visual assault, llc

I’ve refrained from writing until I can take a good amount of time to do it properly. Needless to say, I’m heading back to Boston tomorrow, so I will post retrospective posts once I’m back. Keep an eye out for them, and their photos. I’ve got plenty of good ones to share.

13:00

Met up with Ayaka and her mother in Shinjuku for a bit before heading into Shibuya to do some pre-departure shopping. I ended up buying some clothes for my buddy Matt, and a sweatshirt for myself. Perhaps its due to the time of year, but the deals I’m finding for the quality and style of clothes I’m finding is astounding.

18:00

The big find today was Nonbeiyoko-cho (Drunkards alley), just next to Shibuya, on the other side of the train tracks. Here you’ll find a collection of tiny bars/pubs the largest which fits 12, the average size fits 5-8 patrons. The patrons are regulars, the atmosphere is comfortable and welcoming, the food hot and homecooked by a single “Master” right at the bar in front of you, taking part in the conversation. Occasionally people would pop their heads in to say hi, and you could feel the friendly neighborhood-ly relationships in the air.

Here me and my friend Ikuko enjoyed a slow paced dinner from 18:45 until 23:00. We were the first to arrive, but gradually the regulars showed up, a bit surprised to find non-regulars in their place, but they gradually warmed up to me and Ikuko, and we all had a wonderful time sharing experiences.