All in all, yesterday was a day that I could do with forgetting. Trying to think of the glass as half full…
Kana came shortly after I finished writing the last blog post, and ordered something to eat. We ended up staying there, just talking and catching up for the next 3 hours. Finally, it was time to go – by this time I’d changed dinner plans numerous times.
Walked with Kana back to the station, stopping in 7-11 to pick up batteries as my phone was about to die… ¥298. Expensive, for 4 batteries…
Then, whilst hurriedly exchanging last minute messages via Facebook for iPhone, I organised to meet Minako at Nipponbashi. She asked me to wait at Mitsukoshi-mae, but after following the signs, I couldn’t see it anywhere. So I sent her another message, asking where it was.
“Do you see Coredo Nipponbashi anywhere?”
“Yeah, I’m there.”
“Then you’re at Mitsukoshi-mae already. Just wait there, ne!”
We met up and, at Minako’s recommendation we went to eat at a well known tempura place. The line was long, and we had to wait a while, but it was a good chance to catch up!
The tempura looked like this, for ¥880. I wasn’t feeling that hungry so, like Minako, I asked for “less rice” or “gohan sukuname”. The texture of the tempura coating was just perfect, the seasoning sauce balanced just right. Really hit the spot! (Apologies for the blurry photo, I didn’t realise there was a fingerprint on my iPhone lens!)
I then suddenly remembered the coin locker. But, surely it operates 24 hours – I mean, it’s only a machine, right?
So I checked the receipt.
Apparently the coin lockers are in a part of the shopping centre attached to the station, and are only accessible as long as the shopping centre is also.
…so, the shopping centre closed at 10:30pm. DAMMIT, AGAIN!
Had to cut my outing short, right then and there. We hopped on the same train, and Minako got off a few stops before I did.
Sure enough, the coin locker area was locked away behind a big roller door. I practically wanted to cry! This is becoming an expensive, expensive trip by the second!
So I rushed over to Don Quijote in Kabukich? and picked up the essentials – 2pk shirt (¥1290), 2pk underwear (¥598), travel shampoo (¥228) and body wash (¥198), single pair socks (¥250)… and 10 batteries (¥398), for a total of ¥3560. I guess this is okay, since it’s not like I’ve spent that much yet, and this is primarily stuff that will last a while. But still, I was seething at my own stupidity.
#Travelers note: When using coin lockers, please ensure you understand the important details as written on the signage – until what time you can collect your items, and from what time does a new day’s charge start.
Ran back across Shinjuku station, arrived back at Keio Station; took the last train back to Takaido.
For those that are counting! One trip from Shinjuku to Takaido is ¥150, so ¥150 x 4 = ¥600! Had to buy tickets as the Keio like isn’t part of the Tokyo Metro network.
Swung by the 7-11 again, and picked up milk tea (¥125), yakisoba bread (¥125), korokke bread (¥110), and cigarettes (Mild Seven Original, soft pack, ¥440). The bread is for the next morning; I know I’m going to be rushing far too much to have a chance to eat properly in the morning.
