What does Seoul, São Paulo and Tokyo have in common? All are cities with more than 20 million people and an economy that represents 20% or more of their respective country's economy.
Being born and raised in São Paulo, I can say that Tokyo is a sister city. The weekends with closed roads, heavy traffic, crowded roads and 20 story buildings glued to each other are all present in both cities. I had a day to explore Tokyo's greatest hits that I missed with my family, and this whole day I spent with goosebumps and a deija-vu of being in São Paulo and remembering my childhood. If it wasn't the people talking Japanese and the safety I could not distinguish both cities.
Being alone in my own room, I was able to do my own schedule. The day started early with preparations for the day, leaving the hotel after a cup noodle breakfast at 10am. First stop: Odaiba, a futuristic island reclaimed from Tokyo Bay. Two train journeys later, the iconic Tokyo skyline unfolded before me, a sight that strangely felt like home. The bustling crowds, the towering buildings glued together – it was like a mirror image of São Paulo's urban landscape.
I walked the island seeing the airplanes land in the distant Haneda airport, and the crowd overlooking the famous Fuji television building. I got the train back across the bay in direction to Tokyo Tower. Walking the 30 minutes from the Shibaura terminal to the tower. On the way I saw tourists, salary men, and expensive cars. Moreover, a buddhist temple that perfectly merged Tokyo tower and JP Hills, 2 of the 3 tallest buildings in japan, creating an amazing architectural contrast.
The places I wanted to visit were done, but I decided to just walk the city and feel the vibe, which compared to the first time, I felt a connection to. I went to the Honda Plaza, a 10 minute metro ride. The metros in Japan are very clean and cheap, and go everywhere. Honda plaza had an exhibition of their vehicles. I Was able to sit and feel a 2024 Honda Civic type R, African Twin and CBR1200.
From there I decided to TBT some more and go to Shibuya crossing, famous for being the most crowded intersection in Tokyo. On the way, via Aoyama-Dori Avenue, I was carspotting. Saw some 10 porsche 911, a Corvette, and SF90 and a Rolls Royce ghost with a chauffeur, gold spirit of ecstasy and a security outside a store, probably someone really important.
I was so happy seeing the famous car culture of the country come to live with loud exasats and accerlarations betwwen the lights. When I arrived at Shibuya crossing I noticed it was more crowded than normal, and tons of tourists taking pictures and making timelapses, because it was Sunday. After my own film session, I decided to go to the Tsukiji Outer Market to get some food.
I went to Shimbashi station and walked my way to the market, passing through the godzilla statue, which was tiny compared to the photos, oh well a tourist trap. Anyways, the Tsukiji Market was closing, but traces of an event remained, with lots of food stands.
At that moment Tokyo had made my mind, and became a dream city, maybe just behind Vancouver BC. I continue my walk through Ginza, with each step increasing a feeling that my place after college is outside the US. I walked 40 minutes up to Akihabara.
One goal in Japan that I had not reached yet despite trying was finding a miniature Lexus LFA, the best sounding car e
ver. I had the chance to sit in one, and buying miniatures of it in America is very expensive. I went to 4 hobby shops, famous shops for miniature collectables mainly focused on figures, trains and cars. While I was able to find all of the other cars I love not in my collection, The LFAs in particular were all too big and expensive. I left Akihabara sad and empty handed, but at least the bustling streets with manga dressed girls and a closed road cheered me up.
The sun had set and I had walked almost 25 Kilometers through the day. I decided to make my way to the hotel, where I ate in a Kushikatsu Tanaka. For ¥1200 I got a big rice bowl in soy sauce with fried shrimp, lotus root, onion, pork and beef skewers. It was very good and large for Japan, exactly what I needed. I ended the day including my final notes on my kikacho and making a final reflection about japan with my parents.
While some parts of Japan were average (Osaka I’m talking about you), Tokyo has a charm that is hard to find. Only Kuala Lumpur and Vancouver gave me such goosebumps and a sensation of home, and for sure Tokyo is somewhere I will be back someday.
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