A day in Tokyo

Have you ever lived in Tokyo? I lived there 6 years ago, in Arakawa which is an old 'downtown' area. I loved the convenience of being able to walk everywhere or to use the subway or train system. Tokyo air mightn't be clean but walking and all of those stairs is certainly healthy! I miss Arakawa and wouldn't mind living there again some day.

But these days I rarely go to the metropolis. Of course the Tsukuba Express has brought Tokyo that much closer in terms of time and effort, but I just don't have any reason to go! I only go about twice a year and then only because of business or passing through on my way to Haneda Airport.

Last Friday I managed to arrange my schedule so that I could go to Tokyo on a weekday for some business errands. I finished up quite early and then had the rest of the day to wander about. Japanese have an affectionate term for wandering around in various parts of Tokyo - well I did 'Ginbura' (Ginza de fura fura suru???) Actually, it wasn't so interesting and it was VERY hot! Worse still, lunch was awful. After going to the one store that I purposely went to Ginza for, I went back to Tokyo Station and to Maruzen Bookstore.

I wonder if there is a word for aimlessly spending time in a bookshop? 'Honbura' perhaps? :)