Toyko Metro

I've had 3 days experience with the Tokyo Metro subway system. It's huge. and seems incredibly efficient. Most of the stations are underground and it's like mini-cities for some Metro stops. Each station has shops -- at least a small grocery/AM-PM type of store and maybe a coffee shop.

Tonight I got to experience rush hour in one of the busiest Metro stations in Tokyo (and I've heard the world). Shinjuku Station. I'm not sure how many train lines run through this station but it's got to be at least 10 lines.


I turned to head up the stairs to the platform and just saw mobs of people streaming down the stairs to change trains or exit. I dove for the edge of the stairs to not get trampled and muttered

"Oh Shi@#!" to myself! Then I slowly worked my way up the side of the stairs against traffic. I really felt like a salmon swimming upstream. Wow -- that was an experience.

(update 11/26)
Riding the Hiroo subway line (non-commuter hours!):

Is it Right to Left or Left to Right?

Japanese write from right to left (and up and down in columns). So maps are written in a similar direction. Still takes me a while to orient myself with a map and read it almost backwards.

The Japanese also drive on the opposite side of the road from the US. So we have to keep remembering to walk on the left side of the sidewalk so that we don't get mowed over by bikes.

Coffee, Tea or Diet Coke?

I ordered my first Java Chip Frappacino today at a Japan Starbucks. There are Starbucks all over Tokyo. I can't say I spoke brilliant Japanese to the clerk to place my order; I basically pointed at the picture of it. She said something in Japanese and I nodded. But I did understand when the drink was ready at the bar and said it was mine in Japanese!

I haven't tried lots of tea varieties yet, but I hope to as we hit the road to Kyoto where we'll probably be eating out in little restaurants more.

There are vending machine with beverages ALL over. Pretty much every street corner has several. It's great -- you can buy bottled water easily. Or green tea, other flavored teas, beer, soda, etc. Interestingly it's harder to find diet coke than I thought. Coke is sold everywhere and in these vending machines. But I have to hunt for a diet coke vending machine. And I don't see Pepsi much at all.

Halloween in Japan

It's 10/31 and yes, they do seem to celebrate Halloween in a way. There are decorations in some of the stores and some stores have costumes. At Roppongi Hills there were having some sort of parties for a week at the City View (52nd floor place). And the ticket takers were all in costumes -- hats, capes. Not as wild as in the US -- more traditional stuff. I doubt they go trick-or-treating here. But I guess I'll find out today!

I found out they do trick-or-treat in Japan. We saw some very cute little kids out in costumes with their moms going to stores for candy. We asked one of the moms about it and she said that some parts of Tokyo do celebrate Halloween.

Good Morning Japan!

My first day in Japan -- Monday, Oct. 29, 2007.

We (Dennis, Donald, Chie, Donald Jr.) headed out to Harajuko District -- Takeshita Dori (street) and Amotesando Dori. It's supposed to be an area where young adults hang out, dress a little crazy, etc. And it was. Wow -- 20somethings in Japan dress pretty darn bizarre. One gal was in a little bow peep outfit and it wasn't a Halloween costume. Apparently it's a popular outfit to wear.

Lots of young women wear VERY short black shirts with long (up above the knee) black knee highs and backless shoes. It's pretty darn slutty looking. Can't say I'm overwhelmed by Japanese fashion! But the people watching is quite fun.

There was even a pet store with all sorts of little doggie outfits. I've only seen little dogs here. Cody would be viewed as a giant.

We then walked to a large park with the Meiji Shrine in the middle. Lots of huge tree canopies and crows in the midst of towering buildings. The shrine is part of the Shinto religion. This one honors Emperor Meiji who brought Japan under one united country in the last 1800's.

We (me and Dennis) placed a "ema" -- wood prayer board on the prayer wall. I prayed for a fun, enriching, memorable trip. So far so good.

Then we went to Rippongi Hills to see a view of Tokyo from the 52nd floor at sunset. It was pretty impressive. It's a huge city with tons of high rises and a very patches of green/parks. And the Tokyo Tower stands out. It looks like a smaller version of the Eiffel Tower lit up in orange lights.

Then we came back for a Japanese dinner at the hotel. First time I had sake. Warm, shot of sweetish alcohol. Not bad, but I don't think it will be my call drink.

So that was my first day.

Traveling to Japan

What more can I say than it was a long, boring flight. We had to send to sit on the tarmac for 2 hours while they fixed something in the inter plane audio communications. So the flight was 12 hours + 2 hours sitting. 14 hours is just too long to sit in a long metal tube with 400 other people.

Once we arrived at Narita Airport/Japan, we had to get a train to an hour ride to Tokyo Train Station, and then a half hour cab ride to the hotel. I think it was a test -- how many types of transportation could you put me on while I'm drop dead tired?

But we arrived at a wonderful hotel -- the New Sanno Hotel. It's wonderfully spacious, non-smoking, clean, and great service. It's a hotel for active and retired US military. So it feels a little like a small Las Vegas hotel and you can even us US dollars to pay for things. So it's a little weird because it feels like I'm in America instead of Japan. But it's nice to come back after a long day and not have to worry about translating things, etc.

Anyway -- long day for the first day. I did an all-nighter so it was pretty easy to drop into bed and snooze for 11 hours!

My 1st Blog Message

Hi. This is my first post to my first blog. This is in preparation for my trip to Japan. I thought I'd go a blog instead of writing in a journal.