After a full day of walking the wisest thing to do was to keep walking the next day.
And so we departed our hotel for an appointment in Iidabashi station with E-san for lunch. The weather was kind of dry, though some rain was expected. Nonetheless we asked reception for a walking path to Iidabashi.
We were met with perplexed looks and panicked search and printing of Google map. Indeed, our request seemed absurd when one could just take the train there. Aware of the difficulty I put the hotel staff into, I just accepted the unreadable map and started walking towards the cardinal direction the map indicated.A few hundreds metres later we encountered a kōban (交番) where I asked for direction again as we came across a major crossroad. After the incredulous look and even a small scoff, he asked if I would understand him, so I asked him to go ahead and tell me. In any case left and right were understood, and the rest were just answered with nods and determined looks.
And so we set off, under the expressway, toward Iidabashi area through residential areas, and evena temple we came across and we visited. These were the unseen sights that cannot be found in guide books.
It even started to rain, but we continued on for about 1h, passing through golf shops, pharmacies, small grocery stores. I enjoyed the normalcy of it, walking in the neighourhood. But also noticed there were not many people walking along the main road we took, even though there were proper sidewalks to walk on.
Eventually arriving at Iidabashi, we realized we didn't quite agree at which exit to meet. With horror we found there were at least 3 exits to the station. So we split and waited with worry. Eventually we managed to be found by E-san and regroup to go for lunch. We went to a warm nabe and place and it was very delicious and comforting.
After lunch we looked for the Kagurazaka festival that was supposed to take place in the area, celebrating traditional arts, with parades and geisha performances. We walked into alleys so small it was unbelievable we were still in Tokyo. We came across small shrines, a sudden flower pot...
Eventually we found where the soaked parade were, and got wind of a shamisen performance in a small cafe. So we rushed there to take seat, and had a lovely performance by 3 players.
And so we departed our hotel for an appointment in Iidabashi station with E-san for lunch. The weather was kind of dry, though some rain was expected. Nonetheless we asked reception for a walking path to Iidabashi.
We were met with perplexed looks and panicked search and printing of Google map. Indeed, our request seemed absurd when one could just take the train there. Aware of the difficulty I put the hotel staff into, I just accepted the unreadable map and started walking towards the cardinal direction the map indicated.A few hundreds metres later we encountered a kōban (交番) where I asked for direction again as we came across a major crossroad. After the incredulous look and even a small scoff, he asked if I would understand him, so I asked him to go ahead and tell me. In any case left and right were understood, and the rest were just answered with nods and determined looks.
And so we set off, under the expressway, toward Iidabashi area through residential areas, and evena temple we came across and we visited. These were the unseen sights that cannot be found in guide books.
It even started to rain, but we continued on for about 1h, passing through golf shops, pharmacies, small grocery stores. I enjoyed the normalcy of it, walking in the neighourhood. But also noticed there were not many people walking along the main road we took, even though there were proper sidewalks to walk on.
Eventually arriving at Iidabashi, we realized we didn't quite agree at which exit to meet. With horror we found there were at least 3 exits to the station. So we split and waited with worry. Eventually we managed to be found by E-san and regroup to go for lunch. We went to a warm nabe and place and it was very delicious and comforting.
After lunch we looked for the Kagurazaka festival that was supposed to take place in the area, celebrating traditional arts, with parades and geisha performances. We walked into alleys so small it was unbelievable we were still in Tokyo. We came across small shrines, a sudden flower pot...
They played for about 30min and gave us a taste of the beautiful old tunes and sentiments from the shamisen. It was a shame we could not see more because of the weather. But I was happy we could have a sample of this traditional art. I also received an origami heart ring from a lady from the audience I was chatting with.
What beautiful tunes to end our last evening in Tokyo. And to make the evening last we kidnapped E-san to our hotel for dinner and drinks.
It was with heavy heart that we said goodbye, to E-san and her beautiful country.
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