Tokyo, Shinjuku, Harajuku, Akihabara, and Ochanomizu

Monday, 22 August, 2005
Day 3 - Tokyo, Shinjuku, Akihabara, and Ochanomizu

Off on the Tokyo Loop Line train,with ICA cards-prepaid cards that you can top up at leisure. Went into Tokyo to get cash after couldn’t access accounts via ATM in Ochanomizu. When we got to Tokyo we thought we were in the Post Office foyer where they had international ATMs. About now we were both sweating a bit (me especially as I said we could get by on our cards overseas). Turns out that we weren’t in the Post Office foyer – it was next door. Look for the red T symbol (double lines across the top). Worked a charm and we were both very relieved (the Post Office ATM became our friend).
We walked around central Tokyo. Massive buildings and pavements (esp the Merril Lynch building), a lot underground too.

Jumped back on train (getting good at the transit system) and off to Shinjuku. A young area of town, massive neon signs everywhere, trendy shops. Found the 100YEN shop and loaded up with heaps of little Japanese things.

Back on the train off to Ikebukuro (very hot and humid). Found a cultural art shop and spent a good 45 minutes in there. Then after trying for a while, we finally got to the other side of the station to be met by a swarm of people, malls and great shops. Tokyu Hands Department Store was fabulous and we were there for quite a while. Cats for hourly rent on top floor – we didn’t.

Back on the Loop Line and off to Harajuku. Missed the Harajuku Girls(weekends only), but had a great time walking through a mall bustling with young trendy Japanese.

Akihabara, as per our friend Roland’s ideas, we went in search of the Loax and Sofmap department stores. We found them and spent hours in both. Definitely shopped here.

Back in Ochanomizu area for dinner in a restaurant down a flight of stairs. Busy hangout, few beers, couple of wines. Nice meal again, after some pointing and very friendly people (note perception of friendly without verbal communications too!!).

Ikebukuro outside Tokyu Hands Department Store.

A view to Harajuku Bridge, quiet through the week.

Down the main street in Akihabara. Blocked off in one direction on weekends.