Hector suggested that we go to Autobacs. I had never heard of the place, but he described it as the AutoZone of Japan. There was an Autobacs super store about 15 minutes from our apartment so we headed out. Up to this point, I had noticed a large number of modified cars on the streets of Tokyo. From R32 Skylines to Priuses, the Japanese appeared to have an everlasting desire to personalize their vehicles. Once we stepped into Autobacs, I understood entirely.
Let me just say that there is really no comparison between AutoZone and Autobacs. They are both car part stores, but the similarities stop there. Don't get me wrong. AutoZone is a fine establishment where the average person can find cheap and dependable replacement parts, as well as a small assortment of accessories. But consider this: while you can purchase wheel cleaner and tire shine from AutoZone, you can also buy them from Autobacs with a side of actual wheels and tires from brands like Enkei, BBS, Toyo, etc. From AZ, you can buy yourself some replacement exhaust piping and perhaps a shiny new muffler tip. From Autobacs, you can walk out with an entire HKS exhaust system custom built for your car. Would you rather a new steering wheel cover? Forget that. Grab yourself a Nardi wheel and be done with that other old thing. Oh and the kicker? This Autobacs super store has three levels. Unfortunately, only two of the floors are devoted to car parts for purchase. Why? Because the lower level is a shop where they will install the parts you just bought for your car. Are you jealous now? You should be.
After that automotive overload, we were baffled as to what we could possibly do from there. I suggested that we take a short ride over to Odaiba to check out some architecture and snap some photos. The day was overcast, but humidity was through the roof, so we tried to keep things close so as not to overexert ourselves. We were only there for a short while, but I made it a point that we go to see the giant gundam. Though I guess technically it isn't really a "giant" gundam as it is supposed to be a life-sized gundam. Either way, it was cool. There really isn't much more to say about it.
Right after I snapped some shots of the something-sized gundam, I received a text from my friend Kirby. He had recently landed in Tokyo to start a trip of his own around Japan with his sister. Since we didn't have any pressing matters to tend to, Hector and I caught the nearest train to Shibuya, got lost, caught another train, got more lost, and eventually made it to Shibuya station where we met up with Kirby. This was the busiest place we had been up to this point. Thinking of it now, it was probably the busiest place we visited throughout the whole trip. Even though we had been in Tokyo since Tuesday, Kirby had seen far more of Shibuya than we had so we followed him around and stole his shots like the leeches we are.
You're probably wondering about Shibuya Crossing. It was as packed and intense as could be expected. We came to the crossing and stood among the crowd as we gazed across the streets in every direction. Every other corner was just as crowded as ours, with dozens or hundreds of people just waiting for the cross walk light to turn green. When it did, all bets were off. Three hundred sixty possible degrees to choose from and every one of them was populated by someone on their way to work, home, the store, a date, or anything you could imagine. And we were just three silly Americans who were happy to be there.
We dropped into a small cafe or bar called Harumari to relax, get some food, and discuss the immediate past and futures of our respective plans for Japan. Conversation was good. Food was okay. Service was lacking. In a busy restaurant, you can imagine service to be a bit slower as the staff tries to accommodate everyone the best they can. The catch here was that service was much slower even though the establishment seemed to be rather empty. Either way, we enjoyed the rest from walking and got a bit of refreshment before doing a bit more walking.
As explorers, we didn't look at any maps and just followed whatever looked interesting. And there is no shortage of interesting in Shibuya. The people. The food. The lights. The shops. It had it all and we were only a tad overwhelmed. We stopped into a pachinko parlor where our ears were assaulted by the sound of thousands of metal balls clanging against metal and plastic. We ventured through an arcade where friends pounded drums together and couples laughed at each other as they failed to win prizes from claw machines. We strolled the streets and watched the wildly modified cars speed by as their loud exhaust notes bounced off the surrounding buildings. Pictures and words do not do it justice. That doesn't just apply to Shibuya, but to Tokyo as a whole.
Stay tuned for Day 5.
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