3 Days in Tokyo

Wow.... How is it I have not been to Tokyo before now? What a city. I am not sure if it is the amazing clean streets (amazingly clean everywhere really), the super polite people, the incredible food halls at the large department stores or the beautifully dressed women, but my first trip to Tokyo made for a very memorable weekend.

Thankfully I had done a little bit of research in advance - because the last thing you want to do is take a taxi from Narita Airport to the city - average cost is about USD250 for a 1 hour ride!!! Whilst some guidebooks had bagged the 'limousine bus' - I actually didn't mind it. It might take 1.5 hours but it does only stop at a few hotels and at Y3000 (approx USD35) - it is much cheaper than a taxi!

I stayed at the Hyatt Regency in Shinjuku. I had debated for a long time where to stay but this was perfect. The location as great, for a Tokyo virgin as getting around was easy and they have a shuttle bus to the metro station every 20 minutes - of course the metro was only 5 minutes away but it was hot!! The only thing I found odd is that most hotels in japan do not have wi fi. They have cabled internet access in the rooms which at most hotels is free, but no wi fi, which seems very strange to me for such a progressive society in terms of technology. Will have to do some research as to why this is.

I think it is true that Tokyo is prettier by night than by day - by day it is another big city with lots of grey buildings capturing the heat of the day. But by night..... the amount of neon is truly amazing. I am quite sure the heat of the day (was about 37 degrees Celsius each day I was there) keeps people inside, because as soon as the sun goes down the streets are heaving with people. Having said that, it is a good busy; a polite busy.

The days were definitely hot - most Japanese people carry a small face washer (they call it a handkerchief) with them to wipe the sweat from their brow (how civilized!), most people have a lovely fan to try and drum up a little breeze (of course the tourists have one the local Pizza shop hands you as you whiz by) and many of the women carry beautiful little parasols in an effort to maintain the stunning milky white complexions the are blessed with. Surprisingly though, more people in China seem to carry an umbrella for protection from the sun than the Japanese do.

Thankfully the Metro as relatively ways to master (okay.. I did get lost a few times but that was half the fun), it was air conditioned and immaculately clean of course. The Japanese are relatively big smokers, attested to by the vending machines selling cigarettes every 50 metres or so, BUT, they are gradually implementing no smoking on the streets - I can only recall seeing 3 people smoking! Someone told me you could buy most things in vending machines in Tokyo... Not true! I only saw drink and cigarette vending machines - but quite literally they were every 50 metres..

As for the shopping.... There are of course many high end stores and the prices are very high for the same items you would find in Hong Kong or Singapore, even Shanghai for that matter. The department stores are full of concessions which makes it feel like lots of little stores all in one big store.

The food hall at isetan at Shinjuku is AMAZING. Think DJ's x 100, Harrod's x 50.... All with immaculate service and packaging and lots and lots of things you want to eat - even if you have no idea what a lot of it is.

I didn't really shop that much - just wandered around and marvelled at the stunningly dressed women and children and watched the world go by from a little cafe I found (in Ginza), that was great for people watching. Ginza is a really nice area with lots of shops.

I went to Roppongi too but can't say I was a fan - maybe I was not in the right area. Apparently there are lots of bars here but didn't get there at night.

Shibuya is of course home to the famous neon intersection you see on TV all the time - and of course was in Lost in Translation. I did go one night, just to have a look - but it was far too buy with far too many young people all over the streets.

I enjoyed 2 stunning dinners. The first at a restaurant called Dazzle in the Mikimoto building in the shopping area of Ginza, http://restaurant-dazzle.com/. The food was delicious and of coruse when you eat alone on a Saturday night, the staff pay special attention to you which is nice. I actually enjoy dining by myself - nice to have the solitude to simply think and enjoy some great food and a delicious cocktail.

Sunday night I gave in to the hype and went to dine at the New York Grill, http://tokyo.park.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/entertainment/restaurants/index.jsp, which is on the 52nd floor of the Park Hyatt, again made famous (or infamous) in the 2003 movie, Lost in Translation. The view was absolutely spectacular and the food was divine. Would definitely go back to both of these restaurants.

I didn't really get my fill of Sushi - as I am a bit of a novice so I was a tad weary as I was unsure what I might have ended up with; will be braver next time when I am not alone.

So besides eating, people watching and window shopping, I did get a little bit of culture and went to the Meiji Shrine. It is dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji who died in 1912 and his wife, Empress Shoken, who died in 1914. The original shrine was made of copper and cypress, but it was destroyed in WWII. The building that stand today were rebuilt in 1958. Located in an enormous forest area, the park spans some 175 acres.

Whilst I was there I was fortunate enough to come across the end of one wedding, and then a second one and the ceremony that accompanies such an occasion. Have posted a few pics - it really was quite lovely.

Right near the shrine is the incredible Takeshita St. It is a pedestrian street absolutely jam packed full of young people buying all sort of weird and out there clothes. I actually did enjoy walking down the length of it - even if it really was crazy.

I still don't quite understand why the Japanese girls dress as they do in the baby doll outfits. They look very pretty, but I am unsure if there is a history or a reasoning to it - more research for me.

I didn't take a lot of photos whilst I was there. Am not really sure why - I think I was just too busy enjoying looking around versus needing to capture the images with a camera that were already sealed in my mind.

So - that was my jam packed time in Tokyo. I had a sensational weekend. 2.5 days in Tokyo is definitely not enough, so I shall be back in the coming months - it is only a 3 hour flight after all....

G
xxxx