Q: How do you get lost in a train station?
A: Go to any major station such as Shinjuku or Tokyo station, get to the platforms, then try to google map your way out.
Relax. The stations are well signed in Japanese and in English. Perhaps too many signs to make your head spin. And the major stations are well staffed with transit workers who do speak some English.
Just accept the fact that you WILL get lost and think of it as an escape room game. It’s part of the fun. You will get out. During our time in Japan, we went everywhere by train, metro, buses and on foot (20k steps a day). For most travelers, a taxi is not necessary unless you are out late as trains stops running at midnight.
More anecdotal observations:
•No one walks against a red light; even on quiet streets and there are no cars are in sight.
•On buses, you enter at the back and exit at the front. The bus driver says thank you to every passenger exiting the bus. Every time. In every city.
•No one eats and drinks beverages while walking. Getting your coffee “To Go” is moot.
•Department store and train station food halls makes American food courts look like Amateur Hour.
•Don’t judge a Japanese toilet only by its bidet. Seats are warm, the bowl lights up in the dark when it senses your presence (so you can aim accordingly), water squirts around the bowl so your poop doesn’t stick to it, there’s an audio feature to drown out embarrassing noises, there’s a dryer, and of course spray adjustments.
•Every public toilet I’ve encountered here were clean and spotless.
•With almost 10 million people living in Tokyo (2020 census), everything is clean, orderly, and safe.
This isn't the last of it. This rail map represents JR Trains, Japan's largest train network. With multi level stations, imagine more colored lines for the Bullet Train (Shinkansen), Metro (non-JR trains), and privately run trains (non-JR trains that are not shown here.
These are transparent toilets. The walls are clear colored when not in use but when you close and lock the door, they become opaque.
Team Lab Digital Art. Immensely popular digital art museum - always 'moving' some art is interactive.
At first, I thought this green space was one of those 3D projection billboards. But then, I see people walking up there.
More modern architecture. A giant golf ball I see.
The Mori Art Museum
3D cat billboard. It plays, it meows, and pokes its head to appear on another billboard next to it. It draws attention to the billboard for about 15 seconds so it can play ads for a few minutes, then repeats with cat doing different shenanigans.
A side street in Ginza, on our way to dinner.
Now for traditional Tokyo. Entrance to one of the largest and most popular temples, Sensoji Temple. Street stalls of food and souvenirs line for a couple of blocks leading up to the temple.
A nod to Ukiyo-e, Japanese block printing
Difference between a shrine and temple: A shrine is Shinto; a temple is Buddhist. Like orthodox Catholic churches, they are dedicated in honor of a person such as a notable monk, emperor, warrior, etc.
This garden outside of the temple has hundreds of stone statues of Buddhas - all different. It's said that you'll receive blessings if you leave a coin or two. Of course I chose the one with a dog.
While there were no wild adventures with monks, we were afforded the privilege of speaking with one, asking questions and even received a purification and blessing. I learned a lot that day.
One of the greatest honor to experience when traveling is an invitation to a local’s home. Our guide, Tsune-san and his charming wife welcomed us into his traditional Japanese home for tea and sweets, gave us a tour his tatami rooms, explained his altar, and gave us a glimpse into their day to day life. Out of respect and personal privacy, I did not take photos inside of Tsune-san's home, or photos of the monks and during the purification ritual.
Ryogoku district is where most of the sumo wrestlers live and train. They live dormitory style, in non descript looking buildings where they sleep, train, and of course eat.
Musashimaru (retired 2003) is one of the few sumo wresters to achieve the highest rank, Yokozuna. A Samoan born American, he became a Japanese citizen, was also one of the heaviest sumo wrestlers (at 518lbs)
Chanko Nabe, a stew made with chicken and vegetables, eaten with rice is a staple of a Sumo wrestler's diet. Chanko nabe restaurants abound in the Ryogoku (Sumo) district, some which are run by former wrestlers.
Adorable school boys in uniform. These unique looking bookbags are like a rite of passage for students. They choose their bookbags around kindergarten age and typically carries it into their college years.
Fruit and whip cream sandwiches are common here.
Preparation for our journey from Tokyo to Kanazawa on the Shinkansen (Bullet train). Eating on trains and public transit are taboo except on the Shinkansen, where it's OK to eat en route to your destination. In fact, it's encouraged because at Shinkansen stations, you'll find scores of stalls selling Ekibens. Eki means (train) station, and ben is short for bento(box). You can bring your own food, but an Ekiben is special; it's a highly anticipated treat to unbox and enjoy during your journey to where you're going. They are almost always prettily boxed and visually appealing. Yes, they are also delicious.
Fuji-san makes her presence known this afternoon.
Comments