World ExploraSean: Tokyo

Going into this trip, I knew that Tokyo was going to be crazy. It's the most massive metropolitan area in the world. There are 12 million people in central Tokyo, and 35 million in the greater Tokyo area. That's basically the combined populations of Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, and Finland...5 European countries, compressed into one Asian city. It's absolutely mental to think about. Of course this also meant that my love of the personal bubble was no longer in existence. If you can go more than 20 seconds without touching someone in Tokyo, you're either tiny, a hobo gypsy, or a master ninja. Anytime you exit/enter a subway, walk through a shopping district, or visit a famous attraction, you'll be surrounded by people that can't wait to burst your bubble. You honestly have to experience it to believe it.

I was so exhausted upon arriving that I only toured the main district I was staying in, Taito. Each district has subsections, the most popular near me being Ueno. I visited the main park and then ended up finding a lost Chinese kid, Do Ming, on the way back to my capsule hotel. I had similar issues finding the hostel, so combining that knowledge with his deer in headlights look, it was clear I should help him out. After I showed him how to get there, we grabbed some dinner and strolled through the shopping streets, but since I hate my siblings, most notably Bryn, I didn't feel the need to purchase them anything.

The next day I headed to Asakusa to check out the Sensoji Temple and it's corresponding market. It's probably 500 meters from the subway exit to the temple entrance, but it takes ten minutes to get there. Seriously, there are that many vendors and visitors. My next destination for the day was the Imperial Palace, which is famous for having some of the best gardens in Japan. I got a little unlucky on my timing, however, as the gardens were shut down for maintenance. There are about eight access bridges that run across a massive moat into the main palace area, but none were open.

Sardines in a can

Sensoji Temple

This is the only way I travel

Look at the pervy look in his eye, it's like looking into a mirror

That evening, I was invited to a mini University of Northern Iowa reunion led by one of my old classmates, Hiroko. She gathered a few of her friends that had ties to UNI and made a reservation at a place that served traditional Japanese cuisine. It can be a little daunting to stare at a giant platter of raw fish, but I love sushi, so I tried to concentrate on that. I thought that platter was our complete dinner, but out of nowhere several other plates started coming out! Japanese meals seem to come in waves, almost endlessly. In addition to the food we also shared some beers, shochu, and sake. When the bill came, I wasn't allowed to pay for anything. Everyone just waved me off and told me that's not how it's done in Japan. Everyone that knows me, knows that I cannot be in debt to people, it drives me mad. So we all better meet again so I can buy them some American BBQ!!!

Bring it on

The Dinner Crew: Marina, Yuri, Takao, Hiroko, Hitomi

I apparently couldn't get enough raw fish in my life, so the next morning I headed to the Tsukiji Market, which is the most famous fish market in Tokyo. After walking around for a little while, I felt a sudden hunger and decided to eat from one of the random stands. Two stands appeared to be exceedingly popular, one serving ramen and the other offering a mystery rice dish. I was intrigued by the mystery, thinking it was a fish curry of some kind. When my turn finally came to order, I was informed that the main dish was actually cow stomach. The lady taking orders told me I could get normal beef instead, but I was already committed to trying the local dish and my stubbornness dictated I follow through. Perhaps the most daunting thing about the meal was the fact that stomach isn't just one texture - there's four distinct parts to a cow's stomach, which means four different flavors, colors, and textures. It was absolutely terrible in every way imaginable. A few times I had to take a bite of plain white rice just to get the flavor out of my mouth, but in the end, I vanquished the entire bowl, because that's what a man does.

After throwing down instead of up, I went to one last shrine, the Meiji Shrine. It was located in it's own little park area, so I ended up just chilling out and reading after getting my fill of ancient temple life. That night I met up with Hiroko and two more of her friends for dinner at a fancy French restaurant. I was at least allowed to pay this time, after explaining that the vastness of my wealth is directly correlated with my ability to convert Celsius temperatures to Fahrenheit.

This girl was definitely into me, but she was also holding a giant tray of squid jerky...

What the heck is this thing and why is it in a fish market?

So disgusting, just look at all the different sizes, shapes, and colors.

Like a true Asian, I finished

And as I gently sip this drink, I think about my lack of future and all the places I could learn to fall in love....

There was only one final activity that I had to do in Japan before I could leave, something that I promised a friend I would do. That's right folks, it was time for Japants Off, Dance Off Round Three: Sean vs. The Onsen. If you don't already know the term onsen, then perhaps you know this one: Bath house. That's right, I subjected myself to a Japanese bath house, a place where a bunch of dudes sit together in hot springs/hot tubs...Completely naked. Luckily for you, I didn't take any pictures.

My first real question with the idea of an Onsen is: Why do people enjoy this? I mean why isn't there a co-mingling of genders? I'd much rather be clothed and have women around then be stuck in a hot pool full of naked old dudes. Can you imagine all the pubes floating around in there? It's completely unsanitary. Do you really want to sit down on some rock that a bunch of other dudes bums have touched? I mean what's the level of cleanliness here. I stay in shape so I can use my body to impress women, not to flaunt it around for a bunch of dudes. This onsen system needs some serious reevaluating. You need men and women together, we're puzzle pieces, complimentary.

Though I didn't enjoy the onsen experience on the whole, I will say that being completely naked in a hot spring feels pretty damn good. The Japanese also start going to onsens as children, so it's not weird for them like it is for a Westerner. No one looks at you or anything, but when someone next to you stands up and there's water splashing around, it just freaks you out. I don't some sort of ball splash water touching me, it's a lot to bear (...and bare).

Freshly garmented, I made my way towards Shibuya and Shinjuku, which are two of the more futuristic looking districts in Tokyo. I started with Shibuya, which immediately made me think of Times Square, though I've never been there. As soon as you exit the metro station you're greeted with giant screens flashing all around you. The crosswalks have hundreds of people on them, I've never seen anything so hectic. I was also on a side quest to dine at the main Japanese fast food chains, so I ate at Mos Burger and Freshness Burger for my first and second lunches. Both were legit, more along the lines of premium fast food burgers.

When I arrived in Shinjuku, I came out on the government side of the station instead of the shopping side, and spotted a massive skyscraper, so I walked towards it. It ended up being a government building that offered free service to a 45th floor observatory with 360 views of Tokyo! Not a bad random find :). After getting my fill of the view, I walked back to the station and headed towards the city side. I grabbed dinner at CoCo Cury House to complete my day of Japanese fast food before heading to Tokyo Tower.

This is how I stay up to date on my World Cup scores

I am a bird that's in need of grounding. I'm built to fly away, I never learned how to stay

Such a cool city

Not too shabby for a free view

It's crazy too look at, almost looks like it spreads infinitely...it probably will someday

There are a lot of places in Tokyo to see the night skyline, but Tokyo Tower is the original spot, so I decided to check it out. It's design is based on the Eiffel Tower, so it is already pretty spectacular in itself. Tokyo Tower had the same problem as Seoul Tower, in terms of the glass being ultra reflective, but the glare wasn't quite as bad since they keep the inside as dim as possible. It also has a bunch of signage telling you which district you are staring at and how far away it is, which is kind of cool. After seeing the city lights from afar, I decided to go check them out in Shinjuku one last time before heading back to my awesome capsule.

I spent my entire last day purchasing souvenirs, as I was on a mission to get some cool Asian stuff for my family members back home. I even dumped my sleeping bag to make room for their gifts. Ungrateful bastards, they'd never do the same for me.

Tokyo Tower

This thing was built in 1958...It's crazy to think about how old some of these structures are and yet they still blow your mind.

I love how the main roads converge to make a massive, running starfish

Shinjuku at night

Won't you kiss me on this midnight street, sweep me off my feet. Singin, "Ain't this life so sweet?"

My next and final stop outside of the states was Fiji. I wanted to find a place that I could just chill out for a month instead of backpacking across another country. I thought getting in would be a breeze due to the laid back, island culture...Oh how I was wrong. But that's a story for another blog...

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