Japan Day 7 - Tokyo leaves a bad impression

I am trying very hard to stay positive and patient here but I think so far I am not liking Tokyo very much.

Reasons being:

1) Smog and Smell

The pollution here is terrible, and there are smokers everywhere. I hate it that they actually allow smokers in the restaurants and hence the whole place stinks. Cigarette is to Tokyo like how Osmanthus is to Kyoto. BAH.

2) Urban landscape

Nothing wrong with it, just that it reminds me too much of Hong Kong, and the people...gosh. The only good point about the crowd is that the ladies are gorgeous. Other than that, too many people. Too many too many! Then the billboards and advertisement jingles run non-stop causing me to have a temporary sensory overload. Maybe I have been cooped up in the woods for too long. Maybe I am just whiney but yah TOO MUCH TOO MUCH!

3) Tourist Traps

I live in Asakusa currently which is near the famous Senso-ji Temple. Everyone here, from the shops to the people, are out to get the tourist bucks. I walked past the temple and it is filled with tourists. Overflowing, in fact. I don't know, perhaps it is just this district that is really terrible because when I went to Shinjuku it wasn't too touristy. Or maybe, I have seen so many temples that I am sick of it. Or maybe the temples I have been looked more like temples, with the tranquil surroundings and crisp air. Better read the maps again and find something really worth going.

I want to go Tohoku! Sigh.

4) Event screwups

Itzhak Perlman's concert is cancelled. The concert I have been so looking forward to, is not going to happen after all. He mainly conducts these days and this was going to be one of the rare concerts where he will be a soloist as well. ARGHH!

Ikebana lesson is only going to happen next week as I just missed the class this morning. Sigh. Either I extend my stay or I miss it.

At the point I just gave a loud sigh and someone turned around and stared. =/

5) Cost factor

Completely uncomfortable with the staggering prices of things here. I know this is Tokyo, the most expensive city in the world but spending ￥18000 in a day is just WAY TOO MUCH. Sigh. I walked into a hair salon and a cosmetic store (the 3 storey building near Shinjuku Stn). Hmmmm.. I couldn't help it, I just had to color my hair here because the shades are so nice.. I spent a bomb at the store. KATE eyeshadows are gorgeous and yeah Majolica Majorca mascara is AWESOME. Sigh, I couldn't resist. All your fault, Tokyo. You make me spend so much money =(

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I think I just needed to whine. Maybe things will get better once I get to know my roomies, haven't seen them yet. I hope they are friendly. *cross fingers*

Tomorrow, I will give this place another chance and see how it goes. If I don't like it, I think I will really extend my stay (sorry dear *hug*) because I can't end this awesome trip on a bad note. It will not happen.

One more chance, Tokyo. Tomorrow.