Ok, so I pride myself in being a seasoned traveller and have a pretty good sense of direction. I'd have to say, Tokyo is a little overwhelming! Although, even though I don't speak Japanese, everything in Japan makes sense. It is logical, and you can pretty much figure it out. In general, there are a TON of people in Tokyo. It is super busy! The trains are packed and you just have to get used to bumping into people and making your way.
Luckily, my hotel is right across from the Shinigawa JR Station. Shinigawa is kind of a little south from the city center, but the JR trains can take you easily anywhere. The main line on JR (which is Japan Railways) is the Yamanote line (it's green), and is a circular line that goes around the center of Tokyo. In addition to JR, there's the subway, which will take you to more specific stops around the city (for instance, you need to take the subway to go to Tsukiji Fish Market). The subway map for Tokyo is INSANE. There are so many stations and lines, you really need to use your finger and follow it to the station that you are at and want to go to.
MATT, MY BRILLIANT COUSIN
THANK GOD, my cousin Matt lives near Tokyo. He lives in Chiba, which is east of Tokyo, on the way to Narita Airport. He's the scholarly type, and got a 2 year scholarship to the prestigous Waseda University. Matt's a cousin on my Dad's side (Chinese), and he is half Chinese (with a little Japanese) and half white. He speaks and writes Japanese fluently.
IZIKAYA
Matt was the perfect guide to start my Japan trip off. We went to the Meiji Shrine and took a nice stroll. Then we went and checked out the neighborhood of Ueno. We had lunch here, and I had my first IZIKAYA experience. Izikaya is basically small plates and drinking. Kind of like tapas, Japanese style. Matt ordered a bunch of different stuff. I guess Japanese really like their textures, and we got to taste a variety of items like tongue and cartilage. We even got a chicken sausage, but it had little ground up bits of cartilage. Of course, we had lunch with some beers, and I learned a very important word: "Nama," which means draft beer;)
SHINTO and BUDDHISM TOGETHER
After lunch, we walked around Ueno Park a little. Got to see some temples and shrines. Matt taught me that you should wash your hands (more like rinse) with the water/fountain located at the front of any Buddhist Temple. I learned that Shintoism and Buddhism co-exist in Japan. Japanese are very ritualistic, and practice both. For example, weddings are traditionally Shinto, and other prayers and sorts are Buddhist. Shinto shrines are usually noted with a red gate, or "torii." Buddhist temples are usually minimalistic and spacious. I find the Buddist temples a little more serene and calming.
ASAKUSA AND KAPPABASHI
Headed to the Asahi Brewing Co. after Ueno. I was looking forward to a brewery tour/tasting, but unfortunately it is just the corporate offices. The building itself is supposed to looks like a pint of beer, complete with head and a sort of lightening bolt. Looks kind of funny, but hey, it can serve as a landmark.
Matt had us try "Mister Donut," which was a Japanese chain donut shop, but the donuts were incredibly light! We tried the basic glazed, and also one that was Matcha green tea.
Walked around a little more to check out Kappabashi, which is known for it's kitchen supplies. Unfortunately, since it was a Sunday, most everything was closed, so it was kind of a let down. Saw lots of plastic replicas of food though. Japanese really like to know what they are eating, and there is usually a picture or a plastic replica in the window of what the food really looks like.
MY NEW FRIEND RIO
So, during my friend Johann's wedding in the Philippines, I met one of his friends named Rio. Rio had been working in the Philippines for about 5 years, but then returned to Japan right when I was visiting there. He was returning to Japan before heading off to get his MBA in Taiwan.
At this point, I am lucky to have a friend and my cousin that speak Japanese. It's about time to learn some Japanese on my own, just enough to get by. Rio, Matt, and I walk around a little more and I got to see SHIBUYA, which has the famous cross walk jam packed full of people and is featured in the movie Lost in Translations. Rio wanted to show me this one place that sold WHALE meat. I have to admit, I really was going to try it, but backed down. There have been some controversy about whale meat and Japanese. In hindsight, I think I should have tried it, just to try it. Walked to OMTE SANDO, which is a really beautiful area...tree lined streets and designer shops (Louis Vuitton, etc..)
RANDOM IZIKAYA
So, for dinner, Matt, Rio and I decide to get Izikaya in Shibuya. We go to the 3rd floor of one building to get a little bit of a view. This place was good, and had a lot of randomness to it. We ordered edamame, "with performance." The waitress comes; sings and dances, with Matt and Rio doing back up with tamborines. When the song is done, I grab edamame with a plastic glove for us to eat. It was quite funny and random! Matt said he has never seen anything like this in Tokyo. Then Rio orders a hard boiled egg "delicately peeled." This one, the lady sings, with Rio on tamborines. Matt is filming the entire thing, so you will see it on Facebook eventually. At the end of the song, she smashes the golden colored egg on my forehead! She peels it, then feeds it to me and gives me a bandaid for my forehead. Quite the experience. Entertaining none the less;) Rio and I grab some sake at another place. Got to try different kinds of sake and it was tasty!
Good first day in Tokyo...By the end of the day, I feel comfortable in Tokyo, and was able to navigate my way back to the hotel and around. Thanks to Matt and Rio for showing me around and introducing me to Tokyo!
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