Day 2 - Shibuya, SuperAutobacs

Day Two, we awaken to our first full day of Japan. Its quite sunny, and the weather is well great really. Our first stop was to buy myself a camera. I'd found out before I left one of the sure places that would have the X100s, and at a good price, and with an additional 10% off with my passport, making it just under 2/3 price of local. In Japan, a lot of places dont open till late, say between 10 and 11 am. Although that said, if you're a food place, you're probably going to stay open till well after midnight. When they say Tokyo never sleeps, its really not true, its more like Tokyo never stops eating or drinking. It was back to Shibuya, to MAP CAMERA. This place was 7 stories tall, and had a level devoted to each brand. They also had another store around the corner and was similar in size and only stocked high end film cameras, like hasselblad and leica and also Medium format digital. Big big dollar stuff. On the way we passed thru other electronics and camera stores, just to make sure of prices, and to ensure I get a good deal. This Yodobashi was one, though was about $150 more expensive. Even in Tokyo it pays to shop around.

We spent a lil while at Map Camera, and then headed back to the train again to go to Odaiba, which is just another burb in Tokyo really. You can't go very far in Japan without bumping into curious architecture, both ancient and new.

On the way we stopped off to get again some chicken Katsu curry. Something that we all knew matt would eat. The way the cheaper and heavily trafficked restauraunts work, is you have a vending machine either outside before you enter, or just inside. The usually have a picture of what you're getting. Suzuki pointed out which one was chicken Katsu, so you put your money in, pound the button, and you get a reciept and change. The order gets sent to the kitchen and while you wait inside at your seat, its cooked and brought out to you. In this case is was $5.50 for a medium serve. And tasted way better than your usual Katsu at Wagamama in bris, which is $15.

Speaking of architecture. Japan really like to have gardens that try to consume the otherwise concrete jungle. There always seems to be this constant struggle between nature, heritage and progress. Moss and vines are always left untouched, rising damp? deal with it.

So what is in Odaiba? Well Suzuki took us here for a couple of reasons, one being Autobacs, and the other being Ricoland. SuperAutobacs is a car place. You can buy all sorts of accessories for you car, be it little trinkets, to complete turbo systems and coilover suspension. You can choose to have it fitted and tuned there while you wait. So its like a drive in - drive out, upgrade shop. Its about half the size of your usual bunnings, however it is 3 stories, and has its own resturaunt. Also, a lot of modification brands showcase their new items outside in big marquees. This time it was Blitz, showcasing their new turbo kit and upgrades for the new Toyota FR86. the car wrapped in chrome of course.

Lets get inside the shop already! I havent said this so far, but vans, like the Nissan Elgrand and the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire are super popular in Japan, possibly more so than any other type of car. So its possibly not suprising to see a giant aftermarket for them, airbag suspension, even a variety of various types of tail lights to put on. All their displays are fully functional, so they will cycle through brakes indicators and reverse so you can see which one you might like best. The same with guages, the needles will constantly swoop around, warning lights will strobe, in some parts of the store its like walking into a discotech

Or how about some curtain tassels for your Pajero? or Van or sedan or anything running side curtains.

Anyway, its next on to Ricoland, which is right next door. Again about the same size. but just for bikes! And its a huge meeting spot for bikers to come in on some insane looking machinery, pop in 100 yen into a vending machine for a drink, and mill about the carpark looking at everyones bikes. Its really pretty cool.