016: Japan 2016 Days 18-19 | Tokyo - Trouble in Paradise

2016年 12月 30日 (金)

Finding ourselves in Tokyo station, we started the morning at T’s Tan Tan to grab some brekky for Carolyn. Judging from last night, it was better this way, since she wasn’t going to appreciate where we're going next... Where was Tsukiji Market, famous for its tuna auction and stunning array of seafood and produce. Bringing it back to T’s Tan Tan, Carolyn adores the place (went back many times) and I think it's nice, but nothing to rave on about.

Getting to Ginza was terrible. Stuck on a bus, we were caught in traffic (Hiroshima tram flashbacks). It was midday and we were still sushi-less (more déjà vu). With a couple hundred metres left, we were reaching Tsukiji. However, just approaching the outer markets, we could see the hectic crowds. It was apparent that we had to abandon all mannerisms and just plough through them. Breaking free from the crowd's clutches, we finally reached the various sushi bars. Surprisingly, lines were still short, especially given the time of day.

Wanting to sleep in, we had left Wilson behind but as he was “on his way”, we decided to wait and regroup. Wandering around, we scouted for places with the shortest wait times.

P016JPND1803A driving past in a small vehicle.jpg
P016JPND1803B citizens of Japan walk past Tsukiji area.jpg
P016JPND1804B middle aged man wheeling his trolley away.jpg

Mucking about for at least half an hour, there was still no sign of Wilson. Time ticked on and he’d arrived, but yet to show. Having provided clear representation of our location, I didn’t think it'd be difficult to find us. Overlooking that, he managed to overcomplicate things instead, by specifying where he wasn’t wut?

P016JPND1805 girl standing on the back of a trolley cart.jpg
P016JPND1806A man browses luanillustrates on his phone whilst waiting.jpg
P016JPND1806B man on moving vehicle discussing business.jpg

By now, lines doubled in length and continued to build on like Lego. We eventually found Wilson and latched ourselves to one of the long lines. To which, I soon abandoned because hunger was getting the better of me. No sushi? All good, I was prepared for this. Also in the area was Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin, a restaurant specialising in cutlet cuisine. Unprepared for another long line, I moved on. Finding a BBQ place, we strayed further out, only to find its doors closed. Fed up with searching, we entered the neighbouring tsukemen shop.

P016JPND1807 front entrance of tsukemen restaurant in Ginza.jpg

Looking at the vending machine taking orders, I noticed that the portion sizes were all priced the same. It was a no brainer to go with the largest one they had. Handing over my ticket, I went to freshen up. Returning to my seat, I found Vivian sitting alone... Carolyn was given the boot. Since she wasn't eating, she wasn't allowed to stay. A bit crappy, but rules are rules and it was a small place, after all. A small place that barely had any customers...

Manning the restaurant were only two guys; one, grumbly and stand-offish, while the other couldn't be any more of a polar opposite.

P016JPND1808A two men work on preparing food for customers.jpg
P016JPND1808B working in the kitchen to cook food for customers.jpg

Bearing more bad news, I came to learn that Viv had her bowl downgraded. Strongly advised that she wouldn't be able to finish it, I wished I was there to heed their words. Before I was able to request the same, my overkill portion arrived... and it was massive. I've made my bed...

P016JPND1809 an extra large serving of tsukemen noodles.jpg

Chipping away at the noodle mountain, my chopsticks slowly picked at its monstrous size. Not too long into the meal, Wilson and Alex joined the mix –ish... While trying to order, the rude guy went off, muttering something that didn't sound positive. As a result, Wilson stayed and Alex didn’t. Least Carolyn wasn’t by herself now.

Hastily accepting Wilson’s offer to take a sizeable portion, I was a little better off. Though, there was still plenty left. Generally, I like my noodles warm, but as tsukemen noodles are often served cold, it prolonged the meal. It also didn't help that the food wasn't amazing either. Struggling to the last strand, I finished my meal but at a costly regret later on.

P016JPND1810 an empty bowl of noodles but a full bowl of broth.jpg

As Alex and Carolyn were still enjoying their meal, the rest of us went ahead with our day. Just ten minutes away was a small paradise of mine – G.Itoya, a really nice stationary store. Every floor is beautifully decorated and laid out with a range of products as vast as the sea.

Reaching the 7th floor was like a stairway to heaven. Home to a variety of fine papers with stocks and colours out the wazoo. It was a shame that I couldn’t bring any home without ruining them in some way. Gimme a G.Itoya, Adelaide.

P016JPND1811 floor sign at G.Itoya.jpg
P016JPND1812 a large inventory of coloured papers.jpg
P016JPND1813 shelves stacked high with reams of colourful paper.jpg
P016JPND1814 stacks and racks of colourful paper squares.jpg
P016JPND1815 a white wall adorned by colourful paper envelopes.jpg

Up until now, I had been quelling an upset stomach. I was really full from that meal; the sickest I ever felt. After frequenting the many flight of stairs, my body was starting to take its toll. Whether I was completely still or moving, the abdominal pain was uncomfortable, no matter what. Constantly nauseous, I attempted to spew but it was nothing but air.

Finished with G.Itoya, we moved onto its younger sibling: K.Itoya . Here, the stationary was more focused on the arts end of things (markers, paints, canvases, sketchpads etc.). Despite K.Itoya's smaller floor count, floor space and grandeur, it was still a fantastic little shop. What wasn’t so fantastic was the nausea rising, again 🤢.

While the night was still young, I spent it at home, being the recluse I am. Whereas the others hit the town and were in their element - clubs.

2016年 12月 31日 (土)

Last day of 2016... What a year it had been and what better way to finish the year than to to be in Japan. It was only three years ago, on this day, I was out in the incredibly crowded Shibuya celebrating with people from all walks of life. Topping off that fun night was going to be tough but I managed to pull it off.

Trying not to wake anyone, I tiptoed out the bnb to pick up our guest of honour for the day.

Replacing Wilson indefinitely, Nicole re-joined us for a straightforward and uninteresting day in town. Where we shopped ‘til we needed to stop. New Year’s Eve meant turning up, and I wanted to be far from it.

As we neared the end of this trip, it's just mainly shops, shops and more shops. Due to the timing, some things weren't available and well... we did vote for it.

P016JPND1818 girl hiding behind her hair, embarrassed to have her photo taken.jpg
P016JPND1819 down the escalator, friends pose cutely.jpg
P016JPND1820 a young man tries on a hat.jpg
P016JPND1821 in the middle of crowds, one girl stands out in her kimono.jpg
P016JPND1822 Shibuya 109 building in Shibuya.jpg

Now in the last few hours of 2016, everyone had left, and I was stuck with the ball and chain. Not for long... Readying my prison break, I completely emptied my duffel of its purchased contents thus far and packed in the dirty contraband, 3DS and, of course, my music. Curiously, I left behind coins... for a coin operated laundromat.

A short walk in the empty streets, led me to a (relatively) quiet laundromat. Breaking my notes at the vending machine, I acquired my small change and a warm milk tea to ward off the cold. It was only when I was putting the clothes in, did I realise that I didn’t have any detergent… 🤦. I turned to the lady behind me and asked to borrow some but she kindly pointed out that the detergent came with its operation. Incredible. Finishing the preparation, I had a sweet little conversation with the lady. Obviously, one sided but one I still enjoyed.

Bidding the lady adieu, I was left to myself. As the hum of the machines competed with my blaring tunes, I enjoyed the solitary moment with my true love: games. Soooo yeah... I spent NYE doing laundry! Doesn't get better than that.

Thanks for reading and join the new me, of the New Year, as I hit the shops again.