The city is magnificent and clearly, there's a million things to do.
One of the members had previously mentioned that he was spoiled for everywhere else now that he had witnesses Japanese Service first hand. Well, I could not agree more. From your little hot towel everywhere you went to have a meal or drink to a girl bowing to you at your basic convenience store, the level of service is incomparable. There is no smoking on city streets but there is a 'designated smoking area' at every intersection and people respect that. Outside buildings or restaurants, there are dozens of bicycles parked completely unlocked. No one touches them. People respect that. Girls and women walking around in full Kimono outfits for no other reason that they want to wear them. They look absolutely lovely and stunning. Kudos to them! The politeness and respect rubs off on you very quickly "ah-ree-gah-toe go-zah-ee-mash-tah" becomes part of your vernacular very quickly.
The women.
The lovely stunning women that populate this city is a wonder to behold. Like anywhere else, many will not give you the time of day but the ones who do will give you every bit of their time, effort and attention.
In my week there I was blessed to be in the company of three beautiful Japanese women.
The first was a surprise, to tell the truth. On my third evening, while in Asakusa district, I was turned away from the first two Hostess Bars due to a 'Japanese Only' rule. At the third bar - Asakusa Asamo Girls Garden - the middle eastern manager spoke excellent English. He emphasized the no 'Gaijin' (foreigner) rule once again. I stated to him that all I wanted was a drink in a good ambiance and I didn't even need to sit with a girl. He agreed so long as I was reserved and polite. No problem from me. Once seated, I noticed all the girls staring at me and all made eye contact with each other. Eventually, a lovely young thing came to ask permission to sit with me and if she might 'practice her English'. By all means. She presented me with a hot towel, she wiped my hands and neck and then poured my drink. At first she was very polite and professional but within an hour her body language was all pressed into mine and she was all smiles. To my surprise (I thought it was just talk) she asked if we could have dinner the following evening which was her night off. We agreed on a place and she was there as she said she would be. I don't know who was more surprised, her or I. After dinner, as she had mentioned she lives with her mother and grandmother, I invited her to my hotel room. She said she could not but she would ride in the taxi with me and see me there. She held my hand all the way in the taxi. Once there, I asked her how much was required for the taxi to continue on and take her home. She said it was too far and she would take the Oedo line (subway) home. It was only two blocks away from my hotel. I paid the taxi and offered my hand to help her out but I didn't let her hand go and (since I have nothing to lose) I just continued into my hotel with her in tow. She never once protested, just a little giggle when she cuddled me in the elevator. We went into my room, I began to kiss her and undress her, she excused herself to the bathroom and came back only in her lingerie and she was mine for the night. At about 4am, she woke up and mentioned she had to go. I offered her taxi money and she said 'Arrigato San' so I gave her 30,000 JPY (about $30 CDN) and off she went. My first Japan tryst was with a polite, sweet semi-pro. No regrets.
Now, if you want to meet people, forget the websites and calculated 'meets' and just head to 'The Hub' which is an English style pub. There's a few of these throughout Tokyo. I went to the one in Shinjuku. Here you'll find all sorts from all over the world but the Japanese that are there, they want to be there. Guys want to talk sports, girls want to talk English and safely flirt. The night went on well as I met two Australian blokes and we pretty much invited any girls we liked to sit and drink with us. There were no refusals but most were just polite, had one drink and excused themselves. After chatting with about 15 girls, along came 'Saki', a dental assistant and cute as a button. The chemistry was there but I had to remember the Japanese rule about politeness. No touching in public, respectful and attentive. Saki took her role seriously. She poured my drinks, wiped my hands, fixed my hair and when she slid her arm around my shoulder and stroked the back of my neck, it was as sure a sign as there is with a Japanese woman. At about 3am, I was ready to go and said so. Saki looked crushed. Immediately, I asked her to come with me in a taxi and I could drop her off. She grabbed her purse and we both headed for the street. In the cab she sat right next to me and I wanted to see how far I could go. I put my hand on her thigh and stroked the inside of it just under her skirt. Not a peep from her. So I showed the cab driver my hotel room key card and pointed to it. He gave me a thumbs up and then Saki just put her head on my shoulder. In 20 minutes, we were in my hotel room where she spent the night and we made plans for the next day.
The following day, on my way to meet Saki, I saw a beautiful girl in full Kimono on the subway. This sweet Kimono-wearing-lovely was called Mizuki and she is originally from Hokkaido now studying English at the University of Tokyo. I simply wanted a picture of her in Kimono and then one of her and I together and that was that. To my surprise, she had no intention of leaving me unless I dismissed her so I asked her to join me for the day. We ended up going to the National Museum and its stunning surrounding grounds with a Public Square that will blow you away in terms of size, scope and beauty. Also, the Museum of Western culture with its Monet water Lilies and Rodin sculptures. Stunning! Mizuki suggested a place for dinner in Shimo-Kitazawa which is the artists' neighborhood and it was great. When I invited Mizuki back to my hotel she just looked shocked and surprised. Didn't say a thing. She did though, get in the cab with me, follow me up to my room and once inside, she took off my shoes and offered to bathe me. It was as traditional a Japanese scene as you can imagine. She drew the bath, prepared the soaps, undressed me and then herself and got in the tub with me. She was completely inexperienced in bed but there for my pleasure. The only words she said to me through the whole evening were: "You have been very kind to me. Thank you." I'm sure Saki hates me.
So, out of all the women I greeted, three did respond. One semi-pro, a Tokyo and a Hokkaido civilian. The difference was palpable between the Tokyo women and the Hokkaido girl. All three though are unforgettable.
Yes, it is a City of Goddesses. Japanese men don't know how good they have it since they see it every day. This does not mean that if you're there you shouldn't go to the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi Hills, do the Shibuya Crossing, shop in Asakusa, visit Sensō-ji Temple and, naturally, go to Mt. Fuji.
And YES, the sushi does taste better. Did I mention the incomparable service level that has spoiled me forever?
So, from Don Draper of Toronto to Tokyo of the East: a most heartfelt 'ah-ree-gah-toe go-zah-ee-mash-tah'.
I will return.
