“O-kaeri nasia Arekus!” was the first words out of Daisuek’s mouth as I arrived back in Tokyo. O-kaeri nasai means “Welcome home” and although many things have changed in the past two years, Tokyo still feels like home. There are so many familiar sights, sounds and actions that I remember, and some I’d forgotten too, like warm toilet seats, hot drinks in vending machines, stocking, pino (small ice creams) and how freakin’ long the train trip from the airport is. The first person I saw was wearing a face mask (to protect others from their cold).
The first place I headed for was En Okonomiyaki. God how I’ve missed Okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake), where Daisuke was waiting for me. He’s been a fabulous host, guide and friend and it’s been a pleasure staying with him.
First stop, Ghibli Museum. What a magical, wonderful place. It puts the Pixar exhibition to shame. Zoetropes a plenty, beautiful sketches, designs and matts, completed movie storyboards, short movies, upcoming sneak peak, life size model and of course a shop. But what makes Ghibili so much fun is the plethora of small doors, staircases and bridges one must navigate to explore the museum.
A Japanese must is Karaoke, and this trip would be no exception. Daisuke, Yugi and the Okomomiyaki boys all took me out to Shibuya to hear the plentiful tunes of screaming tone deaf boys in a tiny room with unlimited alcohol. “Friend like me” was a hit as too was my pathetic attempt at Japanese. We stumbled back home as the sun rose and flopped into bed exhausted, yet satisfied.
Daisuke has a new job as a famous traditional singer’s personal assistant, so he’s been quite busy, but that’s given me some time to strole around by myself. I had a very emotional time at Meiji Shrine, saw a man playing a didgeridoo and heard the familiar drums of Yoyogi park, crossed the famous Hachiko crossing in Shibuya and saw crazy fashion of Shinjuku before the day was out. It was comforting to see the peculiar cross dressing transvestite karaoke singer stills blasts away at Shinjuku East Exit.
Tokay Tatsua, an A-Boy (Akiharbara boy, into manga, cos play and electronics) took me to Akiharbara where I was treated to some fine shoping, firstly Nikon products (happy happy joy joy) then Amine where I found some Evangellion coffee, before taking me to the strangest café I’ve ever been to. “@ Home Café” is a maid café, no idea what that is? Neither had I until I’d experienced it. Imagine Hooters, but take out the skimpy clothing and replace them with Japanese girls in cos play anime style maid outfits. They have DVDs, CDs and when they serve you food, they make you do a little dance. Truly a strange experience, only in Tokyo.
Next stop, Sumo in Osaka. Until next time “Hitori ni shite kudasai”
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