For the love of Tokyo…
I arrived in Tokyo on a rainy March night with way too much luggage and no Japanese language skills to speak of. My great uncles old host student met me at the airport- and she was the only person I knew in Tokyo- although It was technically my first time meeting her. She was kind enough to come to the airport and show me the way to my new home- my Japanese university dorm in Kichijoji.
The bus ride there went slowly and out the window I caught sight of Disneyland and then later, the lights of Shinjuku. I remember wondering why the buildings all had red lights on top. From the highway I also caught glimpses of love hotels although I must admit I had no idea what they were…
Cherry blossom season was starting but I didn`t know that until the next day….
It was after 10 by the time I reached the university dorm- we woke up the land lady (Kanrinin?) and she let us in but visitors were not allowed after 9pm so she quickly asked my friend to leave and there I was left with this little Japanese lady talking 100 miles an hour about how she thought I would be there earlier and how she would have to go through everything with me in the morning. But of course I did not understand her so she went in search of someone to translate- I met several people that night in my very tired state one of whom, Cat, is now my best friend and will play the part of maid of honor at our upcoming wedding!
My first impressions of Tokyo? Confusing, bright and wet. Oh and the toilets were weird although now I just think a warm seat is genius!
But it grew on me, and the first few months were definitely tough because I was constantly relying on people to translate for me. But my love for Tokyo started to grow and surprised me by growing and growing. I never wanted to leave.
And now, I am back in Brisbane, and I miss Tokyo. But I know I will be back before I know it, and then my love of Tokyo will continue to grow. Through each 100 yen store I discover and each cherry blossom tree I stand under and each izakaya I visit- I know that my impressions of Tokyo and Japan will continue to change …….but my first impressions of the city will never be forgotten.
What are your impressions of Tokyo? Did your first impressions change into something else? Maybe you have never been there but have an impression anyway that you might like to share?
This was written as part of the Japan Blog Matsuri-Impressions of Tokyo! For more information check out this site and this site!
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My first impression was tiredness- it was sensory overload. A few years later, when I moved to Yokohama (my husband worked in Tokyo) I remembered that first impression and the few times I had to go there were painful because of how rude people were on the trains- I purposly ran over feet with my stroller and booted people out of priority seats because I was so pregnant that the motion of the train plus gravity would probably pop the baby out. I was always so happy when the train would get closer to Yokohama (PS I LOVE YOKOHAMA).
BUT and a very big BUT, my impressions changed before I moved. I started teaching art to students in Tokyo. My husband would watch the boys at home while I went into the “great big city” sans children. I would make a date with my best buddy who lived nearby my place in Yokohama and we would meet up- 2 mama’s with a few hours of being clean and with peace. I now love Tokyo- still not a place I savor taking the kids on my own (albeit so many great places to take the kids there and with my husband or a friend it is fun with the wee one) but for me it is my private place, still yet to be discovered by me and a land with endless opportunites. A year ago- say “Tokyo” and I might feel a bit of dread, so bothersome to go to. Now if you say Tokyo, I smile and feel the thrill of excitement about so many things that the small place holds.
I love Yokohama too and wish I could live there…. My first impression- I couldn’t get to all the shops and stores fast enough, but I like busy streets and sounds, blinking lights- I find I love “city life”.
i have to be honest…i hate tokyo. and i don’t think any time spent visiting or living there would change my mind. i am *very* lucky i live in western japan!!
I have a very similar first experience to you Lulu.
I first arrived in Tokyo as an exchange student about 5 years ago next month… wow.. time flies. The only difference is all of us came in at the same time so we road on one of those big buses down together. I remember being so amazed by all the lights and people and just being in Japan. I had wanted to go for years at that point.
I actually am not a big fan of downtown Tokyo at all. Too many people, too crowded, dirty… but I loved the suburb town of Machida where my school was located.
Part of me wishes I was back in the Kanto area because now I “know” so many cool people there. But I guess thats nice because now I always have people to see when I visit. I’m not sure where I will end up in this island country, but Tokyo will always have a special place in my heart as where I spent my first year and really learned the language.
Hey lulu! I loved reading your post today! I fell in love with the Big City the moment I arrived. When I say arrived, I mean when I moved here to live for the first time seven years ago. I had travelled to Tokes before for short trips, but I dont think you really get the feel for the Big City until you live amidst her. I was lucky to be living smack bang in the heart of it, only 10 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station west exit. I have moved since then, but the west side of Shinjuku station was my “backyard” for over 5 years and during that time the Big City never failed to surprise me. All of my friends, both Japanese and foreign, who visited my place all commented at how residential and how quiet the area was. The streets behind the station were lined with residential houses and apartments, and believe it or not some of the narrow back streets made you feel like you had time warped to the Showa era. It was amazing, and I will always have a soft spot for that part of the city.
My office has amazing views of the city, Tokyo Tower, Roppongi Hills, and even Mt. Fuji on a clear day. Even now, I often find myself glancing out the windows and my mind boggles at just how huge and intriging this city is. I am so with you girl, I *heart* Tokyo!!!
I ***love*** Tokyo! My first impression was awe and pure elation when I realized it was everything I’d always dreamed it would be! The lights, sounds, smells, the hustle and bustle; I’m a country mouse turned city mouse and I love, love, love it! I really enjoy going into the city and getting to the top of the highest building I can find, I’ll *never* get tired of seeing my favorite metropolis spread out below me as far as the eye can see.
I’ve been in Japan a year now, with 2 more to go, and I’m already in a panic about not having enough time to see and do everything on my ever growing list!
Love your blog, I’ve been lurking for a long time!
Great post! My first time in Tokyo was a very brief trip during a two-month stay in Kanazawa, and I remember being completely overwhelmed and lost trying to find my friend I was meeting up with (she had given me pretty bad directions). I asked someone in Tokyo Station for help and was pretty much ignored, and I felt like crying. It was also August and unbelievably hot.
Five years later, I moved to Tokyo for a job (and for other reasons) and I have now been here five years. Though I have my days when the crowds and shoving get to me, making a few adjustments (avoiding the really crowded areas at really crowded times, giving myself plenty of time to get somewhere so I don’t have to rush through crowds, etc.) it has become very livable. Tokyo has really grown on me and I now truly love it. I love discovering tiny, out-of-the-way shops on side streets and wondering how they ever get any customers. I marvel at how the trains move so many people during rush hour without the whole city melting down (for the most part). And those small moments that make the city seem so much more human (like when a woman stopped me on the street to tell me the tag on my shirt was sticking out) have gone a long way to make me like Tokyo even more.
Tokyo will unfortunately never have the hospitality and friendly people I always experience when I visit Osaka and Kyoto, and sometimes I wonder if anyone would help each other if something happened. But I try to have faith in my fellow Tokyoites.
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That was a really great post. My partner and I are going to Tokyo early next year, and reading your post got me all excited about it! It’s always hard being in a new country, especially when you can’t speak the language well. I can’t wait to visit there.
Hi Lulu,
I just found your blog and it’s so interesting! I hope that you and Shumpei are enjoying being back in the same country.
I first went to Japan when I was 17 years old, with only high school Japanese to rely on. I had been selected as a representative of my NZ high school and there was one other student from another high school who was to travel with me, who I didn’t meet until I arrived at Nairta airport! It was so scary for me - I hadn’t ever travelled alone before - so I was really overwhelmed by everything. After the 12 hour flight, we then had to jump into a van and travel up to Gunma-ken which took 4 hours (we had a few detours to make) so all I remember is that I was tired, carsick and hatting the freezing cold December evening. Later when I went back for my 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th visits, my fear had gone and it was a bit like returning to my 2nd home. I haven’t been back for about 2 years now but I’m hoping to go there as part of my honeymoon. (I’m getting married in Febuary so I’m also interested in reading about your wedding preparations!)