Chuo Line

Writing Prayers and Wishes in Meiji Jingū

21 April 2022travelingpersecond

Get ready for second day of adventure in Tokyo @ Nakano Station platform.

The tragedy of losing my wallet at Nakano Station made me gulp in fear, it turned out that there was still a coward side behind my courage to explore the world. I calmed down for a moment by sipping drinking water from free water station at one of Nakano Station platforms.

The silver and yellow colored commuter of Chūō Line arrived, I took a step into a middle carriage and sat at long bench on left. I deliberately chose to sit right above a console grill heater. That was my habit while riding Japann’s trains which was slipping into the winter.

I continued to follow the Chūō Line towards east and then turned into south after changing to Yamanote Line at Shinjuku Station. Within twenty minutes, I arrived at Harajuku Station after traveling for about seven kilometers. I only had to pay 170 Yen for this trip.

Crossing the long corridor of Harajuku Station, I came out from West Exit directly opposite Meiji Jingū First Torii Gate on the right. But gosh……

Now that I’ve lost my right glove, how could I resist cold air if my equipment disappeared? I retraced my path when I exited the station platform and finally I found one of those gloves in the middle of corridor after automatic fare collection gates. I didn’t know why?, since this morning, I’ve been stuck losing things even though it were found again. Could this be the start of all surprising things ahead of my adventure?

Alright…Focused back to my steps…..

Now I was posing in front of Meiji Shrine gate. The Torii was so distinctive, the inspiration for a famous automotive company logo in “the Land of Samurai”. I walked through smooth gravel as the entrance to the temple. The path had a width of one meter on left side, combined with a one meter wide paving block path bordered by rope for exit route on the right. Meanwhile, in some parts, the path was bordered by bamboo fences which were neatly arranged as high as the waist of an adult.

In front of the gates of Meiji-jingumae Station “Harajuku” (Chiyoda Line) as part of Tokyo Metro Subway Network. But I didn’t take the Tokyo Metro.

Meanwhile, an old officer removed leaves from road using a backpack-leaf blower. Leaves just needed to be pushed aside to road side and allowed to become natural compost, so environmentally friendly.

Within four hundred meters, on the right, I was blown away by neat arrangement of kazaridaru dedicated to Meiji-tennō and Shōken-kōgō. While right on the left side was an arrangement of wine drums made of wood.

Arriving at the main Torii of shrine, every visitor must wash their hands at Temizuya with water using a long-stemmed dipper. This ritual of self-washing or misogi aimed to purify the body and mind before standing in front of a deity to pray.

Temizuya (shinto shrine pavilion for purification) in Meiji Jingū.

For a moment I stopped after passing through main gate, I was amazed by the size of the Meiji Jingū . This was a shrine dedicated to the spirit of Meiji-tennō , the ancient ruler of Japan.

Meanwhile in some parts of the temple was being renovated. Workers in white carpenter uniforms, complete with various carpentry equipments on their waists and wearing safety helmets, were seen standing on the step ladder, busy making repairs.

While at the end of the shrine, tourists could be seen queuing up at a shop which sells ema and omamori boards. The shop seemed to be guarded by beautiful women dressed in white and red kimonos, they looked polite and graceful to serve the visitors.

While I was busy writing a prayer on a piece of paper, then I put it in a box. While some tourists wrote prayers and hopes on the ema board they bought, then hang it on the spot provided.

Shops selling omamori were amulets that were believed by the Japanese to bring good luck and safety.

An ema board, a small wooden plaque decorated with handwritten art which expressed hope.

It didn’t feel like an hour and a half walked until I finally finished exploring all parts of the temple. This was my last destination in Tokyo, because I would soon be heading to Narita International Airport to catch Peach Aviation flight number MM6320 which would depart at 21:35 hours.

I finally decided to head straight to Harajuku Station and rushed to Tokyo Station, because I was planning to take JR Bus Kanto to the airport.

Let’s go……..

Get ready at Harajuku Station….To Tokyo Station.

Losing a wallet at Nakano Station

19 April 202218 April 2022travelingpersecond

Some meshiya around Yadoya Guesthouse … remain of hunting dinner last night.

Mattress at Yadoya Guesthouse’s bunk bed also seemed to like an ice beam, even when early hours have already gone. That morning, I deliberately slowed myself to wake up, I looked like a coward who hid behind the thickness of dormitory blanket. I revenged for my eyes, after almost forty hours didn’t so perfectly closed. The last felt asleep was the day before yesterday, in Taiwan, precisely.

At ten in the morning I just really woke up, due to whispering sound of two lovebirds behind a blanket on other bunk bed which made me uncomfortable. They sleep with intimate and ignoring around. I decided to watering my body under the shower. This time I managed to find the heating button so there wasn’t need to take a shower of super cold water again liked last night.

Afterwards, I was neatly packed all my travel equipments into 45 litre backpack and I prepared to check-out. That afternoon I would fly to Osaka with Peach Aviation. While the remaining time, I would spend to visiting a temple in the middle of city.

I went down in the lobby and poured warm water from a dispenser. Apparently Janessa was preparing it from early morning.

“Good morning, Donny. How were your days in Tokyo? “

“I’m frozen in this town, Janessa. But all are well “.

“Are you going to Osaka tonight? You visited Tokyo very quick “

“My holidays aren’t much, Janessa”

“I hope you will enjoy Osaka, Donny”

“Thanks Janessa. Nice to meet you “.

I said goodbye to Janessa and turned the body to left Yadoya Guesthouse. My steps were automatically head to a FamilyMart in north of Dormitory. I have to have breakfast before heading to the temple.

Still abled to swallow onigiri. Breakfast for 298 Yen.

I brought Onigiri on a circular bench near northern gate of Nakano Station. Not alone, many local residents had breakfast with me on the bench. Some young men stood in courtyard to enjoying hot coffee. I sat under warmth of morning sun and was accompanied by a group of busy pigeons.

Breakfast was over, it was time to leave … …

Today I won’t buy Tokunai Pass again because I would just spend time in Meiji Jingū. Afterwards, I would go to Narita International Airport.

I was a little troubled to queue in ticketing vending machine, with a backpack on my back. And a map, gloves and a compass in my left hand then I took out my wallet with right hand. While continuing to step forward to front of queue.

Until my turn to pressed various buttons at Ticketing Vending Machine. Not so difficult, because I had conquered that machine hassle on yesterday afternoon at Tokyo Station. I exchanged 170 Yen for a one way ticket to Harajuku Station located in Shibuya district.

As soon as I got a ticket, I resigned from the queue, inserting a map and compass in its place, put on gloves again then went to the platform. I continued to entering automatic fare collection gates and following the instructions to Chūō Line train towards Harajuku Station.

Once finished stepping on top stairs …

“Helloooo …..helloooo” …

I looked back. A middle-aged man was waving and asked me to wait for him. So until above …

“This …”, he smiled and handed over a wallet to me.

Gosh, why can my wallet fall?

“Arigatou Gozaimasu …”, I said many times while bowing half of him. And the good man smiled.

“Ohayōgozaimasu …Titterashai”, he bowing and went back down the stairs.

I saw my wallet’s contents for a moment after he left, none of them were reduced. Oh, God … you just keep sending good people to me.

I couldn’t imagine if my wallet was really disappeared. I would definitely walk towards Indonesia’s embassy and asked to be deportation from Japan.

Thank you for a middle-aged man who was kind and thank you God, my adventure was still continuing.

Menulis Do’a dan Harapan di Meiji Jingū

9 December 20205 January 2021travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Besiap untuk petualangan hari kedua di Tokyo. @ *platform* Stasiun Nakano.

Tragedi kehilangan dompet di Stasiun Nakano membuatku menelan ludah ketakutan, ternyata masih tersisa sisi penakut dibalik keberanianku menjelajah dunia. Aku sejenak menenangkan diri dengan menyeruput air minum dari free water station di salah satu platform Stasiun Nakano.

Komuter silver berkelir kuning penguasa Chūō Line itupun tiba, kuayunkan langkah memasuki gerbong tengah dan duduk di bangku panjang sisi kiri. Aku sengaja memilih duduk tepat di atas console grill pemanas. Itulah kebiasaanku selama menaiki kereta Negeri Matahari Terbit yang sedang tergelincir ke dalam musim dingin.

Aku terus mengikuti arus Chūō Line menuju timur lalu menukik ke selatan setelah berganti dengan kereta Yamanote Line di Stasiun Shinjuku. Dalam waktu dua puluh menit, aku tiba di Stasiun Harajuku setelah menempuh jarak sejauh tujuh kilometer. Untuk tarif sepanjang itu, aku hanya perlu membayar 170 Yen (Rp. 23.000).

Melintasi koridor panjang Stasiun Harajuku, aku keluar dari West Exit yang langsung berhadapan dengan Meiji Jingū First Torii Gate di sisi kanannya. Tetapi astaga……

Kini aku kehilangan gloves sebelah kanan, bagaimana aku mampu menahan beku jika perlengkapan itu raib?. Dengan terpaksa, aku kembali menelusuri jalurku ketika keluar dari platform stasiun dan akhirnya aku menemukan sebelah gloves itu di tengah koridor setelah automatic fare collection gates. Entah kenapa?, sedari pagi, aku terundung kehilangan barang walaupun kembali tertemukan. Mungkinkah ini permulaan dari segala hal mengejutkan di depan petualanganku?.

Baiklah…Fokus kembali ke langkahku…..

Kini aku sudah berpose di depan gerbang Kuil Meiji. Torii itu begitu khas, pengilham sebuah logo perusahaan otomotif kenamaan Negeri Para Samurai. Kutapaki gravel mulus sebagai jalur masuk menuju kuil. Jalur itu memiliki lebar sedasa meter di sisi kiri, dipadu jalur paving block selebar satu meter berpembatas tambang untuk jalur keluar di sebelah kanan. Sementara di beberapa bagian, jalur itu di batasi oleh pagar-pagar bambu yang tersusun rapi setinggi pinggang orang dewasa.

Di depan gerbang Stasiun Meiji-jingumae “Harajuku” (Chiyoda Line) sebagai bagian dari *Tokyo Metro Subway Network*. Tetapi aku tak menaiki Tokyo Metro itu….Alias nampang doang….Hohoho.

Sementara seorang petugas tua, menyingkirkan dedauanan dari gravel menggunakan backpack leaf blower. Dedauan itu hanya perlu dipinggirkan ke sisi jalan dan dibiarkan menjadi kompos alami, begitu ramah lingkungan.

Dalam empat ratus meter, di sisi kanan, aku terpesona dengan susunan rapi kazaridaru yang didedikasikan untuk Meiji-tennō dan Shōken-kōgō. Sedangkan tepat di sisi kiri adalah susunan drum anggur terbuat dari kayu.

Sampai pada Torii utama kuil, setiap pengunjung wajib membersihkan tangan di Temizuya dengan air menggunakan gayung-gayung bertangkai panjang. Ritual membasuh diri atau misogi ini bertujuan untuk memurnikan tubuh dan pikiran sebelum berdiri di depan dewa untuk berdoa.

*Temizuya* (paviliun bersuci shinto untuk pemurnian) di Meiji Jingū.

Sejenak aku terhenti setelah melewati gerbang utama, aku terkagum-kagum karena luas dan besarnya Meiji Jingū . Inilah kuil yang dipersembahkan untuk menghormati roh Meiji-tennō , penguasa Jepang masa lalu.

Sementara itu di beberapa bagian kuil sedang dilakukan renovasi. Para pekerja berseragam carpenter warna putih, lengkap dengan berbagai peralatan pertukangan di pinggang serta mengenakan safety helmet tampak berdiri diatas step ladder, sibuk melakukan perbaikan.

Sementara di ujung kuil, tampak para turis mengantri pada sebuah toko yang menjual papan ema dan omamori. Toko itu tampak dijaga oleh wanita-wanita cantik berbaju kimono putih berpadu merah, mereka tampak sopan dan anggun melayani para pengunjung.

Sementara aku meyibukkan diri untuk menuliskan sebuah do’a pada selembar kertas, lalu kumasukkan ke dalam sebuah kotak. Sedangkan beberapa wisatawan menulis do’a dan harapan pada papan ema yang dibelinya, kemudian menggantungkannya pada spot yang telah disediakan.

Toko penjual *omamor*i yaitu jimat yang diyakini masyarakat Jepang dapat membawa keberuntungan dan keselamatan.

Papan ema, plakat kayu kecil yang dihiasi dengan seni tulisan tangan yang mengungkapkan harapan

Tak terasa satu setengah jam berjalan hingga akhirnya aku selesai menelusuri seluruh bagian kuil. Inilah destinasi terakhirku di Tokyo, karena aku akan segera menuju Narita International Airport untuk mengejar penerbangan Peach Aviation bernomor MM6320 yang akan berangkat pada pukul 21:35.

Akhirnya kuputuskan untuk segera menuju ke Stasiun Harajuku dan bergegas menuju Stasiun Tokyo, karena aku berencana menggunakan JR Bus Kanto menuju bandara.

Mari……..

Bersiap diri di Stasiun Harajuku….Menuju Stasiun Tokyo.

Kisah Berikutnya—->

Kehilangan Dompet di Stasiun Nakano

5 December 20205 January 2021travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Beberapa Meshiya di sekitaran Yadoya Guesthouse….Sisa berburu *dinner* semalam.

Kasur di bunk bed milik Yadoya Guesthouse pun serasa balok es, bahkan ketika dini hari sudah undur diri. Pagi itu aku sengaja melambatkan bangun, aku mirip seorang pengecut yang bersembunyi di balik tebalnya selimut dormitory. Aku membalaskan dendam mata, setelah hampir empat puluh jam tak begitu sempurna terpejam. Terakhir terlelap adalah malam kemarin lusa, di Taiwan tepatnya.

Pukul sepuluh pagi aku baru benar-benar bangun, akibat suara bisik-bisik dua sejoli di balik selimut pada sebuah bunk bed yang berhasil membuatku risih. Begitu mesranya mereka tidur berpelukan tak mempedulikan sekitar. Untung aku punya guling dari semalam….Wadidaw. Kuputuskan menyiram tubuh di bawah shower. Kali ini aku berhasil menemukan tombol pemanasnya sehingga tak perlu mandi air es lagi seperti semalam.

Setelahnya, kukemas dengan rapi semua barang ke dalam backpack 45L dan aku bersiap check-out. Sore nanti aku akan terbang ke Osaka bersama Peach Aviation. Sementara sisa waktu, akan kuhabiskan mengunjungi sebuah kuil di tengah kota.

Aku turun di lobby dan menuang air putih hangat dari dispenser. Rupanya Janessa sudah bersiap dari tadi pagi.

“Good morning, Donny. How were your days in Tokyo?”

“I’m frozen in this town, Janessa. But all are well”.

“Are you going to Osaka tonight?. You visited Tokyo very quickly”

“My holidays aren’t much, Janessa”

“I hope you will enjoy Osaka, Donny”

“Thanks Janessa. Nice to meet you”.

Aku berpamitan pada Janessa dan balik badan meninggalkan Yadoya Guesthouse. Langkahku otomatis tertuju ke sebuah FamilyMart di utara dormitory. Aku harus sarapan dahulu sebelum menuju kuil.

Masih saja mampu menelan onigiri. Sarapan seharga 298 Yen (Rp. 40.000).

Kubawa onigiri itu disebuah bangku melingkar di dekat gerbang utara Stasiun Nakano. Tak sendiri, banyak warga lokal yang sarapan bersamaku di bangku itu. Beberapa pemuda berdiri di pelataran menikmati kopi panas. Aku terduduk di bawah hangatnya siraman matahari pagi dan ditemani sekumpulan merpati yang sibuk bersarapan juga.

Sarapan usai, saatnya berangkat…..

Hari ini aku tak akan membeli Tokunai Pass lagi karena aku hanya akan menghabiskan waktu di Meiji Jingū saja. Setelahnya, aku akan menuju ke Narita International Airport.

Aku sedikit kerepotan mengantri di Ticketing Vending Machine, dengan backpack di punggung, selembar peta dan sebuah kompas di tangan kiri, gloves kuapit di ketiak, lalu kukeluarkan dompet dengan tangan kanan. Sambil terus merangsek maju ke antrian depan.

Hingga giliranku memencet berbagai tombol di Ticketing Vending Machine. Tak begitu sulit, karena aku telah menaklukkan kerumitan mesin itu kemarin siang di Stasiun Tokyo. Aku menukar 170 Yen (Rp. 23.000) untuk sekali jalan menuju Stasiun Harajuku yang terletak di Distrik Shibuya.

Begitu mendapatkan tiket, aku mundur dari antrian dan berbenah, memasukkan peta dan kompas pada tempatnya, memakai kembali gloves lalu pergi menuju platform. Aku terus merangsek memasuki automatic fare collection gates dan mengikuti petunjuk menuju kereta Chūō Line menuju Stasiun Harajuku.

Begitu selesai menaiki anak tangga teratas….

“Helloooo….Hellooooo”….

Aku menoleh ke belakang. Seorang lelaki paruh baya berumur 50-an melambaikan tangan dan memintaku menunggunya. Begitu sampai diatas….

“This…..”, beliau tersenyum menyerahkan sebuah dompet kepadaku.

Astaga, kenapa dompet itu bisa jatuh.

“Arigatou Gozaimasu….”, kuucapkan berkali kali sambil membungkukkan separuh badan kepadanya. Dan lelaki baik itu tersenyum.

“Ohayōgozaimasu….Itterasshai“, beliau membungkuk lalu beranjak pergi kembali menuruni anak tangga.

Kulihat isi dompet sejenak setelah beliau pergi, tak ada satupun yang berkurang. Oh, Tuhan….Engkau terus saja mengirimkan orang baik kepadaku.

Tak bisa kubayangkan jika dompet itu benar-benar raib. Aku pasti akan berjalan kaki menuju Kedutaan dan meminta dipulangkan ke tanah air.

Terimakasih untuk Bapak paruh baya yang baik hati dan Terimakasih Tuhan, petualanganku masih terus berlanjut.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Tokunai Pass….Traveler Pass in Tokyo, Japan

11 July 20181 July 2019travelingpersecond

I successfully moved from Narita International Airport to downtown by cheapest mode of transportation i.e Keisei Expressway Bus for 1,000 Yen (USD 10).

Didn’t happy, because next question appeared i.e “How did I frugally explore city? “

The answer was easy. I must immediately get Tokunai Pass (Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass).

After I got off from airport bus, I rushed into Tokyo station to got it. Of course, I had to went to Automatic Ticketing Machine. Initially, I was confused to looked for Tokunai Pass menu on the machine. After all buttons were punched. Evidently, Tokunai Pass menu was located in “Discount Card” directory. Easy to used it because there were multi language choice that could be used (of course I used English).

Ticketing Tokyo n Shibuya Gate

Left: Automatic ticketing machine in Tokyo Station where I bought Tokunai Pass

Right: Gate in Shibuya Station, one of many stations where Tokunai Pass could be used as entry access to train platform.

Tokunai Pass fare was 750 Yen and could be used until 24:00. So to maximize its benefits, You better buy it on the morning and use it to visit Tokyo’s attractions fullday. In fact, I bought it at 13:00 and used it until 21:00.

Tokunai Pass

Left: Tokunai Pass
Right: Tokunai Pass receipt

How did I frugally use Tokunai Pass? It was the calculation:

If I bought regular tickets towards several attractions below:

Towards Yadoya Guesthouse in Nakano. From Station Tokyo – Nakano Station for 220 Yen
Towards Hachiko Statue and Shibuya Crossing. From Yadoya Guesthouse in Nakano Station to Shibuya Station for 200 Yen
Towards Ameyoko Market. From Shibuya Station to Ueno Station for 190 Yen
Toward Akihabara electronic market. From Ueno Station to Akihabara Station for 160 Yen
Towards Harajuku Street. From Akihabara Station to Harajuku Station for 170 Yen
Back to guesthouse. From Harajuku Station to Nakano Station for 220 Yen
Total Overall were 1160 Yen

Because I bought a Tokunai Pass for 750 Yen so I had saved for 410 Yen.

It was only an 8 hours journey, If you arrive on early morning, it will be able to visit many attractions and can save budget more.

While using Tokunai Pass, I used only two lines of JR-East Train i.e Yamanote Line (Tokyo Circle Line) which is the busiest line in Tokyo and Chuo Line that connects downtown and Otsuki about 90 km west of Tokyo.

Tokunai Pass can be purchased at automated ticketing machines at all JR-East Line stations in Tokyo. And it can be used for all local JR-East Train Line (in Tokyo) whose rail is located above ground. The train is similar to Jakarta’s Commuter (in Jakarta-Indonesia).

Good luck for using Tokunai Pass when you visit Tokyo…..

Tokunai Pass….Senjata Utama para Traveler di Tokyo, Jepang

4 July 20181 July 2019travelingpersecond

Berhasil berpindah dari Narita International Airport ke pusat kota Tokyo menggunakan moda transportasi termurah yaitu Keisei Expressway Bus seharga 1.000 Yen (Rp. 130.000) jangan membuat hati senang dahulu. Karena masalah selanjutnya muncul yaitu “Bagaimana menjelajahi kota dengan hemat?”

Jawabannya mudah. Saya harus segera mendapatkan Tokunai Pass (Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass).

Setelah turun dari Airport Bus, Saya bergegas masuk ke dalam Stasiun Tokyo untuk mendapatkan kartu pass itu. Tentu Saya harus menuju Mesin Tiket Otomatis. Pertama kali bingung mencari menu Tokunai Pass di mesin itu. Setelah segala tombol dipencet ternyata menu Tokunai Pass berada pada directory “Discount Card”. Gampang kok menggunakan mesin ini karena ada pilihan bahasa yang bisa digunakan (tentu Bahasa Inggris yang Saya gunakan).

Ticketing Tokyo n Shibuya Gate

Kiri: Mesin tiket otomatis di Stasiun Tokyo tempat Saya membeli Tokunai Pass

Kanan: Gate di Stasiun Shibuya dimana Tokunai Pass bisa digunakan sebagai akses masuk ke peron kereta.

Tokunai Pass berharga 750 Yen (Rp. 97.500) dan bisa digunakan hingga pukul 24:00. Jadi untuk memaksimalkan keuntungan penggunaan Tokunai Pass, usahakan Kamu membelinya dari pagi hari dan menggunakannya seharian untuk keliling Tokyo. Saya sendiri baru membelinya pada pukul 13:00 dan menggunakannya hingga pukul 21:00.

Tokunai Pass

Kiri: Tokunai Pass

Kanan: Struk pembelian Tokunai Pass.

Lalu seberapa hemat ketika Saya menggunakan Tokunai Pass ini. Begini perhitungannya:

Apabila Saya menggunakan tiket ketengan ke beberapa tempat yang Saya tuju berikut:

Menuju Yadoya Guesthouse di Nakano. Tiket kereta Stasiun Tokyo – Stasiun Nakano sebesar 220 Yen
Menuju patung Hachiko dan perempatan Shibuya. Dari Yadoya Guesthouse di Stasiun Nakano menuju Stasiun Shibuya 200 Yen
Menuju Ameyoko Market. Dari Stasiun Shibuya ke Stasiun Ueno 190 Yen
Menuju pasar elektronik. Dari Stasiun Ueno ke Stasiun Akihabara 160 Yen
Menuju Harajuku Street. Dari Stasiun Akihabara ke Stasiun Harajuku 170 Yen
Pulang ke Guesthouse. Dari Stasiun Harajuku ke Stasiun Nakano 220 Yen

Total Keseluruhan 1160 Yen (Rp. 150.800)

Karena Menggunakan Tokunai Pass seharga 750 Yen jadi Saya sudah berhemat 410 Yen (Rp. 53.300).

Itu baru perjalanan selama 8 jam, coba kalau Saya tiba di Tokyo lebih pagi pasti akan bisa mengunjungi banyak tempat dan bisa berhemat lebih banyak lagi.

Selama menggunakan Tokunai Pass, Saya hanya menggunakan dua jalur JR Line yaitu Yamanote Line (merupkan circle linenya Tokyo) yang merupakan jalur tersibuk di pusat kota Tokyo dan Chuo Line yang menghubungkan Tokyo di pusat kota dan Otsuki 90 km di sebelah barat Tokyo.

Tokunai Pass bisa di beli di mesin tiket otomatis di seluruh stasiun JR Line. Dan Pass ini bisa digunakan untuk seluruh jaringan kereta JR Line lokal (dalam kota Tokyo) yang relnya terletak di atas permukaan tanah layaknya komuter Jabodetabek.

Selamat mencoba menggunakan Tokunai Pass kalau Kamu sudah tiba di Tokyo, guys…..