Aug. 8, 2018
Today was slightly sad. Leaving Kyoto was a bummer. Heading into a typhoon can’t have been the best course of action, but no choice was given. So… Shinkansen time!
This time I was on a different train. Not quite as nice, and not quite as fast. Still, it was fast. The ride from Kyoto to Tokyo wasn’t quite 2 hours I don’t believe.
I actually took a later train by an hour so I could sit on the Mt. Fuji side of the train. That turned out to be a bust. Because of the weather low clouds obscured most of it. Oh well, next time.
When I arrived in Tokyo my room wasn’t ready as usual so I checked a bag and wandered around. Had a burger for lunch at the first place NOT TGI Friday’s that was open (yeah, they have those here). It was pretty decent, actually. I was plenty hungry, though. Maybe it wasn’t so good?
The rain was coming down pretty decent so I wandered around a shorter period of time than normal before heading back to get my room.
Incidentally, I arrived at Shibuya Station, and unknowingly walked across Shibuya crossing a few times before knowing that it is THE famous scramble crossing. It’s also as chaotic as it seems, but in a highly organized manner somehow.
Back to the day… my room. It’s… there is a bed, and a bathroom. But you can sit and shower at the same time, basically. The room is big enough for a bed. The picture I attached is taken standing in the main hotel hallway. I sorta dig it, just wish I could open my suitcase fully (a 20” roller). Ah, yes… the aircon is fabulous!
After watching some weather, and baseball on tv, mostly on a whim, I ended up buying a ticket to the Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku. It was interesting. Not sure what I expected, but not sure I expected what I got. I was also super let down at the lack of food included with the ticket. Pretty lame, honestly.
The lady sitting next to me was another by themselves, and nice enough, but sorta odd. She did do me a solid by telling me where to see Godzilla. That was neat.
After seeing the giant lizard trying to eat a building I went into Taito Game Station, and it was SO FUN! I played a mech game that is one of the coolest ever. You sit inside a cockpit with a screen that takes up your whole view. I got first place both games I played. Probably because… I have no idea why. The players linked were apparently a different level of bad. Also watched people playing Chunithm, an insanely complicated version of Guitar Hero minus the guitar. Mesmerizing to watch, for sure.
I was starving at this point so walked back into the red light district looking for food. Didn’t realize all the awkward solicitations I’d get. I’m pretty comfortable in most situations, but this was aggressive.
Anyhow, settled on a Japanese bbq place. You know the type, they bring meat that you cook, yet somehow it costs more than usual. No matter, as it was delicious. Another great meal in Japan.
Pretty much headed home from there. The rain is picking up, and I’m not into being out all night tonight. It’s an early one for me. The trains aren’t exactly reliable right now either.
Oh, one other thing… my shoes are soaked. They’re going to be nasty (I’m justifying here…). So, there is an Onitsuka Tiger store down the street from my hotel. Might need a pair of kicks to wear on the plane so I can retire my current ones. They gonna stink, and we all know I like an excuse for new sneakers.
Alright, early night for me. And yes, I slacked on my walking today. Gimme a break.
Added P.S. you would think the rain would cool things off. You’d be wrong. Wow.
Ryan Cavalier 