Why are city get-a-ways always too short?
Today was the last whole day in Tokyo. And of course it was pouring heavy rain all day. Wet and cold I defied the weather gods and went temple sightseeing. Asakusa holds a couple of temples and shrines, and it has also tried to preserve the old style of Tokyo with small hand-craft stores with traditional look and feel. It was beautiful even when raining.
Took a walk along the Sumida river up to the park with the same name. Sat under a tree and watched the rainfall, contemplating the stillness.
Had to get back to the hotel for a change of clothes - I was soaking wet despite having an umbrella. Change and back out into the ever pouring rain. Walked around the north and west parts of Shinjuku, where I hadn't been before. Stumbled upon some "alternative" music stores worth a checking out and by the evening I found a small robatayaki (meanning: place specialized in charcoal grilled food) on one of the backstreets. No one spoke a word of english, so pointing and trying to pronounce the words from the "phrase book" in the back of my guide book was the means of communication. It was worth the confusion, the food was great.
I'll head out for an evening walk around Kabukicho soon - it is Bladerunner weather - and then it's an early night for me as I have to be up early tomorrow. I'll miss this city the moment I leave it...
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Party
That was one great night out!
Started with some Korean BBQ and beers in a small and busy restaurant at the edge of Kabukicho. Perhaps not the most exciting food I think, but it was a majority vote.
After filling up on various sorts of beef (vegetables were rare on the menu, so to speak) we headed on for Mother. A rock bar in Kabukicho that a friend had said I should try to find, and it turned out that the owner of the club we were heading for later also recommended that bar.
So after some wandering in the rain and two wrong turns we got to the place. It is small, unbelievably small.
It was eight of us, and we pretty much filled the place. In total I think we were twelve persons in there, and that was all that could fit. But to make up for being so small they played extra loud. Ehe. Well. Good thing we had our ear-plugs with us... One of the guys asked the bartender if she could lower the volume just a bit, she glared at him and turned it up a little more... Insane place! But fun.
Since it was absolutely impossible to talk to eachother in that place we headed off again after an hour.
At the goth/industrial club it was almost as loud, but the place was bigger (but still small) so there were areas where you could actually have a conversation...
Just inside the door there was a guy crafting vampire teeth for those who wanted to blend in. Of course we had to try it! He payed attention to details, it took almost 30 minutes to craft one pair. Mine broke due to a small incident on the dancefloor, but it was fun while they lasted...
The music was more noise than industrial most of the night, but we had a blast. The live bands were...Japanese. I guess there is no other way of describing them - you had to be there...
We stayed till closing and that means that we headed back at about 6am. Ouff! I'm too old for this sh... Today's been a day of slowmotion. I'm not sick but I feel as if being run over by a train and the cognitive processes are running slow.
Headed out to Design Festa as I imagined that would be a good activity while hung over. I was a little disappointed. The overall quality of the artists was not that high, or perhaps it's just my idea of art and design that is a bit limited?
Anyways, after a couple of hours walking around trying to make sense of it all my head was spinning from all the background noise and I headed back out. Some parts was fun though, so it was not a total wast of time, and I have to search for some of the artists online later to see if I can find more of their work.
Spent most of the remainder of the day just walking around, stopping for coffee and reading every now and then, and just contemplating nothingness.
Tomorrow is "old Tokyo" day. Time for history and culture.
Started with some Korean BBQ and beers in a small and busy restaurant at the edge of Kabukicho. Perhaps not the most exciting food I think, but it was a majority vote.
After filling up on various sorts of beef (vegetables were rare on the menu, so to speak) we headed on for Mother. A rock bar in Kabukicho that a friend had said I should try to find, and it turned out that the owner of the club we were heading for later also recommended that bar.
So after some wandering in the rain and two wrong turns we got to the place. It is small, unbelievably small.
It was eight of us, and we pretty much filled the place. In total I think we were twelve persons in there, and that was all that could fit. But to make up for being so small they played extra loud. Ehe. Well. Good thing we had our ear-plugs with us... One of the guys asked the bartender if she could lower the volume just a bit, she glared at him and turned it up a little more... Insane place! But fun.
Since it was absolutely impossible to talk to eachother in that place we headed off again after an hour.
At the goth/industrial club it was almost as loud, but the place was bigger (but still small) so there were areas where you could actually have a conversation...
Just inside the door there was a guy crafting vampire teeth for those who wanted to blend in. Of course we had to try it! He payed attention to details, it took almost 30 minutes to craft one pair. Mine broke due to a small incident on the dancefloor, but it was fun while they lasted...
The music was more noise than industrial most of the night, but we had a blast. The live bands were...Japanese. I guess there is no other way of describing them - you had to be there...
We stayed till closing and that means that we headed back at about 6am. Ouff! I'm too old for this sh... Today's been a day of slowmotion. I'm not sick but I feel as if being run over by a train and the cognitive processes are running slow.
Headed out to Design Festa as I imagined that would be a good activity while hung over. I was a little disappointed. The overall quality of the artists was not that high, or perhaps it's just my idea of art and design that is a bit limited?
Anyways, after a couple of hours walking around trying to make sense of it all my head was spinning from all the background noise and I headed back out. Some parts was fun though, so it was not a total wast of time, and I have to search for some of the artists online later to see if I can find more of their work.
Spent most of the remainder of the day just walking around, stopping for coffee and reading every now and then, and just contemplating nothingness.
Tomorrow is "old Tokyo" day. Time for history and culture.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Sushi, parasites and shopping
Started the day early.
Got up at six to go to the Tsukiji fish market, that means I missed the tuna auction (which apparently is one of the main attractions) but I just couldn't convince myself that it was more important that sleep... After a moment of complete lack of memory and loss of orientation I found my way to the right entrance of the Shinjuku station and away I went.
Fish markets are...smelly... But it's a place you must visit when in Tokyo and the sushi is beyond belief! First breakfast sushi for me, but probably the freshest and best sushi I've ever had. Well worth the early morning.
After fish - time for parasites!
This time I had time for a trip to the Meguro Parasitological Museum. And yes, it's mostly full of parasites in jars... Fun for the whole family. :-)
Having spent time with a lot of parasites I felt hungy. Hm. I hope I didn't cath anything... ;-) So off to Harajuku for some more sushi. Back to the same sushi place I visited last time I was here. Not as good as the Tsukiji sushi, but still nice, and as always with Harajuku there are a lot of eyecandy as well.
After food comes shopping.
Mostly window shopping though, as the sizes are not really fit for a full grown european male that is not anorectic. The length may be good on the trousers, but the waist width is more that of a ten year old than of a thirty... So, mainly walking around taking in the sights and feeling the Tokyo youth fashion trends pouring over me.
Managed to find some Japanese wine to bring back home, it is probably horrible but still - it's Japanese! Ninja wine! And some other liquor that most certainly is bad for you... All this for my friends...if they still are my friends after all these horrible alcoholic beverages I keep bringing back.
Got back to the hotel to drop of the shopping bags and rest my feet for a short while, then out on the town again to meet up with the others that arrived today.
It's amazing how much my internal timezone is adjusted after just one night's sleep. The others were a total mess and after some browsing through stores in Shinjuku and a beer in Kabukico they gave up and headed back to their hotel. I headed back too, taking a slight detour through the outskirts of Kabukico/Shinjuku to see new streets and sights. Guess this time is best used for writing a couple of post-cards and relax. I'll probably take a late night stroll around the area in a short while, just to not fall a sleep too early.
Tomorrow holds some more shopping, perhaps some more sushi and Art/Design Festa. The night holds clubbing - prepare to be sieged, Tokyo!
Got up at six to go to the Tsukiji fish market, that means I missed the tuna auction (which apparently is one of the main attractions) but I just couldn't convince myself that it was more important that sleep... After a moment of complete lack of memory and loss of orientation I found my way to the right entrance of the Shinjuku station and away I went.
Fish markets are...smelly... But it's a place you must visit when in Tokyo and the sushi is beyond belief! First breakfast sushi for me, but probably the freshest and best sushi I've ever had. Well worth the early morning.
After fish - time for parasites!
This time I had time for a trip to the Meguro Parasitological Museum. And yes, it's mostly full of parasites in jars... Fun for the whole family. :-)
Having spent time with a lot of parasites I felt hungy. Hm. I hope I didn't cath anything... ;-) So off to Harajuku for some more sushi. Back to the same sushi place I visited last time I was here. Not as good as the Tsukiji sushi, but still nice, and as always with Harajuku there are a lot of eyecandy as well.
After food comes shopping.
Mostly window shopping though, as the sizes are not really fit for a full grown european male that is not anorectic. The length may be good on the trousers, but the waist width is more that of a ten year old than of a thirty... So, mainly walking around taking in the sights and feeling the Tokyo youth fashion trends pouring over me.
Managed to find some Japanese wine to bring back home, it is probably horrible but still - it's Japanese! Ninja wine! And some other liquor that most certainly is bad for you... All this for my friends...if they still are my friends after all these horrible alcoholic beverages I keep bringing back.
Got back to the hotel to drop of the shopping bags and rest my feet for a short while, then out on the town again to meet up with the others that arrived today.
It's amazing how much my internal timezone is adjusted after just one night's sleep. The others were a total mess and after some browsing through stores in Shinjuku and a beer in Kabukico they gave up and headed back to their hotel. I headed back too, taking a slight detour through the outskirts of Kabukico/Shinjuku to see new streets and sights. Guess this time is best used for writing a couple of post-cards and relax. I'll probably take a late night stroll around the area in a short while, just to not fall a sleep too early.
Tomorrow holds some more shopping, perhaps some more sushi and Art/Design Festa. The night holds clubbing - prepare to be sieged, Tokyo!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Welcome to Tokyo sir.
...and without being in a complete mess from 12hours of flight without sleep.
Yup. You read what you think you read - I managed to get some sleep on the flight. Not the entire trip, and no deep sleep for long, but still sleep. On and off for 4-5 hours or so.
The reason for being able to sleep? ...upgraded to Premium.
Aaah. Thank you JAL. More leg room, an actual reclining chair with leg support, enough space between the chairs so that you do not bump into the person next to you all the time.
Yup, sometimes it is good to be me. Now I just hope that luck sticks around for the return trip as well...
Anyways.
In Tokyo now, have been walking around Shinjuku a while just soaking up the big city pulse. Now time for a shower and then I'll try to find something to eat. Preferably "something" being "sushi". ;-)
Oh. Almost forgot. A really nice thing they've got here. After dehydrating on a flight they have "resorb" on bottles in the vending machines. Ready to drink, cold and just what the doctor orders... Oral Rehydration Solution is what they call it. Well, I'm not sure I want to know what other ways of administration they have products for as well. ;-P
Anyway... Just wanted to let you know I've arrived safe and sound and am now walking around with a big grin on my face enjoying every minute of the day.
Yup. You read what you think you read - I managed to get some sleep on the flight. Not the entire trip, and no deep sleep for long, but still sleep. On and off for 4-5 hours or so.
The reason for being able to sleep? ...upgraded to Premium.
Aaah. Thank you JAL. More leg room, an actual reclining chair with leg support, enough space between the chairs so that you do not bump into the person next to you all the time.
Yup, sometimes it is good to be me. Now I just hope that luck sticks around for the return trip as well...
Anyways.
In Tokyo now, have been walking around Shinjuku a while just soaking up the big city pulse. Now time for a shower and then I'll try to find something to eat. Preferably "something" being "sushi". ;-)
Oh. Almost forgot. A really nice thing they've got here. After dehydrating on a flight they have "resorb" on bottles in the vending machines. Ready to drink, cold and just what the doctor orders... Oral Rehydration Solution is what they call it. Well, I'm not sure I want to know what other ways of administration they have products for as well. ;-P
Anyway... Just wanted to let you know I've arrived safe and sound and am now walking around with a big grin on my face enjoying every minute of the day.
Monday, October 19, 2009
I want Ninjas!
Time to change the name of the blog again.
I guess you can derive the destination from the new title of the blog as well as the topic of this post. ;-)
But to be more specific: It's Tokyo I'm going to.
Updates will be starting Wednesday and I've updating the time zone to match the destination.
I guess you can derive the destination from the new title of the blog as well as the topic of this post. ;-)
But to be more specific: It's Tokyo I'm going to.
Updates will be starting Wednesday and I've updating the time zone to match the destination.
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