Eyes Up

If you had asked me a month ago to leave the apartment without my subway map or my Japanese dictionary, I would have shuddered with fear.

Last week, my friend Mimi was visiting and I think she would agree that I was successful in showing her the most interesting parts of Tokyo - with subway map, dictionary & tourist guidebook in hand, of course.

A few days into her stay, we were catching the train back towards home with 2 transfers ahead of us when I overheard another passenger asking a local if the train would get him to Ginza. It was a great Lost in Translation moment, and I started to think...maybe I could give him my map and tell him which stop to get off on. I should, I bet he would appreciate it.

So that's exactly what I did - leaving me without a map, but with a new confidence in my sense of direction.

That day, we were coming from Hachiko, which happens to be the world's busiest pedestrian crossing. Check out the video below & see how hectic and busy Tokyo can be. (Yes, I trip over a branch about 10 seconds in).

Don't text & cross!

Tokyo: Days 3 - 5

Day 3 -We woke early due to continued jetlag, and once again enjoyed a leisurly breakfast and morning at the hotel. We arrived at our new apartment about half past nine to meet the landlord and were introduced to our cute little (450 SF!) space...with amazing views.

Unfortuantely, the Japanese idea of a "fully furnished corporate apartment" is not quite what we expected. There were no dishes, sheets, towels, kitchenware etc.... Fortunately, there is a button in the living room that fills the bathtub with perfectly heated water, the toilet has a bidet and heated seat, and there is a whole room that is dedicated to a shower. It's a small room, but still...

So, my late morning task seemed simple enough - buy sheets and towels, just the bare necessities until the weekend, and so I was off - it couldn't be that hard, right? By the time four hours had passed and I returned home, I had a flat sheet but not a fitted, two towels and a blanket that turned out to be something entirely different. I am still not sure what exactly it was. Without a TJ Maxx or a Target and a car, my day involved navigating the subway system (see below) and a lot of laughing at myself. Those little gueidebooks don't tell you where to buy housewares, naturally.



Day 4 - See day 3. Also, I learned that there's an IKEA walking distance from a stop on the Keyio line.

Day 5 - Pal up with Jody and ride 2 different trains to reach the Keyio line...get off at the IKEA stop successfully and meander through the mouse maze of all that is needed for our new pad. Of course we had to bring all of our purchases back to the apartment via the subway. Although it was a necessity, we're quite grateful we won't have to do it again.


Now I am staring at the beautifully made bed with a fitted sheet, a flat sheet and a warm comforter, savoring fantastic sushi and planning for the day tomorrow.

Sumo Wrestling Tournament? I think so.