13.02.2018 TOKYO

We had breakfast with the German again (and found out his name: Long) and that day, we actually visited the fish market. At first we simply looked around at the outside-market, then we went in and bumped into Long and a girl named Julia, who was also staying at the hostel. We went in at about 10 o’clock am and I remember reading it was running since 5 or 6 in the morning, but it was still far from over. Even if the huge purchases (for example the grand tuna-auction) were already over, one could still see enormous fish heads and other ocean-based creatures/organisms being sold. The variety was endless, I don’t think I have even seen a quarter of those LIVING THINGS before in my life. They kept crabs in some kind of sand – gotta find out what that was actually if I have the time. Sadly, you weren’t allowed to take pictures in the market hall but here you can see a part of the Outside Market:

Long and Julia then took the train to Odaiba and we went to the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. However, it was closed, as always on the day after a holiday, which apparently also includes holidays that are moved to Monday from Sunday (try finding that out without speaking Japanese, HA). Instead we went to the almost-as-famous (and I suppose at least just as beautiful and interesting) Yoyogi Park. We entered through an enormous gate into the huge park. In the middle of it was a huge Temple, which attracted a lot of tourists. What fascinated me is that the toilets were built with the surroundings in mind, they were held in a similar style as the rest of the site. There also was a path on whose on side were lots of barrels with french wine, while on the other side, one could see a bunch of sake-barrels.

 

   

As a complete contrast to the calm, natural atmosphere of the park, we then visited Takeshita Street. It was a totally crazy experience, there were so many people, so many shops, so much noise… and it’s not even close to peak season at the moment.

Funny thing: There was a store called “Happy Hearts”, which was a lingerie store at ground level (they had really really fuzzy bras, I don’t even know what to think of that), however the top section was reserved for manga & anime fan articles. We also went into a costume-store – they seriously had everything your could ever need to dress up as a Japanese school girl/housemaid/or anything else actually. Furthermore, on every corner one could buy sweets, cotton candy or Crèpes.

With Takeshita street still in our heads, the more or less normal shopping street we strolled along afterwards seemed really really relaxing. We ambled to the famous Shibuya crossing – at first we were right in the middle, then we found a spot to watch it from above. I was really amazing to watch the transition from a completely empty crossing (in the short moment when all the lights are red) to when all the people are crossing the street(s) at once. We didn’t even go there at a particularly busy time and it was still impressive.

 

We then went to Tokyo Dome City for a seemingly interesting café, which sadly turned out to be nothing really special. However, there we say a roller coaster running through an observation wheel as well as through a house, as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

Our next station was the Tokyo Skytree. For starters, I have to say that it was more than just worth going up there, I would 100% advise anyone visiting Tokyo to do it. We got there just in time to see the last of the sun going down, which probably was a lot more impressive a few minutes back, but we still very very much enjoyed the view. Amazingly, we were able to see the silhouette of Mount Fuji far back at the horizon.

 

Since we were there at night time (I can’t compare it to daylight), all we could see when looking in any direction was Tokyo. Tokyo to the North, the East, the South, the West and everything in between. Until then, I didn’t quite realize how big Tokyo really is, it truly was an eye-opening experience.

A few minutes after we finished our first lap around the platform, there was suddenly very loud music everywhere. Above the panorama glass, they played some kind of commercial/short story/anime, we were more than just surprised about that show. At first, I was a bit uneasy because of it, I just wanted to look at the city in silence. However, it simply reminded us that even 350 meters in the air, we were still very much in vibrant and restless Tokyo, even though we felt so calm and aloof for a short time.

current BGC: 12 (+10, since we saw so many at Takeshita street)