The Adventures of Wild Will: October 2014

Tokyo

Tokyo is sprawled out over a vast area creating different neighborhoods that seem more like individual cities with unique vibes, specialties, and themes. The train system is extremely efficient and allows you to move around the city with ease. The trains stop running around 12 and taxi's are very expensive, so you usually plan on either having an early night ending at 12 or a late night ending at 5am when the first train starts up again. Tokyo, like the rest of Japan is full of amazing food, cool technology, wacky quirks, unique nightlife, and many cool things to see and do.

Be a tourist

Visit the various temples and palaces of course. While I won't say this is a thrilling activity, it is a great reason to get out of your room and explore the city. Some of these places are pretty impressive.

Asakusa

This is a neighborhood with many guesthouses and where one of the most popular temples is found.

Sensoji Temple

(Sky Tree and other iconic building)

(These guys can be seen in many touristy areas)

Explore the Parks

Yoyogi Park

Tokyo Imperial Palace

(The palace is encompassed in a park-like area)

Ueno

This neighborhood is home to Ueno Park and Ayema Yokocho Market, which has tons of things from cheap seafood to U.S Military attire.

Ameya Yokocho

Shinjuku

Shinjuku train station has 36 platforms and well over 200 exits.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

(Free view of the city)

Akihabara

Known for electronics, technology,manga, anime, video games, and made cafe's

Shibuya

This area is most well known for the Shibuya Crossing where tons of people pass through every day. 3 crossways all turn green at the same time opening up this massive intersection to a swarm of pedestrians crossing. Shibuya has tons more to it than just the crossing but this is what everyone knows about before they go to Japan. Explore the food and shopping here.

Hachiko Statu

Hachiko was a dog who would greet his owner at the end of each day at Shibuya station. One day the owner passed away and the dog continued to await his owner for nine years after. The dog statue resembles loyalty and is a popular landmark for meeting friends in Shibuya.

Rock Climbing

While there are many place to rock climb in Tokyo you can go to Miyashita Park in Shibuya and rock climb for only 3.5USD. While this place is pretty small the price is a steal and often there is a line.

Mt Takao

Take a daytrip out of the city and climb Mt Takao!

More Fun

Play Taiko

This is like Guitar Hero for drums and is 100% a necessary Japanese experience.

Batting Cages

Bike around the City!

While the city is huge, you should still try biking around

Kendama Gallery and Party!

A friend invited us to this party and it was the most unique and fun gallery I have ever been to. Customized Kendama were on display. The Kendama Association was there giving out free Kendama to people that could pull off one of the simple tricks. All of us pulled it off and left with our own Kendamas! There was free alcohol and tons of professional Kendama players!

Typhoon Vongfong

When I heard there was a typhoon coming, I decided to go out and practice my journalism skills making my own current report video on the storm at 3am when the storm was supposed to be at its worst. Unfortunately, or fortunately, the storm had weakened quite a bit before it got to Tokyo so besides some wind and sprinkles, it wasn't that crazy.

(Chasing storms)

Explore rooftops

Tsukiji Fish Market

This is the largest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world as well as one of the biggest food markets of any kind in the world. This is why people start lining up around 1 or 2am to wait in line to be one of the 120 people they let in every morning to witness the auction. The first auction is at 5:15am. After the auction go get some fresh raw fish at the restaurants nearby.

(in case you miss the auction watch the sunrise by the river)

Quirky Stuff

(Onigiri Costume)

(Interesting energy drink)

(some people make a living winning these prizes and reselling them)

(My name in Japanese)

(Need help buying a train ticket? some guy just pops his head out through a secret door in the wall)

(quiet trains)

(Interactive robot, no english)

(a love hotel named after me)

(everyone catches there z's on the train)

(foot pressure points at the park)

(ramp to get bicycles up and down the stairs, brilliant!)

(Live giant frogs and turtles at the market)

(Ramp and stairs at the same damn time!)

(Pachinko, a form of gambling that evades the laws against gambling and turns older japanese men into zombies)

(exercise your face, improve your smile, and look ridiculous while doing so)

(Only in Japan would a drainage cover be this cute)

Food

Did I mention that Japan has the most amazing food?

(Super fresh seafood in the supermarkets, you can make sashimi at home)

Sitting under the train tracks enjoying Yakitori

(snails and beer, actually great combo)

Ramen

Try all the best ramen shops and decide your favorite

(Line outside the popular ramen chain)

Make your own onigiri

Onigiri is a rice ball with whatever you want in the middle and wrapped in a crisp seaweed in the shape of a triangle. Get them at any convenient store, any time, any place, and for only 1usd. You can also make your own at home and eat them in the park. Not a day went by without me eating onigiri and this is probably my favorite japanese food.