June 24, 2008

Tokyo JAPAN

There is no under-estimating the importance of my internal alarm clock. I have no idea if it is a natural or developed talent, but I have an uncanny ability to wake up within 15 minutes of a desired time. Literally, I can go to sleep with the desire to wake up at an exact time, and my body somehow manages it. This morning was no different, and it was a good thing because I had no alarm clock (or even a clock to which I could refer) to set in the darkness of my room. After a quick shower and a last minute check of all my belongings, I caught a ride on the "limousine bus" heading for the airport.

Once more, I was flying exhausted, having only gotten three or four hours of sleep last night - guesthouses are notorious for having interesting people, and indeed I was up until 2:00 a.m. chatting (much of which revolved around future travel options). However, I was determined not to sleep on the short 2-2.5 hour return flight because I wanted to watch the movie Kite Runner, which was available for viewing. For anyone who has not seen the Afghanistan-related movie, it is certainly recommended - although, I have heard that the book is, predictably, even more moving.

I reached Japan's Narita airport at around 12:00, and received the all-important fresh 90 day tourist visa, which was the purpose of this whole trip. Then, I hustled through baggage claim and caught a 12:30 p.m. train back to Shinagawa Station, via Nippori. I had just enough time to drop off my luggage and take a quick shower before leaving to meet Fumiko Shogase at Yoyogi Park. I picked up a few sandwiches, bottles of water, CHU-HI, and a bag of WASABI KAKIPI from a convenience store before riding the Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station where Fumiko was waiting. We crossed the famous bridge where Tokyo's famous COSPLAY culture is often on display and took the long route through Meiji Shrine. After a 20 minute walk, we settled down onto the grass and spent the next few hours enjoying Tokyo's early-summer weather.

I got a call from Takumi Kumagai at around 6:00 p.m., and we arranged to meet at Ebisu Station in 30 minutes for dinner. Fumiko and I decided to walk through Shibuya to get there, which is a route I first discovered when I walked the entire Yamanote Line.

Also joining us for dinner was one of Takumi's TODAI (Tokyo University) friends, Koshi, who studies law. I followed Takumi's advice and we headed for a RAMENYA that specializes in Cheese Ramen. I was not expecting much from what, in all honesty, sounds like a disgusting combination, but in truth it was pretty damn good. The flaked cheese melted into the soup making for a filling meal - which was exactly what was needed to prepare for a night of drinking.

Koshi had a date later in the evening, so he headed back to the station while we met up with another friend named Taka at a nearby IZAKAYA. Between glasses of Kirin Beer and YAKITORI (grilled meat on a stick) we managed to share a few laughs - likely to the consternation to the rest of the restaurant. Soon afterward, another friend named Ken stopped by and joined the mayhem, while Fumiko had to leave at around 10:00 p.m. to catch the last bus home. We didn't have to wait long before another girl joined us, and this time it was in the form of a Japanese blind-date, or GOKON. The girl, whose name I have already forgotten, studies law at a Tokyo university. She seemed like a nice enough person, but sparks were not really flying so at around midnight everyone went their own ways and my long day finally came to a close.