Land of the Rising Sun

Friday May 1 Day 3

Day 3: Part 2

I know that technically we are now onto Day 4, but I consider this the nightlife part of Day 3, so Day 4 will start at sunrise.

By midnight I’m showering, when the alarm goes off. I feel rested in comparison to how I have been feeling since we landed. We are joined in our room by fellow students on the trip, and there’s a tiny pre-drink party happening while we get ready to go out. Roomie is set on a reggae spot, and for me it seemed a thing I had to do. When I was in Vancouver years ago I went to a reggae club named Tokyo, so it makes sense that I should to go to a reggae club in Tokyo tonight.

Bestie stayed in to catch up on some much-needed sleep, and we parted ways with the others in the hotel lobby. A recommendation from a travel book gave us the name of a place in Shinjuku that seemed not too far away. After a cab ride through the bright lights of Shibuya we were dropped in front of a place called “Open”. A tiny staircase down to the basement of a building led us into a smoke filled room with a bar at the back. Aside from the posters of Bob Marley on the wall, this place did not read reggae bar and we needed a plan B. Everyone was more than happy to help the foreign girls, so with cell phones and body language we managed to get ourselves sorted.

Helpful locals outside Open

With a locally hand drawn map in hand, and an escort in tow (that Roomie and I could have taken down if we had to), we were set out in search of a reggae club by the name of Garam.

Our reggae club tour guide

The taxi ride is short, and Roomie has made a new friend before even entering the club. We are now a group of 4 and heading up in an elevator to Garam. The doors open to another smoky room, this time we got it right, and they are playing my jam.

We party with the DJs, the owner, and our new friends, who offer us a glimpse into this side of Tokyo. We are also offered shots, and when I decline, I am quickly served a shot of Ginger Ale instead so that I can at least join in the cheers. We celebrated a birthday, Golden Week, and new experiences. I am overwhelmed by how humble and polite the people are.

Garam

We have to leave to make our breakfast curfew, so I kiss the sky in the stairwell before getting to experience live why Japan is called The Land of the Rising Sun.

Shinjuku at 5 am

It is 5 am and the streets are crowded with people, I’m thinking about breakfast and sleeping on the train.

Cue Day 4, no alarm required.