First volley from Tokyo

Hey, so I made it. The trip was long, but it overall pleasant. On the plane from Vancouver to Tokyo, I was stupidly shocked by the amount of Asian looking people on the aircraft. I know, I know: “DUH.” It’s just interesting. At the moment, it’s like….7:15 here. The room I stayed at for this night is pretty small but efficient. I should post photos, but I’ll do that later. The room has one of those wonder toilets! I’m quite amused by it.

Wow, this place is amazing. It’s all so lively. As much as I studied Japanese, it’s proving to be difficult to communicate. We’re just getting by with nods and poning ot everything. Not that I’m not making efforts. It’s just that people automatically assume that you don’t know what you’re doing. I’d like to make more efforts however I’m shy. It’s hard to try without looking like an idiot. I’m perhaps mildly embarassed that we’re doing the ugly foreigner thing. Last night, as a group we were walking down the street, and talking and laughing and being loud. The Japanese old ladies would stop and stare. We were nearly run over by many bicycles. It’s an odd feeling to be able to talk and cuss and say stupid things while walking out in public. To be honest, it almost feels like we’re watching a movie of some sort and we’re commenting from a distance. Except, we’re not at a distance. This is all very real, and quite cool.

Anyway, last night we went to Ikebukuro ( 池袋 ) to eat. Everything is all so bright and loud there. From what I hear though, it’s no Shibuya ( 渋谷 ) or Shinjuku ( 新宿 ). After eating, we hung out at the arcades there. There are a ridiculous number of arcades there. Moreover, there are a ridiculous amount of those UFO crane games there. Thost machines are stupidly addictive. It doesn’t seem too expensive at �100 a pop, so it’s easy to just drop in coin after coin. When you htink about it though, that’s the equivalent of about $1. I wouldn’t spend that much in Canada! However, it’s Japan…so…there. FYI, I ended up winning soccer chihuahua dogs (so cute!) and a stuffed koala. I got the two chihuahua dogs with one crane pull: I was ecstatic!

There are vending machines everywhere. I’ve heard people say that, it’s quite true. Almost anything is available. There’s a battery machine close to this hotel. As we were walking in Iriya ( 入谷 ), I noticed a vending machine tucked away in the corner which was peddling titty mags. Only in Japan, I tell you.

It’s amusing. Everything is just so…odd. It has the feel of New York, except bigger and more decidedly Asian. (I’m being master of the obvious, apprently). Being able to read various kanji is helpful, although, there is enough English on the main street signs. Overall, I will say that this place feels like some wongo bizarro world. It’s all normal feeling but still quite strange.

Possibly related posts:

1. First volley from Arizona
2. Day 3: break in Tokyo