Day 19

Waking up in a room 2 cubic meters in volume is a bit unsettling, even if you know that you did fall asleep there.  What's especially unsettling is that knowledge that the world outside of your building is bustling with energy, commerce, and everything contrary to where you currently are.  I, however, didn't feel that odd after waking up in the capsule hotel, as I had a fairly good rest (about 7.5 hours).  I got out of "bed", grabbed my camera battery, got everything together, checked out, and was soon enough on my way.

My first stop was 7-11, for a small breakfast.  There I saw one of the most surprising things ever, even for Akihabara: 10 a.m. on a Sunday, guys reading manga at the front of a convenience store.  With people walking by, I'm sure staring directly at them.  I know I was, because I got a picture of them.  Enough of taking advantage of people, it's time to do some sightseeing!  Off (again) to Roppongi.

I really missed something here the previous night, probably because it was so dark and I just could not see it, but Roppongi does not end just past the clubs.  There's actually a bit more of it, but soon enough, it becomes another district and ward.  The streets were unsurprisingly dead, as most everybody was recovering from the previous night, just to get out the following night and party their faces off.  Lunch was rather interesting, as I found a Subway, yet ordered a sandwich that didn't come with either cheese (of any sort) or my type of dressing, so just roast beef and onions.  Went well with a coke; somewhat difficult to order something here in Japanese, especially when the person behind the counter starts the conversation in English.  What do you really do, speak four or five words in Japanese, only to stumble over the next phrase?  That's what I did, and was indirectly complimented for at least trying.

Now that I had eaten something substantial, it was time to make my way to Tokyo Tower, the tallest self supporting steel structure in at least Tokyo, I think in the world.  It, from a distance looks red and white, appropriate for Japan, but is soon realized as being orange and white, per safety regulations.  Nevertheless, my walk took me past the Russian Embassy in Tokyo, and at the base of Tokyo Tower was a performer with a monkey who walked around on stilts, I kid you not.  I even have pictures to prove it.

The wait to get to the top was worth it, as I found an elderly Japanese woman from Nagoya, who actually initiated the conversation with "Do you speak Japanese?"  We talked for a few about my studies, where I come from, and then I realized that she lives not far from where I study.  Nice conversation, waiting for the elevator to arrive.  After that, we didn't talk anymore, probably because she was with family.  The elevator rose 150 meters to the first observation level.

From here, on a good day, you can see pretty much all of Tokyo, and if you're lucky (which I wasn't), Mt. Fuji.  Too much fog to be able to see anything beyond the 10 km mark.  At least Shinjuku is within that, because I was able to get pictures of buildings that I had been standing at the base of, and in comparison, I was able to truly see the size of Tokyo.  The first observation level has a few signs pointing to areas of interest, like Mt. Fuji, the National Diet Building, Shinjuku, and other districts of note.  Also of note is the shrine on this level, the highest up of all 23 wards.  It's no wider than two meters and no deeper than one, but still overly impressive.  I then noticed that I could purchase another ticket for 600 yen to ascend another 100 meters to get even better pictures.  In so few words, it was worth it.

Feeling a bit worried that I wouldn't make it back in time, I looked at my watch and realized that it was only 12:00 p.m., leaving more than enough time to even get to Shibuya for one more photo and then to the one place I really wanted to see, the Yasukuni Shrine, built to honor all of the Japanese who died in war since the Meiji restoration.  Just outside of the shrine, I noticed a black van with some writing, two Japanese flags on the back, and blaring something loudly, probably about Japan being the greatest country on Earth, and something against foreigners.  I'm certain about this, as I've read up on it, and this group is slowly gaining power.

Disregarding that for now, I entered the front of the shrine, which is adorned by a few torii (large Japanese gates that look like the mathematical symbol 'pi'), and about a hundred food and vending stands.  I didn't get anything, partially because I wasn't that hungry, but also because I really couldn't read most of the characters on the signs.  Never mind that, I have pictures to take.  Near to the back, there was a small play going on, and in front of that, a well into which to throw coins in remembrance of the soldiers.  I did that, just to show reverence, and probably drew a few pleasantly surprised looks from some Japanese people.

Off to the side, there was some native, ancient Japanese music being played with a small performance going on.  I was watching it, when I was approached by this older fellow who initiated a conversation in Japanese, which he gradually shifted to English.  It turns out he works for a computer company, translating instruction manuals from Japanese into English, and it seems that he just wanted a bit of time to use his skills.  What better way to do it than having me tell him about the American education system, and why I was doing what I was doing.  His grip on the language is very strong, and I can see that he must use it often.

But, unfortunately, after my conversation with him, my time in Tokyo had come to an end.  Sad, but I had to get back to Okazaki for classes the following day!  So, off to the subway, arriving at Tokyo terminal, searching for the ticket counter, and paying another 10000 yen for a Shinkansen ticket.  The ride back was shorter than I had thought it would be, which was no real problem, except that it was quite crowded, so I couldn't stretch out at all.  I should really pay the extra few dollars next time and ride in the Green Car, where it's quiet, roomy, and really comfortable.

I arrived home at about 8 p.m., after a short ride on the local train, had a small dinner consisting of very little, as I had eaten a chicken "bento" (boxed meal) on the train.  Sorry to leave you on that note, but once I had returned, life began to move again at its slightly reduced (in comparison to that of Tokyo) but still quick pace.  Here they are, three pictures and text.  Ciao.

This picture reminds me of what I've seen of L.A.  Smoggy, full of buildings just going on forever.  The only thing that sets it apart, really, is the fact that it's in Tokyo.

It's somewhat amusing to see the visage of Pikachu in Tokyo.  I thought that the Pokemon craze had all but died out.  It may have, as this is a vintage Pikachu N64, for sale in this vintage Nintendo shop.

This is the entrance to Akihabara in the morning.  It is much less populated than it would be during the daytime, even an hour or two later; either the tourists just haven't shown up yet, or the cosplayers are still getting their costumes and acts together.