I grew up watching Choriki Ohrangers, a Tokusatsu (special effects) show from 1995 which is fairly much part of the ongoing Power Rangers franchise. I never managed to watch the entire show so just before my trip I just happen to come across the DVD set and ended up watching it all. Still a great action comedy.

It also just happened to be the show's 30th anniversary and a special cast reunion was organised. The cast really hasn't changed much. Takumi Hashimoto who played King (Black) Ranger, Riki was a grown adult of course. It was fun watching him reveal the leader Red Ranger, Goro (Masaru Shishido) wasn't as disciplined as his character and often messed around with Pink Ranger, Momo (Tamao Sato) behind the scenes. Masaru eventually told him to shut up and stop ruining their heroes of justice image, lol.

Well, I guess most actors are like that like when you watch the Star Trek: Next Generation bloopers. 

While watching the show I thought I'd try recognising the spots like I do with Anime and it was actually quite easy using image search with the various landmarks that appear.

One spot was in the Skytree tourist area so I decided I'd revisit the place to see if it was changed. It would act as a guide for exploring more of Tokyo too as when touring other show related spots.

It was 27C but cloudy so wasn’t too bad outside. Never toured Sumida River but Sumida Park was a pretty nice walk away from the crowds of Asakusa.

"Apologies for the inconvenience," featuring a cute mascot.

This looked like Haro from Gundam but with Skytree towering nearby it also looked like some secret switch ready to activate a hidden giant mecha entrance nearby… Too many mecha shows, lol.

It’s just a power plug spot for workers.

So many places to frame Skytree from around Tokyo.

Two spots on Sakurabashi bridge from episode 43. The location doesn't seem to have changed much in over 30 years.

The pyramids really go with the Choriki monument they have in the base.

They were built featuring two storks art by Ikuo Hirayama to commemorate the bridge’s 10^th anniversary.

Again, Skytree in the background makes it look pretty surreal and looks like there really could be a secret mecha launch pad somewhere.

Of course, Skytree wasn't built yet during the show's production.

Quite a lot of cyclists and the odd skateboarder despite the “no skateboarding” signs. River was lined with some historical signs and Hokusai art to admire as you walk along it.

This side of Sumida Park was getting a little busier but there was a quiet cafe so I dropped in to buy their special Cheese Banana Ushiyaki.

Tasted pretty nice although they didn’t mention there was red bean inside.

Seems the reason it’s ushi (cow) shaped is because of the Ushijima Shrine here where they used to raise cows.

I decided to check out the free 30th floor viewing deck in the Solamachi shopping centre since I've already been in the packed 300th floor Skytree one.

Took me a while to find where the elevator for it was.

There isn't much space in the waiting area but personally I think the view was nicer because you could actually see what everything was on the 30th floor.

First time at an Excelsior Cafe but wanted something before the rush hour crowd were out. Place was outside my comfort zone because it wasn’t tablet ordering and a completely new place. Fortunately it was pretty quiet when I dropped in and the seating had sitting height glazed partitions for a bit of privacy which helped minimise my social anxiety.

On another note, their cocoa drink was really sweet… I had said “aisu nashi” as in no ice but didn’t know that didn’t work and had to be “koori nashi”. It was nice for the staff to stick to Japanese instead of switching to English immediately after hearing my accent though.

An empty vending machine with alcohol. Not hard for minors to steal an ID card and use it unless they require PINs...

I learned there was a manhole featuring Lycoris Recoil on it nearby and since I had time to burn with rush hour kicking, I thought I’d walk there.

Spotted this Honjo Fire Station when I scouted the area on Street Maps. Hasn't intended to visit but ended up passing by anyway. Had quite the architecture with an elephant statue outside to boot.

It was quite a walk to Olinas shopping centre from Skytree. Maybe around 30 minutes but since it was a shopping centre I could take a little break there.

Was hard snapping a clear pic with the rush hour crowds walking by.

As a tourist with plenty of free time, I didn't really want to add to the stress of locals by needlessly using public transport at its peak time.

Akiba wasn’t that far so thought I'd take a walk at one of my favourite pop culture spots.

Actually don't quite get the popularity of Lycoris Recoil. Only watched it because of the hype but seems there's a collab with the pachinko parlours too now.

Mansei side of Akiba’s always a nice quite spot to walk.

“Duck river” was pretty quiet. Natives like to name it after the popular Kamo River in Kyoto because of how people like to sit spaced out apparently.

Always be nice.

Pretty good stroll around parts of Tokyo I’ve never been to. Walked over 10km since lunch time.

Been trying various FamiMart conbini desserts but think I like the Souffle Pudding’s the best so far. Quite hard getting it too because usually it’s all gone.