Tokyo Drift

Time flies.... its already November and what has been going on the past few months?

Went alone to Tokyo for a weeklong business trip in October and brought back the Tokyo processes to do in Singapore. Enjoyment wise, it wasn't that much of a trip as it is still first and foremost a working trip. But well, when almost everything from airplane ticket, hotel and food can be claimed back, what more can I ask for?

It was marked the first time that I've even been alone and felt that it was quite an experience trying to negotiate and figure out things by myself, especially in a society with foreign culture and language. I really makes me admire people who can detach themselves from the sunny shores of Singapore and plant themselves for long periods of time in another unfamiliar country whether for work or for studies.

The Japanese phrasebook that I borrowed from the library sure came in handy! Most of the time though, I got around just pointing things here and there to get my idea across. As it was a business trip, didn't really get a lot of time to explore Tokyo as by the time I end work on weekdays, most places are closed or are already closing. So that just leaves only the restaurants open for dinner and a walk back to the hotel after that. Only managed a few short side trips after work to Ginza where all the high-end boutiques are, and Roppongi where all the foreign expats hang out in the colorful bars, pubs,restuarants and nightspots are located. Luckily though, was that I managed to spend a weekend there, so that gave me some time to do a bit of exploration further from the hotel.

On Saturday morning, I started off by going to the Imperial East Garden just outside of my hotel, then Asakusa and Ueno by Tokyo metro after that.

The Imperial East gardens has a wide moat surrounding it and is flanked by huge, imposing stone walls. Once inside however, you will find an tranquil garden filled with all sorts of interesting flora and historical buildings spread throughout an enormous expanse of wide open space. I had a peaceful and enjoyable walk just breathing in fresh, clean air.

Next stop, Asakusa. This is where the famous Sensoji temple is, characterized by the giant red lantern that hangs at the gate which leading up to the temple.



Pilgrims and tourists alike descend to the area around the temple in hordes during the weekend to patronize the many shops selling many colorful local souvenirs and foodstuff that line the boulevard leading towards the temple, as well as to offer their prayers at the temple.



The atmosphere was a stark contrast to the area where I stayed and worked ie. the Marunouchi district which is the main financial centre in Tokyo, which had lots of tall, serious looking office buildings, and lots of people walking purposefully around in smart, pressed suits, as compared to Asakusa which had a more laid back, carnival-like traditional feel to it.

After spending half the afternoon at Asakusa, I made my way to Ueno. This is where another huge park, Ueno Park is located, along with the zoological gardens, a baseball park , and many different museums surrounding it. Didn't manage to get into any of these attractions as most were already closing but still saw lots of peoples strolling through the park after their visits to the various attractions. Another face of Ueno other than the cultural attractions are streets full of bargain, discount stalls selling all sorts of stuff such as clothes, sporting goods, foodstuff etc.



This was where I also first saw a another unique feature of Japan, the pachinko saloons with their glitzy lights and many people faithfully sitting in front arcade-like machines trying to make a fortune by staring at tiny metal balls fall! That ended my first real day of exploration.

The second day, on Sunday, I had arranged with my Japanese colleague to meet at Otemosando Station to show me the Harajuku area. We made our way towards the Meiji Jingu Shrine, an institution built to honor the life of Emperor Meiji. But before that, a sight to behold was at the bridge leading towards the entrance of the shrine where all the youngsters following the Tokyo youth subculture of weird shocking gothtic dressing congregate, alongside street performers and people trying to make a statement by holding up "Free Hugs" signs.



But once you walk past the bridge onto the gravel path towards the shrine it seems like you've stepped into a different world likened to an enchanted forest where you hear birds chirping and gentle streams flowing right at the heart of Tokyo City.



Also impressive were the huge gates built with single cypress tree trunks that frame the pathway to the shrine. As luck has it, there was also a traditional shinto wedding ceremony going on at the shrine, which I felt was a rather solemn affair with a procession led by a shinto priest with the bride and groom in tow, followed by a trail of men in black suits and women in formal wear.



A strange tradition that I witnessed too was "dolls" dedication day, where people brought bags and bags of old unwanted dolls and toys to be left at the shrine, where a ceremony will be held thereafter to appease the "souls" of the dolls before they are burned and cremated, disappearing into memory.



My colleague parted ways with me after that, and I was left to explore the rest of Harajuku by myself. The shops here are more catered to the youth of Tokyo, selling all sorts of fashion wear and accessories. I went back to browse and window shop at the tree lined streets of Otemonsando too, likened to the Orchard Road of Singapore.

As evening fell, I made my way towards Shinjuku, opting to walk one station instead of taking the jam packed train. Walking through residential neighborhoods gave me a glimpse into where Tokyoites live, in small terraced homes instead of the HDB flats that we are so used to in Singapore. The goal was to visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Building, which had a free observation tower at the top of its towers to look at the night cityscape of Tokyo, but not before I stopped for dinner at a restaurant at the top of Takashimaya Times Square, a huge complex that offered 10-floors of departmental shopping. Guided by a map after dinner, I found my way to the Observation deck for a glimpse of the Tokyo nightscape from high above. Its amazing how vast Tokyo is and how beautifully it is lit up in dark of the evening.

With that, it concluded my weekend of exploration. Managed to squeeze in another trip to Tsukiji Fish Market before returning back to Singapore but I guess that should be left for another post!