The Final Odaiba

After yesterdays late night, I was more than happy to sleep in a bit. And the fact that it started raining as I started to look at the clock with a "do I really need to" expression, I was only to happy to sleep in even more.

Today is more of a cooldown day. Tomorrow I still have a few more hours, but this will be my final night. Nothing big planned. Collecting a few last minute souvenirs. Getting a calm breakfast. Before heading over to Odaiba as something of a final relaxation before my holidays start coming to a close.

I always laughs slightly about the fact that the Yurikamome Line (新交通ゆりかもめ) is also commonly referred to as a monorail, even though it rides on rubber tires that are quite obviously placed like that of a normal train. The "rail" part is merely a guide, that alternates sides based on what is more convinient / which way the switch goes. But it is very proudly Tokyo's first fully automated train system, which is not bad for a train system opened in 1995.

The Gundem robot is an interesting example of how the years have passed since I've been coming to Tokyo. When I first arrived many years ago (long before this blog started), it was a rather static figure which I think could huff occasionally but was otherwise just a rather large static statue. Since then, it has gained more and more movements, as well as exterior and interior lights which it uses to put on a show (unfortunately I only saw it from a distance today).

The view over the Odaiba harbour has always been one of my favourite places in Tokyo though. Close enough to the hustle bustle of the city to be able to feel it on your fingertips, while being a place that's just out of the way enough to allow some creature comforts like benches. While providing a stunning view for the sunset.

The last time I came here, they had finally made the rainbow bridge worthy of the name by using coloured lights to illuminate the bridge. I guess it was a little kitsch and they've reverted.

I'm whaffling a bit though. The thought that my holidays are over are slightly saddening. And the thought of returning to winter is not exactly an appealing thought. Especially after all my body has been doing to try and get used to the 40 degree days it's been subjected to.

But the message is certainly clear: 5 years was too long. Including the 4 years since I have had a longer trip of some sort. Hopefully I'll be able to take this wisdom with me and let it influence my future.

As nice as the view in front of the rainbow bridge was being, I did at some point come to a slightly sudden realisation that 23:00 was knocking on the door and it was still reasonably important to make it home before the train system shutdown. I rushed backed to the Yurikamome line, and then looked up which trains were still running at the other end to ensure that I don't get stranded somewhere on an unfortunate transfer.

Like last night though, my day wasn't over just because I got back to my hotel suburb by midnight. The game station was open for another hour, and I had another ¥200 burning a hole in my pocket. I can't decide whether this game not existing in my home city is a blessing or a curse. It's a blessing partly because if it were, it would cost 4 times as much per song and cost far too much. But Japan is also an awfully long way to go to be able to play ...

Arriving at Shinjuku at midnight was already rather eary in terms of a lot of shutters being closed, while there appeared to be a massive influx of people rushing into the station in an attempt to still make it home before the train system completely shuts down. 1 o'clock had a slightly different atmosphere as the train system was well and truly done at this point, but that doesn't mean the place was completely abandoned. Some last night chill bars still had a decent clientele, and enough of the lights stayed on to maintain Shinjuku's ever bright appearance. The people wandering the streets definitely had a higher percentage of giggly people though than during the day.

Okay, it's almost 3 by now. And I have yet to pack. Time to find out whether I need to knock on the door of the neighbouring room and ask them to help me sit on my suitcase, or whether I can close it without their help. 😴