Adventurenet.net

Public restrooms, facing fears, sex workers. Today was a busy day.

Saturday April 18th, 2026

It gets dark around 7:30 pm here. This is adding to the complicated time change.

The adventure must continue!

Good morning Tokyo!

My room came with an extra blanket thing for hygiene.

I’m not sure how this is hygienic, but I did come around.

I don’t know what the goal is, but when I sit down or toss things onto the bed for a moment, they land on this rather than the comforter.

It has grown on me, but back to morning two in Japan.

Let’s head to the Asakusa underground.

I have arrived too early.

Shops have not opened.

Ninja bar?

Color me curious.

Oh my gosh! Check out this place!

This is wonderful!

This business has an amazing style.

What a great spot.

Let’s head back up to ground level and see what’s in the neighborhood.

Oh, a Daiso.

I love Daiso!

The Daiso song is a bit much, though.

Today, I am glad that I am not an egg.

It’s still too early, many shops are not open, but it is good to explore.

I might come back here later.

I’m exhausted.

I’m going to head back to the hotel and chill out for a little bit.

This time change is doing a number on me.

Let’s try a new drink while we relax.

That might say “Hawaii and grape,” but I’m not 100% sure.

Not bad.

Also, I can see a pack of postcards that I bought on the right side of this photo.

I bought these at a souvenir shop, and I regret that purchase.

Cheap postcards are glossy on the back and difficult to write on.

This pack of cards falls into this category. I would not have bought them if I knew this in advance.

Fanta selfie!

Here’s one of the postcards.

They have nice photographs on them.

One of the things that I am most looking forward to during this trip is having a bidet.

At home, I have a bidet toilet seat.

Traveling can be frustrating because it means I need to “clean the peanut butter out of the carpet with a paper towel,” unlike when I’m at home.

This toilet, on the other hand, has a warmed seat, warmed water, and more spray options than I am used to at home.

The water pressure on this machine is perfect.

I can understand why everyone who spends time in Japan wishes they could take one of the bathrooms home with them.

I agree. Truly the best bathroom that I’ve ever used.

Time to get back out there…

And I got on the wrong train…

Oh well, it’s not like I had a plan anyway, let’s see what this place has to offer.

On that note, where am I?

I am in the Western part of the city in Hino, Tokyo.

There’s a mall nearby. Let’s check it out.

I saw a restaurant on the way in.

I think today will be the day that I try a restaurant.

I have been trying to memorize “Gochisousamadeshita” to say “thank you” at the end of a meal.

I think we have found the meal.

Oh yeah, the hand towels! I remember hearing about these!

I nice meal.

You’re probably wondering how the saying “thanks” part went.

It went well.

I think.

I had to say it slowly, and the person taking my payment helped finish it for me.

I say “Go-ch,i-sou-sa-ma” and she chimes in with “Gochisousamadeshita.” and I nervously reply “Yes. That. Thank you.”

And then I left quickly out of embarrassment.

This cartoon man with tooth pain makes me smile, though.

And so does this lovely door.

I then spend some time at a nearby park to rest these old feet.

Oh no…

That raw egg isn’t sitting well in my stomach.

I should get back to the hotel.

It’s an hour away.

I hope I can make it before I get sick.

I cannot.

I get off the train when it’s too much to take, and I find a public restroom.

I feel much better after this bathroom break, except I have to search the internet for how to flush this toilet.

There is a sensor low to the ground that I need to put my hand over and hold in place for a moment.

A couple of things to note about this subway restroom.

First, it had no line. There were enough urinals and toilets for everyone getting off the train.

Second, it was so clean.

Third…

I know I said “a couple of things,” but more memories came back since I wrote that, okay?

Third, the restrooms were very private.

Not like ones here in the US, where you can see your toilet neighbor’s feet.

This was very good as I felt vulnerable being sick away from a hotel in a country where I didn’t speak much of the language.

I make it back to the hotel with no further issues.

Folks here fall asleep in unusual places.

Everything is so safe, I guess it makes sense.

Loads of people nodding off on the train.

One girl fell asleep on a stranger next to her.

I’m going to hang out at the hotel to recuperate again, and then there is an event nearby that I think I’ll go watch.

Oiran Night Rock is the event.

A performance of a mix of Japanese and Western music.

For now, I’ll watch a movie.

Oh, there’s free porn on the T.V.

Oh, Japan.

I love these hotel signs when they say, “We cannot bear responsibility.”

There should be a spot to do laundry here somewhere. I should look for it.

Found it!

I took this next picture because it looks like a spa trying to get the Dungeons & Dragons crowd by using a twenty-sided dice image.

This bar seems suspicious, but I can’t figure out why.

I found the event, but I got here too early.

I’ll take a quick look around the area, but then I’ll come back and position myself in a nice spot to watch the show.

There is a naughty dinosaur that is trying to eat children.

The show is starting!

With the event starting, folks are lining up.

Man, this is really rocking as the performance goes on!

Oh, there are more performers who join the show as well!

Side note, several days from now, I learn that “oiran” are elevated sex workers who are trained in traditional arts.

I know I just said “side note,” but I have another side note.

During this last song in the video above, there is an invitation to join in the dance.

Now is a good time to mention that I am so afraid of dancing in public.

But I did it.

I had to quickly leave after the show because I didn’t want people to see me crying.

But I did it.

It’s still a fear that is with me, but I am now one step closer to overcoming it.

I cannot express how much anxiety it gives me to write about this.

Also, I saw a geisha at this event.

I did not take a photo. You’re not supposed to take photos of geishas.

That is enough excitement and facing fears for a day.

Off to bed for me.

I’ll see you tomorrow.