Japan October 2024

Quick 6 day trip to Tokyo for the Halloween Ball

Flew out of Sydney around noon on Wednesday – a 9 hour direct flight getting at 8:30pm – caught the monorail towards town from Haneda airport & when we had to change to the train we decided to get an Uber the rest of the way direct to our hotel in Shinjuku. Hotel Atlas – a “love hotel” no less, there are lots of them in Tokyo – they rent rooms by the hour for japy hanky panky but many people have longer stays as the rooms are large compared with apartments or normal hotels and they have good amenities, our room had a huge king size bed, big spa bath, microwave, fridge etc.
We wandered around Shinjuku, the centre of the city, the next day exploring the sights & sounds and stocking up on a few groceries etc. We did a food tour that night with Ninja Food Tours – it was great, we had a great guide who was very knowledgeable about the cuisine and we went to 4 great restaurants to sample a wide variety of dishes and walked a few km thru the town along the way as she painted out many things we probably would have missed had we not done the tour. The highlight was this amazing seafood restaurant that was owned by a local fish monger – the sashimi was incredible, so much so that we went back again a few nights later.

On Friday we walked all over the city and saw parks, record stores, vintage shops and went up to one of the highest observation points for stunning view over what is the “largest city on earth” That night we found a cute little restaurant and had some great food and then went to the Golden Gai area which is 3 or 4 small blocks of very small bars, many of them themed, we went to the areas only “punk rock” bar (of course). Most of the bars have room for maybe 10 people max and ours had a german couple, a couple of english guys and us, and the barmaid. In walks 2 American women who sit behind us, we intro ourselves and say we are going the the Halloween Ball tomorrow nite – they said “oh, we are playing at that” so Jeanette & Illeath from the band Hot Laundry become our new best friends and we hang out quite a bit over the next few nights.

We sleep in a bit on Saturday as we have a BIG night ahead – the gig starts around 12 noon and goes till 4m the next morning – we get there about 2pm and manage to stay till about 2:30am. A long time with minimal seating but the booze and the happy vibe help. The venue is small with 2 adjoining rooms, I guess about 500 or so people but there were so many bands (about 70) that half of all the audience must have been in bands themselves. The alternating rooms work like clockwork and the bands are all so enthusiastic and well costumed. Drinks were pretty cheap and the sound and lighting were great too.
CLICK THE IMAGES TO SCROLL THRU THE GALLERY
Sunday is an early start again but it only goes till about 11pm tonight. Another great lineup of international bands along with the crazy Japanese punk bands who are so much fun. So many great acts – over 70 bands in all and so well run I reckon we’ll go back next year too if we can.
Monday we visit a few more parks & shrines, have a great lunch in a food hall and we have dinner at that fantastic seafood restaurant for another sashimi & sake session.
Tuesday night we fly out so we have a lazy morning with a noon checkout and head to the airport quite a few hours before our 10pm flight but there is quite a bit to look at & do at the airport. An uneventful flight home and we transfer to the domestic terminal for our flight back to Ballina that arvo. Only 2 hours time difference so the jet lag isn’t too bad. Cant wait to go back again next year (hopefully)

Here’s a 20 min video/photo compilation……