Tokyo, the rythms of the city

an amazing country that left me dazzled and deliriously happy that i wanna return once more. just mention the word tokyo and it simply leaves one thinking of the city that is so full of life and happenings that it blows you away. somehow this country still has that magic and as you chance upon a new discovery, the feeling is simply in the oh my gosh kinda way.

the moment the A330 plane of thai airways took off from changi airport, it was too late to turn back as what lies ahead is a new challenge and an exciting journey of stories. while i was eating my wanton mee with a few friends of mine who came to see me off, doubts were still lingering in my mind whether the decision was wise to step into a country where language is the first obstacle. and yet as the view of my friends slowly disappear behind me, the feeling of solitude seems not scary but exciting.

the flight was in a way simple with no personal entertainment system but only the opportunity to sleep and listen to my ipod. i was surprised by the fact that the hot meals served were particularly tasty and i quite enjoy the cup of apple juice that i always have every time i fly. transit in bangkok's new airport was a pain that i wouldn't wanna have to experience again, the interior was lacking everything that an airport in today's society should have.

the flight from bangkok to tokyo was made a little more welcoming by a japanese air stewardess whose smile so glorious and warm it simply leaves you happy like fresh air and sunshine. by the way, the big screen on the plane were showing some places of thailand and i so wanna go koh samui or krabi the next holiday.

the early spring chill caught me off guard and i was practically shivering as i made my way to the hostel. just 100 meters plus minus from the inaricho station, i love this hostel man, the location in terms of accessibility is good and there are convenient shops just round the block. what's better is that i will usually take a morning's walk to ueno station for breakfast at andersens before hitting the metro lines or the jr lines.

tokyo is a city that makes you wanna stay forever. walking down omote-sando after work or doing some grocery shopping at isetan, maybe there's that friday night when your colleagues drive and you relax in that pub at roppongi hills sipping your champagne while chatting till the early mornings of a saturday. spend a lazy sunday afternoon at yoyogi park listening to those wannabe famous bands playing their song or simply cream, fold and mix out a strawberry cream cake so sinful you have to accompany it with some earl grey tea.

shinjuku with its skyscrapers of shimmering glass was a walk to remember as i weave my way through the streets looking up at the design of the skyscrapers. just across the rail tracks of shinjuku station lies the shopping district. it was here that isetan departmental store revealed her true strength in the form of two seven storey buildings of which one dedicated to men's apparel. as the sun begins to set, shinjuku got more crowded and its fact that one must be prepared to face crowds of people worst then orchard road on a friday night.

the wind was awfully shivery that i had to quicken my pace and head back to the hostel for an early night, well after not sleeping for close to twenty four hours, the mind is weary.

shibuya with its numerouse departmental stores and dining places is perfect for retail therapy. just infront of the station is a major traffic junction, when all vehicles come to a halt people cross is all directions and the scene was similar to that in taipei when everyone was marching in protest and the streets practically had no vehicle. from hmv to kinokuniya, one can simply shop till you drop at shibuya. amongst the departmental stores of international brands you sometimes come across some local brand or funky shops selling old records.

there was a market fair going on at some park near the nhk studio koen, there were stalls selling food of all kinds, fishes grilled in a circle the traditonal way around burning charcoal, squid grilled till amber brown with an aroma that fills the air, when there's food there's beverage and fruit juices are aplenty. i tried this prawn like thing called syako which tasted of seaweed and the ocean, something that can only be found in japan.

what does fresh strawberries really taste like? well nothing that those dull red ones you see in supermarkets back home has. the red so glorious and deliciously tempting, the aroma of the strawberries so sweet that you scream with joy. with a rinse of ice water, the pleasure of eating one is truly an experience. i finished one box as i typed away at the computer in the hostel, i feel the need to inform my friends of the experience i've just experienced.

i felt kinda lazy to actually leave the hostel after i finished the strawberries, but there was shopping to do and how can one not shop when in tokyo, i mean like the fashion scene here is miles ahead of singapore and even taipei. i made my way to harajuku next which was a bloddy long journey on the ginza line. i alighted at omote-sando and walked the street of milan lined with international boutique labels like chanel, paul smith, gucci and even gap. there was no mistaking that omote-sando is the most lavish and happening shopping district in tokyo.

the throngs of people walking along the pathway made walking somewhat a stroll and you can't help but soak in the atmosphere with cafes and people within gazing out along the busy street. the architecture of each building along the street was in a class of its own, dazzeling glass reflecting the sunlight and a shadow play of white and grey. however the real harajuku where people like us shop is found along streets of local labels and classy decorated shops behind the high society omote-sando.

the sky was a splendor of colours as i decided that it was time for dinner, as i walk along a smaller alley i found myself falling into a dreamy state at the delectable spicy sweet aroma of curry. soup curry was the establishment and the interior was classically furnished with dark brown tabletop with black and the silver of stainless steel of the kitchen. warm light cozily fills the place and i made my order. the curry was somewhat different as the name suggest, the texture was more liquid but the taste was good.

the night was still early as i head back out along omote-sando, the wind was blowing down the street with such chill that the warm light gently spilling onto the street from the shops seem so comfortably tempting to simply just walk in and of great pretense try on some shirt that i will never get.

disneyland was built for japan and not with the world in mind for the tourism industry. almost everything is in japanese with only some visible signs in english. the facilities management of the whole park is above amazing and there are even people on blades going around sweeping up the smallest bit of thrash or paper. the moment i stepped into the park i was already busy queueing up to take pictures with pooh bear, donald duck, mickey mouse and even two nostalgic characters bernard and bianco that i believe not many knew from the story, the rescuers.

there were parades to catch and rides to queue almost an hour for. i was so caught up in all the activities that i almost forgot to have my lunch. the disney castle was so timeless in the evening sun that i just simply sat and admire. there's this passage way passing through the castle with mosiac walls depicting scenes from cinderella with colours so beautiful that one can simply just fall in love with them. while waiting for the night to arrive with the finale of fireworks, i went on a shopping spree at the world bazaar buying tins of cookies which i have no idea how i will be able to pack into my backpack.

it's crazy seeing the number of people who were actually in the park as everyone made their way home passing through the world bazaar. i decided to wait and linger a little longer in hope that the train will not be packed like sardines and took the opportunity to photographed the window displays which i find really classic and simply disney. the wind was bitterly cold as i made my way to the train station in the fastest walking speed i could go at.

i woke up late as usual and the worst part was on a day where i am heading to nikko to take in the holy atmosphere for shrines, the journey was somewhat long as the train made its way past fields of gold and houses that at times resemble those hdb flats you see back home. situated amongst the forest of majestic trees with green canopies that filter the sunlight casting rays of varying brightness onto the ground, the air was fresh and cool and a sense of calmness fiils your mind as you wonder around. there is no doubt that the architecture is exquisite and somehow has similarities of chinese temples.

back at tokyo in the late evening, i decided to explore roppongi hills and walk around to see what interesting things Minoru Mori has drawn out for the japanese to live, work, play, and shop in proximity. the grand hyatt tokyo is hidden somehwere in roppongi hills as i discover while wondering in west walk, a four story with architecture style of some art gallery of labels too dear for me. however that did not stop me from patronizing the bakery there.

the whole roppongi hills is like a maze of stairs and walkways, somehow it gives me some mysterious feel as you walk along thinking what shops and restaurants are up ahead. the steps leading down to the arena is somewhat fit for models to sashay down especially at night when warm lights lit the entire path down, the stairs and walls are made from unpolished stone of brown lighter then toffee, the sight at the end of the stairs looking back up is beautifully inspiring to simply pose and take photo. how glamorous it will be to hold some glitzy affair at roppongi hills, where the flashes of cameras twinkles like stars.

from roku roku plaza one can see tokyo tower in the distance, a sleeping beauty in the day. when the sky turns dark and the night dances in, tokyo tower lights up in all the splendors of the world shining beautifully in the night. gazing up at the tower it feels as though she is the guardian of tokyo's night, full of life and happenings. however on a cloudy night there is an air of mystery and a feeling that lingers in your heart that something magical is about to happen.

there is always that something about ferris wheels and their dazzeling colourful lights that change patterns that makes you wanna stand infront of it and do all sorts of crazy poses while having your picture taken. well thankfully there was no one walking pass or we might just end up in a police station for public mischief.

tokyo has made me realised one thing that unfortunately i have yet to achieve, capturing the soul of the city and the poeple living within. a difficult skill that demands not only experience but also a camera that has wide angle view.









































to be continued...