June 9th: Tokyo Exploration Day

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.

As nothing different or new was present, I decided to make my way to Ginza, specifically Chuo-dori Avenue. The main road was closed to pedestrians, and lots of people were taking pictures. The road reminded me of Paulista Avenue on Sundays in São Paulo. My goosebumps got to extremes when I saw a sign “Cafe Paulista ''. It turned out to be a Brazilian coffee house in Giza! I did not hesitate to eat there. Got a well deserved Guarana, a Tapioca and an espresso. Sadly no one in the store speaked Portuguese, but they were happy to see a Brazilian there.

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.