6 June 2009

Today is officially the last day we will have to move in and out of the NOMYC. It is really exciting since everyone is tired of moving, but it also signifies that the trip is almost over. Since everyone seems to have different opinions about the trip coming to an end, it is interesting to see how much people either liked or disliked Japan.
The morning was the same as any other move out day. We folded and collected our sheets, then turned in our keys. Don planned to take the group to the National Art Center, Suntory Museum, and 21/21 Design Sight Museum, all of which are in Roppongi. Derrick, Norio, and I weren’t sure where we were going to be staying that night, so we decided to opted out of the museum day and instead figure out some accommodations for the night. Following our original plan, we went to Shinjuku in search of a large and cheap love hotel. We walked through an area called Kabukicho which is known as the love hotel area. As we suspected, check-in for staying at love hotels wasn’t until 10 or 11pm, so we decided to stash our stuff in some lockers at Shinjuku Station. Norio ended up getting a call from one of his friends, so we bailed on us and our plans to do his own thing. Derrick and I had plenty of time to kill before trying to check-in at a hotel, so we wandered around Shinjuku to do a bit of shopping, grabbed some tonkatsu for lunch, and then went to Akihabara for a second time. Akihabara is known at the electronic district, so we wandered through many stores and just browsed. It is always fun to try out new cameras, toys, and games. Once it got close to 9pm, we jumped on the subway and returned to Shinjuku. On the way back however, we saw Tokyo Dome, so we decided to stop quickly to wander around. There was a mini theme park there with a huge roller coaster, a log ride, a free fall, and a ferris wheel. It was a really neat atmosphere. We got dinner there since we saw a peppercorn garlic burger set on sale for 760 yen. It was really good. Afterwards, Baskin Robins had a line out the door since they were having a promotion called “Challenge the Triple”. For only 400 yen, you got a triple scoop. This was especially a deal in Japan since a single scoop usually costs 320 yen! Derrick and I were both ready for dessert, so I got chocolate mint, melon musk, and popping shower. It was delicious, and it was a great way to end our adventure.
Since Norio decided to stay out late with his friends, he decided to get a single room at a close-by Toyoko Inn. The only rooms available were smoking single rooms, so Derrick and I were out of luck. Wandering around Kabukicho looking for a love hotel was really difficult without Norio’s guidance. We tried to go to a few, but many wouldn’t accept people who did not speak fluent Japanese. It was really surprising! Finally, since we weren’t able to find any rooms that were reasonable and/or that included karaoke, game systems, etc. Derrick and I ended up resorting to a 24 hour internet café. It cost 3,360 yen for a cubicle with a couch, tv, and computer with internet for 12 hours. It was around 11:30pm when we checked in, so that allowed us until 11:30am to stay and sleep in. The drink bar was free, and it offered milk tea, oolong tea, juices, soda, energy drinks, and hot chocolate. It was kind of weird staying in a cubicle with Derrick in one next to me, but I’m glad I had the experience. I fully enjoyed the internet and tv at the same time and drank more than enough drinks throughout the night. Since I am short, I also easily fit on the couch and was able to get a good night’s rest.