TOKYO 4 - erm, Tokyo!

So on the third day of our trip the weather worsened. We had be fortunate during our two days at Disney for clear blue skies, and a gentle breeze, but on Friday, the skies darkened and the heavens opened. This didn't really deter or dampen my spirits. I wasn't waiting in queues or outside for large portions of the time.


My first impressions of Tokyo ?

Massive.

The Sprawl (for those that know William Gibson).

Hectic.

Cramped.

Exciting.

Those are only a few things that I could say about this huge beast of a city. In many ways Tokyo is Japan INC. It's face to the world. A neon drenched hub of activity, with masses of concrete and steel and yet with smaller peaceful moments found in unexpected places. Tokyo was a surprise, a joy and a disappointment. It is a contradiction of a city.

ODIBA

This is were we stayed our second night, and in the morning we decided to have a look around the place. Most of Tokyo is shopping, shopping, shopping with wierd moments in between. If you're looking for tradition head to Kyoto or Nara, but in Tokyo the range of shops and items on sale is fantastic.

Check out the photo of CondoMania. Yes, a shop that is an exclusive Condom Only shop. And it's unsurprisingly a lot of fun.

We also wasted some time at Joyopolis, an indoor amusement park, which has photo's dotted around of the many celebrities that have been there. Michael Jackson, Leonardo Di Caprio, Freddie Prinze Jnr....(well not ALL celebrities).

AKIHARBARA

One of the most (in)famous districts of Tokyo is Akiharbara. It's main claim to fame is that is a sea of electronic shops, and therefore is a magnet for the Otaku (Japanese for geek). If you want something electric, you will find it in Akiharbara.

It's also famous for a strange kind of Otaku sexual fantasy. The maid.

Therefore, as we excited the station small groups of girls dressed in short or leather (or both) maid outfits were trying to elicit men to visit their Maid cafes. Which is exactly what it says on the tin. Maids serve you tea. In short skirts.

Japanese sexuality is an odd thing.

Shinjuku

After we'd had enough in Akiharbara we headed across to Shinjuku, which although busy is a much more "normal" shopping district. The one thing that struck me about Shinjuku, apart from the size of the station is the smell of curry! Shiori informed that the CurryPan (delicious curry bread) is famous in this area.