Finding my way

   Iku came down from Misawa and we went to dinner with a couple of her friends. We went to a yakiniku place. They have grills in the tables and you grill your own meat and vegetables.

   Saturday I decided to go to downtown Tokyo. I got online and found an area I wanted to go to and went to the train station. Getting around wasn't too hard. The part where more than one station lacked maps in English hindered me a bit. But, I knew pretty much where I was going, so I just picked the line going in that direction.


   I was headed to the part of Tokyo where the New Sanno hotel is, it's a military hotel in the middle of Tokyo, and I figured I'd find it from the Roppongi station. I'd made that walk more than once during the few days I was here in 2002.

Just another Saturday in Harajuku

   The train was going by Shibuya, so I decided to get off at the Harajuku station to see this "Harajuku Style" I've heard about. It was cool to see the outfits and costumes. I made a lap, maybe two around the shops and stuff then walked to Shibuya. I went from the young and crazy to uppity and expensive in about half-a-mile. 


   I didn't make it far into Shibuya because there was stuff going on that distracted me. 


   In the middle of everything was a wooded area, so I went to see what was in it. Along the way, five locals came running up. They were looking for people to show around and practice English with. They lead me to the shrine there and showed me how to rinse my hands and mouth before going into the sacred area. 


   When I came out of the area I noticed a big crowd going toward an arena, so I went too. It was some concert thing, so I didn't go in. Walking around the parking lot, I came across a big Hip-Hop gathering.


   Today's Japanese B-Boys and girls look like America's 80's B-Boys and girls. There were old-school Kangol hats and knee-high socks with the two stripes everywhere. 


   They were having a break dance competition. I also witnessed a rap battle and jump ropers. And I can't forget the turtle on a leash. That was good stuff. 


   Then it was off to the train to find Roppongi. I was able to walk around and check it out before it turned into a jumpin club area. I'm sure it's still a great place to party into the morning. I'll probably do that at some point while I'm here. I did go to a bar and have a couple of drinks while I was there. Hey, the girls were wearing bikini tops, would you not go in? 

That's how you park

   I didn't want to get stranded somewhere because the trains stop running around midnight, so I headed back to Fussa-shi, where base is, around eight. It's probably a good thing I did, because it took three hours to get back, not including the hour or so in Tachikawa at the Irish Pub. I have no real idea how I made it back without getting lost. I did stop to ask about the train line to get back here once, like I said, not many English maps around here. But, I might as well have asked a map. His hand gesture was good enough to get me on the right train though. I would have been fine if I had gone back the way I went. I'm sure I can cut some time off of the travel next time by taking a more direct route.

   Maybe next time I'll take a map app so I know just what trains to get on. Maybe not, but I will learn the Kanji for some of the more important stops along the way. It's a good thing I memorized the symbol for Tachikawa on the way out.