Day 3: Travelling Like a Tokyoite and Exploring Takadanobaba

by Malaika Mathew Chawla

A Cat Cafe Advertisement on the Streets of Takadanobaba 

It’s Day 3 in the city of neon and noise. Neon and noise, cats and Harajuku street style, second hand records and jazz cafes.

I woke up at sharp seven in the morning, the sun had risen a few hours back and the sun beams glared into my eyes. I ran to the hostel bath, washed my clothes, got ready and left the hostel to get breakfast.

Some of us ate a lovely breakfast right opposite to the Tokyo Central Youth Hostel, Kaguragashi, Shinjuku-ku at Mos Burger. I chose the Morning Special of ‘Veg Kimpira’(¥ 420) The other morning breakfast specials included the Morning Burger with ham cutlet or bacon and egg and toast. The Rye Bun meal included the corn soup (¥360) and the clam powder (¥360).

Lizzel (right)  and I with our Veg Kimpira!

Today’s schedule included our visit to Waseda University (School of Social Sciences). I was looking forward to finally meet the Waseda students and spend time in the campus. I must say… I was my happiest self at Waseda. I spoke to the very hospitable Yuri, the Waseda exchange organizer. She was very kind and helpful. I had a long conversation with Aya, a Waseda student as well as Natsumi. Aya studies Psychology as well as Japanese Literature. She grew up in the outskirts of Tokyo and lives at the Waseda hostel. We exchanged contact details too (I can’t wait to see her again!)

The Waseda Campus welcomes the lovely autumn weather!

We found a second hand book stall at Waseda!

The Welcome Lunch was served at a Japanese-Hawaiian Restaurant in Waseda itself! My lunch was a simple vegetable salad, bread served with olive oil, a warm cup of soup and a chilled glass of pineapple juice! SO TASTY! Yuri and I talked over lunch and she was pleasantly surprised to hear that me, Lizzel, Mercedes and Zoya managed to reach Harajuku via Yoyogi by train on our very first day. Yes, we figured the complex Japanese Railway System, we were completely lost a few times but we’re learning!

Next stop was at the Waseda Global Gate to attend Professor Paul Watt’s lecture.  Watt san is teaches Comparative Culture and Japanese Religious History. I absolutely loved the lecture. Watt san’s lecture answered the major question that foreigners have about the Japanese- “So what religion do they follow?” According to Watt san if you ask a Japanese person what religion they follow, the common answer will usually be- “I’m not sure” or “I don’t know”.

“The values of Japanese religion have permeated into the culture. And they aren’t even aware of this”, Watt san says. The Japanese have welcomed the principles of the traditional religions of Shinto, Confucianism and Buddhism into their everyday lives. Shinto talks about Purity. Buddhism talks about the concept of ‘no-self’-a heart without selfishness. Confucianism talks about ‘filial piety’- respect your parents and elders. Watt san is absolutely correct when he says that the Japanese have imbibed the traditional values of its ancient religions- honesty, benevolence, decorum and compassion.

Another interesting aspect of Japanese religion is the concept of ‘kami’.

“A kami or spirit is anything that is out of the ordinary and has a special power”. Even a ‘miwayama’ or mountain.  Mountains cover 80% of Japan. These have always been traditional places of spirituality and focal points of reverence. Kami could be just about anything. A tree, a stone, the ocean.

After the lecture ended, my travel gang and I left for Shibuya. My travel gang (Lizzel, Zoya and Mercedes) along with Shonil took the train from Waseda to Takadanobaba Stationto reach Shibuya. We took about an hour’s time to locate the platform, asked several locals for directions, walked around in circles and finally stopped. We decided to leave the station and explore Takadanobaba instead. Yes, we took the easy way out.

We found this really interesting place, with things probably picked up from flea markets at Anjuna. Some extremely smart Indian or Japanese person probably realized that selling bindis for ¥  90 in Toyo is a million yen idea.

The Million Yen idea

Candy shaped hair slides!

Expensive 'hippie India' pendants for sale

'Mystical and Spiritual India' badges of Sathya Sai Baba

A diner in Takadonobaba

After an extremely tiring walk, me, Lizzel and Mercedes grabbed dinner at a Japanese local restaurant at Takadonobaba itself. We took the train back to Iidabashi and (as usual) lost our way to the hostel. We finally figured it ourselves (also as usual) and reached the hostel!

Tokyoites relax after a hard day's work

That's all for day 3! Arigato! (Japanese for 'thank you')