Solo venture to Shinjuku

Monday I ventured off on my own. I tackled the Tokyo subway system (see picture below). I smartly chose a route such that I didn't have to change trains. It was still a bit daunting since you have to look at the map and figure out your fare... each stop has a different charge.

Below is a picture from the 14th floor of the Times Square department store. This sort of scene probably sprawls out for miles as Tokyo is made up of a number of cities such as Shinjuku.

Here you see the colorful lights of Shinjuku. Monday was coming of age day in Japan. This is a national holiday to celebrate the adult. In Japan, 20 is when you are officially an adult. On this day everyone who has turned 20 in the previous year wears a very decorative kimono to make it known they are an adult. This is why there are a lot of people out and they even shut down the streets to have street performers.

This picture, also from Shinjuku, illustrates how prevelant bikes are for the Japanese. Biking is a very popular form of transportation... you always have to be aware of bikers coming up from behind you as you walk along the sidewalks.