Tokyo Trip Part 2

As promised here are the details on the rest of my trip to Tokyo, with some pictures as well.
So after my fun ordeal of trying to find Zach I was able to get some sleep. Zach had another friend staying with him, his name was Andy and he works for MLB and he was doing some scouting in China, but he was just visiting Tokyo, needless to say Zach’s place was a little cramped, but I didn’t care, I was someplace safe and I had a bed for the night.

The next day we were up by about 10am. Zach, Andy, myself, and Yogi (some of you may remember him, he was the Japanese baseball player who stayed with the Reif’s and played for the Riverbats) It was pretty cool to see him again. The first thing we did is go to a huge shopping mall, many of the malls in Tokyo are absolutely gigantic and have everything you could possibly imagine in them, they also have really random liquor stores in many of the malls.
After we walked around the mall we went to get some lunch at Yoshinoya, it is awesome Japanese “fast food” type place, although the food is much healthier than American fast food. I was able to get a great meal for less than $5. Then we walked a little further and hoped on the subway, which in Tokyo is an amazing, intricate system.

Next we did one of the more amazing things on the whole visit, we went to Roppongi Hills. Roppongi hills has an amazing building, the Mori building has 54 floors and is about 780ft tall. For $18 we were able to go up to the top floor and have a panoramic view of Tokyo, go to an aquarium, and see an art gallery. We spent a lot of time in Roppongi and at Mori Tower, which was awesome (if you type Mori Tower into google you will see what I am talking about)
After Roppongi we walked around Tokyo some more, we went to a part of the city where people dress very eccentrically, which in Tokyo is very out of the ordinary, things are very black and white, and quite plain, but this area has a ton of people who dress up really crazy. The area has many cool shops, and it is great to people watch. Then we headed back to Zach’s place to take a little rest.

After that Zach took me a place called the Ninja, which words cannot explain, it is a place that you must see to understand what it is like, waiters are dressed like ninjas, and each room where you eat is like a secret corridor, pretty awesome.

After seeing the Ninja we got on the subway and made our way towards Tokyo Bay, by now it was dark, and the lights of the city were coming on. At Tokyo Bay for 2,500 yen ($25) we could get on a huge booze cruise ship. It was all you can drink on a ship that goes around Tokyo Bay, and gives a great view of the city. This was on Thursday night, so as we pushed away from shore I looked at Zach and said here to all you can drink 6,000 miles from Sals. The ship was awesome, so many people came up to us and tired to practice their English. One guy asked me where I was from, I said Minnesota and he immediately yelled Minnesota Twins, it was great, Zach and I were like celebrities, everyone wanted pictures with “the Americans”. Anyone who comes to visit has to go on the booze cruise, the atmosphere and the view are like nothing else. After that Zach and I began to make our way home, but we decided to stop at a small bar on the way home. Then the night got interesting, we met a guy who had a wife in Minnesota, and Zach began to take Tequila shots, I was able to pretend I was taking them, barring myself the embarrassment of throwing up right away. By the time we left Zach was pretty drunk, and it was time to find our way home, which happened seamlessly, and without incident.

The next day, Zach and I woke up both feeling a little hung-over, we ate some breakfast, and headed out for the day. The second day we went all over the city, to some areas that were extremely expensive, and to an area where they sell tons of electronics. Then we went to the Imperial Palace, and looked at where the Emperor lives, which was awesome. Finally I was able to see where Zach works, and meet some of his coworkers.

After we got back home, we made some supper (fried rice/w chicken) which was quite good. Then we went back to Ginza (the really expensive district) to see it all lit up at night, walking on the street it was almost as if it were daytime. It was really cool to see that area at night. Then it was time for me to head to Tokyo Metro Station and make my way back to Isesaki.

I had my first day of work today (September 15) in Supermall Isesaki. It was nice to be able to develop my own style of teaching, and not have someone looking over my shoulder the entire time, it made me much more relaxed and me lessons seemed to go much better. I am sure as time goes one and I get to know the people I am teaching it will continue to get easier. I will keep everyone updated on how work is going, and if I seem to make any progress in these peoples English.
Take care,
Adam