Author: rodney

I hate this leaving crap!
It’s always the case when you have a limited amount of time somewhere. You try to visit different places while hitting all the familiar spots. Well, I definitely visited someplace different this trip. I visited the Yasukuni Shrine. I ran into a protest. I saw more cops in one place than in all my previous visits.
This is the shrine:
This is a protester:
And these are a bunch of Tokyo Metros who are covering the event. A bit camera shy, very unusual for Japan:
Yeah, that’s me, always trying to stay outta trouble. Heh.
Speaking of trouble, I stopped by Akihabara on my way to NRT. They close the main drag on Sunday so it’s all cosplayers, musicians and otaku.
And naturally, a lot of the people who hang out here on Sunday look like this:
Like I said, trouble! Next stop, HKG…

I often have to remind myself: This is a different trip then the last one, so go see different things!

Today (since it was happening in the neighbourhood near my hotel) I went to check out the Sanja Matsuri, the largest matsuri in Tokyo. Over 2 million people come to Asakusa to attend the matsuri centered around Senso-Ji Temple. It looked really fun and I would have liked to have particpiated. But after watching everyone sweat and heave in 28+ degree heat and humidity, it was better just to watch. And have a beer.

Portable shrines called mikoshi each contain a kami and these kami are paraded around Asakusa, stopping at businesses to spread luck and good fortune. They can be large or really large.

There are little mikoshi for little people.

The mikoshi get carried to the Senso-ji Shrine in Asakusa. The kami inside expect a fun ride, so everyone on carrying duty rock and roll in rhythm, lest the kami inside gets bored. Entertained kami = more blessings and good luck. So the trip to the shrine has to be fun!

Once they get to the shrine, they pay homage and then they go around the back and park and the crew eats obento and drinks beer. It’s hard work!

Now the crews who shoulder the mikoshi are co-ed, but its amazing how the girls look great while the guys all look like me after a day in Singapore (sweaty and sweaty).

This was my first Matsuri, hopefully the first of many. Stayed in Asakusa for most of the afternoon, just taking in the scene. It was a great time. More pix to come later.

This is my first full day in Tokyo and following tradition, I met Yumi-chan for lunch. Meeting Takeshi for dinner. Did some shopping and puttered around Takadanobaba. One of the more fun words to say here in Tokyo. Say it Arnold-like: TAKA-DANO-BABA! Heh heh heh.
Culture and shitamachi comes tomorrow. This is my first visit to Tokyo during warm weather season. Is ALL of Asia humid? Sheesh.
Haven’t been too inspired to take pictures yet. But again, gimme a break! I got in late yesterday and didn’t even go out! My outbound flight was delayed due to rain at SFO. That sucked big time. By the time we landed at NRT, it was after 1630. Perfect for a leisurely ride on the Keisei tokkyu (take this instead of the Skyliner-give 18 minutes and save ¥990).
By the time I got to the Juyoh, I was plain knackered. And after I paid for my hotel stay, I realized that I had already burned through ¥10,000! How, you ask? Here’s how it pans out:
Train ticket:¥1000
Hotel Stay: ¥8970
After showering and soaking in the hotel’s sento, I went out to Ginza for a cash run (nearest Citibank). And in a moment of weakness (because I was frackin’ hungry!) I got some McD’s for sustinance. It dun have the stigma it does in the US so I felt fine about it.
Got back and crashed face first onto the futon on tatami. Sleep! Mmmmm.
It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep will do for you and the amount of apostrophes I use when I write. I’m typing this on a Japanese keyboard and many of the usual symbols are elsewhere. I mean, really!

Actually, it’s pretty easy when you’re treated nicely. Then, you’re obligated to return the niceness.
I checked in for my flight. Was pleasant and smiled (and flirted just a little). They didn’t have me in an aisle seat. I asked (with a big grin) if I could be put on the list for an aisle seat. She said, “check at the gate”.

Continue reading “Guess it pays to be nice!”