29 October 2026
I forgot about the earthquake
Lidabashi, Suidobashi and the Tokyo Dome
Last night I almost died in bed.
At 11 minutes past midnight, I woke up to the sound of the coat hangers rattling against the wall and then an empty plastic drink bottle fell off the desk. Earthquake, either 5.2 or 5.4 depending on the source. Quite nearby, but deep.
In all the years I have gone to the most earthquake prone places on the planet (Japan and Taiwan), this is the first time I have experienced one here, but strangely I have experienced one in Melbourne which was apparently stronger at 5.9 on whatever the scale is called these days.
The Tokyo one felt stronger, but that might be because there was a real possibility it was about to be 9.0, thankfully that did not happen and I went back to sleep. I was a bit surprised that there were no alarms, automated phone messages or anything of the like.
As for tonight, a small loop west of my hotel and back via the Tokyo Dome.
Tomorrow I go to Niigata, I have been there before but do not remember too much about it. I think it will be cold and raining.
The whole area around my hotel is book shops. Many street stalls that cover their books in plastic sheeting and many stores that just pull a curtain across in front of their books when they close like this one.
There are also book themed hotels, here is... BOOK HOTEL. It is also a book shop. I think you can sleep with any of the books you want to take up to your room and put them back in the morning.
I walked to Lidabashi, where I do not recall going to before, and had omurice. A small serve but that was fine. 1100 yen.
The crossing nearby was a satisfying labyrinth of overpasses.
Almost no trains stop here, it is a station along the Chuo line where nearly all the trains are Chuo rapid trains. There are also 4 different subway lines that meet at Lidabashi.
Now for the Tokyo Dome. Something was actually on in the arena, but I could not find out what. Music I think. Probably Darkthrone.
And finally, I stood here for 10 minutes waiting for the roller coaster, and once it finally got going it is barely noticeable in the photo.
My train tomorrow is not until lunch time, I will waste the entire day getting to Niigata, as I do.