Japan Day 1

I woke up with a sore ankle only to find that ibuprofen and ACE bandages were only in pharmacies.

My first destination was Akihabara. I arrived a little too early—most of the shops don’t open until around 9 a.m.—so I spent some time wandering the electronics district as it slowly came to life. Even the pharmacies. Even with the shutters down, the area was impressive. One massive store felt like a vertical version of Fry’s Electronics, stretching eight stories high, while colorful anime murals covered walls in every direction.

From there, I headed to Shibuya and explored another bustling shopping district, this one offering a mix of everything beyond electronics. The energy was constant, and it was easy to lose track of time just walking and observing.

By the evening, I returned to the hotel, only to discover the hotel restaurant didn’t allow takeout which is strange since I charged my food to my room and they have room service.

After a bit of Googling, I found a bar rumored to have waterfront views and a fireworks show. The bar itself was stunning—located around the 60th floor of an apartment building, with sweeping views of the city below.

Unfortunately, I learned the fireworks don’t start until December.

So close.