To start off our day, both Melissa and Josh's debit cards wouldn't work in the ATM at 7-11. This led to us searching out a post office in hope that they would be able to help (because they say that almost every card works at a post office). With much circling, due to sorely outdated maps, we found our way to the, "Metropolitan Waterworks," where we were informed the post office had moved rather far away.
Frustrated we decided to try another 7-11, which thankfully worked, although it only allowed Josh to make withdrawals in increments of 10,000 yen (about $100). $100 was better than nothing, but we needed the almight 50,000 that most 7-11's allow. Desperate we headed out of Ikebukuro to find the Shinjuku post office. With a properly created map we were able to find it, but the results were still the same - 10,000 yen or nothing.
Since time was burning, and our stomachs were churning, we headed off towards Denny's, as it is one of the few places to offer breakfast foods. Melissa and I had the french toast, Randi and Josh had egg and tomato paste sandwiches. All around we enjoyed our food.
With full stomachs we moseyed on down the street to the Shinjuku Metropolitan Government Building, modeled by the lovely Melissa in above photo. Currently it is the tallest building I know of with a cost-free observation deck. Even though this was my third time seeing Tokyo from such a height, I was still amazed by how far Tokyo stretches. It doesn't seem to matter how far you can see, as it will never be far enough. Every square inch packed with sky scrapers, parks and the occasional sports field. Truly, it is a sight to behold.
After descending we headed towards Harajuku for our first full tour of a district. Just as last time, we ran into a decidedly low number of stereotypical "Harajuku Girls." Where the girls were lacking though there seemed to be an endless number of emo/punk men sporting androgynous hair cuts. It's rather strange looking at somebody and not being sure if they are a man or a woman.
Although I imagine that other great things happened in Harajuku, I'm not quite sure what they are. The street is lined with women's clothing stores, so I really have little interest in what I'm looking at.
Flash forward through the few hours of lady-shopping we decided to head off to Shibuya to the, "Tokyo Food Show," a very large food court, specializing in everything from Spaghetti to whole fish heads, ripe for the consuming. Josh ate some fish and mushroom ball things, Melissa and Randi some dumplings, and myself some type of meat in a dark sauce, served with sweet potato and red peppers. I'm not sure what type of meat it was, but I know it wasn't pork, beef or chicken.
With worn out feet, and full stomachs, we decided to head on back to the ranch for the night, and head back we did. Upon arrival though I noticed that I had received an email from a good friend of Gary named Suyama-san. Suyama thought that it would be nice to meet up for the night and head out to a local bar that he frequented so we could experience what it was like to go somewhere that tourists normally don't get to go.
Winding through the streets on a 15 minute micro-adventure we landed ourselves in a small wooden bar, where standing on the bartenders side of things was a requirement. Since I don't drink I had my fill of green tea while our gracious guest ordered a variety of drinks for the other three. A few stories later we were treated to a giant variation of edamame and assorted trays of bacon wrapped foods which had been grilled over the open flame. It didn't matter what was in the middle, because the bacon was outstanding on it' own.
Baconed, liquoured and tired, we closed up shop with Suyama and made our way back to the hotel. Tomorrow we plan on meeting up again to visit Asakusa and Ueno Park.
Today was a good day but my feet do hurt. If you want to see the pictures from today click here.
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