The Divine Wind Vault: First places to see in Japan

Monday, May 25, 2009

First places to see in Japan

Today's picture was taken from Roppongi of Tokyo Tower.

Since most international flights arrive at Tokyo's Narita Airport, I will discuss Tokyo in general. In no particular order, I would suggest Tokyo Tower. Conveniently located in Central Tokyo near the gaijin-friendly district of Roppongi (entertainment district) and Ebisu (embassies). If you want a taste of Japan's culture, go to Asakasa. There are many temples and people carrying out activities as they were done back in the days of the samurai (Edo Era). For bright lights and city life, it is recommended to visit Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward. Just outside of the main station is a place that I would like to stand and just take pictures.

Harajaku is an interesting place because it has the Meiji Shrine as well being the hang out for Tokyo's trendy teenagers. Not too far from Harajuku Station is a great sushi chain called Kappa Sushi. It is user friendly for foreigners. Just sit a booth and the sushi comes by on a conveyor belt. Take what you like and everything is 100 yen (roughly US$1).

The futuristic district of Odaiba is a good place that requires riding the sky rail from Shimbashi Station. The view from the sky rail is awesome. On the way back you can travel by boat.

Just south of Tokyo is Yokohama (Japan's Chinatown). Chinese food in Japan is quite different that Chinese food found in the US. Prior to moving to Japan, I did not care for Chinese food but after several visits to Yokohama's Chinatown, I yearn for the day I can return to Japan.

A bit further south of Yokohama is the ancient capital city, Kamakura, the home of the "Great Buddha". North of Tokyo in Saitama City and the home of the John Lennon Museum.

Sumo, baseball and soccer matches nearly all the time depending on the season. Even a few preseason NFL games. Also, concerts ranging from favorites from back home and J-pop artist.

All of the above information was put to use when a friend of my family traveled to Japan to visit me and only had the better part of an afternoon to spend with me. We had a chance to meet in front of Ueno Station`s Hard Rock Cafe.

From here we went to Asakusa to view the temples and shop for trinkets. Today's picture was taken here. After that, we went to Akihabara to look at some electronics and ate dinner at Sushizanmai Sushi Rest. I recently had the chance to catch the Discovery Channel's Lonely Planet episode that featured Tokyo. One of the places featured in this segment was Akihabara and it discussed the fanatics/maniacs of anime (okaku) and the pretty girls in outrageous costumes, mainly maid outfits that play board games for a price with Japanese men usually 20 years older than the girls. This phenomenon is known as costume play (cosplay) and in Japan there is an entire segment of this which borders on perversion, at least in my mind. Since I usually go out in Tokyo with my wife or mother-in-law, it was a new challenge for me to take the lead and as predicted I got turned around each time we left or went to a different place. In Akihabara, I found myself asking a young woman in a maid outfit for directions to a rotation sushi bar (kaiten). Of course, my guest wanted to know the reason for her outfit. Considering how he is a person of the cloth, I dodged it slightly and said that she works at a coffee shop and this is her costume. Another feature in the Lonely Planet episode was the sushi restaurants that bring the sushi to you on a conveyor belt and I was happy to have the chance to take my visitor to this uniquely Japanese phenomenon. This place has the sushi rotating around on a conveyor belt and is probably the best sushi chain around. Afterwards, we went to Shinjuku to look at the Tokyo skyline from the Metropolitan Building.(Tocho) Afterwards, we parted ways at Shinjuku Station and I returned to Warabi, Saitama at 11PM and followed the mass-exodus of drunken salarymen from the station back to the apartment complex (danchi).

Recap- First Places to See in Japan (Tokyo)

Roppongi (entertainment district)
Ebisu (embassies and Western grocery outlets)
Asakasa (many temples and people carrying out activities as they were done back in the days of the samurai)
Shinjuku (Tokyo's bright lights and city life)
Harajaku (Meiji Shrine and trendy teenagers)
Odaiba (Shimbashi Station)
Yokohama (Japan's Chinatown)
Kamakura (Japan's ancient capital city)
Saitama City (John Lennon Museum)

Recap- The Tokyo Whirlwind Day Tripper