So, a little about the area I’ve moved to. I’m living in Shinagawa-ku (or Shingagawa City). It’s south of my school and is considered a little more residential of the neighborhoods. Minato (where my school is) is more of a school/business district, and some of the other places that are famous in Japan are very urban with shopping and office buildings and nightlife. Shinagawa City is more residential. My apartment is off of a major street, but it is lined with large, nice (much nicer than mine :) ) apartment buildings. Not far from my apartment is something they call Togoshi-Ginza Shopping Street. It’s kind of like a little stretch of NY’s Chinatown (without the smell). It supposedly has over 400 little shops and restaurants. I have been over there for some food/necessities, but I have by no means fully explored it. It does seem to have a whole lot though. I’ve seen little shoe shops, little mobile phone venders, small restaurants (with cheap and REALLY tasty food – even a little sushi vendor), pharmacies, beauty supplies, 100 yen shops, etc. I will have to get out and explore it more when I’m feeling better.
My roommate Matthew also says that there is a place down the street that serves a traditional Japanese breakfast for 450 yen. I’m definitely going to have to try that place. It comes with soup, chicken, all-you-can-eat rice, and either natto or egg (tamago). I’m steering clear of the natto, but I can handle egg. Matthew has managed to live extremely frugally here, so he says that breakfast is his big meal. He considers paying 1000 yen ($10) for a meal to be too much. So, I will definitely be taking food advice from him.
Also, right down the street from my apartment is a public gym, which is really handy for when I’m feeling better. If you show your gaijin card, you can exercise for 400 yen (a little under $4). There is no contract, and you just show up when you feel like exercising. There is also supposedly a public bath near my apartment, but I haven’t gone exploring for it yet.
I am going to go out at some point and take some photos of the neighborhood. It stinks that I keep saying I’m going to go out and do this and that but haven’t, but I really, really want to be healthy so that I can truly enjoy my experience here, so just be patient with me. Thanks! :)
As for other stuff in Shinagawa City, it is the home of the Sengaku-ji Temple (of the 47 Ronin), which is a famous, although (I’ve heard), less than impressive temple. I still plan to check it out. Also, there is a contemporary art museum, a park, and an aquarium, which I plan to try and visit. The Shingawa Prince Center is also a big source of shopping, nightlife, and entertainment for people living in Shinagawa, apparently, with movies, chain restaurants and shopping. It also has a Limo Bus service to the airport, which will be handy for when Amey visits, since I know she’ll have some luggage. :)
So, if you want to see where Shinagawa is in relation to the rest of Tokyo or just learn some fun, random facts about it, here is a link to the Wiki. Also, here is a link to the Shinagawa City Official Site in English. It has all sorts of handy information, like scripts for if you have to call for an ambulance. Very nice of them! :) Anyway, that is all for now!
Ja mata!
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