Postcard from Tokyo

This entry is a bit of a work in progress so have some patience with the readability!!

So Tokyo is big and everything I might have experienced in Japan is more so here. Japan I am afraid to say is much the same all over. Having travelled fairly extensively perhaps one of the disappointments is that the cities are much the same. The exception to this rule of course is Kyoto and certainly Osaka had a vibe of its own. Realistically though they all look the same. So if you want to get a taste of why Japan is unique perhaps you should head to Tokyo first and foremost.

....its insane!

Tokyo is insane. I will certainly never understand the Japanese or this city but that is part of the attraction obviously.

Ginza.

Well if you aren’t buying your Prada on Omotesando then you’ll do it here darling.

Ueno and Ueno Koen

A park full of museums and galleries makes me a happy boy. The sunny weather and autumn fall didn’t hurt either.

Interestingly the park has a large number of homeless. Apparently their numbers have increased after the 90s Japanese recession but they remain the most organised homeless people I’ve ever seen. They have home made houses that are actually pretty impressive architectural feats. These guys aren’t slumming it as you’d imagine. They also have all their belonging well packed and neatly secure. Very Japan.

Halloween

In a country where cosplay is a national obsession and fancy dress is everyday I was naturally curious to see where they go with Halloween. Its not a tradition in Japan but hell, anything that allows you to don PVC in Japan is going to catch on quick. I met up with Tyler from Kyoto and his jet pals for some frisky fun at the Ageha mega club. The Japanese don’t really get Halloween. Ie. The macabre part doesn’t register. I was covered in blood and this surprised them a bit. I consoled myself with the view from the bar where even the most conservative of young ladies had apparently decided to wear nursing outfits unlikely to gain approval by the NHS.

Food and Drink

Awesome clean food. Try before you die and attempt to think beyond sake, sushi, miso and tempura. Ramen, soba or udon noodles and yakitori kebabs thingies are a must. Most will know not to stick chop sticks in the bowl (it means death as it resembles the incense placed vertically at temples). Slurping noodles is required as is drinking from the bowl…sorry mum.

Hit list:

Tsukiji Fish Market

It’s fast, fresh, colourful and it’s a must. There aren’t many things that are fun to do after getting out of bed at 5am but this was one of them.

Omote Sando

For all that Prada I keep buying….not. Still there are lots of people who do and the shops are spectacular.

Harajuku

So eventually I'll ge to writing about the following....

Long working hours and money

host bars history hostess bars Shinjuku plus lights

Conservatism and politeness

Gan Ban

Yoyogi Park and tribes and fashionAkahabara manga and electronics

Shibuya

Love Hotels and cultural implications

architecture trad layering

clubs and bars finding them!!

soba udon and ramen sake hot

clean and efficient trains ' how fast!!

Tokyo subway map

Jingi Bashi and Gothic Lolitas

Shibuya

Shinjuku

Akihabara – manga and dodge stuff, plastic figures and discount computers

Meido Kissa and dodgey Manga

Rappongi

Planes trains and automobiles and Tokyo metro

Shinkansen and Rail Pass

Geishas and Hostess Bars

Women in Japan, sexism and kawai (sp??)