Day One: Tokyo

Yanaka Cemetery, Tokyo, originally uploaded by haruspex.

Monday 10 April 2006

The plane landed in Tokyo at 6.35am. It was a chilly 12 degrees. The train to Ueno took about one hour and cost 1,000 yen (about $12). We had booked our hotel (The Oak) on the internet but couldn't check in till 3.00pm - so we dumped our bags there and wandered out to Ueno Park. The height of the cherry blossom season was the previous week, but thre were still some late bloomers and we took photos, along with loads of othr tourists. The park also had a lot of homeless people camping out in little tent cities, plus various museums, a lake and temples. The weirdest sighting was a guy feeding the stray cats bowls of 2 minute noodles. We visited the Toshogu Shrine and the Kiyomizu Kannodo Temple. Walking around the boat pond we saw the Soffitel hotel "Christmas Tree" tower.

Heading back towards the station we explored Ameyoko Street - packed with little stalls selling everything - including dried squid and fish. Walked along the train line towards Nippori to the Yanaka Cemetery. Really cool graves and tombs. The weather stayed pretty dismal - overcast and cold and spitting rain. Walked back to the hotel through Ueno Park, stopping for lunch of ramen at a noodle bar on Asakusa-dori. I had the Wakame Ramen, full of spinach and a bit of pork.

Back to the hotel to check in properly and have a hot shower in the teeny tiny bathroom - about the size of an airplane lavatory. We got funky japanese robes and slippers to wear though.

After dark we took the train to Shinjuku. The Japanese train system is so effecient and on time. Plus they have heating under the seats that keeps your bum warm. Neon craziness in Shinjuku. Wandered around the Kabukicho area. Found the Disc Union record store with a whole level of Japanese psych and underground CDs. Wandered into the red light district - all very seedy. We hung around the entrance of the Shinjuku Station, in front of the big TV screen to people watch. A lot of guys are going for the half bleached, feathered mullet look. Back to the hotel and in bed by 10pm. It was a very full day, and still a bit hard to believe this is the first day of our 6-month trip.