Let's see what Tokyo has to offer...
Everybody should know that I am THE CRANKIEST SON OF A BITCH when it comes to mornings. I've always preferred to sleep in until at least noon. However, I was really looking forward to waking up at 6:15 am in the morning! Yes, you read right - 6:15 am in the morning. That's what time I woke up on the first morning in Tokyo... anyways, I get up, take a shower, brush my teeth, style myself up, and waste a few extra minutes in my room researching on places to go since the doors of the ryokan does not open until 7 am. Once 7 am passed on, away I went!
Let's carry on to the pictures...
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Non-flammable bin (aka. recycle bin)... |
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Flammable bin (aka. garbage bin). |
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Ikebukuro in the morning. It's a pretty empty street as you can see. Then again, this pic was taken at 7:49 am, so I didn't expect much people around. |
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Going through Ikebukuro station. This pic was taken at 7:54 am as I decide to take a morning ride on the Yamanote Loop line and see what Tokyo morning rush hour is like. |
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Ikebukuro station 2 minutes later. This picture is shot RIGHT BEFORE the mad rush comes in (you can somewhat see a BIG mob coming in by looking at the background) - I tell ya, the place starts to get REAL packed in a hurry. Schoolkids, business people, and a Canadian tourist taking pictures of rush hour - it's all packed in one crowded area. |
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A very crowded train. I guess I should give thanks to the MTR and KCR railway systems in Hong Kong for making me get used to crowded trains. Now, one thing about these trains is that it tends to get hot inside - the reason being that there are heaters underneath the seats and 7 degrees Celcius is considered quite cold. Also, the seats on the trains will be warm - not because of some fatass who recently sat there, but because of the seat heaters that are installed. Another thing I noticed is that when people sit down, they have their backs straight. When I sit down, I lean forward because I'm used to this posture from ice hockey. I'm guessing the Japanese think I am a bad person with bad posture or something when I sit and go to my hockey position... :P Finally, you will notice A LOT of business people tend to wear black - I guess they like to keep a common business-like colour, but that's just my guess. |
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This is the JR Tokyo Metro Map. All the JR trains and subways are listed on this overhead (and this does NOT cover the other private subway lines). Insane, eh? Anyways, the Yamanote Line is the green circle near the middle - this was the train I used the most in Tokyo, because this line covered most of the major districts around Tokyo in cone continuous loop. And with the JR Pass, it's all free! |
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Morning time in Tokyo district. I learned a couple of things during this brisk morning stroll: 1) You can get sushi and other good set meals easily at 7-11 or other convenience stores; 2) In some stores, you can find unpackaged adult magazines right next to kids magazines. |
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A line of vending machines. As you can see, all of them are for some drinks - coffee (hot and cold), tea, coke, water, beer... such a vending machine-happy country. |
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Another vending machine, but you've probably seen this type before - it's the one that will make your hot or cold coffee drink. But then again, I haven't taken a picture of this type of vending machine yet - gotta take it! |
After the little morning stroll in the Tokyo district, I decided to hit one of the more well known districts - Shinjuku. This is simply known as the "Skyscraper District" - LOTS of tall buildings around. Also, I read in my guidebook that there are really good views of all of Tokyo on the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office. Well, since I got so much time... it's Yamanote riding time to Shinjuku! (Tokyo is on the East side of the Yamanote Line; Shinjuku is on the West side).
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Heading towards the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office. Right underneath the sign is a moving platform - I love moving platforms. So easy on the feet. |
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The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office - Building #2 I believe. Yes, there are two Government Office buildings, and they look virtually alike. |
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The map of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Buildings. |
When I went inside the building, I had to look for the elevator to go up to the 45th floor - that was the floor I needed to reach in order to see an aerial view of Tokyo. I managed to find it, but I realized that I was not able to access it from the floor I was on. However, across the building, there was this nice middle-age Japanese cleaner lady who waved me down and somewhat indicated that I had to go down one floor using the escalator she was located to gain access to the proper elevator. Wow! I guess she must have seen visitors make the same mistake before, but I really appreciated the assistance! Otherwise, I would have to rely on my tragic "Jenglish" speaking skills (aka. trying to speak Japanese sentences, but add some English words in the mix), and that would not be good.
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This is an aerial view of Tokyo from one picture location - as you can see, there are some skyscrapers in front of me. Also, you can tell that there is a window in front of me because I'm actually indoors on the 45th floor (no access to the outside). But man, Tokyo is UNBELIEVABLY HUGE. You have to be here to get a feel of the sheer size of this megacity. |
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The second aerial view. Basically, the 45th floor on this Government Office Building would cover 270 degrees of aerial viewing, and I would assume the second Government Office Building would cover roughly the same. |
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The third aerial view. See that green park area? That's the Harajuku district, and the park is home to the Meiji Shrine. I find it a real strange sight to see a park within this metropolis. However, I will cover Harajuku and the Meiji Shrine later on in the Tales. |
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Details of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building Number 1, even with facts on how this place is earthquake-proof. |
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The fourth aerial view. Man, I wonder how much it would cost to own one of the skyscrapers. |
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The fifth aerial view. Wow - relatively flat areas! |
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Details of the view I was looking at (Note: the views would involve the fifth and sixth aerial pictures taken) - yes, my crappy camera skills cut off details on the left side of the pic. I suggest you do not make me take official pictures of your weddings. Anyways, as you can see, Mt. Fuji will be at the background from this view. |
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The sixth aerial view. Mt. Fuji would be in the background if the clouds were not in the way. DAMN YOU CLOUDS!!! |
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Hmm... a poster about ICE HOCKEY?!? SHIT, I NEED TO FIND SOME ICE HOCKEY TO PLAY!!! (Note: I suffered some hockey withdrawl symptoms after seeing that poster) |
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The seventh and final aerial view of Tokyo. Damn, it's one fuckin huge city. |
