Tokyo at night looks like a circuit board.




We stopped to eat tempura for dinner, then we went to red light district Kabukicho.



There are a lot of ladies clubs in the area as well.


Love Hotel. Stay for a "rest" or the "night."


The guy in front is from a ladies club, and the people in wigs, makeup, and yellow coats are promoters for gay club Bearded Woman.


Rice wrap head made an appearance in other photos.


Back to Chihiro's place. We stopped at a grocery store and tried tofu ice cream. Sounds odd, but it's really good.

Day 2: Japan

A day of trains/light rail/metro/whathaveyous. It felt like I spent half the day on trains.


Chihiro walked me to the closest train station in the morning. The walk to her apartment is a bit maze-like.


First stop of the day: Sensoji Temple. Shops greet your entrance to the main building.


Hozo-mon Gate:


Purify thyself! Before entering the shrine, purify left hand, right hand, rinse mouth, left hand, and lastly the dipper.


Theee shrine:



Japan, a.k.a. Vending Machine World.


Trains to Harajuku.


Forest pathway that leads toward the Meiji Shrine.


Main building:


Glimpsed a wedding passing through.


Gothic Lolitas out and about Harajuku. I saw other cosplay participants, but I wasn't fast enough with my camera.


Off to Shinjuku. This is the busiest station in Tokyo.



Next, Shibuya, a shopping and entertainment district. This is a crazy mass-movement crosswalk where pedestrians from each direction walk at the same time.


Small map:


Next, Roppongi. I arrived as night descended. Tokyo Tower aglow:


Is that it? It felt like I went to ten more places. After it all, I went back to Chihiro's apartment.

Day 1: Japan

Morning 2+ hour flight to Osaka, Japan.

What a remarkably clear day to have a window seat. A flight attendant spoke to me in Mandarin, and then in French, asking me if I spoke the language. When I was in Beijing someone spoke to me in French as well.



From the airport in Kansai I took an express train to the Osaka Shinkansen (bullet train) station. I caught the Nozomi Shinkansen to Tokyo, which took over two hours.





Chihiro met me at Shin-Yokohama station and we ate curry at a nearby restaurant.


I had hoped to do something that night, but it didn't happen. Rest may in fact be a good thing though.