Nozomi 2 coming in to Nagoya station
Introduction: Ten years after coming back to Japan, I wanted to refresh the bonds with the friends I met in the U.S. Since the company requires me to take a day off every month, I was beginning to look for an opportunity for my vacation in Tokyo and I noticed that there is an exhibit regarding to Ghost in the Shell there so my plan is fixed..
Waking up at 5:30am as usual. Although I am taking a day off today, I still need to work tomorrow so I cannot just simply change my routine easy. The outside was still raining a little but expected to end soon. I stretched my body, took a shower and ate my breakfast. Geared up for the trip and left home around 8:20am. Began walking to Ozone station under cloudy sky, no more rain.
I was just in time to get to the station. As I was walking up to the platform, the train was sliding in to the platform so I had to run a little. The train was packed by the people going to work, but by the time when the train stopped at Kanayama, the car was almost empty. The train moved without a problem and arrived at Nagoya on time.
Nozomi 2 coming in to Nagoya station
Getting off the train at Nagoya, proceeded to the Shinkansen gate and walked into a gift shop inside. There were a lot of people in the waiting area and I see lines in front of cashiers so I walked and picked quick then got out. It was shorter than I thought so I had some extra time until my train comes. If I had a smart phone app, I can simply change the ticket and hop on the one right there but I think in other way, it is a good part of travel with a paper ticket and wait for the train to come. The train had some vacant seats in non-reserved cars, but mostly occupied. I get on the train and took a seat. The train followed the rain clouds then passed. The people in the car are quiet. I saw an eldry couple checking on their iternary written down on a piece of paper. Come to think about it, it is a day before a three days weekend. I was reading a book which I wanted to finish a while ago. The train stopped at Shin-Yokohama, Shinagawa then reached Tokyo on time.
Tokyo is busy a usual; a lot of people, and also foreign visitors. I walked out from the station, looking up the cloudy sky. We are meeting at the Shin Marunouchi Building which is just a few steps from the station.
Shin Marunouchi Building
The building has many stores, some I do not see the official store in Nagoya. I think Tokyo has more stuffs than my hometown for sure. Restaurants are located over the several floors as well. I was walking around because I wanted to see what kind of stores there, and decided to line up at the one I was told at 11:30am but by the time when I get there a few minures later, there was a long line of people waiting. My friend joined soon and we are directed to a table. We caught up on many things. It was a fun time and the time passed by so quick.
The view of Tokyo Station from the New Marunouchi Building
After bidding farewell to my friend, I began walking toward south. I was recommended to take a subway but I wanted to walk, seeing the surroundings and people there. Passing by the Imperial Palace, and Ministry buildings like I was walking in the Washington D.C. area. After 30 minutes walk, I arrived at Toranomon area.
A bridge leads to the Imperial Palace
Sakuradamon Gate at Imperial Palace
The status of Masashige Kusunoki
The Tranomon region has several buildings around the subway station. The place was a little confusing to find the entrance for me. First I had to take an elevator to the ground floor, up to the 7F floor via an elevator then, take an escalator to the 8th. I then buy ticket, followed by taking a high speed elevator up to the 48th floor.
At the entrance, I was told that there is a virtual tour thru an AR glass. So I went back to the 8th again, paid extra for the optional tour. At the receiption, I was given a pair of AR glasses and portable device that provides power and the data. After a brief instructions, we are allowed in. The galary had three secttions. The first room was digital archive like area, followed by the main exhibit. They displayed all the GITS series from the first moview to the latest. I can use the AR glass to watch the path projected on the floor, and movies at each sections. The first movie had many items, drawing board, settings, some films, color samples. It was exciting to watch them and some familar background pictures. Later in the productions, all the works are done on the PC so less and less paperworks. The last section was shopping area. I did not need anything to bring home so I left there in about 1.5 hours. It was fun. Decided to walk back to Tokyo, stopping by at a convenience store to get a new bottled tea with a free coupon.
Tachikoma
Exhibit floor
After coming back to Tokyo, I bought many gifts at the station, I then took a local train to Shinbashi, getting off, walking around the familiar place where I came for drinking several times.
C11 steam locomotive train serial number 232 at Shinbashi station
The dinner started from 6:30pm, meeting with my friend. Other friend I invited cannot make it so it was a small party but good time catching up over 10 years of not seeing each other. After passing 20:00, the clock is ticking for my train home so I need to wrap up quick.
I ran to the train station and passed the gate. Looked up the sign board to check on the next train to Tokyo. I saw Tokaido line train is coming next so I ran up to the platform and hopped on the one. It was a short ride and I still have 5 minutes to catch the bullet train heading home. After getting off the train, I was still a little hungry so I looked for something to eat but the stores in Tokyo station have many passengers waiting in line. My priority is to take the train leaving in 5 minutes so I decided to hold on to it.
Nozomi 91 arrived at Nagoya
Walked up to the platform then made it to the car number 4 for my seat. There was a guy at isle seat eating dinner from bento box as I was walking into the car. I was at the window seat so he had to get up, then another passenger came in after the train began running so he stand up again in the middle of dinner, with very unhappy face. I watched the outside as the train speeding towards west. I was quite sleepy but managed to stay up by reading a book. I was a little tired but I think I can survive one more day of work. The train passed Mikawa Anjo station and 10 more minutes to go so I get ready and took off the seat.
Hopping off the train at Nagoya, walked to the platform for local train and saw one scheduled to leave at 22:00 is still there, with just a minute from departure so I reached the nearest door to hop on. The train moved smoothly and arrived at Ozone. Getting off the train from the very end. Now there are many people at the station, walked home under dark and chilly sky, picked up a pack of spaghetti at a convenience store on the way, heated at home for a quick meal and get ready for the bed. Going to sleep by midnight.
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