Many people here on Hive suggested I go out and have a walk to make me feel better. I did just that and my mood was better. I’ve started to work on the things I wrote down and was already seeing some results so I’m slowly getting back on my feet. And speaking of feet, here I am walking the subway’s route.
I walked from Shin Nakano station to Ogikubo station of the Marunouchi Subway Line. I’ve tried walking this route before but only in between Shin Koenji station and Shin Nakano station. I’ve never walked past it. So this is my first time.
I was planning to talk the Yamanote Line in preparation for an upcoming walkathon event next month but I told my friends I cannot attend it anymore due to some difficulties so my plans of practicing the walk also failed. Aside from spending train fare to go to Tokyo station, which is the starting point, it will also take time ~7 hours for walking half the Yamanote line. Yesterday I woke up late so I had only a few hours left to walk. Yamanote line walk will have to be for next time.
Anyways back to walking. I wasn’t using the maps and only relied on my instincts. I didn’t get lost, thankfully. This side of Marunouchi line is mainly residential. If you’re familiar with this subway line, it goes to Shinjuku, Ginza, Tokyo, and Ikebukuro, which are crowded places.
I passed by some shops that are closing for good. I went inside Jeansmate, window shop for a bit and also asked the staff when the closing date is. He told me it’s at the end of the month. Too bad, but oh well, closing sale.
Then there’s this Book Off branch that’s closing next month.
They say Koenji has a retro and hipster vibe. You can also go thrift shopping here. But I only passed by it, so next time, I told myself to explore more of Koenji. I’m sure this lighted area in Shin Koenji is connected to Koenji station. And this was the area where I stayed when I attended the Koenji Awa Odori Festival.
I also passed by few more shotengais or covered shopping streets. In downtown Tokyo, I only see a few of them but in here, I was surprised to find them in almost every station I passed. Maybe because it’s so residential here.
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When I reached Minami Asagaya station, I remembered my friends. When we’re going for a roadtrip, we would meet around here and take the rented car from here. They will come from Asagaya station and I would come from Minami Asagaya station, and I’d walk from here to there. Not so far so it’s all good. They live on the south of Tokyo now so they’re far from me.
After Minami Asagaya is Ogikubo and the road was a bit quiet. Earlier there were some people walking and jogging but now I’m all alone (there were few cars on the road though). It didn’t scare me though and I told myself I would continue this til the goal.
I was walking on a plain road but now there’s a bit of an elevation.
Seeing the fenced train tracks was my cue that I’m almost at the goal. I remembered Ogikubo station is like this. You can see the train from the street. And nope, this isn’t the subway but the JR Chuo Line.
I was so closed to the train tracks. I shouldn’t have walked on this side of the road. It was thrilling though.
I realized I was on the other side of Ogikubo station, which I haven’t been before. It’s more lively on the other side. I know I’d have to go underground to cross to the other side but I tried walking further to see if there’s another way to cross.
There was none so I had to take the underground. I walked far so I had to go back to the main area. Ugh, it was so hot at the underground.
Before I go back, I checked out the station on the lively side. Seems like there’s a lot of shops here, and even malls.
I saw another shotengai but decided not to go there. I’m sure the shops are closed now that it’s almost 9pm.
I decided to go home after. It was a long wall. It took me 1.5 hours to finish. My legs are still aching from the walk. So I decided to take it easy today.
That’s all for me today.
If you asked me how I’m doing now.. it’s better than yesterday. Thank you to the people who messaged and commented on my previous post. I really appreciate you all.
Thanks for reading!
じゃーまたね！ See you around.
Photos are mine unless stated otherwise.
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