Tokyo
I wake up not nearly as early as I should have. My intention was to hit the fish markets nice and early so I could see some of the action. I end up going at 9am, which is still too late.
By the time I had navigated the subway and walked into the world’s largest fish shop, vendors were started to wash down their stalls and bag up the last of their stock. I still managed to see people hacking up fresh tuna, writhing sea snakes, weird red-blue octopi, and a whole bunch of other weird seafoods.
As I had not eaten yet, I figure I deserve a splurge and head to a sushi and sashimi bar which is part of the markets. I get a decent set of tuna, mackeral, prawn, salmon roe, eel and scallop. All fresh. All raw. I think this is the most sashimi that I have eaten in about 4years, all rolled into about 25 minutes. I wasn’t sure how my stomach would go, but I didn’t vom and it all tasted great! As we were at a fish market, the miso(naturally) had prawn heads in it.
From here, I walk and walk, up through Ginza and then the winding road to Roppongi. Along the way I head past the Tokyo Tower, grab a beer from 7-11 and walk through some nice gardens.
Roppongi is mad. I follow liams advice and head to the hills development. In the first tower, I ascend 52 floors to the mori art museum and the Tokyo skyline lookout. Breathtaking views and great contemporary Japanese art. I also snapped polaroids of the view from the window.
After stooging the train guards a few times, I thought I had a fail-safe method for minimum fares. WRONG. A few hundred yen and I am off to Shibuya and the crossing for which this destination is so famous. It is gnarly, but not nearly as brutal as it is made out to be. You cross it and it feels like any other intersection. You view it from Starbucks - level 2, and it seems insane! I shoot some photos and meet some dickbrain American missionary named Steve who is about to get married after “My mission to japan, to film promo for our church”.
From Starbucks I wander up to Shibuya 109, where I am rudely awakened to the world of young Japanese girls! There are 9 levels of independent girls clothing companies. I get some odd looks from people and the odd stare. After leaving with a blush on my face, I follow round the corner a bit and then back to the crossing for a final look.
Next stop Akihabara. So many electronics! So many stores. I dodge the girls dressed as anime characters and wander into a huge store where I peruse the HD video capable point and shoots. It doesn’t look like I will be getting a bargain, but I find a second hand one for 7800Y. 123 Australian Dollars. Not too bad. I might have to go back for this one.
By this time I am completely fucked. I head for the station and then to a local eatery where the specialty is beef, onion and rice(Shabu Shabu). I devour my meal and then head for the hotel to catch up on a few things and chill. I hang with a few older British dudes and then head for the capsule. Such a good little room. Better get some sleep for it is off to Nikko in the morning!
