Last Night Shift In Tokyo’s Womb

Day 5 Part 2

I can’t sleep so I shower, then start getting ready to go out for round two of this day. The others wake at some point after and do the same.

I am first to the lobby, just in time to see Roomie’s new friend from a few nights ago walk in. We talk until the other two arrive, then hail a cab and head to Shibuya. It has been too long since we last ate, so we stop into a little spot close to our destination for a quick bite to eat. What are the chances, but they are playing old school hip hop and R&B, reminiscent of Bestie and I’s teen club days. Although it is after 1 am, this place is packed.

We are seated at the very back in a triangle shaped booth-like room that separates us from the main area. It feels exclusive which I like. The pre drink kicks off; I stick with water because I’m holding out for Red Bull at the club. The meal is quick, and we bounce to the nightclub Womb just up the street. Roomie decides it’s not her vibe and splits, Bestie and I know it’s exactly our vibe and prance into the club like schoolgirls. We are going to be doing this until 100.

This is what I live for. I don’t even dance but enjoy the debauchery. It’s not hard to find my drink, there’s a Red Bull vending machine on the third floor. No surprise there, Japan has a vending machine for everything. Bestie dances as usual. I exchange awkward moments with strangers who brave the heavy beats to shout small talk at me in an English I don’t understand. It’s easy for things to get lost in translation and I’m amused by their efforts.

DJ Mark Knight finishes his set and it’s close to five am. Bestie and I pull a sneaky maneuver to ditch the clingers collected over the past few hours and exit onto the street. Simultaneously donning sunglasses, we look for a taxi to whisk us away. After a few attempts to explain where we are going the driver finally figures it out and we are en route to our home base in Shinjuku.

Shortly after arriving in our room there is a knock at the door. This is where the youngsters come to after party and it looks like this morning is no exception. It’s Pretty Lady, a fellow trip mate. Still in her dress, as are we, I throw her some joggers and a t-shirt, and we all change into our comfy’s to swap stories in the park. Pretty Lady’s night has ours’ beat for sure.

The hotel restaurant starts serving breakfast at 7 am; so we head back to grab food then part ways to get some sleep. The alarm is set for 11 am and Roomie is first on the priority list if we haven’t heard from her by then.

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.