So finally arriving in Japan has been a blessing. All I've had exposure to was forms and emails, so to actually be able to communicate like humans eased all of the red tape pain.
Narita Airport is just massive, fitting for the city itself. It took a total of 2 hours to get from the airport to the Dormitory we'd be staying at, which is still inside of Tokyo. In Boston driving 2 hours will take you to another state! The massive nature of such a cosmopolitan metropolis was definitely extreme, but having lived in a city for the past 2 years, luckily did not take much getting used to.
First night Curry and Naan with Felipe, an exchange student from Brazil. He has lived here for quite some time now, and speaks Japanese incredibly well. Curry in Japan is amazing!
And of course for the first night, Karaoke was the event of choice. The sign reads "Karaoke Kan", which is a chain of Karaoke clubs across Japan. Interestingly enough, the first 4 characters read Ka (カ) Ra (ラ) O (オ) Ke (ケ), which means "Empty Orchestra", but the characters aren't used for traditionally Japanese words. Instead, they are from one of the 3 Japanese alphabets (4 depending on who you ask), which is designated for loan words from other languages. For instance, the Japanese word for "Part Time Job", arubaito (アルバイト) is written in this alphabet, and comes from the German word Arbeit, meaning work or job. This is because the word is actually a portmanteau, and the -oke at the end is taken from the word Orchestra. In Japanese, loan words can often leave out sounds that native English speakers use to make it easier for a Japanese pronounciation. So instead of saying it as "oar-ke-strah" like us Americans do, Japanese pronounce it "Oh-ke-strah", and that "Oh-ke" is where the final part of Kara-oke comes from! The word is written entirely in this loan word alphabet, or Katakana, to distinguish it as a single word instead of splitting it up into 2 different alphabets.
Tokyo at night.
This has to be said- 7/11 is everywhere in Japan. They carry far more than the US, and are just super well known across the country. At this point, they're a deep seeded part of the culture. Funnily, Japanese 7/11 and American 7/11 are owned by different companies, but underneath the same umbrella. Japanese 7/11s are actually opening in California, but it is coordinated from Japan rather than American 7/11. It's a crazy dynamic. Going back to Katakana, Japanese stores like this are called Konbini, borrowed from Convenience.
a little piece of the neighborhood.
learning to bow.
Yoyogi Park! This place is heaven. It's one of the most lively places I've ever seen, with so many things happening and an air of joy. This is what life is all about.
This was one of the coolest things I've seen so far- this a dance troupe named "Strangers- Greaser on the Road". They dress as rockabilly Greasers and dance along to 50's Americana style Japanese rock n' roll, doing splits and air guitars and slicking their hair back the entire time. Japan's culture can be very strict and conforming, so breaking out of the constraints of that uniformity can lead to some awesome and interesting ways to enjoy one's free time.
Another awesome experience in the park was coming across this drum group. They were nice enough to let me play alongside them, and made me feel very welcome! My fellow white guy on the left there is Andy, who is originally from New York but has lived in Japan for 15 years. I couldn't thank him enough for this experience, as his translation skills definitely got me into the band!
One of my favorite parts of the Day, the Tokyo Jazz Festival. This particular band is a Dixieland Jazz Band named Kenichi Sonoda and his Dixie Kings. Not only did they play a rousing rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In", they were also incredibly kind and were happy to take a photo.
And of course, Meiji Shrine. Constructed for the Emperor of Japan during the Meiji Restoration when the country was exiting it's period of isolation and Westernizing heavily. This shrine is seriously something else.
The main gate, where you must cleanse yourself before entering. You wash your hands and mouth with a ladle at a fountain, and bow deeply as you stand below this gate.
The entrance to the Shrine. Photos were not allowed inside, so this is the best you'll get. Not bad though.
a Shinto wedding at the Shrine. Shintoism is Japan's indigenous religion. Japan is not a religious country, but Buddhism and Shintoism have helped to mold the culture for centuries.
The Gate leading into the forest where the Shrine is located. By the way, this Shrine is in Tokyo, meaning that there is a massive forest in the middle of the city. You couldn't hear any of the city noises while inside, despite being at the heart of one of the world's largest Metropolises.
The forest itself, which felt like a fairy tale.
Shibuya Crossing, the famous intersection that is the busiest in the world. Up to 2,500 people can move every time the light changes. Walking through here can be quite an experience, but it is never chaotic or frustrating.
The statue of Hachiko, the dog that waited nine years for his owner to return home from work. The owner suffered a heart attack at work, and never made it home, but Hachiko waited until his final days. Although sad, it is nice to think that Hachiko made a new home, and was well loved by the people of interwar Tokyo.
one of the many impeccably clean stations of Tokyo. They can often be maze-like.
a busy shopping street.
Tokyo Tower at night.
an absolutely amazing experience was the One Piece museum, located in Tokyo Tower. For those who don't know, One Piece is a Japanese comic book, or manga, and one of the most popular comics in history. Recently kicking out Spider-Man from the number 3 spot for most lifetime copies, a comic book which started in the 1960's. One Piece started in 1997, still managing to overtake the webslinger despite him having 35 Years Headstart. Behind only Batman and Superman for the world, OP is still the most popular comic in Japan regardless. It's appeal is easy to describe, and there is good reason for it's popularity. Despite running since the year I was born, this story about a team of pirates trying to find an infamous lost treasure has never lost it's steam, and although many people may think it childish, I beg you to toss aside your assumptions and give this a chance. Although there are 20 years of reading to catch up on, you'll be done in a week and unable to put it down.
Stories make us who we are.
a view from a Tokyo rooftop terrace (there are a ton of these and they're all beautiful)
Although I couldn't get everything, this has been my trip so far. It has been amazing. The people are kind, the climate is warm, the city is beautiful and the food has been delicious. I cannot wait to start classes and take a step onto my path to fluency in this musical language. Thanks for taking the time to read this, I hope to update as much as I can!
Arigatou and Sayounara!
