Polar in Tokyo

Polar · (#1 (**permalink**))

Sorry but I have too many photos and it quickly kills a thread so it'll be point and click from here

Polar · (#2 (**permalink**))

Day 2

How did you spend your morning today ?

Bet it wasn't like mine.

Let's take a stroll down the street from my hotel and see what we run into.

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More vending machines

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Can't get over how tiny the high rise is

Polar · (#3 (**permalink**))

Day 3 - Akibaharaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa !!!

Well today we're off to Akihabara, this is Mecca for video gamers, anime and manga fans. It also harbours electronic stores, DVDs and usually a combination of all them. Even the stores that look small have at least 3 floors if not more.

Now here's the thing it's approx 7:00am in the morning, I check the web to see how to get there on the subway *ugh* it looks confusing, plus it's gonna put me there in 20 mins. Stores don't open till 10am. Not to mention the subway is going to be CRAZY at that time of day.

I check google maps and the satellite view, hmmm just follow the highway. What the heck we're going to hike there hopefully kill some time in the process, the web says it's about 8.6km well that's not too bad. Armed with the Tokyo subway map what's the worst thing that could happen we may get lost.

Lets get started ...

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There's a familiar face

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Hmm is that park the one I think is on my map ? Lets zoom in and see.

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Well that's no help, let's just keep moving as we've passed subway stations already and we're going the right way.

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Neat

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Remember what I said about those alleyways ? Always worth it to look down them.

Check this out

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Looks good enough to eat

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Hmm I see one of those Boss Coffee machines, I'm gonna try one. Now something to understand about these machines is certainly are labelled red and blue, red is hot and blue is cold. I pick a Black coffee. Damn it's quite warm in my hand. I open the can and try it. Wowzers it's pretty damn good. I'm amazed it's not the best coffee I've ever had but it's head and shoulders above average.

Satisfied we move and get another WTF moment

What the heck is this ?

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Oooh another surprise lurking in an alley

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Also a smaller version of NYC parking

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The famous confectionery

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Now I see some familiar gates, cool another Shinto shrine ... wait a minute, this has an officer outside and literally a police bus as well and it's all chained off. Hmmm could it possibly be the Imperial palace ? That means we covered a LOT of ground quickly if this supposed to be 8.6 Km. I start having my doubts.

Across the street it's the Tokyo Arts Centre !

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No idea what that is but it's pretty keen.

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Now looking on my left is would appear my instinct was right. That's a LOT of land there.

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Hmm another gate

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What's happening on the right side ? Traffic

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These gates are open and no officers lets trek through

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Oh it`s a just a kitty corner entrance to another gate

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Cool clock

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Yep it`s the Imperial palace alright , it`s only to visitors once or twice a year and even then it`s just the gardens, during that time you just might if your lucky catch a glimpse of the Royal Family

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You know what I'm finally hungry and there's a Denny's lets grab some breakfast. I have no idea what this is but my waitress stuck the bill in it. Ordering was a breeze, gotta love picture menus. My breakfast arrives alongside coffee (all you drink) and glass of water. Can you believe this ?? How healthy is that ! It was GOOD too, difference being it came with ketchup and soy sauce bottles. That wrapped napkin is a moist one for after your done.

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Ok I'm full now, total came to 580 yen can beat that. Lets move on. Looking at the subway map again and one of those map boards they seem to conflict with each other and it appears I've over shot Akibahara. That makes no sense at all. After locating the station I kitty corner down an alleyway.

Still some traditional homes here.

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Looks like we're getting there

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A column of garbage trucks, if your over 6'2 you probably place your hand on the top

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Who doesn't love dump trucks

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Very Chicago-esque

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Lady's and Gentlemen we have arrived !!!

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Club SEGA on the left

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GashaPon or capsule toys, they range in price fro 200 - 500 yen each. They are collectible and usually have rare chase ones to try and get for the full set. They change them up regularly

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This one dispenses cards for games.

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A better view of that Club SEGA

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WOW !

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Notice the mask on the guy on the far right, you wear these if you are sick or don't want to get sick. I was amazed at how common they are maybe it's cold season ?

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The infamous maid cafes. Basically you pay for girl dressed in a maids outfit and she pretends to like you and play games for about 15 mins. No sex or anything like that. Meh we'll pass on that.

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More and more stores

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Tradition is even still here.

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Hmm a used shop lets take a look at those prices there shall we.That's not cheap at all !

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Another arcade, those machines out there are known as UFO catchers, if you've ever seen those games where you manipulate a crane to try and grab your prize they are the same thing.

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Poor girl shilling for the maid cafe

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It's Super Potato !!! One the best retro gaming stores out there.

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Polar · (#4 (**permalink**))

Now you knowing me you're probably asking yourself why no photos of what's inside these fabulous shops. Well simply put it's flat out forbidden and looking around and seeing anywhere from 2 - 8 security cameras on you. I ain't risking it just to get a photo then get kicked out just for you. You would need something like a spy camera.

Suffice to say if you are looking for "deals" look elsewhere SERIOUSLY ! bargains are few and far between and usually involve Gundam models they are being cleared, some good prices on those especially the 18" models but video games ? Nope.

Resident 5 Regular version 7500 yen, in the US it's $59.99 ! Aquanaughts Holiday which I purchased at a store close the hotel for 3500 yen was still 5700 there. So go there if want to buy action figures. Although a sealed copy of SEGAGA for only 8900 yen was pretty damn tempting as it was offered ONLY online and ONLY in Japan.

Well at this point my legs are aching and it's time to go home. We're not walking back we're taking the subway. After making my way back with all the landmarks I've seen I'm beginning to believe it's pretty damn hard to get lost here.

Get to the station and it's 8 stops in a straight line. I head to the collectors booth. Shinjuku arigato I say, he tells me 260 yen I hand the coins he explains I have to use the machine. Eeek I think I go over and wouldn't you know there's an english button. It asks me to spell out the station. The collector watches over me to assist if needed. Get the ticket and through the turnstile. You insert the ticket and it spits out the other side.

Down and down to the subway tracks

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Not knowing which train to grab, I check the board

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and see that it was this one leaving.

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Train approaching ... but it turns out to be an express that races through.

After an uneventful ride we head back to the hotel going through the dog park. He looks pleased to see us.

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Time for a nap now and it seems the jet lag is finally gone !

MMM · (#5 (**permalink**))

Thanks for the pics! There are some good ones in there...

That's funny about the shops. Just today I walked around Osaka and took about 100 pics today, a lot inside shops (electronic, games, manga, books, Loft, CD store, etc.) The staff saw me taking pictures, but no one said anything. No one asked me to put the camera away. Maybe things are different in Tokyo.

Polar · (#6 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMM

Thanks for the pics! There are some good ones in there...

That's funny about the shops. Just today I walked around Osaka and took about 100 pics today, a lot inside shops (electronic, games, manga, books, Loft, CD store, etc.) The staff saw me taking pictures, but no one said anything. No one asked me to put the camera away. Maybe things are different in Tokyo.

I asked at one store motioning with my camera, and the clerk grinned and looked down then I croseed both arms and he said Yes, sorry.

Other`s had no photo signs etc...

Question: What are the clerks saying to me, it sounds like a complete sentence. Is it something like Welcome to (insert store name), if you need any help please ask.

Niyusu · (#7 (**permalink**))

Nice photos.

kirakira · (#8 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polar

Question: What are the clerks saying to me, it sounds like a complete sentence. Is it something like Welcome to (insert store name), if you need any help please ask.

When you walk in, いらっしゃいませ (irrashaimase) which means welcome.
When you leave the store ありがとうございました。またお越しくださいませ。(ar igatou gozaimashita. mata okoshikudasaimase)　which means thank you very much. Please visit again.

These are set phrases, I really doubt most of the store clerks actually really mean it.

MMM · (#9 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polar

I asked at one store motioning with my camera, and the clerk grinned and looked down then I croseed both arms and he said Yes, sorry.

Other`s had no photo signs etc...

Question: What are the clerks saying to me, it sounds like a complete sentence. Is it something like Welcome to (insert store name), if you need any help please ask.

That's the difference. I didn't ask, I just did it. If you ask, of course the answer is no.

Aniki · (#10 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMM

That's the difference. I didn't ask, I just did it. If you ask, of course the answer is no.

Now that's rude if I do say so myself.