I wake from a night on airport benches feeling okay considering the constant light and noise of the airport. It is going to be a short day ahead of me but not without its challenges. I thought my challenge was going to be my VERY short connection time in Hiroshima but instead it turned out to be how I was going to make it Tokyo as my flight into Hiroshima was canceled due to weather. In the end, I got a direct flight into Tokyo and got in early to boot. All in all, it was not a bad outcome at all.
The smell of sea air fills my nose as I walk along the river and head in the direction of the pacific and home. My first day in Tokyo did not start off happily. I got an okay night of sleep but when I went into the hostel fridge to grab some of my food I found it to be gone. Yup stolen by another hostel guest and I wasn’t the only one to have stuff taken. Thankfully it was not anything very expensive but considering the price of food in Japan it still stung. I am also glad I didn’t leave all my food in the kitchen. After having some breakfast and getting a drink from a local convenience store I sat down to plan my day. In the end I did A LOT of walking. I started off by going to Hamariku Garden then it was a quick stop for some lunch before head off to the Tokyo Tower, Hibiya Park, and the Imperial Palace. The palace was really disappointing because there was nothing to really see. After I made the trek back to the hostel but stopped along the way to pick up some dinner. I collapsed into my bed once I got into my hostel room. My legs were very tired and feet sore so I was in much need of a rest for a bit. A little later on I went up to the kitchen with my food to have some dinner. Then it was back to the room to write my blog for Korea, have a little chat with a roomie and have a shower. By this time my bed was calling me and I was so ready for sleep.
There is a sprinkle of rain as I start out in the morning; I hope it will pass but alas it turns to a torrential down pour that soaks my jacket and jeans right through. My second day in Tokyo started off better than the day before but I was very tired because of not getting very much sleep in the night. Unfortunately by five in the morning our hostel room is full of light and I am awake around then and cannot get back to sleep. Finally got up around eight and went to pick up some milk to add to my breakfast then headed to the kitchen to eat and slowly gain some brain power. I started the day off by going to Ueno Park and then made the trek to Rikugien Garden. After finding the garden I made my way back to the hostel but took a different route (you know for fun); well I ended up going right when I should have gone left and ended up walking for a good twenty minutes before I realized this and had to walk back a bit and then go the way I should have. On my way back to the hostel I stopped at the supermarket to pick up some lunch. I got a delicious premade lunch that was so filling. I spent the afternoon chilling in my room. I was very tired from all the walking and the rain from the morning just wouldn’t stop and I was tired of being soaking wet. At five I headed back to the super market to pick up some dinner and stretch my legs since the rain had finally stopped. After I relaxed in the hostel because I was feeling very tired by this point and was hoping to get an early night in. You know considering I had a very long two and a half days ahead of me.
The clouds hang low over the city concealing the top part of the Tokyo sky tree. My final day in Tokyo and second to last day of my adventure started off again with rain. Since I was checking out this morning I had a shower before heading out to pick up milk for my breakfast. Then I took some time to relax in my room until it was time to check out. After storing my luggage in the hostel I headed out to walk through shopping areas and take a closer look at the Tokyo SkyTree. The SkyTree is huge! It is the tallest point in all of Tokyo and on a sunny, non-smog day you can see all over Tokyo. After, I went back to the hostel for a bit before heading out to get some lunch. With lunch complete I settled back in at the hostel for a few hours before going out for a long walk to waste time and get some “fresh” air. On my way back I got some snacks for the trip home and additives for dinner that night. Then it was chill time until it was a reasonable time to head to the airport for the night. (Yes another night of sleeping in the airport) Once I got to the airport I settle with a couple of seats and wrote for a while before trying to zone out the happenings going on around me to try and maybe get a few hours’ sleep. The final leg of my journey was about to commence!!!!!!!!!!
Tokyo, Japan was not all I was hoping for. I would definitely advise against spending all your time in the city. It is worth the stop though to get ones bearings and adjust but don’t stay there. Tokyo did not steal my heat away but considering the journey I had coming up it was nice to have a relaxed stop to prepare mentally for what would be an emotionally demanding trip. Next stop…..HOME SWEET HOME!!!!
Dream, Believe, Imagine, Achieve,
Meredith