On the Edge in Tokyo

Hottest day of the year in Tokyo? Only one thing to do: Climb a mountain! Just 30 minutes from our apartment on the outskirts of Tokyo is Mt. Takao. Most people forget that most of Japan is inhospitable- covered in rugged mountains and dense forests. Notice how clearly you can see where the city abruptly ends and the nature begins. The newest Michelin Guide gave Mt. Takao 3 stars, which is the maximum putting it on par with Mt. Fuji. This distinction has also brought with it hoards of European tourists dressed in short-shorts and dress socks.

The pay off at the top: A tease of Mt. Fuji in the distance covered in clouds.

Another indication that European tourists have invaded: Coke is SOLD OUT

another day on the chuo-cide line

If this train seems overly crowded it is because somebody jumped in front of an earlier train screwing up the whole schedule.the chuo line has long been a favorite of japanese looking for a quick way out. japan's suicide rate is by far the highest in the world. makes no sense to me- at least they have cool cell phones and universal health care.

posted from cell

Walk (or Pedal) at Your Own Risk

To illustrate just how perilous the back streets are (and many of the main streets) in Tokyo, I shot this vid with my cell phone while walking to Mukashisakai station. As you will see by the way pedestrians scatter to the sides, cars seem to have the right of way (I think the guy actually swerved at me towards the end- and I'm standing on a curb!) You'll be lucky if drivers even look before they turn onto a street. I was hit by a car while riding a bike a few years ago because the woman was paying attention to merging traffic, not the 6'1 gaijin pedaling by. Luckily I was able to ditch my bike at the moment she gunned the accelerator (I was paying attention to her NOT paying attention). Bike was totaled, I lived to store away another of those "nutty nihonjin" stories.

New Digs in TKO

After two trips into Tokyo, I finally found an apartment. Rent is less than Manhattan, but not by much. The part of Tokyo I'm in, called Mitaka-shi, is actually about 20 mins from the center of the city by train. Therefore, it is considerably more residential and rural. It is still Tokyo, meaning the roads are about as wide as they were in the Edo Period! I'm thinking it might be safer NOT to get a bike- a car or even scooter would be safer because you would have the right of way (I know, it's screwed up).

There is an amazing Buddhist temple in front of Musahisaka Station (which is the closest station to our apartment). They do Zen meditation daily and I might look into that- I haven't done Zen for years and really miss it. I posted a pic of the temple above.