With our ship docked in Tokyo Bay for two days before we disembarked, our backpacking with wheels retirees decided to add three more days to be with their old friend. After all, it had been two years!
The first thing these two noticed was the quieter streets and less hustle and bustle. Of course they realised that most of the action is happening in the metro underground, as well as on the top of those tall buildings, but? Hmm?
Was it that on the second visit to Tokyo you are a little more de-sensitised to the ‘kerpow’ feeling you get at first? I’ll leave that one there for us all to ponder.
Tokyo’s coffee has improved more and they are not far off Melbourne’s quality; they aren’t ashamed to remind us.
The metro is just as reliable and the best in the world for moving huge amounts of people around the city, seamlessly and calmly.
New visits means new areas to explore and what better that Jimbocho, the book town and Nakamise Dori Street, the historical shopping street in the middle of Tokyo. Old areas like Shinjuku never disappoint, especially at night.
Some ‘only in Tokyo’ moments still surprise one, especially the tiny smoking booths within restaurants and public transport. Now smokers get a double whammy from passive smoking and their own cigarettes/vaping.
Our retiree’s niece Ms C had given them a request for some K-pop merchandise which turned into an Amazing Race-type challenge. After some big misses, the pair decided to go to the source – find the little Korea district in Tokyo: SUCCESS! Another bonus was finding yet another district in this metropolis.
Ms X was happy because she found some excellent Okonomiyaki (her favourite) AND some great Lemon Sours. Until next time Tokyo, Sayonaro!
backpackingwithwheels 