Actually, i arrived in Tokyo 2 days ago, but didnt get internet access till now. Its really amazing being all over the rest of japan then coming back because it's allowed me to realize that Tokyo really IS expensive. First of all, internet access which ive found for free in many places, runs for about 10 yen per minute. Thats twice the price Jhoppers was charging! Thus the 2 day delay whilst i searched out free internet.
The other expense is the subway, which at first glance, is rather cheap at an average of 190 yen per trip (Kyoto was about 230). The big difference is that in Tokyo, you need to take the subway to go just about anywhere vs being able to walk. Thus im now spending about 600 yen per day just to get around!
The hotel/guest house is also a lot dirtier/noisier than all the rest with the exception of the Uno house. I really miss JHoppers now...Though i DO get my own room, the walls are paper thin and i can hear people constantly walking around, openning and closing doors, and dragging their stuff around.
So, the bus trip was pretty uneventful other than being rather uncomfortable. For 8000 yen i expected a little more (The 1st class busses through SE asia were all way better). But it got me to Tokyo in 1 piece at 6:30 in the morning, so i cant complain.
1st day back in tokyo, i decided to try out the epitome of modern tokyo, Shinjuku. An estimated 2 million people go through Shinjuku station every day which is a lotta friggin people! The Tokyo Municipal building is pretty cool with a FREE observation lounge to peer over tokyo. The Pentax Forum is also in one of the nearby buildings which showcases many of PEntaxes products (even the huge telephoto lenses, and medium format cameras). Their OptiaS digital camera is pretty darn cool (3.2 MPixel, TINY, 3x optical zoom}). Canon has a showroom of its digital products in a nearby room, but, lacking the traditional film products, its not nearly as impressive. On the East side of Shiunjuku station is the entertainment district with a slew of Shopping malls, bars, and strip clubs.
From shinjuku, i went to central tokyo to go to the Tourist office and pick up some info. central tokyo contains an amazing labrynth of halls connecting various subway stations.
1st night in Hotel New Koyo, i met 2 other americans and 2 singaporeans, and 1 IRish guy. Also bumped into a German guy i had met at Uno house in Kyoto. The 2 singaporeans were dishing out free JD, as well as smirnoff and absolut. 1 american is from Nashville, TN, the other from Minneapolis, MN. We went out later that night to a bar i had gone to before. The American chick from MN was annoying as hell and had to stop a couple times to eat on top whining half the time and trying to trip me another. Needless to say, many of the hotel guests are now avoiding her..
Next day, i visited Harajuku to check out the free internet cafe where i am now. Unforutnately, they require ID which i normally dont carry around with me. Soooo, i took a stroll through yoyogi park, famous for its weekend visitors, and also through the Meijijingu shrine. Afterwards, I took the JR to the british Council which had free internet in Kyoto, so i figured id give it a try.
Welp, they DO have free internet in Tokyo, BUT they dont allow you to do email. Nevertheless, i did some browsing and at least was able to get some useful information before leaving to go to the nearby Tokyodome. It looked like horse racing day at the Tokyodome which i whizzed past on into tokyodome city which is an amusement park with shopping and restaurants. They have one pretty good looking roller coaster along with a few other regular rides. The roller coaster cost 1000 yen, or you could get a pass valid for all the rides for 4000 yen.
Back at the hotel, i ran into a few of the same folks, going out for another night (I declined) and the American chick going out to the White Stripes concert. At 6000 yen and being out in Shibuya (clear across Tokyo from Ueno), i declined.
Actually, i went to bed REALLY early to make it to the famous Tsukiji Fish market....
I woke up several times in the night from all the normal ruckus that goes on (and some really loud spanish guys). One interesting incicent (aside from someone mistaking my room for theirs...good thing i locked the door) was when this guys was talking to a girl in the hall. I was half asleep but i coulda sworn i heard: "Hey, did you see all the people hanging out down there?" "Yeah, whats going on?" "Somebody was killed, murdered out in front there!" "What, really?" "Yeah, it just happend, right in front there"..
Hmm...i have yet to verify, but it sounded pretty freaky. One thing about the area the hotel's in is that there are lots of homeless people who are drunk half the time. Though they arent violent, they do make for a grubby type of atmosphere. The other difference i notice about tokyo is that people spit here...a lot and in the street! bleh.
So today i woke up at 4AM to go out to the fish market. The wholesale auction suppsoedly ends at 5:30 however, the subway doesnt open till just after 5. And it takes about 30 mins for the subway plus walking. doh. On top of that, today was a frickin holiday so there were about a total of 10 people in the market, 5 of which were tourists! On top of THAT, it was windy and rainy! Tomorrow...
So, here i am in the internet cafe (at least its free...) watching the rain....getting sleeeepy..