Just in Tokyo: Page 21

Just in Tokyo by Justin Hall Page #21 This is a browsable copy of the original pdf hosted on Rikai.com If you enjoy this work, please consider donating to the author This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
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Cabs

Wandering through some of the populous neighborhoods at night, it's
not unusual to see a line of cabs running over four blocks. I've had
cabdrivers insist I walk to the front of the line before I can get in a
cab. Other times they'll pick you up just fine.

The door swings open automatically to anticipate your arrival. And
then it closes behind you (the driver has a lever for the door at his
side). Inside is white lace covering the seats and headrests. The
meter starts at around 660 yen, about $5. That will carry you for a
decent bit of time before more money is added to your fare.

Since the trains stop running between 12.30 and 1am, the cabs
might end up being your only means of transportation during late
hours. They know this too, so there is a late-night surcharge added
to the usual expensive rates.

Like New York, the train is usually faster for getting across town than
a taxi, during the daytime when there is plenty of traffic. It's fantastic
to see Tokyo go by. But you'll miss the people show of the subway.

Cars

You could get a car for your time in Tokyo. You'd be driving on the
British side of the road; it's reputed that the Emperor of Japan
learned to drive from the King of England. Or, according to Stephen
Church, "it's all to do with swords and being right-handed."

You'll see some of the smallest cars you've ever seen driving on the
open road, tiny boxes that look just fine for getting around but would
seem to be wimpy on the American freeway, competing with station
wagons and sport utility vehicles. But not all cars in Japan are small;
head to some areas where young folks party and you'll invariably see
a large van modified with purple plexiglass to look like Batman's bad
hair day, giant tailpipes thundering motor sounds, and maybe popstar
faces painted on the back doors. They are spectacle cars com-
posed of fantastic plastic and they probably wouldn't be allowed on
your home streets. Too bad for you.

The United States has 17,000 marines stationed on Okinawa,
two and a half hours south of Tokyo by plane. This is America's
largest permanent overseas military posting.

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