Tokyo -- Something Old and Something New

Having lived in New York City for 5 years, I initially expected Tokyo, a sprawling metropolis of 20 million people, (I'm not going to fact check that number but I'm pretty sure it's close), to be a loud, rude, fast paced, and filthy city. Strangely, it was none of these things.

Although Tokyo had me feeling as close to the western world as I've been since arriving in Asia, it still had a very eastern feel to it.  The streets were impeccably clean, with people going out of their way to make sure that trash was disposed of into the correct bins.  People calmly waited in lines to board buses and trains.  It was rare to see anyone rushing through the sidewalks or pushing past you on an escalator.  

But the most shocking thing of all, for me anyway, was the overwhelming sense of quietude.  Even the most bustling spots of the city were devoid of constant sirens, raving lunatics, blaring car horns, and most other noises that you would associate with a major city.  The sense of calm was startling and almost impossible to adjust to.

I should also mention that the people of Japan, not only in Tokyo but also everywhere else that we traveled, were incredibly polite, friendly, and eager to help us.  

Anyway, on to our trip.

We didn't have much time in Tokyo, and we didn't really have the monetary means by which to really enjoy the food and night life, so Caroline and I spent our time the way we like to spend our time in any new place, wandering around and taking in the sights and sounds.  Obviously, because of it's gargantuan size, Tokyo is the perfect city for aimless wander, and like New York, there's something exciting/freaky/hilarious/strange every 40 steps or so.

I've mentioned how warm and helpful the people of Japan were.  Nothing accentuates this more than our lovely hosts in Tokyo, Yoshiko and Kaji, whom we found thanks to www.airbnb.com.

I can't say enough good about these two.  I thought we were just renting their bedroom for a few nights but it turns out that we were actually staying with the two best tour guides in all of Japan.  Yoshiko and Kaji helped us plan our days in Tokyo. Kaji helped us find the best way to get as close as we could to Mt Fuji. Every morning, Yoshiko made us breakfast and packed us snacks.  At night, she would offer to make us food and then serve us tea.  She even, (against my will), did our laundry.  We were spoiled for the first leg of our trip and there were more than just a few times later on that one of us would wail "I miss Yoshiko!" 

And did I mention the view?

It looks minuscule in this picture, but you could clearly see Mt Fuji from one bedroom window and...

...Tokyo Skytree Tower from the other.

Like all of the other cities I've visited in Asia, (and by Asia, I really mean Korea), Tokyo is a mix of modern and old.  While the modern scenes are what we typically picture when we think of Tokyo, there are also remnants of a time long gone, and like all of the other cities I've visited in Asia, (and by Asia, I still really mean Korea), these places are hidden among a back drop of cafes, taverns, storefronts, and all of the other makings of a modern city.

The Moat

Guard House

Castle Walls

This is the Imperial Palace.  It's located smack in the center of Tokyo, and it dates back to the mid-1400s, when Tokyo was still called Edo.  The Palace is off limits without making a reservation far in advance, it's also a little pricey, but the grounds are free to walk in.  We didn't spend much time here because we were hungry, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Asakusa Shrine

Pagoda Dollhouse

Giant Lantern

Barrels O'Sake

I'm sure Tokyo has a plethora of night life options, but it seemed like the two areas that were being highly touted as the best were Shinjuku and Shibuya.  I happen to be a fan of the movie Lost in Translation, and it just so happens that most of the film was shot in these two neighborhoods.

The Park Hyatt Hotel

Relaxing Times

Shinjuku Night Lights

Dinosaur Building

In the movie, the Q-Front building features a digital Brontosaurus, (at the time of filming an Apatosaurus was still called a Brontosaurus so I'm sticking with that name, which according to my childhood, is the correct name), walking across it's facade.  There were no dinosaurs this time though, he's been replaced by a commercial/maybe a music video about leaves? (I have no idea).

A Lost in Translation experience/conversation would not be complete without mentioning Suntory Whiskey.  In the movie, Bill Murray's character is in Tokyo to do commercial and print ads for Suntory Whiskey.  Caroline and I were surprised to find out that Suntory is (probably) equivalent to something as cheap and degrading as Old Crow or Heaven Hill.  It only appeared to come in plastic bottles which is never a good sign. I guess maybe that was the inside joke...

Suntory Times