05.25.07: Lone Adventure in Tokyo Part I - Shibuya

I had arrived safely in Chofu, Tokyo the night before.


In front of Chofu Station

I woke up at 6:45 AM with super alertness. My usual lazy morning attitude had disappeared. (That's if I wake up early enough to catch it) I was full of energy and ready to go! Today, I was to explore Shibuya and Shinjuku on alone. It was Friday, and some unfortunate people had to work! And I'm damn glad I'm not one of them. I suddenly realized that it was raining!! OH NO! But rain could kiss my ass.

I procrastinated and enjoyed my Tokyo morning with good conversations with Lars and Aki, a cup of coffee and melon pan (bread).... which extended to around 12pm. I took a cab to Chofu Station equipped with the notes on which train lines to take from Aki and the KEIO Line Train Card. With Yen in my pocket and a camera (and an umbrella) in my hand, I stepped into the wild. Aki and Lars just had to make a bet on how soon I will call them with a panic attack. I supposed it was something to cheer up their work day. Too bad it didn't happen... well, not until the end of the day anyways.



Traveling to Shibuya

The platform of the Express Line to Shinjuku was easy to find. There were a lot of people in the train, but it wasn't crowded. There were two teenage girls who were talking quite loud with Tokyo slang with all the "sa" and "jan"(jang). The rest were silent, sleeping, playing with their keitai(cellphones) or chatting quietly. The ride ended quickly since I hopped out at the next stop in Meidaimae.

In no time I found the platform for the "Keio - Inokashira" line. I checked twice to make sure that it was bound for Shibuya. The train came too fast before I finished convincing myself that I would be riding the right train. Lars warned me that the opposite one will take me to somewhere to far far away that I would throw a fit in front of Tokyo strangers. (OK... I'm exaggerating... but still I don't want to be lost.) But I am not hallucinating when I saw "Shibuya" right next to the door of the train car.

It was almost empty. More people joined us, but everybody got to sit quite a distance from each other. In was sitting in front of a lady whom I guess around the same age of me. I quickly realized that our gears are totally opposite of each other. She was wearing an skirt suit with white heels and white handbag while I was wearing some casual crap and black handbag. She even had a white video IPOD and I was listening to my black one. GASP!! I suddenly feel retarded and pretended that I just didn't think about that for the next 15 minutes.

SHIBUYA!!! SHIBUYA!!!

I knew I was right! I found Shibuya! After anxiously trying to figure out what the conductor is announcing at every stop, I finally hear Shibuya! I calmly stepped out and inhale my tiny feat. I called my friends to let them know that I was still alive. I then proceeded to find the Hachiko exit. Despite a long explanation from Lars, I couldn't find the two escalators which would have lead me to it. But I finally found the sign! (For you who don't know, Hachiko is a famous dog statue on the side of Shibuya Crossing which are popularly used as a meeting point landmark.)



Passed this sign was an overpass which overlook Shibuya Crossing. A pro cameraman and his entourage was taking pictures, so I joined him.


Shibuya Crossing

I walked and found myself in a shopping area. I randomly victimized an unsuspecting teenager boy with my sketchy Japanese. He kindly gave me directions in some Japanese that I can understand. I concluded that I was going on the right but longer direction.

Hachiko, Meeting Place and Tea

And I finally got out of the station right in front of the Shibuya Crossing. But wait!!! Where was Hachiko!?!?! I spot a white guy in a suit standing not too faraway, which I figured will be the best informant in the sea of Japanese around me. He actually walked me to Hachiko!! He even took my picture; even though he successfully captured my jutting abdomen. Sadly, there were barely anybody there.


Hachi and I

We chatted for a little bit and exchange name and number. I though it was ok, since my keitai is a rental. And then the guy told me he was going to look for his friend who he was waiting for. I stood there pondering why am I supposed to stay here and what the hell was his name. He immediately returned and told him his friend ditched him. He asked me if I would want to have some tea at this place which sells good scones. I don't like scones too much, but I couldn't say no... and he just got ditched... So.., oh well.. I decided to have this kind of experience. We paid for own drinks, so it didn't count as getting picked up. >.<

Absorbing the Scene

Afterwards, I head to the 109 building and got me a dress, a shirt tunic and two necklaces. There were not too many people since most people are at work or school. But I still saw some school girls who skipped school. I only explored a couple of floors; I wanted to go to Takashimaya in Shinjuku. I head back to the station. On the way, I observed and took some pictures of the scene. People watching in Tokyo is enjoyable, I'm telling you. The crowd in Shibuya moves me just like when I'm in Hong Kong but with more horsepower. I think people saw me and thought, "Who is this retarded girl, acting like a tourist lost from her tour group?" and "Why the hell is she standing there like a lost puppy and taking pictures at the same time?". But hey, who cares! I surely don't! I exhaled and inhaled a rainy day in the busiest crossing in the world.



109-2 building which houses men's clothing stores





And I Just Had to Move On

I entered the station in a daze, so much that I still had my umbrella open, resting on my right shoulder. I saw a station employee looking at me weird, and I decided he is my next victim. I just showed him the direction that Aki had written in English and asked him, "Where is the JR Yamanote Line platform?" He pointed to the gates in front of us. Again, I was going the right way! I asked him how much I would need to put in JR ticket to go to Shinjuku and he told me 150 yen. I said my thanks, got me a ticket from the machine and entered the gate. I found the Shinjuku - Ikebukuro bound platform pretty easily. And gasp! I found a huge ad for Proposal Daikakusen!



Satisfied with the picture I took, I went on with my little journey. Onwards to Shinjuku!


**Please look forward to the second part of my lone adventure in Tokyo, where I walked like a champ in Shinjuku and get detained by the cops in Chofu.**

**I had already posted some pictures on my flickr (scroll down to see the latest pictures). Please feel free to view them. More will be coming.**