Tokyo, June 14-15

This is what I have been looking forward to for quite some time! Vibrant, energetic, massive, beautiful, clean - all these adjectives come to mind when I think about Japan's largest city, Tokyo. It's a place where tradition harmoniously coexists with modernity, creating an atmosphere that is both exhilarating and comforting.

My day begins early with an 8 am arrival at the port. I find myself awake and out on my balcony at 6 am, eagerly anticipating the moment we enter the port. With a steaming cup of coffee in hand, I am delighted to witness the grand welcome that the NCL Spirit receives from the tugs stationed nearby. They are blasting their fire cannons, sending impressive jets of water into the air as a salute, making for a spectacular sight that sets the tone for the day ahead.

The Tokyo International Cruise Terminal is a bustling working port, filled with the sounds and sights of maritime activity. I feel a sense of relief knowing that we are the only cruise ship docked here, even though it is still a very busy place. The process of clearing the ship for disembarkation takes longer than expected, but by 9 am, I’m finally ready to set off on my adventure. I meet my tour guide, Masa, who is as enthusiastic as he is knowledgeable. We are about to embark on a walking tour of Tokyo, which is planned to last for six hours—a challenge I didn't anticipate, but one I am eager to embrace.

After exchanging pleasantries and introductions, we begin our journey by walking toward the monorail station, which is about a 20-minute stroll away. There are no notable tourist attractions immediately surrounding the port, so the monorail ride is essential for reaching the heart of the city. The ride to Tokyo Station consists of eight stops and costs 300 yen, or approximately $2. The monorail is impressively smooth, reminiscent of the rides at Disney World, gliding effortlessly through the urban landscape.

Upon reaching Tokyo Station, I find myself swept up in the vibrant energy of the city. Masa moves swiftly through the throngs of people, navigating the crowd with an ease that makes it difficult for me to keep pace. He seems completely unfazed as he bumps into people, darting around like a pinball in a game. The trek involves multiple turns and navigating different subway platforms, requiring us to ascend and descend numerous stairs as we cross over tracks to reach our destination. I am grateful for the brief respite when we finally board the busy subway train. Sitting next to Masa, I seize the opportunity to inquire about his age. To my surprise, he reveals that he is 74 years old. I am 65 and struggling to keep up! He explains that our first stop will be a Shinto shrine, followed by a visit to the Imperial Palace, and then we will return to the subway to reach the famous "scramble" area for shopping and lunch.

The shrine proves to be a fascinating site, steeped in history and culture, but it is so terribly crowded that I find it difficult to capture many photographs. This particular shrine is the oldest in Japan, and I wish I had a better opportunity to appreciate its beauty. As if on cue, the weather takes a turn for the worse, and it begins to rain. Fortunately, I had prepared for this possibility and brought along my umbrella. The forecast had predicted cloudy skies with heavy rain expected by 4 pm, and it’s not even noon yet when the moderate rain begins to fall.

We make our way back to the subway, navigating another chaotic path through the bustling crowds. This time, the train is packed to capacity, leaving no room for me to sit. Our next destination is the Imperial Palace grounds, which requires another long trek from the station, though this route is nowhere near as crowded as the previous one.

The Imperial Palace has a rich history, having been established in the late 1500s and completed in 1620. It faced destruction in the 1700s due to a wildfire and was subsequently rebuilt. Remarkably, it survived both world wars with only minor damages. The palace complex spans over 100 acres, featuring beautifully landscaped gardens and public areas. While the Emperor and his family reside here, their private living quarters are off-limits to the public, except on special occasions such as New Year's Day and the Emperor's birthday on February 23rd, when visitors are welcomed to extend their well-wishes.

The landscaping surrounding the palace is nothing short of breathtaking. We hike up and down hills and through meticulously maintained gardens for a little over an hour, finding solace in the natural beauty after the earlier chaos. However, I know this peaceful moment won’t last long.

Next, we embark on more subway rides to a renowned location known as Shibuya, which gained international fame from the movie "Lost in Translation." Here, a particular crosswalk serves nearly 80,000 pedestrians daily, aptly named the "scramble." The name truly fits the scene, as the crosswalk becomes a whirlwind of motion and energy. (see pictures)

I am on a mission to find some souvenirs to bring back home. My first stop is an Irish Pub where I hope to find a t-shirt. I also want to pick up some unique techno treats for friends and visit an electronics store to see if I can snag any great deals. The sights and sounds of Shibuya are almost overwhelming; everywhere I look, there are anime characters, dazzling flashing lights, and music blaring from various sources. The crowd is predominantly young, many of whom are dressed as their favorite anime characters. Some of the girls wear outfits that are undeniably provocative, yet they carry an innocent charm. The variety of hair colors is astounding, and the fashion ranges from mini-skirts to school uniforms, sailor outfits, and even traditional kimono attire worn by some customers. If it weren’t considered rude, I would have spent all day taking photographs to capture the vibrant essence of this place.

At around 3 pm, we take a break to grab something to eat before fighting our way back through the throngs of people to the subway. Masa moves like a rabbit darting through a forest, skillfully cutting left and right, bumping into people as he navigates the crowd. Everyone is carrying umbrellas, making it increasingly challenging for me to keep my guide in sight. Eventually, we reach the station, and after more stair climbing and navigating through the busy terminal, we finally arrive at the platform. Masa informs me that he is taking me to Tokyo Station, where he will leave me at the monorail station for my ride back toward the port. By this point, I am utterly exhausted.

Once I am back onboard the ship, I treat myself to a delightful dinner and then head to the Karaoke Idol show. Six passengers were selected during the cruise to sing with the band in a final performance. I am amazed by the talent displayed by two of the participants. Their performances are so impressive that the audience erupts in applause, leading to a tie between them. They decide to challenge each other further by singing a duet of "Shallow," and despite having no prior practice together, they deliver a breathtaking rendition that surpasses even the professional performances in the theater shows. The cruise director declares it a tie and rewards both singers with generous gift bags, much to the delight of the audience.

As tomorrow morning approaches, most passengers will be heading home, but my journey is far from over. I have decided to stay aboard the ship for the return trip to Incheon, eager for the next leg of my adventure.