Rising Sun On the furthest eastern hemisphere lies a small country called Japan. With an estimated population of 127 million, it is about the same size as the state of California. Even though there are limited English speaking establishments, Japan is an amazing place full of adventure because there is so much to see, since it is a country that never sleeps. During my high school days, my goal was to go study abroad in Japan. Ten years later, here I was, 6,300 miles away from San Francisco, California. I have just gotten of the plane, after a long 12-hour flight of excitement and anxiety. As I was grabbing my luggage to depart the airport, I found myself wondering about how I am going to adapt to this new culture.
I was excited to explore Japan; first thing first was to obtain my rail pass. Since Japan is too small for every household to own a vehicle, the best way of getting around was by train. I made my way to the self-serve ticket booth, and proceed to purchase a transit pass. At first, it was confusing because I did not know what I was supposed to do since everything was written in Japanese. As I stared at the screen, there was a button that read “English” in the upper right hand corner. With some relief of not having to verbally or physically ask someone about how to purchase a transit card, I quick click on the “English” button. Well what did you know; I was able to understand what the buttons on the screen after all. I pressed the button that says “new card”, then it asked me to insert ¥1000, ¥5000, or ¥10000. I inserted a ¥5000 bill and like magic, my transit card popped out. I retrieved my card from the machine and made an entrance onto the train station’s platform. As the train approaches, I was expecting to be shoved into the train cart with other riders, like sardines in a can, but it was not as bad as I expect it to be. As the sliding doors opened, I got onto the train where there were still a few vacant seats. As the train made its departure after each stop, I notice there was some sort of plaza within the facility. I figured that I should visit Tokyo first since it is one of most active station. As the train made way closer to Tokyo, the train carts quickly became full. People were flooding in by the dozen; many of them were very well dressed business personnel. As the train slowly approached the platform, I was able to see how busy it was. When the train came to a halt, people started to form a line to exit. The doors opened, and people rush out of the train cart quickly making their way out onto the street. Once I exited the train station, I stumble upon many shops and establishments. I, then, came to a halt at the crosswalk intersection, waiting to cross the street; it was not just me who was waiting to cross, but with one hundred other people. As the light turned green, many people rushed to cross the intersection; some even stopped in the middle of the intersection just to take pictures. I quickly crossed the intersection before the light signal turned red for pedestrian to stop. As I planted my foot on the opposite side of the cross intersection, there were multiple paths that lead into many shopping malls. Surrounded by flashing lights and store banners, I was ready to explore what lies ahead of me. I walked around my new surroundings taking small glimpse at what Tokyo has to offer. The street was filled with people: all very well dressed, majority in their mid twenties, just enjoying themselves. Many of the buildings were filled with apparel shops, coffee cafes, and dining areas. After much foot traffic discovering and exploring a lot of shops, the aroma of bbq smoke near quickly caught my attention and made my stomach growl. Saliva quickly flooded my mouth as the smell of bbq smoke rushed into my nostril. It made me want to try some authentic Japanese food, something that I can still relate to and find in America. As I walked around trying to find a place that can fit my craving, I encountered a sushi bar. It was not just any sushi bar, but a revolving sushi bar. There was multiple plates’ sushi on a revolving belt as it made its way around the table. There was no need to find a translator or ask for an English menu since the price was clearly mark on the menu; there was no need to ask what ingredient it took to make it. Each plate is color coded for its price, but this sushi place is not your average Americanize sushi. It is cut fresh every morning before the store opens. With just one bite from the fresh tender fish, I can sure go for plenty. I continue to pick up different plates as it made its way around the table towards me. With each new sushi plate, I wash my mouth with a piece of gari ginger for the fresh new taste. I consumed fourteen plates of different sushi: tuna, salmon, shrimp tempura, octopus, squid, and eel. I wanted to try some blowfish sushi, but they did not serve it due to the fish’s poison. Even though I was not able to get a plate of blowfish, fourteen plates of sushi did the job. The chef handed me my bill which came up to be ¥2000. I handed the chef ¥2300 as I was got up to leave. The chef shook his head at me, and handed me back ¥300 with a polite bow. I insisted the chef take it as a tip, but he explained that they are not allowed to take tip from customer. I thank him for his outstanding service and proceeded to the door. I exited the sushi parlor with a heavy belly, anticipating on what I should seek for my next thrill of excitement. As the sun slowly started to fade away, and the streets were flooded with more pedestrians, I made my way back towards the train station to avoid much fatigue as possible. As I walk pass the 7-11 convenience store where a group of young men was loitering, a young Caucasian male approached me. He was a slim fella, about six feet tall, 170 pounds, long hair slick back, with some facial hair that look as he haven’t shaved for a few days. He proceeded to ask me, “Hey mate, you looking to party tonight? There’s going to be a crazy party at Agiha, here’s a flyer to get you 2 free drinks.” I looked at him with a concern face, and said, “How do you know I speak English?” He replies, “It’s easy, you dressed different from them.” I gave him a grin and continue to make way towards that train station. As I got to my destination, I took a look at the flyer that was handed to me. The flyer gave a brief description on what event was happening, and it even had a map from the train station to the building. I didn’t have much planned and wasn’t ready to go back to my place, so I figured, why not give it a try. As I made my way to Roppongi, it was the nightlife where people party. Which was just a stop over, I got off the train and made my up towards the street. As I walked towards Agiha, which was only 4 minutes away by foot, I witness people walking up and down the street drinking. It wasn’t just Japanese people, but mainly foreigners. I came across this Turkish restaurant as I was in route to Agiha. There was a man out front of the restaurant selling shawarma, an enormous chunk of chicken meat on a rod, vertically slowly turning as it was being roasted. The worker was trying to get people to buy some as they were walking by. Next to the shop owner, was a sign posted along side that reads “Shisha Café.” Since I was in Roppongi early, I had extra time to keep myself occupied. An hour sitting down filling my lungs with tobacco smoke wouldn’t take much time away from me. So I sat down and order one White grape mint for my flavor shisha. A few minutes pass by and the worker made his way up the wooded stairs with a two-foot high glass base shisha filled with ice-cold water. He handed me my bill and a mouthpiece before heading back down. I unwrapped the mouthpiece and inserted it into the rubber hose. As I slowly inhale, I can taste the sweet taste of grape follow by the mint taste. One hour went by and I was soon to get going again. I picked up my bill and made my way down towards the cashier. I handed the casher ¥2000 along with my bill. In return he handed me back my change and off into the streets of Roppongi I went. By the time 11 o’clock stroll around, the streets was jam pack with people. Just walking down the main road: promoters were trying to get me to go into their bars, drunk people passing out on the sidewalk, massage lady trying to offer their service, even have a few that approached me with drug offers. I made finally made my way to Agiha, but I was denied entrance due to their dress code policy. I made my way back to the family mart where most people was hanged out and bought myself a drink. From all the craziness that may happen in one night, these people don’t stop until 5 in the morning. I was on a dilemma of either staying in the Roppongi until 5 am or trying to catch the last train home. With my eyes feeling droopy, I was determined to make it home before the trains stop running. With no hesitation, I swiftly made my way down to the subway just in time to catch the last train out of Tokyo area. Though Japan is just about the same size as California, there’s way more to see and do as I can imagine. Although I was only in the Tokyo area the whole day, I still wasn’t able to even see most of the town. The transportation system of Japan was very beneficial. It was easy to navigate and always arrived on time as schedule. There may be many places that don’t have any English writing and translation, but they do speak English or have English translation. Even when night falls and the rest of Japan is sleeping, there is another life of Japan that is operating. I would have to say this is by far one of the best places I have encounter in my life.