Leaving Japan

Sometime between my stay in Kamoaosa and my return to Tokyo, I decided that I had experienced enough of Japan, and that it was time to leave. At the time, my desire was based on three things:

1. I was all alone in a country that didn't speak my language, and didn't use Roman characters all the time


2. I was running short of things to do, and


3. I was running short on cash, in a very cash-oriented society.

In retrospect, the second point is the biggest: I enjoy going to places to experience things new and different, and see how others live. I've discovered that it takes me roughly five days to feel comfortable in a city, to understand how to get around and get a basic grasp of how things work. During that time, things are new and exciting. After that, I need something to do.

So, once in Tokyo I set out to find the travel agency so I could reschedule my flights. In the process, and this is why I've come to love Tokyo so, I made a wrong turn and ended up in the biggest department store in the world, (which also includes its own rail line,) according to my Lonely Planet guide. Not necessarily where I wanted to go, but still interesting in any case.

Eventually I found the travel agency and changed my dates: Instead of leaving on a Wednesday evening, I'd leave Sunday evening. I also modified my departure times from Sydney, from where I will depart on the 11th of October. It cost me JPY 4400, and they gave me a really pretty receipt.

What does one do with no money and lots of time in Japan? Walk! I ended up taking the train to Akihabara and visiting Super Potato finally, which did prove to be a wonderful place after all. I poked around some other stores there, including one that sold SUN and SGI hardware, then decided to walk back to my hostel in Asakusa. I took the less-travelled streets, and generally enjoyed the walk.

I did manage to leave Japan with almost no money, and I suppose a trip to a pachinko parlor could have made it happen. As is, my last purchase in Japan -- a pizza naan, bottled water, and milk tea -- left me with exactly one yen left. So my last coin sits in my wallet, ready for use during my next trip to Japan, which I hope to take someday.