It would be unfair to consider my findings and observations in Japan accurate considering the fact that I only visited Tokyo and my stay only lasted six days. But it does not prevent me from noticing its cosmopolitan beauty with a touch of a genuinely alluring classical Japanese culture.

1. Tokyo Subway
I counted 271 stations composing 12 subway lines: Ginza, Tozai, Hibiya, Morunouchi, Chiyoda, Namboku, Hanzomon, Yurakucho, Asakusa, Mita, Shinjuku and Oedo. The count does not include JR lines and other privately-operated lines. This makes Tokyo among the busiest subway lines in the world. My familiarity with Hong Kong, Manila and Singapore did not help much because of the station signs mostly in Japanese and merely looking at the subway map instill some confusion factor. As with a number of subway train lines, not all of them use one single type of ticket to take the ride, which left me wondering. Unlike KCR and MTR in Hong Kong -- two different companies that share fare system methods, pedestrian access points, among others -- Japan's railway systems somehow need to exist homogenously as the primary method of transport within Tokyo. Inside the train is a haven for sleepyheads during off-peak hours. A curtained set of ads are all over the place, often promoting magazines (the only recognizable face in the job ad was Koyuki, a starrer of Tom Cruise's Last Samurai).

2. Roponggi
I think this is an area more known as a fusion of Japanese, Asian and Western influences. Embassies, consulates and foreign companies are often located here which is why it's not surprising to see a lot of foreigners here. A spanking new development at Roppongi Hills, the masterpiece of Mori Building, exudes a vibrant picture of modern Japanese architecture. I had a delectable dinner with Jun and Wenee at one of the Japanese restaurants here and could not help but notice the authentic Japanese way of preparing food, complemented with uber-excellence hospitality.

3. Harajuku
The face of extreme Japan whose influence spills out in Hong Kong -- fashion-conscious teenagers in one oxymoronic melange of youth culture. Extreme hairstyle, extreme make up, extreme Gothic and Lolita clothing fashion which favorably ranges from your favorite Disney characters to the Zoids and the Astroboys. Found mostly in the confines of Takeshita Street across the subway station, by the impression I got from their appearance, I hesitated to take a photo of them.

4. Meiji Shrine
Not too far away from Harajuku's ultra experimental dress codes and anime fashion shows is a place that takes you back to the natural world. The Meiji Shrine is a secluded and serene place in the heart of Tokyo that exemplifies the extremes of what Tokyo can offer. Right after crossing the mighty torii gateways, it's all covered with vast array of trees and wide pebblestone pathways leading to shrines I used to tell my students at Philippine International School about this place, and now it's a reality of what was just described by the book. It was raining when I got there and the atmosphere further added up to the feeling that I was on rare flatland on my way to scaling a moderately steep hill. I was expecting falling orange leaves where I could lie and stare at the sky; the leaves were still in the shades of summer and the rain kept me on my feet.

5. Omotesando
I did not know what France's Champs-Elysees would look like until I was told it has resemblance to Omotesando, while walking towards the huge GAP shop at the end of the corner. Big name fashion botiques are lined in harmony with the tiled passages and slender trees. The weather was in late teens and having a walk in this place is at it's ideal, brushing elbows with the elite Tokyo shoppers hopping from one shop to another.

6. Karaoke
Tokyo's karaoke shops are typically similar to the ones found in Hong Kong; small rooms, with space optimally built for everything necessary to fit inside: a sizable cupboard with large television screen, dvd/cd players, amplifiers, a small table and comfy sofas. But Hong Kong's shops are typically made for Hong Kong's fun loving youngsters who prefer to belt out favorite Hong Kong and Taiwan popstars. But wait until you get to browse over Shibuya karaoke's songbook table of contents.

I was singing with Joanne songs from Lionel Richie-Diana Ross duet to Hikaru Utada and from the Eraserheads to Gin Blossoms. I am especially fascinated with the lineup of Original Filipino Music (OPM) titles. While they are not that complete -- You Won't See Me Crying by the Passage was not there -- it still shows the respect of the Filipino talents by the Japanese people.

7. Odaiba
Overlooking Tokyo Bay and the splendid Rainbow Bridge located at Daiba in Minato-ku was a great opportunity for me to see Tokyo with unobstructed views. Not as majestic as Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour, the place somehow exudes less offensive odor than Hong Kong's premier attraction. Walking towards the Telecom Center direction led us to Venus Fort, a theme park-like shopping mall built in 1999. An impressive roof design emulating blue sky and fluffy clouds is something not to miss. Not far from the location is the headquarters of Fuji TV built in a futuristic architecture. I did not get inside but I did not have to because of my self-imposed four-hour time limit and the plenty of views outside, which even started during my train ride through the Yurikamome line.

8. Yokohama
Jun and I went around Minato Mirai and especially got great shots of Kishamichi Promenade which featured views of the giant clock ferris wheel and sea attractions situated nearby a little family recreation area. On the waterfront, little boats for rent are also available. I wasn't interested to ride it, and when we felt a little tremor on that cloudy afternoon, Jun got discouraged as well. Japan's tallest building, the 70-storey Landmark Tower, is located here. This is probably the only time my outdoor sightseeing was not threatened by impending rainshower.

9. Hibiya Park
In the morning of my last day in Tokyo before returning to Hong Kong, I was in trouble locating areas through the map. I intend to go to Hibiya Park and for some reason alighted at Nagatacho station. I had communication problems talking to guards and Filipina scholars walking around were not much of help either since they just got into the city two days ago. Good thing Tokyo is sprinkled with great English-speaking people and I got help from one lady who walked past a koban (police outpost which appears more like a tourist answering booth) and heard the miscommunication. After an hour of walking, photo taking and asking office people where to go, I finally reached my destination. An oasis of the city, Hibiya Park is home to fountains, ponds, trees and people seeking refuge from the typical city life. I see several office workers bringing their bento boxes and take their lunch on various points in the park. Good thing most sign posts and entrance display maps do have English translations. And given that I was unable to go to Hamarikyu Garden, this visit is very much worthwhile.

10. Shibuya Comparable to Mongkok and Causeway Bay crowds, Shibuya is cramped and busy part of Tokyo's metropolis. Compared to Shinjuku, Shibuya is cleaner and has a safer reputation. Definitely a must see is the statue of Hachiko, the legendary dog. A tear-jerking true story of a master-slave relationship, Hachiko is the dog who waits for his owner every night before going home together. Not known to the dog was that the master died of an accident, Hachiko continues to wait until his ultimate demise on 8th of March, 1935. Many hearts were touched and the dog was honored with a statue found here. I only found myself taking photos at Shibuya Crossing with Jun or waiting for Joanne. I never got to see the gymnasium which hosted the 1964 Olympics, among other interesting places due to the inclement weather conditions.

11. Shinjuku
After Hibiya Park, I headed to Shinjuku aiming to take shots of the great structure of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, designed by Kenzo Tange. I think it's inspired by the Gothic designs usually found in Europe. Seen better closer than from a distance, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices appears like a bunch of boxes intricately packed one after the other. And just like in many places in Tokyo, the building is located on spaces filled with greeneries of Shinjuku Chuo Park, with a refreshing backdrop of trees aligned and leaves still intact just before autumn season starts to paint the area with a more sober look.

Once I arrived at Narita, I was instructed by Jun to take the airport limousine which basically is a bus coach and alight at Shinjuku. So my first impression of Japanese city life was built in this area. A colossal Shinjuku train station handles a mammoth two million passengers everyday! That's four times the entire capacity of Manila's MRT 3 in 2001 (according to its official web site). Shinjuku Dori Avenue and Yasukuni Dori Avenue are probably the largest shopping streets in the area but as the night grew chilly and advancing my watch by an hour, I have to be wary if Jun was more on-time in meeting up. I decided not to wander farther on my first day in Tokyo; I sat at the pavement after a few "shashin" favors from fellow strangers, munching the 90 yen McDonald's burger.