Lots of plans

So at Nova they have this thing called the Voice Room. The function of the Voice Room is for students to have a place to practice using their english in a less structured environment. Some teachers like to give them tasks to complete, some play games, some just have guided discussions or conversations. It's alot of fun sometimes. And sometimes not. Anyway, yesterday I decided to tell some of the students that I was leaving soon and give them the task of arranging a touristy itinerary for my remaining days in Tokyo. Things I HAVE to see or do before I leave Japan. I'm always a little shocked to find out how little most people living in Tokyo actually know about the city but they managed to come up with a few good ideas. So here they are!

1. Tsukiji Fish Market - I think it's one of the biggest or maybe even the biggest fish market in the world. Which in itself is maybe not so exciting but if you go early in the morning they have the freshest, tastiest sushi known to mankind. So I'm in! I'm going to try to go next week. You have to be there by about 7am. I'm afraid. I'm very afraid.

2. Korakuen Amusement Park - This is actually the amusement park near the Tokyo Dome that I went to with Moody last week. But I'd like to go again. The trip with Moody was very quick and we just went on the scary roller coaster because I had to get to work. They have other equally frightening rides that I may have to partake of. Maybe.

3. Sumo - It looks like watching sumo may be a no go. I'd love to see it but the current set of matches ends this weekend and I'm all booked up today and I have to work Sunday so...yeah. No sumo for me I think. I'm very sad.

4. Roppongi Hills - This is actually just a building in Roppongi. But it's new and very famous and swanky. Nobody seems to be too sure as to why it's famous exactly but it is and I'm intruigued. A little boy was crushed to death in the revolving door of the building and one of my students sites that as the reason the building is so famous but I'd heard of it before that so I'm not sold on that theory. We're going today so I'll let you know.

5. Onsen (japanese hot spring) - Again, I probably don't have time to partake of the onsen-y goodness. It's sad but true. But really, getting naked with a bunch of strange japanese people (strange as in unknown to me, not abnormal in any way that I know of) just isn't my thing right now. I'm shy.

6. Ueno - This is an area of Tokyo that is quite famous. Why? Not sure. But it's where the Science Museum and Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum are. I'm going to try to make it to both of those museums before I go because, well, I love museums. Dorky but true. I've been to Ueno before to visit the grave of our friends's ancestors. It's a really exclusive and expensive cemetery with a walled off section that is really old and contains the remains of famous samurai and whatnot. I'd love to go back and take some photos. It's really beautiful.

7. Pachinko - Ahhh. Pachinko. Really pointless gambling type game that people in this country are completely addicted to. I've never been myself but it seems like I should try it once before I go. There are pachinko parlour everywhere so I'll have lots of opportunity. The students seemed to think that I should get the whole experience by lining up with the really desperate people outside the parlour in the morning. Because they're funny.

8. Akihabara - You may have heard of Akihabara. It's the famous electronic goods district in Tokyo. It used to be the place to go for just about anything. Lots of bargains and shady backroom type deals. But not so much anymore. Now that it's so famous with the tourists it's pretty much as expensive or more expensive than anywhere else. But apparently there are a lot of interesting people I can take sneaky photos of there. I may drop by today if I have time.

9. Mitsukoshi department store in Nihombashi - This was a suggestion given to me by one of the housewife students. They love the department stores and apparently this one is fantastic. It was recently remodelled and she expects good things from it. It's pretty close by so I'm thinking I will check it out because some of the department stores here in Tokyo are really remarkable. They've taken shopping to a whole new level really. And I do like to shop.

So there you go. This is what I'll be doing in the time I have left here. I'm actually not sure I'll have enough time for all of it which is kind of sad. I've only got 17 days left and a big website to build for Kohsuke's boss and Nova to go to as well. Grrr. Working sucks. It leaves so little time for sightseeing! :-)