Looking For Treasure

I hadn't been to a recycle shop since I got sick so, today I thought I'd actually try somewhere new.

I left a little bit later than I wanted to, but luckily I still had enough time to check out the Treasure Factory in Tachikawa.

It's about a 20 minute walk south along the monorail line. You hang a left at the first major intersection (There's a Koban and a petrol station), and cross the road.

With these long walks I sometimes wonder if I'm going the right way.

I came across this yellow building that I thought was it. Nope, this is Cycle Base Asahi. You should be able to find a bicycle you like here, maybe.

Keep walking and you'll see this sign. It's says it becomes an emergency road in case of a major earthquake. Why there's a fish on the sign I'm still trying to work out. We're not too close to the sea from here at all.

Finally I came to a carpark area where there's a video rental shop, Gyu Kaku and a Softbank store.

Right next to that was Treasure Factory!

It feels like there is more of a variety of goods at these places than the "OFF" stores. I didn't buy anything, but it's always interesting to have a look at the stuff that I might actually have a use for.

I'm almost coming to the end of my recycle shop visits. There is another place I plan to go to soon, but after that I might give it a break for a while, or only go infrequently to some of the better ones I liked.

I have enough junk as it is, and I have to somehow figure out the best way to get it back to Australia one day.

Just Passing Through Nakano Broadway

Today I couldn't help myself.

The Chuo line conveniently stops at Nakano, meaning that I couldn't fight my urge to NOT get off that train and have a look around Nakano Broadway.

The last time I was here, I knew, just like in Roma, that I'd be returning here soon once more. The only difference is there was no "Trevi Fountain" to waste my one yen coins.

I looked for some more Bandai games.

The only one they had was Mr Franken for about 7300 yen in the original box. I passed on it thinking I got a good deal with the ones I already got. There was a Nintendo Game & Watch for about $1000. That's just crazy.

I really like this place. It's one of those special places you don't find in guide books. It's only one express stop away from Shinjuku, so if you have nothing better to do and want an alternative to Akihabara, this is it.

Tachikawa has a whole lot less appeal.

It looks a little more lively than some other 'burbs in Tokyo (strangely Tomioka comes to mind vividly). But sadly this place feels more Fujisawa than anywhere else.

I walked around a little bit today, but apart from a few shopping centres it feels devoid of any kind of soul. Lucky then, that as usual I had heaps of classes today.

Let the weekend come quickly. Please.