nothing to prove

gavinator round 2

So after some great times in Sanjo we headed to the big city. What is a stay in Japan if you don't go around Tokyo, the largest city in the world, for a while? We stayed at the Andon Ryokan (Japanese style inn) that was catered a bit to foreigners but still very Japanese. It was only a couple subway stops away from Ueno, which is one of the major areas of Tokyo. The only major bummer, other than me still being sick, was that it was raining the majority of the time we were there. We just bought some umbrellas and made the best of a rainy Tokyo.


The first place I took him was to the Tokyo Metropolitan Building to get a view of the city but the rain took care of the view which turned out to be nothing more than a 100 feet in front of us. Instead we headed to Roppongi Hills which is a new elaborate upper class shopping area with some amazing architecture, shops, and restaurants. After grabbing a bit to eat we took a ride on the Marunouchi Line and got off at Korakuen, which is home to an amusement park, mall, and the Tokyo Dome (which happens to be modeled after the Metrodome). Afterwards we took a "ten minute" walk to Bunkyo Gakuin University, by ten minutes I really mean more like 20 minutes because my guess was really off. Of course while we were here I needed to visit the old stopping grounds. Anyway once we got there I gave Gavin the tour of the university that I studied at for four months of my life. However a lot of the small campus had changed since a portion of it had been under construction while we studied there. Another noticeable change, besides the buildings, was that there were boys roaming campus. When my abroad group there, we were the first men enrolled at Bunkyo, which at the time, was an all women's college. Then we visited the dorm to hang out with Nichole before heading out to dinner.


That night we actually met up with both my cousin Nichole and Gavin's friend from orientation a couple of summers ago. We met up at the Shibuya crosswalk, which is actually the most photographed spot in Tokyo. We met at Shibuya station near Hachiko, which is a statue of a famous dog. Everyday this man and his dog walk to Shibuya station where the man left his dog so he could head to work. Then in the afternoon the dog would come back to the station and vigilantly wait for his master to return so that they could walk home together. One day the man had a heart attack on the way back from work and never made it back to Hachiko at Shibuya station. The dog waited for its master until it died, hence the permanent statue. Anyway we decided to get some sukiyaki (Japanese stew) that night in the heart of Shibuya. It was at a place called MoMo Paradise which was all you can eat for an hour and a half. There was great food and good company. That night was also Gavin's debut into the world of sake (rice wine) but sadly he didn't really take to it.


The next day we got up and headed to the only place that Gavin requested to see the whole time he was in Japan, the Imperial Palace. Well it was actually just the Imperial Palace grounds since the actual castle is not open to the public except on the current Emperor's birthday, which is December 23rd, and New Years Day. Anyway there were some fantastic views despite the wind and rain. After we went to the famous Tokyo station, which is one of Tokyo's busiest stations and the brick building was built back in Meiji Period (1868-1912). We couldn't stay near the Imperial Palace too long because there was still plenty more to do.


Next we went to Asakusa, a great flea market in Tokyo with hundreds of vendors. It was quite amusing to watch Gavin in action shopping because he kind of has a difficult time making up his mind sometimes. Since I had seen most of it before all I could do was make suggestions and let him do his thing. I didn't really mind cause I needed to get some ideas for Christmas presents anyway. About an hour into it there was this huge mob and neither of us could figure out why. It turns out Steven Seagal was wandering through the stalls with some TV show. It was quite amusing because he is really tall, probably around 6'5", and just made the Japanese people look even shorter than they already were. Then we headed back to the ryokan to put our feet up before that night's festivities.


After a long day of walking we actually headed back to the ryokan to enjoy the hot tub after a long couple days of walking. Once we finished out an hour in the spa we got ready for a night out on the town. Our destination was the Park Hyatt Hotel in which there is a bar the 52nd floor, supposedly great drinks to go along with a spectacular view. We made it to the hotel and even took the elevator up to the 42nd floor at which point we got out to ask for directions to the bar we wanted have a couple of drinks at. I ask the receptionist and she responds by giving me all the directions to the bar and finishes off by telling me that I won't make the dress code. What did I do this time? Apparently sandals are not enough for upper class bars. I think I am just not meant for high society, first Hong Kong and now Tokyo!?! A little defeated we headed back towards Shinjuku, which is a hot spot for night life in Tokyo. Of course we headed to the only gay district in Tokyo, even though it is quite small. Once we were there we tried out a few different bars that had quite different atmospheres Advocates, Arty Farty, and Dragon. Having to get up early the next day and catch the subway before it shut down we called it an early night and headed back to pack and hit the hay.


The following day we got up early to back and check out of our room. We had some time to burn before Gavin left so we revisited Asakusa to finish up Gavin's last minute shopping and visit the temple. Then we went to sushi-go-round where Gavin tried a few kinds sushi but we didn't really have much because we had just eaten recently but that didn't stop us from trying. Afterwards we went to Ueno park, one of the largest parks in Tokyo, to take a paddle boat ride around the pond for an hour. Then we headed back to grab our bags and head out to the airport. It was a great week having Gavin out here! Thankfully the goodbye was not as tear filled as the last since I will be home in less than two months for Christmas. Still I miss him but there is plenty for him to do back home between the fraternity, Most Holy Trinity, and classes. Thanks for coming out here Gavin, it is a week I will not soon forget.

posted by Aaron @ 11:57 PM