The Japan Adventure.. Part 4
Sunday, 8th March
Last night was my last night staying in Shinjuku, so I got up around 9am, showered, got ready and packed up all my stuff by the 10am Check-Out time. I returned my key on my way out, and stepped outside.
Rain.
With my umbrella over my head and North Face duffel bag on my back, I made my way along the two blocks to the subway station. Luckily I could just get on one train and ride all the way to the end of the line, which was Asakusa – where i’d be staying for the rest of my time in Tokyo.
I was going to be staying in a traditional Japanese Ryokan, which means a futon on the floor and dressing up in a funky gown (Yukata).
Once I exited the subway station in Asakusa, Ryokan Kamogawa was quite easy to find. Follow the throngs of tourists heading toward the Senso-ji Kannon Temple, then veer left onto one of the side streets.. and tadaa! You’re there.
Kamogawa is a family run Ryokan, and they were all very friendly. They didn’t speak much English, but for the most part we were able to understand eachother. (Charades!) I was obviously too early to check in, so I left my bags in their care and headed out again.
Armed with my camera, I joined the mass of bodies making their way toward the Senso-ji Temple. We all took our pictures of the same things, then followed the people in front of us to the temple. We inhaled some healing smoke (oxymoron!), we threw some money (1 Yen coins, it’s all they’re good for!), we prayed – or pretended to – then headed out again. This process was repeated by the people behind us, and those behind them. From a height, we probably looked like ants.
On the way back to the main street I looked in a few of the souvenir shops/stalls, but the crowds were starting to get annoying. Just too many people in too little a space. And no one seemed to adhere to any rule, whether it be ‘keep to the left’ or ‘keep to the right’. So speed was halved once again, with every second person (me) having to dodge the masses coming toward them.
Back on the subway again. Today is Sunday. What happens on Sundays? Evidently a lot of Japanese teenagers venture out to Yoyogi Park (in Harajuku) in their Cos-play outfits and parade around. Photo opportunities abound, I hoped.
When I arrived at Yoyogi Park, there weren’t many Cosplay people around. But it was still fairly early, but also it was FREEZING. I had 4 layers on, but was still cold. I regret scoffing at my Mum’s advice to buy some thermal underwear. Cmon.. it’s Spring, how cold could could it be!? (Famous last words…)
Anyway I thought i’d fill in time by doing some sightseeing, and come back later on when the crowds had gathered a bit more. I followed some other tourists down a gravel road, which would lead us to the Meiji Jingu Shrine.
On the way I saw some Sake barrels, and also some wine casks. Not sure what for.. I read the sign, but I forget. I loved the huge Torii Gates. If I had a big property, I think i’d build one over the driveway.
When I arrived, there was a procession of some sort going on at once side, a wedding on the other, and uncertain tourists stuck in the middle. I joined them, taking pictures, but unsure what of.
The shrine was a bit underwhelming really, you couldn’t see the actual shrine – it was hidden behind closed doors, across a courtyard. Boo. But the big Shinto Prayer Tree was pretty funky. Heading out again, I managed to snap a photo of the Bride and Groom who were stopping me from seeing the other half of the Shrine complex, due to it being roped off for their wedding.
Passing through Yoyogi Park again, two girls were braving the cold, holding up signs with “Free Hugs”, and giving… free hugs. Duh. They posed for a photo, but I didn’t feel like hugging.. them.
I followed some people along the sidewalk, which led me into the heart of Harajuku. There was some person in a cute-pink-thing suit, evidently advertising donuts. So I bought some. They were crap.
I ventured down a (main) side street. There were crowds and boutiques everywhere! Though a lot of the stores were aimed at the female (or trannie?) demographic, there was still plenty of browsing for the guys too.
I was excited to find some things I liked, IN MY SIZE! I noted which stores they were in, cautious not to buy the first thing I saw.
I did find a faux leather jacket I liked a lot though (5,900 Yen), which I decided to buy after the (cute) sales guy urged me try it on. Hahahaha.
I also found some funky jeans I liked in a store called “WoodenDoll” (?), but one size was too tight in certain areas, ahem, even though it was my size. The next size up was too big everywhere, so i gave them a miss.
After a bit more browsing, I walked back to Yoyogi Park, where a few more cosplay people had turned up, but the turnout was rather disappointing. I managed a couple of pictures, bit I guess it was too cold for most of them.
I walked on a bit further, and discovered a group of Elvis impersonators ‘doing their thing’ in the park beyond. Elvis music, boots, leather jackets, and the HAIR! Oh my god, the hair. Crazy funsters.
I was getting a bit hungry, and there was a Hot Dog stall nearby. I decided to buy one, for 500 yen ($8.50 OMG!) The two sauces, the vendor told me, were ‘tomato’ and ‘mustard’. I covered the hot dog in plenty of both. Upon taking the first bite, I discovered that in Japan, when someone says ‘mustard’, they actually mean WASABI MUSTARD. Oh my god, it was feral. Way. Too. Much. But I wasn’t about to waste my money, so I ate it. Ahem.
My friend msg’d me, wondering if I wanted to catch up for dinner again. So we arranged to meet back in Asakusa at about 8pm. I wandered around Shibuya until it was time to catch the train back.
We met at the station, and then walked along the main street in Asakusa. In Japan, shops aren’t just on street level. Some of the best ones are way up on whatever floor – it’s almost like 3D shopping. X, Y and Z.
We found (well, my friend did) an Izakaya on the 7th floor of some building with illuminated signs in Japanese on the front, so we squeezed into the small lift and headed up. It probably would have been quicker to use the stairs.
The interior was again quite funky, but this time our booth had a touch screen! So I had fun doing the ordering, using my newly developed ‘point at the picture’ method. I let my friend order the drinks, they didn’t have pictures to point at. 
Our food arrived quickly again, and I couldn’t fault the quality. Soooo damn good. We ate too much, but didn’t care. I’m actually glad we don’t have these types of restaurants back in Melbourne, or I think i’d risk becoming fat. But I guess it’d be just like ordering Yum Cha every day, after awhile it’d lose its appeal. Then again…
Slightly inebriated, (ok I was 3/4 pissed) we paid our bill and left, before my friend caught the last train home. I happily walked the two blocks back to Kamogawa, where I changed into my Yukata and settled into bed. Sooo nice, curling up on the cold night under the big, fluffy dooner. I want one.
09.Mar.09 
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