[2019-10-03]
After a nice ride with my recently-bought bicycle near a river and peaceful neighborhoods (longer than expected due to a wrong detour), I met my worried friend at Akihabara.
There, I found a parking space where I left my bike. In big cities, you are not supposed to park your bike anywhere; almost everyone in Japan does it but, you could get a fine. So, in certain areas, it’s better to search for bike parking, even if is a paid one; they can be really cheap, around 100yen (1usd) for the whole day.
We lost track of time in some music stores (I found out that there’s still a lot of them in Japan and also a big appreciation for music in physical media), and after some hours, we went back to Asakusa, where our bags were waiting since the morning and where my friend would pick his return bus to Osaka.
This time I couldn’t find any parking; I tried a big and underground one, besides Sumida River, but I learned that some of them have closing time (8pm). I had to do what I just said not to but didn’t have more time. I left the bike on a sidewalk, beside a lot of other ones, hoping there wouldn’t be any trouble for some minutes.
While waiting for my friend’s bus to arrive, fear was growing inside me, knowing that I would be alone and without certainty that any of my plans would work for the night or for the whole journey.
Also, I was worried that I haven’t tested yet an important aspect of my traveling. I had bought in Amazon Japan a big pannier bag and a rack that I needed to install on the bike, so I could ride with all my stuff.
Amazon has an awesome service, where you can order almost anything and it will be delivered to a konbini (or some other designated places); that way, you don’t have to worry if you don’t have anyone to receive it in the place where you stay (a common situation if you’re a traveler).
I ordered some items a few days before my trip so they would reach the same day I arrived in Tokyo. At the konbini they will keep them for around a week, and they will return them if no one appears; so, if you use these services, be sure with your schedule.
I had everything already organized in the panniers, and those were inside my big but collapsible travel bag. Just after my friend left, I returned with all my stuff to attach it to the bicycle; I couldn’t lose any more time, it was a lot of work to do, and it was getting late (10pm). Every second I was more worried.
The task was easy but needed time; too many pieces to put together. I was still unsure about my trip: I didn’t know if everything would work as planned, and that night was my first trial. It was past 11pm already, and I had to cross a big part of the city. My idea was to sleep on the east side of central Tokyo, near Shinjuku, so I would be closer to my next day destination.
I told my friend that I had some manga café in mind, but I did it only to not worry him (sorry). The truth was that I was going to camp at a park where camping was permitted, or at least that was what I had read on some websites; I didn’t know if it was true or if it would be easy to find it.
Manga cafés are good and cheap places to rest if you don’t have anything else. You can have a private space, with a computer and a reclining seat or even a sofa. The issue with the ones I found was that they didn’t have any parking near, so I would have to unload everything from my bike to leave it some streets away (and I wasn’t ready for that yet). You can learn more about manga cafés, here
Not being sure about what else to do, I went to see and enjoy the tranquil Sumida river. It was the same first spot where I was when I arrived in the city, with the view of the Skytree and other buildings.
I was anxious and with a lot of fear; it even crossed my mind to sleep right there besides a homeless person. But it was an open space where too many people were passing by.
A Japanese man approached me and asked if I was traveling; I told him that I was just starting and that my plan was to travel from Tokyo to Kagoshima (the southernmost prefecture). He was shocked, but he cheered me and gave me some bread and a sports drink. I wasn’t expecting a gesture like that, and it did really motivate me. So, just after he left, I forgot my fears and started my riding.
Following the directions of Google Maps, I crossed a lot of fancy party areas in Shinjuku. A lot of people finishing their nights, a lot of drunk ones, and also, a lot of trash on the streets. I tried to ignore all of that, focusing on my quest to find the place to sleep.
When I arrived, it was already 30 min past midnight. Toyama Park was big enough to find some not-so-showy places, but it was inside a residential area so, I was worried that maybe someone didn’t like my idea and would call the cops or something.
That place was more active than I was expecting. Some persons were drinking and talking loudly at one side of the park; also, I saw some people doing exercise and a homeless sleeping beside a tree. I tried to move further from them.
I found a place with some bushes and trees and decided to give it a try. At least I had bought an easy to stand tent, so in less than 5 min I was ready to get in. I left my bike with all the bags at its side, locked to a tree; and entered the tent with my most important stuff. I knew Japan was safe, but I still had my doubts.
That night was a bit hard, first night alone in a completely different country, also, first time camping alone, and my first time camping in a public park. I was trying to quickly get to sleep, but the drinking people were too noisy, and every now and then, I heard someone walking nearby. Aside from that, it was so hot inside the tent that I had to leave the door open; and even sleep without a shirt because I was starting to sweat a lot.
I just hoped I could overcome my fears, and that the next morning I would have a completely different sensation. (Spoiler: No)
Don‘t hesitate to ask any questions in the comments below.
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