New Friends in Tokyo!

As much as I was avoiding a busy day, Tokyo would not allow it. My main goals for the day were simple- to check out Ueno park, which is about a half hour walk West of the hostel I'm staying in, and to pick up a translation dictionary, since I idiotically did not bring one. I started the day by going to the information desk to get free maps. Then I took the train to Ueno Park, where they had a free guided tour of the park. It was a small group- myself, an older Canadian couple, and the tour guide. There are a few art museums I might check out if I have time before I leave.

After this, I went to Shibuya, a fashion and shopping district where a lot of the trends in Tokyo originate. If you've ever seen an image of a huge intersection in Tokyo with tons of people crossing the street, it's probably the one in Shibuya. I found an English language bookstore and got the dictionary. I didn't want to leave, knowing it would be a pain in the ass to come back to see the rest of Shibuya, so I foregoed (forewent?) lunch, which would necessitate a long train ride back to the hostel, and back again, and had a coffee instead. I walked around the area and went to some parks. While taking a picture at the entrance to the Meiji Shrine, I met two Japanese guys, my friends for the rest of the day- Keusuke and Eisuke.

These guys kicked ass. They are both finishing their Junior year in college(same as me!) and are both architecture students (I wish I had the balls or opportunity!). We all got some beers (alas, confirming that beer is expensive in Japan. 150yen per beer is cheap, apparently) and took some photos. Keisuke needed to take a photo for a free college student magazine so we all had a photo session. (Eisuke pictured below)

Next we went to Shinjuku, another big fashion/entertainment/shopping district where my friends lived. They took me to the 28th floor of some enormous building where there was a Nikon store (they noticed my camera) and an INCREDIBLE view.

Tokyo is ridiculously huge, as you can see. I had no idea it was as huge as it is. With the most populous metropolitan area in the world, at around 32 million people, it is quite a sight from high up. After this, we went out for a rice and pork meal, which they treated me to. I tried to refuse, but they wouldn't allow it. They did say I would have to buy their meal when they come to visit me in the States, however. I was very sad to leave Keisuke and Eisuke, but I had to get some rest. In all it was a very exciting, fun and busy day. It's pretty damn hard to rest here!