Ueno Station

Enjoying Akihabara from Kanda River

15 April 202210 April 2022travelingpersecond

Electronic Town South Exit

Dinner was finished. I hurriedly left Ameyoko Market and walked back to Ueno Station’s Hirokoji Exit. My steps were getting faster and easier because Tokunai Pass was still active in my hand. I seem to have a power to go in and out of each station since that afternoon.

It was a few minutes before 6pm, when Yamanote Line picked me up at a platform at Ueno Station. I boarded a very crowded carriage and mingled with city workers. The conditions in carriages were similar to Jakarta Commuter Line carriages in my hometown, crammed and tightly packed.

This time I would move south, two kilometers to visit the leading electronics center in Tokyo, namely Akihabara area, Japanese people usually call it Akiba.

Less than ten minutes, I arrived. Visiting Akiba meaned I was officially leaving Taitō Special City District and entering another district, namely Chiyoda. A district which is famous for existence of Imperial Palace is none other than the residence of Emperor of Japan.

I stepped out of Akihabara Station via Electronic Town South Exit. Coming out of the gate, I instantly stood on a street wich wasn’t wide, only about six meters and was immediately intimidated by tall building belonging to LABI Akihabara which was clearly displayed offering duty-free electronic goods.

It was next door to Akihabara Radio Kaikan, a ten-story commercial building to the right which left only a narrow alleyway. Meanwhile, warnings against smoking were issued at every pole in the form of a No Smoking Sign which was easily found everywhere. Then at the end of the road, a voice came out from Maidreamin Akihabara’s outside speaker.

Maidreamin Akihabara, a famous maid cafe in Japan whose waiters wear maid costumes.

I continued eastward until I came to main street, Chuo-dori Avenue and I could tell that the temperature was getting colder when I arrived at a bank of Kanda River. I decided to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Akiba from the top of river, because I wasn’t really interested in entering various electronics shops in every inch of Akiba. How would I be interested if to buy a small electronic item like a stopcontact adapter, You have to spend up to 1,000 Yen.

On the streets of Akiba, local residents went back and forth so fast, they seemed to be chasing time to return to their respective homes after working all day or some night employees who still looked fresh and fit to meet their work time in their respective offices.

Not even an hour I was in Akiba, cold temperature made me give up and decided to withdraw sooner. I rushed to Electronic Town South Exit of Akihabara Station.

As the night progresses, my adventure would be more difficult because I had to fight the winter temperatures in Japan. But I will try my best to hold it in, because I didn’t want to just let go of my exploration time there.

I would now move back to Shibuya District.

Dinner at Ameya Yokocho, Taitō

13 April 202210 April 2022travelingpersecond

I was standing again at train platform, in Shibuya Station, in Yamanote Line, on 3:48 p.m. The sun had retreated on city skyline and made the temperature degraded to a point of 3 Celsius Degree. Then the air which was nearing to freezing easily penetrated thick black gloves on my palms. But it would be a shameful precedent if I had to give up and chose to curling up in Yadoya Guesthouse bunk bed.

I had already prepared myself to explore Taitō Special City District. Twelve kilometers northeast of Shibuya Special District, thirty minutes away in distance.

Ameya Yokocho was the main reason for my stop over to Ueno Station. It was a one-stop shop, cheap and all discounted. It was said that if wanted to get a cheap dinner, so travelers flocked to that ex-black market which had existed since World War II.

I arrived at Ueno Station exactly on 5:35 pm. Taking Hirokoji Exit, the largest exit in south of station building. This exit has a large courtyard and directly faces Chuo-dori Avenue, opposite Ueno Marui Department Store (OIOI), a famous fashion center with nine-story in Taitō Special City District.

Darkness began to acquire the day when I started my steps towards Ameya Yokocho. More simply called Ameyoko or Ameyoko Market. I hadn’t yet imagined that this market was already starting to get crowded and smell of food was spreading. Made my stomach growl along the way.

I walked down the road under train overpass, heading south. The market distance is about two hundred meters, only five minutes from Hirokoji Exit.

I arrived at a t-junction which in a street stood Ameyoko Market gate. I faced two other streets in t-junction, both of which were part of market lane. But I thought wrong. It wasn’t sweet smell of food which I smelled, but rather fishy smell of sea fishes which firstly pierced deep into my nose. Of course I ignored it because my attention was drawn to the crowd over there.

Not unexpectedly, there would be a number of typical Turkish restaurants and several kebab outlets there. I thought it won’t be difficult to find halal food for Muslim travelers here. Meanwhile, along the next street, several outlets selling marine fish were interspersed with fashion outlets, souvenirs, minimarkets, sport equipment and various other outlets.

I didn’t think that I would prepare some budget to buy anything which was traded in this market, except for dinner. I kept combing every inch of Ameyoko Market until I was finally attracted to an image of a bowl of chicken ramen. Not about contents in the bowl, but the price listed below, it was just 399 Yen.

I didn’t understand about a menu name, but I had a strategy. I took my smartphone and took the picture. I rushed into the restaurant. I started to look around, the table design was elongated and circular in an oval in the middle with several tables on each side of wall which were already filled with local residents. They were so noisy in sipping noodles in their bowl. I went to the waitress and showed a picture on my smartphone. Then that waiter shouted into kitchen while mentioning the name of a menu which I showed then she pointed at an empty seat. I see, that was my dining table. I sat at a table against the wall and waited for the menu to be served.

Meanwhile, I started pouring a pitcher of water with ice cubes in it. I continued to pay attention to visitors behaviour in restaurant. Once they entered the room, they would remove their jackets on a hanger in the corner of room, then sat at dining table, ordered and quickly ate their food. Everything was in regularity.

Soon the waiter served a menu I ordered and I started to eating it. According to a reference I had read, Japanese people will slurp the noodles they order with a sound enough to be heard to showing that the noodles are delicious and as a respect gesture for the chef. So I had the same scene even though it was a bit of a hassle and made my noodle soup splattered onto the dining table. That wasn’t enough to embarrass me, because a water pitcher on my table was completely ran out, I didn’t know how many times I poured it in my small glass. A maidservant who had been watching me for a while covered her smile with her hand while intermittently whispering to other maidservants. She certainly knew that I was a traveler with have a different skin from japanese.

As a result, I paid for the food with a big smile on her, because she never closed his smile when she looked at me.

I finished dinner on 5:45 p.m., and hurried out from Taitō Special City District.

Tokyo’s Major Stations….Nijūsanku Tourism Access

12 July 20181 July 2019travelingpersecond

Staying two days in Tokyo gave me a chance to felt a hustle and bustle of the city. I got some good morality from interaction with Japanese. I had proved some good stories about Japanese characters that I heard and read from media.

I could approved their good attitudes when suddenly a middle-aged man ran up to me around Nakano station, he gave my wallet that lost there. Also their disciple in using every second was reflected in the regularity of their train network which actually very massive and complicated but seems very easy for them.

My step for visiting Nijusanku (another name of Tokyo) tourist attractions had delivered me into some main stations in Tokyo as tourism access.

I will tell to you who haven’t visit there yet to become first images before you see it by yourself someday.

1. Tokyo Station

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first moment when I came in Tokyo

The luxurious station in Tokyo I had ever seen. It was “Shinkansen” main hub. It was very strategic because being crossing point of Tokyo Metro (regular subway) and regular JR-East Line (operating above the ground).

Except trains, Tokyo Station is also connected to city and intercity bus network.

Konektivitas Stasiun Tokyo

Left: Shinkansen connectivity in Tokyo station
Top Right: Shinkansen Track Gate
Bottom Right: JR Expressway Bus Office

2. Shibuya Station

Shibuya Station2

Left: Shibuya Station front view
Top Right: One of Shibuya Station gates
Bottom Right: Yamanote Line track in Shibuya Station

Located about 9 km southwest of Tokyo Station. It is one of the busiest commuter stations in Tokyo. Being vital because mobilization towards and from surrounding cities very dependent on its existence.

Shibuya Tourism

Left: Hachiko Statue

Right: One side of Shibuya Crossing

Shibuya itself presents some free tourist spots i.e Hachiko statue –dog that waiting for its owner until dies in the front of station– and Shibuya Crossing as the busiest crossing in the world that able to cross 50,000 pedestrians for 30 minutes.

3. Ueno Station

Ueno Station2

Left: Ueno station front view
Top Right: One of Ueno Station gates
Bottom Right: Yamanote Line Track in Ueno Station

Located about 6 Km north of Tokyo Station, the station which in its heyday is a Japan’s long-distance train major station.

Ueno Tourism

You must go to Ameyoko Market if you stop at Ueno Station. It is a market with low price and more discount. Backpackers must visit it if they want to eat cheaply. Even moslem traveler, they will find halal food here. I saw many kebab sellers there. The first impression when entering this market is fishy smell….. Yes, many trader sell fresh seafood and spices to cook it.

4. Akihabara Station

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after getting off from a train

Located about 3 Km north of Tokyo Station, the Station is centrally located in Akihabara’s electronics shopping area.

Akibahara Tourism

night situation around Akihabara electronics store

Akihabara is a haven for electronic lovers. This shopping area provides famous brands with cheap prices following fantastic promos and discounts.

5. Harajuku Station

Harajuku Station

frontview and Harajuku Station platform

Located about 12 Km west of Tokyo Station. Harajuku is a region name in east of this station. Harajuku became the sixth busiest station in Tokyo.

Harajuku Station Tourism

Left: Takeshita Street
Right: Meiji-Jingu Shrine

Harajuku Station is access to Takeshita Street tourist spot. It’s 350 meters road that becomes young Japanese representative with a uniqueness and interesting clothes. It is also spoiling tourists with culinary and fashion shops.

Then about 700 m north of this station, you can visit Meiji-Jingu Shrine. A magnificent temple to remembering Emperor Meiji. Green and fresh situation of this temple is reflected by environments around temple which is a very clean and well maintained forest.

So. .. .what are you waiting, guys? …. Visit Japan.

Makanan Murah untuk Backpacker di Jepang.

3 July 20181 July 2019travelingpersecond

Jepang memang sudah saya setting menjadi destinasi puncak di kawasan Asia Timur, setelah setahun sebelumnya berhasil menapakkan kaki di Hong Kong, Macao dan Shenzen.

Buat seorang backpacker yang concern dengan budget seperti saya, Jepang menjadi tempat mahal yang perlu banyak disiasati walau hanya sekedar 4 hari menjelajahi daya magis Jepang yang membuat para traveler terkesima akan negeri itu.

Masalah hotel sudah tersiasati dengan menginap gratis semalam di Kansai International Airport dan mendapatkan dormitory murah di Yadoya Guesthouse (di daerah Nakano) dan Kaga Hotel (di kota Osaka).

Masalah transportasi juga tersiasati dengan kartu ajaib Tokunai Pass di Tokyo dan One Day Pass di Osaka.

Nah, kali ini saya akan membahas bagaimana mensiasti cara makan di Jepang yang pernah saya lakukan untuk menghemat budget. Saya sengaja melakukan ini karena harus banyak berhemat dan banyak menabung demi niat mengunjungi berbagai belahan dunia dalam jangka Panjang misi backpacker saya.

Menu Makan Siang

Ketika tiba di Narita International Airport pukul 11:15 maka lunch adalah sesuatu yang tidak bisa ditunda lagi. Sudah tidak memungkinkan menunggu lunch hingga ke tengah kota Tokyo. Setelah keliling Arrival Hall Narita, melihat beragam harga yang begitu mahal di food court setempat, akhirnya Saya mendorong langkah kaki untuk masuk ke Lawson. Memang banyak beberapa pilihan murah onigiri, tetapi satu buah onigiri tentu tidak mampu membendung porsi wajar makan siangku. Akhirnya inilah pilihan terbaik yang Saya ambil untuk menu siang kala itu:

Lunch at Narita

Dua onigiri beserta menu pendamping seharga 248 Yen atau sekitar Rp 32.240 cukup membuat kenyang perut siang itu.

Menu Makan Malam

Cara berfikir saya sederhana ketika sedang backpackeran. Saya akan makan tepat waktu untuk menghindari sakit selama perjalanan. Dan dimanapun saat itu berada dan ketika waktu makan tiba maka Saya akan berusaha mencari makan terhemat disekitar tempat itu. Tidak perlu kembali lagi ke tempat tertentu untuk menyantap sebuah makanan….keburu lapar…hahaha

Makan malam ini terjadi ketika Saya sedang menikmati keriuhan Ameyoko (Ameya Yokocho) Market di dekat stasiun Ueno. Ketika lapar sudah tak tebendung akhirnya Saya mulai menyisir menu di sekitar pasar ini. Banyak orang Turki yang membuka kedai kebab di daerah ini, tetapi sepertinya kurang nendang kalau hanya sekedar makan kebab.

Dinner di suhu 4 derajat Celcius akan lebih enak jika makan mie berkuah panas seperti ini:

Dinner at Yokoco

Cukup merogoh kocek 398 Yen atau sekitar Rp. 51.740 dapat bonus air es seteko yang akhirnya Saya habiskan….bisa membuat tidur malam itu begitu nyenyak…hahaha

Menu Sarapan

Sarapan ini Saya beli di sekitar Yadoya Guesthouse di Nakano, tempat dimana Saya menginap selama di Tokyo. Berjalan di sekitar restoran rumahan Tokyo yang menawarkan menu relatif mahal buat kantongku. Akhirnya Saya menemukan Family Mart di dalam perkampungan. 10 slice onigiri inilah yang menjadi menu pagi itu

Breakfast Nakano

Cukup membayar 298 Yen atau sekitar Rp. 38.740. Cukup buat modal keliling Tokyo di hari kedua selama 6 jam kedepan.

Menu di Amerikamura, Osaka

Sehari setelahnya, menginjakkan kaki siang itu di Amerikamura mengharuskan Saya membeli makan siang sebelum meninggalkan kawasan itu untuk menuju Namba Parks.

Begitu susah mencari makan murah disini, tetapi akhirnya Saya mengambil jalan tengah untuk mengambil menu di rumah makan rumahan warga Jepang yang menjual menu makanan khas Thailand.

Inilah pilihan saya :

Lunch Amerikamura

Sedikit mahal karena harus mengeluarkan 680 Yen atau sekitar Rp. 88.400. Karena tidak ada pilihan murah yang lain. Tapi ini porsinya sangat banyak untuk ukuran orang Indonesia…..Saya sampai tidak bisa bernafas karena kekenyangan.

Nah buat kalian yang mempunyai budget minim tidak perlu khawatir mengunjungi negeri matahari terbit ini. Selalu ada solusi asalkan jeli melihat kondisi di tempat tujuan.

Mari Kunjungi Jepang, teman……